backcast88

I don't buy or paint weights. I actually do better with unpained weights. Maybe its mental but plain lead or tungsten weights work best for me.

I had 2 Aird 2500's and really like them. The Aird's come with a standard spool and deep spool. The 2500 will come with a 3000 spool so you can go with heavier line or more of your 10 lb Spiderwire. Plus the 2500 has more drag pressure then the 2000.

You are correct. I was told the Speed Spool SS had both by the local Lew's dealer last week but emaile Lew's today and they cleared it up. Thanks for correcting me before I got around to it.

Pro Qualifier's are good reels. I looked at getting one a few months ago and know several people that have them and have never had any issues with them. Another option for the same money is the Lew's Speed Spool. I pick the Speed Spool b/c of the dual breaking, it was hair smoother and I felt the paddle handles were very very comfortable.

I bought the smalls creepin'. I might go to a private pond tomorrow and see how it goes.

Depends on my lure. Texas riged plastics I usually snell. Other stuff like cranks and jigs I usually tied a San Diego Jam knot or a clinch knot. None of them failed.

I have one of the older black versions that my dad bought years ago and now I use it. We both have caught a lot of fish on it and its still going strong. It's hard to beat for the money and will serve you well.

I had 8lb on 2 spinning reels and can honestly say I am glad I used it up this summer and replaced it. Yes it was very easy managable on spinning gear and the knot strength was pretty good but that is where my praise ends for it. I found it to be pretty poor in terms of abrasion resistance, had a fair amount of stretch, and was not the most sensitive. I wanted to like the line but I just can't see myseld buying it anymore. I can get BPS at a better price and gain abrasion resistance and less stretch. Yes its not as managable but the upside's out weigh the managability.

Does anybody have any experiacne with the River2Sea Ish Monroe Biggie series squarebills? I just bought one today in Abalone Shad and was hoping to hear some feedback. It looks coold and the hooks are crazy sharp. I have Little John MD and I though those hooks were sharp but the R2S are a lot sharper. Not sure about how well they will hold up but if not I have some Owner Stinger trebels I can put on if need be.

If I go to a Carolina rig then its been a bad day on the water and I am at my last resort. I don't have a problem rigging it or using it, I just don't enjoy fishing it. At the same time you will never find me on the water without a Texas rig. I just have more confidence with it and prefer fishing with it over a Carolina.

I have handled the Mojo and that's about it. They feel pretty good but maybe a little tip heavy. I had a Veritas for a week and fished with it twice. It was light and sinsitive but there was just something about it that I didn't care for. I am not sure what it was or why I didn't like it, but I could never get comfortable with it. I took it back and got a 6'8" mxf Carbonlite. I love the rod. Every bit as light and sensitive as the Veritas and I am very comfortable with it. Of the 2 you are looking at I would go with the Veritas but if your open to suggestions, look at the Carbonlites.

There are a lot of good options for SD/HD rounds. Hornady TAP/Critical Defense/Critical Duty, Remington Golden Saber, and Winchester PDX1. I personally use Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST. Both can be found online in 50 round boxes for the same price or maybe a couple dollars more then other rounds in 20-25 round boxes.

270 WSM Browning X Bolt.

I have a 3-9x40 on my X Bolt and love it. Its a lot brighter and crisper then just about any scope in its price point. Sure you can get a Swaro but your spending $1000 easy. I have looked at Nikon, Leupold, and Zeiss and Zeiss won hands down. Not even close. Last year I had a doe walk into a bean field at 150 yards 35-40 minutes after sun set and could have easily shot her. She was hard to see with my eyes but through the Zeiss she was clear as day but got a pass b/c it was after legal shooting time. Had she come out 10 minutes earlier I would have had not problem shooting her.

Hoyt and Mathews make a very good bow and between the 2 I would take a Hoyt. But if your open to other brands look at Athens Archery. I have shot a bunch of different bows in the past 3-4 years before shooting an Athens 2 years ago and will only be buying there bows from now on. IMO Athens has better fit and finish and shoot great. Feel free to PM me about Athens if you want a little more info.

270 WSM. Flat shooting, packs a punch, and can easily kill any animal in North America. I have killed deer with 130 gr. 270 Win and 165 gr. 30-06 with good results. But my 130 gr. hand loads from my 270 WSM are absolutly devistating on whitetail, deer don't move from where they are shot even without hitting the spine or shoulders and with the right bullet meat damage is fairly low. I switched to Nosler Accubonds and they are shooting just as good look forward to dropping the hammer on a deer this year with them.

I almost bought one at the Fishing Classic but wasn't sure about but went back a couple hours later and it was gone. I should have put it on hold but didnt think about it until after I realized it was sold. It is a very nice reel but I bought a Daiwa Aird and like it more then any spinning reel I have ever owned or looked at buying. The Orra S is a close second and worth a look if somebody is thinking of getting a new spinning reel.

The new Carbonlite reels are junk. I know several people that working the fishing department at my local Bass Pro and they have had to write out a lot of them. Look at the Abu Orra S or President for a better quality reel without breaking the bank.

Carbonlite. The Signature is a lot heavier, the same blank as the Carbonlite, and not worth the extra money. Like craww said, check the rod good and you should be good to go. When I buy rods from Bass Pro I ask how many of a particular rod they have and then ask the associate if they could get a couple from the back and then I pick the best looking one. That way I know it will not be jacked up by kids and other people.

I use 2500's on everything. I find it balances the best on almost every length rod and is able to handle any fish I am after.

Anybody have any additional info on this line? I am trying to decide between the Sufix and XPS in 12 lb for my new Lews Speed Spool.

Its simple: What popular lure or color lure have your tried that has not worked for you? For me I have had zero luck on junebug colored soft plastics and had pretty poor luck with watermelon and green pumpkin. I have also had rotten luck with frogs and spinnerbaits. I am better off with pumpkinseed and chartreuse worms and just about any shallow and medium crankbaits.

I just bought a Lews Tournament Speed Spool today and love it. I played with the regular Speed Spool any to me it was worth the extra money over the regular SS. The regular SS was nice but the Tournament was well worth the extra $50. I did look at the Tournament Pro and it was light weight but I couldn't see the extra $ between it and the Tournament.

Look at 10-12 XPS fluoro or Yo-Zuri Hybrid. I hate braid and only use mono for topwater. Everything else is done on fluorocarbon. I prefer the XPS fluoro but Hybrid seems to be pretty good so far.

Part of the issue could be that it was 10 lb. I find 8 very manageable but think 10 might be pushing it on most spinning reels.