RB 77

Good gravy that is a nice reel collection! I love those CT D's. One of my favorite reels I fish. EXTREMELY underrated reel IMHO...

Just put an 8.5:1 through the paces down at El Salto. I was nice for fishing T-Rigs and get that slack out quick.

No. While I haven't fished live bait for Bass since I was a wee youngster, I certainly do fish live bait when I'm offshore fishing for tuna and that's a fact!

No, Chatterbaits are not that much better. Bladed jigs have been a very popular flavor for a while now, but I generally fish them much different than a regular spinner bait. Although some presentations are interchangeable, I generally prefer bladed jigs in more stained water and closer to the bottom than spinner baits.

Same as every year, spend more time on the water. Unfortunately, this year that DID NOT happen. I hope to remedy that next year.

Yes. I use Shimano and Shimano only. I have tried all the major brands (Daiwa, Abu, Quantum, Lews, etc.) and IMHO Shimano is the best of the bunch for various reasons. I do believe Daiwa makes a comparable product; they are just not my cup o' tea. More specially, I use the "E" series primarily. I have been "hoarding" various E series reels throughout the years. I have used all the different Curado variations for several years and the E series just has that certain "it” factor to them.

As needed. Could be several trips. Could be a single trip depending on the fishing. Basically, all my reels have braid backing and if I can cast to the connection knot its time for a new top shot. That could be after several trips or a single trip if I'm fishing heavy rock and constantly retying due to several feet of frayed line.

The Pocket Fisherman and the Flying Lure is one thing... the Vanish? Now that's just down right crazy talk!

Who would of thunk it, that you and beaverretreiver have the same jig boxes as me... haha

These days its either size 3600 trays in a backpack or 3700 trays in a tackle bag. Went away from the hard case style years ago.

Indeed. This time of year is a jig draggers paradise!

Those Boxer Jigs are a solid jig head design. I use the VMC version and like them quite a bit.

Out this way deep water could be 50'+! Like Tom, I have caught them in 60'. That is beyond my comfort zone to fish for them because of the barotrauma. We carry fizzing needles. My true comfort zone would definitely be 40' or less as well. Even then, I still prefer shallower than that. The thing is, fishing can be lights out fishing deep ledges in that 20-40' range!

One of my go-to jig colors for sure. If I could only have one, it would be some kind of Greenpumpkin variation, but PB & J would be a CLOSE second. As far as PB & J goes, I like to use a brown head, "tie" the skirt with mostly plain brown, use Junebug for the purple 'highlight" skirt color and use a Junebug Craw trailer. Deadly...

I know some saltwater guys run them dry for max stopping power and they are definitely more than smooth enough dry, but they are just soooo buttery smooth with just a light film of Cal's grease!

This a solid strategy and I employ it myself.

The best? Costa 580G. IMHO, there is no comparison. I also use Oakleys for my daily drivers and back Kaenon 100 too.

I own one Citica that I "Curadoized/ Hot Rodded" as well, Handle, spool, Upgraded to Carbontex drag washers, polished the spool, etc and I love the thing!

I once had a $200 factory rod that looked like they decided to acid warp it at first then changed their mind half way through. Haha. Ended up selling the rod for other reasons anyway. It not the end of the world, but it is a matter of principal. Like DVT said, your call whether to hang on to it or not...

Thoughts and prayers sent.

Casting 90, Spinning 10. I only use spinning drop shoting or other misc light line finesse techniques.

There is some pretty solid advice in this thread already. Besides what others have said, most of all just be patient. It will take time and there is definitely a learning curve. I would error on the side of caution and use a little heavier weights than normal to learn with and keep the brakes and spool tension set a little on the "heavy" side. It looks like you have discovered the "thumb trick" of stopping the spool with your thumb just before touch down. While this seems so intuitive for us that have been doing for a few moons, it may not be for a beginner and its such a crucial part right along with "feathering" the spool during the cast. Good luck and stay with it!

Water and Gatorade/ Powerade for me. I have been drinking Body Armor a little bit lately and am really starting to dig it. The flavors are hit and miss, bit so are the Gatorade/Powerade flavors as well.

I have owned a few Falcon rods and love them. I have a Cara now and it is by far one of my favorite rods in my arsenal. Love the Lowrider series as well. It seems to me that Falcon gets slept on for some reason. Great rods built in The U.S. of A. and very affordable for what you get.

Grub