Michael DiNardo

I would not be concerned with the 8wt handling any bass or pike or carp for that matter. I would only worry that it cast the fly well. I think the 8wt, I had a Sage, would handle any bass or pike I was going to meet. It had no problem with 24-30 inch silvers and chums on the Kenai River in pretty heavy current. Now if we are talking really big 40 in pike, I might step it up, but only if there was heavy cover. Mike

I have not fished for bass or pike with my fly rod, but have caught many pinks, silver, and chum salmon in AK. I have used a 9' 8 weight and a 9'6" 7 weight, both were 4 piece (recommended). Those rods handled everything well. A 10 wt. may be a bit heavy especially for a first outfit. I would suggest a 9' 8 wt. Also, I would rather spend $350 on my rod and $50 on my reel. Some may disagree but for freshwater, the value of the fly reel is vastly overated. DO NOT BUY CHEAP LINE. Cheap line will make your life miserable. These tips are just my $.02, I would suggest going to a fly shop to get your outfit. Please remember my suggestion about the line, and also make it weight-forward/floating, this will handle most situations. Good Luck. Mike

Seriously??? $130. I have several old Abu Garcias that are getting close to twenty years old and they perform like the day they were bought. They were all waaaay under $130. Mike

Wow, I love that rod. Since I fish from shore and wade, I will take just one rod, with a spare in the truck of course. I can use that rod for just about everything except the very light stuff. I especially like it for any type of T rigging or spinnerbaits/buzzbaits. Mike

Bigbill, "I think there's a Squatch in those woods" Mike

Why is your stuff in storage and not helping you catch some of those BIG SoCal bass??? Just sayin'. Mike

Black Jitterbug Mike

Definitely get a pair of breathable waders. You can spend $100 or you can spend $800, depends on your budget. Stockingfoot waders will allow you to get a more custom fit boot unless you are the perfect "wader body size". You will have to get the boot seperately. Although boot-foot are more convenient, if you get a size to fit. If they do not say "breathable" they are not and you will get clammy. Lightweight waders are not the same. Wear a wading belt to keep water from filling your boots if you take a dunk. Mike

Everytime I am in a fishing store I pick one up and like them more and more. I am going to have to try one out. I have been wondering about the micro guides too. Mike

Shimmy, did you read the original post? It was said that if we can't afford the best most expensive equipment why bother? And you get mad when people with lesser equipment are happy when they win? I don't get it. If you can afford 10 Core /NRX combos and that is what you choose to fish with, that is great. More power to you. But please don't try and tell me I am wasting my time if I choose "only" to use a Curado that I bought on clearance with an Avid rod. I see the same thing with friends who golf. They stink, but instead of practicing they buy a new/better club that is going to put them on Tour. To paraphrase a famous saying, Amateurs talk equipment, pros talk tactics. I am happy for everyone that can afford the best and most expensive equipment, but don't make it seem like the people that are satisfied at a certain level of equipment don't belong on the same water. Mike

I don't like braid around wood, because to me it seems like it cuts into the wood and snags more often. Mike

There are quite a few posts regarding this subject if you want to read many different opinions. I started like you and switched to reeling with my left hand on my bc. I do have both left and right bc reels and use both. One reason I use both is that I like to have my "reeling hand" on the downstream side when fishing a river or stream. I feel it gives more power and dexterity to my rod hand. That is what feels right for me, You won't know until you try one though. Mike

Someone must be buying those cheap $150 Curados, they sure have been making them for a long time. Mike

Good job Wook, I love it. Mike

Just because you point a shotgun at something does not mean you will get a hit. At "in the home distances" any shotgun throws a very tight pattern. Use what you shoot the best and what s the most reliable. Mike

What type of hook do you fish the Rage Shad's? Mike

Don't be afraid to get wet. You did say large lake right. There may be old roads that cross the lake that are wadeable and will open a whole section of the lake to you. Remember spring and fall fish the creek arms and bays on the lake, summer and winter fish the main lake. Mike

They are my favorite rods and get fished the most. I have a 7' M-F and 7' MH-F. To me they don't seem to be any heavier in action than most other rods with comparable action ratings. The ratings really mean squat though, the rod has to feel right to you. Mike

Another vote for the 7' Avid. Mike

You won't be able to replace it for what you will get. Sell the motor and make it an electric only boat. This is just my $,02 from someone looking for a boat. Mike

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to have to give serious consideration to the pocket fisher....hee hee hee. Mike

Those look good, I will check them out this week. Thanks, Mike

Does anyone have any experience with travel baitcasting rods? I fly for work and there have been some times when this would come in handy. I saw a few in the BPS catalog. The only 7 footers I saw were from TFO.designed by Gary Loomis. Any opinions would be gladly appreciated. Mike

Marty, I like that saying. When using braid and even mono, I like the knot that PowePro shows in their booklet. I believe it is on their website. Mike

You cannot use a sinking line with a floating bait. It is not even worth trying. Put some mono on and try again. Remember you have to give slack line back to the bait. You are not just pulling the bait through the water. Mike