backcast88

I have 8 lb XPS on 2 spinning rigs and have hot had a single issue. I don't fill my spools all the way up, I keep it 3/4 full and it's fine. I want to try Sniper but XPS has been so good for me and it's a lot cheaper so I willstick with XPS for the time being. I am going to put 12 lb XPS on my new baitcaster next week. I have a spinning reel with InvizX and can't wait until it's done. I don't really like it because it seems to have poor abrasion resistance and has a fair amount of stretch. XPS is more abrasion resistant and doesn't seen to have as much stretch.

You can use braid for just about anything. I was using it for soft plastics but got rod of all my braid because I found I can feel bites on a slack like and it seems to cut into wood and hang more then other types of line. If I fished a lot of grass I would use braid but since I don't I will stick to fluorocarbon.

The micro guide versions had their problems early on but from what I can tell that is mostly fixed and only a few isolated rods have issues. The spinning rods and regular casting rods are pretty much fool proof.

I have 3 spinning setups and 1 baitcasting setup but 1 spinning rig stays at home most of the time. With dad and I in the boat we are limited to our gear so we each take 3 but when we are alone in the boat we take 4-6. I find I don't need to own any more then 4-5 setups. If I have more then that they just sit at home collecting dust and look like a waist of my money.

For the most part I practice catch and release, especially when dad I and I go out for the evening and get home at 9pm and we both have to be at work early in the morning. Neither of us feel like cleaning fish after putting gear away. Occasionally we do keep several fish to eat but never get greedy. Most, but not all, are fish that have been hooked deep and will not survive. Spotted bass taste real nice fried with lemon juice and cocktail sauce.

x2. Every now and then I will use live bait for deep spotted bass and crappies with good success but I prefer soft plastics and other hard baits to catch bass.

95% of the time I am using a 1/0 or 2/0 offset worm hook for all my bass fishing whether it's small mouth, large mouth, or spotted bass. If I am using a fluke or other thick baits I step up to EWG 2/0.

The Pitzen is another real good knot for just about any type of line. It's almost identical to the jam knot with one extra step. When I am on the lake and it's poor conditions or I need to retie quickly I have been known to use the Pitzen b/c it's a hair simpler and quicker.

I used to use the improved clinch with fluorocarbon and never lost a fish but recently switched over to the san diego jam knot for all my lures whether its fluoro, braid, or mono. I use it on my 12 lb baitcaster and 8 lb spinning gear without worries. Its easy to tie and has yet to fail. I do use the palomar when I drop shot but that is the only time I use it b/c I don't think its the best but makes the hook stand out real well.

Considering the new Extreme is the same price as the Carbonlite I would pick the Carbonlite without even thinking about it.

I had braid on my Texas rod and switched to fluorocarbon and am much happier. Any time there would be a little slack in my line I couldn't feel a thing. I use Bass Pro XPS fluoro and really like it. I have broken because I forgot to retie after getting caught in rocks which is my fault. I had braid on 3 reels. Now I have it on 0 and will not be using braid any time soon.

I have an older Extreme casting rod and it has a pretty soft tip so its going to be my crankbait rod. I now have 3 Carbonlite rods (2 spinning and 1 casting) and like them A LOT!!! They are very light weight so my arm doesn't get tired and very very sensitive. Its also nice to know that if anything goes wrong in the first year they will replace it no questions asked. The only bad thing about the Extreme is its a little heavy overall and a little tip heavy to me. The Carbonlite doesn't have the strongest guides on the market but they certainly aren't fragile either. If I could sell my non Carbonlite rods and replace them with Carbonlites I would be pretty happy. They are not the best rods ever made but in my opinion they are the best for $100.

I just bought 12lb clear Hybrid and like it a lot. I have not caught any fish with it yet b/c I just put it on tonight but I did get 30 minutes of flipping/pitching practice in and really like it. It seems pretty stiff and the guy I know at my local Bass Pro uses it and says its about unbreakable and really sensitive so I can't wait to get out on the water with it.

The only I use is the San Diego Jam unless I am using my drop shot rig which I use the palomar. I learned it several weeks ago and love it. Great strength and simple to tie.

I bought a 6'6" MF regular Carbonlite. I was going to get the micro version but couldn't see the extra $20, plus I didn't have to pay anything for the new rod since I was exchanging a 6'6" Carbonlite spinning rod I bought during the rod trade in that I still have not used and did not see myself using. I also got my reel spooled up with 12 lb Yo-Zuri Hybid and got to play with it in the backyard a little and love it.

1. Rapala Clackin Crank 55, Helsinki Shad 2. Rapala Shad Rap 5 and 7, Shad and Helsinki Shad 3. RC Lucky Craft .5DD, Citrus Sexy and Chartreuse Perch 4. Xcalibur XRK25, Foxy Shad

My dad and I tow our boat with a white 2007 Nissan Frontier crew cab. So I guess we fall into norm but it gets pretty good gas mileage with and without the boat and tows out little Tracker 165 Pro very well.

I have 3 or 4 Daiwa reels and really like them. I might pick up the Daiwa rod but I will have to see how it stacks against the other rod I am looking at which is the Carbonlite Micro.

That's good to hear. I had a Veritas Spinning rod and took it back to Bass Pro for a refund, I didn't care for it at all.

Does anybody have any experience with the Daiwa T Trigger rod? I am thinking about getting one for my new baitcast setup for soft plastics and jigs. The other option is a BPS Carbonlite. I will be getting a 6'6" probably in medium.

I usually agree with you but not on this one. I have 2 6'6" medium rods and one is a Carbonlite and never have any issues with hook ups on fish. I agree that it's more technique then equipment but fluorocarbon might help you detect a bite sooner so it could help with carting more fish. People often suggest braid but I hate braid with a passion and find it lacks a lot to be desired when slack is in your line.

I own 4 BPS rods right now and really like them. They are very sensitive and light weight. They have plenty of backbone but aren't too stiff to be used for multiple lures. Plus if you have any issues within a year they will replace it no questions asked.

I was in the same boat about 2 months ago and I really like my Daiwa Aird's and they are only $90. I have the 2500 and you get a spare 3000 spool with it. If your willing to go up to $150 look at the Daiwa Procyon. Other honorable mentions are Abu Garcia Orra S or SX.

I have a 3 PQ spinning reels and really like them. 2 of them are used by my dad mostly and one is my live bait crappy/bass rig. I use BPS fluoro on 4-5 reels and like it a lot. Its not as soft and supple as my InvizX but it seems to have less stretch and handles just fine on spinning gear.

I probably should have clarified my post. I almost always retie expensive hard baits b/c it sucks breaking off a Lucky Craft 1.5 or X Rap. For Texas rigs or drop shots I give them a couple tugs and check for nicks in the line and retie if needed.