craww

Conditioner will absolutely help braid, particularly with the super thin diameter lines and the lightest of baits. I fish for migratory shad in the spring, shad darts are the preferred bait. The 1/32oz darts have better action than the 1/16, but naturally dont cast near as well. I get an measured 5-7 yards+ extra distance on 5lb power pro. There are 2 line conditioners marketed as "braid" conditioners. It's not really going to be noticeable if your chucking 3/4 ounce baits with a baitcaster. But it may help get a few less random loop knots on spinning gear, and help prevent friction from line buried in the spool wedging against itself. Conditioner isnt as earth shattering on braided PE line as a stiff nylon line, but it can help.

Good points...I used to fish a couple spots like that and was fortunate to catch some very big bass for the area. Got some snark from locals to the point I just quit discussing it or showing pics. However, this put me on a dramatic uptake in catching bigger fish in public waters and I learned nuances that may take decades in a few years. No reason to dismiss the guy what he may share just because of oppurtunity. Having access to and being able to learn from a body of water that holds big fish can teach you things at a very, very rapid pace. The fisheries may be different, but the bass themselves have a lot more in common than haters seem to think.

Not my favorite, thats a tie between the Sammy 85 in MS American shad, discontinued rapala xwalk 14 in glass ghost, or a 3/8 or 1/2oz black buzzbait. But they do have a place. Great for covering water, can be absolutely bombed, and arent as hard on the wrists as a dog walking bait... theyre kind of like the rattle trap of topwaters. They aren't quite as versatile as a buzzbait due to fouling/snagging in cover and the dramatic splash that can be detrimental at times.

Both are well built rods from companies that'll take care of you. Personally, and this is just my opinion in the best interest of the original post, you can get rods with much better blanks at their price ranges. A trend I've noticed in many arenas is A high end manufacturers "base" model type tiers are often not the best bang for buck. A light action or even medium light can be a little harder to find. Hate being the guy that points you towards rods you didn't even ask about; but Fenwick has many rods in that power that are all excellent values at 4 or so model ranges depending on what you want to spend.

Original rapala jointed minnow, in one of the larger sizes that cast better. Also It may not be for all environments, but both my boys learned on shallow square bills in ponds. Only possible concern is where they transition from the waters edge to bank, sometimes kids don't have the best awareness of where the bait is and booger it up at the end of the retrieve.

Google nories bug by kinami baits. We have an intense bite here when dragonflies are flying close to the surface and bass are jumping out of the water all over to catch em, quite a site to behold. A weightless nories bug in black is lights out in that situation. Theyre Yammamotos sons company and made out of the same dense, castable plastics with good subtle action from the appendages.

Please keep us posted if you go that route. . I've never gotten my hands on that model, but have wondered if that would be just about right for what I use a spinning rod for. The Med is great but is getting into what I use casting rods for.

I now own two, the 6'10" M shakeyhead spinning rod and the 7' 3" H casting rod and may get one more. Very, very sensitive rods. They do in fact flex down the blank into a more parabolic bend when a fish loads, yet you would never know it casting and retrieving. They are a hair underrated power wise, the shakeyhead model is a little more in its sweet spot casting senkos, spinner baits, buzzbaits, even 1/2 traps. It's a little different for a rod that handles baits that heavy and having that fast of an action "giving" up torque to the fish, but it works. I've been throwing rattle baits for river stripers and largies alot this year and haven't lost the 1st fish. They're great performers with a lifetime warranty- (not sure how that plays out w/cabelas on a discontinued rod). I own a 7' Med Avid and it's similar to the 610 arachnid in power and tip; but the arachnid is substantially less tip heavy and more sensitive.

From my understanding, with the depths and conditions we bass fishermen encounter the whole red line disappearing first thing was kind of debunked a while back. At any rate the line you mentioned is good. Pretty much all PE lines will lose their coating/color. Products like braidaid and KVD L&L seems to help the color last a bit longer. I found the red spike it markers do a good job coloring red braid and doesn't smell as obnoxious as sharpies, which a lot of guys use. The smell probably wears off pretty quick, but I always thought why drag such an off putting smell by the fish before the bait passes by its nose.

Haven't used the new models, but was pretty impressed by feel in store.

Line and lure, "braid aid conditioner", or straight up silicone spray won't wash way the coating. Just the opposite actually. I have a reel with red PP that's been spooled for 4 seasons and has lost little color. Reel magic on the other hand will as its a solvent that's petroleum based.

Little secret it helps braid hold its coating longer. I've noticed a tangible casting improvement with braid as well. I throw a lot of 1/32 shad darts in the spring. Just a hard bait to get distance with but the lighter versions have better action. L&L gave me a measured 10-15' on my ultralight. Oddly I don't see much improvement with bigger braids but lighter diameters it does. Maybe it adds some weight and helps it not flutter in the air, I dunno.

I've done well with them and had a buddy that caught some toads back in the day. Great subtle, natural looking bait in the water. Definetely have gotten away from throwing them and you're absolutely right. Thanks for the reminder.

Hey guys As you may know these were discontinued years back. Never really used the larger sizes in shallow cover for bass the way they seemed to be marketed/intended, but the little 1/16 or 1/8 oz size was an absolute killer in current. The bait would just flutter in place and I had some 100 fish days using them. Looking for some direction on how to make my own. I assume they basically used a spoon, welded a hook to it and poured lead at the base. How would I go about this? Was thinking I could drill a hole and feed the hook point through first, with the eye being larger than the hole to prevent it from pulling through. This is really an ultra light type deal so I don't need it to be able to rip out a stump.

They're made from the same basic PE material for the most part...There are a few differences here and there, but IMO for the bass fisherman braid is braid as long as it's a reputable brand. Get the diameter that works for you. Edit* I will add that line conditioner seems to help them keep their coatings better.

Without knowing which ambassador you have, safe to say that's a pretty light weight bait for it. They have heavy spools, which will cast a heavy bait a long ways once they get going; but I would start at 3/8oz baits.

It's decent line...To clear up confusion this isn't the original spiderwire that initially hit the market in the 90's...I think the spiderwire and fireline braids still suffer a bit by association.....Its a dyneema fiber, 8 carrier braid starting at 30lbs, below that is 4 or 6 carrier I forget. I've used stealth in 30lb on baitcasters for years after getting a bulk spool and it's perfectly fine...Handles and casts really good and doesnt break....Picked up some of the walmart glow vis and it's seems to be good but needs to be broken in. I wouldnt worry a bit about it breaking and letting you down if you do your part right

Used the alberto for years and don't think I've ever lost a fish due to a failure...My PB managed to find a horizontal log I wasnt aware of directly under the boat the first day I tried it...One of the most tense moments of my life listening to the piano string tension of the line sawing but she held. I have had some snags that resulted in breaking off that felt like it broke a little too easily, but nothing alarmingly so.

I personally would be very tempted but agree that's a little steep- but the E series is my all time favorite reel. Get them spinning free and you're going to likely not find a farther casting reel for 3/8 -5/8 plugs.

dang thing actually looks really good swimming under the surface

The only issue you have to be concerned with is how the material effects the feel of the reel, and you're satisfaction. Nothing feels better than a well built aluminum reel to me, but they traditionally have been heavier. I went to the store ready to buy a CI4, but it felt worse than the curado so it stayed put. I do think shimano needs to get with it and give us a higher end aluminum reel again.

Nothing to add regarding reels, but if it's to the point you cant fish them I suggest you try braid for the technique. I'm a top water fanatic and from years of weight training and fishing have wrist problems. Braid requires much less snap or torque to work a bait on a long cast. It helps me work 2oz walk the dog baits on long casts tremendously.

Thanks guys...With the discounts on the I, is another curado coming down the pike?

Thanks to a no good thief, I'm now short one of my favorite reels , an E7. I'm going to be getting a new reel, and Im between the 2 in the title. I'm only looking at the 200i and not the 70 due to line capacity ( no BS with a gunfish and freshly flushed bearings I could take my E series down to the backing with 12lb hybrid). The sales on the 200I have my attention, but it seems folks are torn on the reels. Some don't like the newer braking system, maybe there's something to it since the 70 has different braking. Do you have to oil the outer ring fairly often like some say? I don't mind maintenence but that's a little odd. The E is really everything I want in a reel, they are getting harder to source it seems. XT1500'S are out there and pretty reasonable as are the white chronarchs. I guess what I'm getting at is how do the 2 platforms stack up? I know and like the E, is the I getting its due? What's you're take on the braking? Thanks

I like a larger spinning reel provided it's not excessively heavy, somewhere around 10 ounces or less. I also will use my bass gear occasionally for striper, who can make a 100 yard run on rare occasions. A pflueger 35 or even 40 in some of the higher end lightweight models.