BassinMidWest

Enjoy the rod! Never used a shimano rod, but these new ones look great! They've really upgraded the blanks to the ones the rods a step above them had... might have to get one when they come out! The new Crucial looks great for about 150. Might make a good match on a Lew TP! I think a 7'2" MH would be sweet for jigs! Not a fan of the cosmetics, but I'll let it slide!

Biggun! Makes good stew though if you wanna take the time to fix it!

Another Vote for TN!

Great on a c-rig where big fish are present. I also opt for the larger ones in the fall when bass are lookin to get fat!

Hey yall, new here! I was at Cabelas the other day and was checking out the new Lews Reels... And I've gotta say, I'm impressed! IMO the Tournament pro felt like the best of the bunch. Felt like a very solid, "tight" feeling reel, and smoothness was through the roof! I was real close to getting a 7.1:1, but wanted to get some options about it before I sealed the deal. How do you guys feel about these reels, and the brand in general?

I use a 5:1 BPS pro qualifier, and it's a great little crankin reel. Never had a problem with it, casts great, and reels smoothly, and can be found on sale at that price. I use a 7' St. Croix premier Crankin stick on it and could't be happier!

Depends on the season! In the spring I catch em up wards of 5lbs pretty consistently, and get a few 4's most trips. In the summer, I catch more bigger fish (4 - 6), but much less. For example in the summer I'll catch 10 fish 4 of them will big. In the Spring and fall, I'll catch 20 in a day and 5 or 6 will be big.

What kind of senkos? I've never had them happen to any plastics but berkly Gulp. Hope soaking them in water helps though, senkos (GYCB) ain't cheep.

Around the 100 dolor price range, I think the abu garcia Veritas, and Bucoo are hard to beat. I do a lot of river smallie fishing, and I think a 6'6" - 7' ML is a great all purpose river smallie rod. Good for spinners, tubes, and top waters - Not sure I'd like it for fishing plastics like you mentioned, seems like it would be kinda hard to get a good hook set. For just a bit more, I think the Verdict would be great for river smallies when you're wading. I can see the adjustable butt really coming in handy when you're up to your chest in water. I'd go with the 6'9" would suit your needs best.

I think it's pretty hard to beat a spinnerbait and a swimjig once the weeds start to die down around here. Cast right over the tops, and rip it free when they get caught up in em. Around dusk and in the Morning, a Spook or Sammy is hard to beat in the backs of creeks.

I've done the same thing too, and hate it just as much as you do. I was fishing a C-rig felt a fish hit, went to tighten my line up to set the hook, but didn't feel any weight and went on fishing it on the same cast. 30 seconds later I feel a tug, and set the hook. Bring up a solid 4 ponder and it's hook deep, and ends up dying. Not so much a big deal with small fish for me, but when it happens to a goodun, it really ruins my day!