MichiganFishing1997

Gen 2 Revo 6.4:1 with 50lb braid and a 7'2 MH XF Shimano Crucial Very first time trying to flip and pitch, i caught my cat. Luckily I cut the hook off my jig. Practicing flipping and pitching in the house is much more fun when you have a cat. She enjoys it and so do I. It may not be a bass but I brought her all the way back and was able to scoop her up. A solid 22 pounder!

Its alright I cant see them when im fishing! Haha. Thabks for all the help guys I really appreciate it.

Thats what I was hoping to hear. Thanks! Christian

Theres nothing wrong with the blank at all, no scratches or anything. I will try and get some pics up tomorrow.

Hey guys, I bought an *** Black from a member off here knowing it had a broken guide, so thats not the issue. I took it to a local rod builder, the only one I could find. He said he couldn't get that exact guide but he could get a similar fuji guide, so i thought it would be fine. I just got it back yesterday, the wrap is decent, the finish is decent, has some tiny air bubbles, and the guide is pretty close. its the right size and everything, you cant really tell unless you go up to the guide that its different. I just want to make sure this wont hurt the performance of the rod. Any input would be great, thanks! Christian

Cant wait to watch it! This series has got me interested in trying a few blade baits.

I just turned 17, and id have to say that I may be the opposite of most. When someone gives me something I treat it better than if I had biught it, it means more to me. On the other hand I learn much more and feel better in the end when I worked for the money to buy all my gear. I think the lawn cutting plan is a great idea. Its a happy medium for both sides. If you need a tackle box just let me know, il send one your way. Christian

How much are you looking to spend? I know the Zebco Omega seems to be THE spin cast reel these days. Do you already have a rod in mind? If she's an elderly lady it seems that a shorter, pistol grip rod might be a little easier for her to handle. I think what your doing is very thoughtful and generous! If you need a few baits to throw in there with the gift id be happy to send a few . Christian

I watched them all and they were great! Is there any other fishing webisodes similar to this? Christian

My first question would be casting or spinning? You will probably be able to get a better bang for your buck if you are looking for spinning gear. My next question is have you considered get one or two better quality combos instead of three decent combos? Personally I aim for quality over quantity within my budget. You can do almost everything with fairly good efficiency if you get a good quality 6'6-7' MH F bait caster. Another idea is to find a happy medium. One casting rod, one spinning rod. Spend more on the Casting Combo. For a casting reel I would get a BPS Pro Qualifier which is $80 right now, with a BPS Carbonlight for $80. Then for the spinning combo a Pflueger Trion or a Shimano Sienna, which run about $30 and put it on something like another BPS Carbonlight, an Abu Garcia Veritas, or if you want to save a little more money a Berkley Lightning Rod or a BPS Graphite Series. I know this is a little outside of your total price range, but i feel you would be better off and happier in the long run.

For the past two years I have met Bill McElroy of Scales and Tales Cartoons at my Bass Pro Shops during the spring classic. They hire him for a day to draw cartoon fish, lures, or names on the cork handle of your rod. If you have EVA foam then he can do it on the blank of the rod instead of the foam which would soak in the sharpie. I thought this was some very neat stuff and had it done to a few of my rods, so did my brother. I just thought I would share it with the community. I thought it looked really great and I had never seen anything like it. It adds a little personalization and is a great conversation starter. (I am by no means trying to advertise for him, it was only something I had never seen and thought others would find it neat too.) As for how he does it, it is with purely sharpies and white out. After he draws the picture on a layer or two of clear coat goes on and you're good to go! Pictured below I have a square bill between the split grip on my Clarus Crankbait rod, a Steelhead on one of my 8 wt fly rods, and my brother Tony has a Musky on one of his fly rods.

Just picked my square bill rod saturday, I know you want another St. Croix and I can't blame you, but I thought knowing what others used might help. I got a 7' MM Shimano Clarus that im very excited to use for cranks. More specifically KVD 1.0, 1.5, and other similar squarbills and mid depth cranks. I put a 6.4:1 PQ on it, spoiled with #12 diameter braid and a leader.

Are you using an open face spinning reel or a spin caster? I would maybe bring your rod to bass pro or a similar store and try a few out.

Do you want it to fit rod and reel together in the case? I would maybe check out a fly rod case, or I think Plano makes a rod/reel case for a two piece rod.

Depends on your cover. The reel ratio is perfectly fine, its a great all around ratio. As for the rod, Medium Heavy Fast Action is a great all around baitcasting rod, which would be my preference. If you are fishing lighter cover and lighter lures than a Medium may better suite your fishing style. Christian

For a butchering reel around $50 I have heard good things about the Abu Garcia Black max. As for a rod, you'll have to get a two piece. I would suggest between 6'6-7'. Then for a specific rod I would say a Berkley Cherrywood, Lightning Rod, or Lightning Rod Shock. All good budget rods. If you really need to worry about durability than get an Ugly Stick. I did the Sam thing your going to do for a while. As long as you know where you are and what your doing its a lot of fun. Welcome to the Forum. Good luck! Christian

My first rod was a Cherrywood with a Shimano Sienna spinning reel. Never had a single issue. I threw plastics, poppers, buzz baits, little cranks, just about everything. 6'6 Medium.

I never realized that. I may add that to my list too.

I think im picking up either a Clarus or a Compre M MF during the rod trade in this weekend. I like how they felt in store and im happy with the Shimano rods that I already own.

Pm sent.

It is large and I am very happy to own it. Theres plenty of room for different combos of boxes and tackle. Some may even transfer over like you wanted. I bought it so I could have a bag for all my tackle when I go out on my boat.

Send it to DVT? He should be able to fix it all up for you.

Any I put at all guys? I could really use the help.

I now have three new casting set ups, but im not sure what line I want to put on them. I have one 150 yrs spool of 15lb InvisX already. 1.) 7'1 MF *** Black with a T3 Ballistic 7.1:1 I plan on using this for flukes, weighted and unweighted, and other t rigged soft plastics. 2.) 7'2 MH XF Shimano Crucial with a Gen 2 Revo SX 6.3:1 This will be my jig rod. 3.) I havent chosen a rod yet but it will be 7' M MF. Either a Cranking Stick or a Shimano Clarus as of right now. I already have the reel which is a BPS Pro Qualifier 6.4:1. Mainly square bills and shallow cranks on this set up. Any help would be awesome. Thanks Christian

I would get the pro qualifier with the reel trade in which puts it at $65. I did that today.