BassinLou

I really enjoy my Shimano: CH 50, Curado I's, and Scorpion DC-7. I consider my self a late comer to fishing Shimano b/c's. However, it was better to be late than never. These reels are great, withstand what ever you throw at them. I fished Abu's and Lews for years, before my first Shimano b/c. I now understand why Shimano has such a huge following. They are great reels.

On my spinning reel I have 12lb yozuri copoly. It's tough enough to play those bigger fish with confidence when they come around.

Fortunately, that color is not my go to color, but its my runner up. That color has been in short supply for while now.

I personally like my champion 734 for my jigging applications. For heavy jigs, meaning 1oz or more the 735 will be up to the task.

That's true....

The outfit sounds like it will serve you just fine. What Lake in FL do you plan to fish? If you decide to punch in really thick stuff, for example hydrilla or hyacinth you may be under powered.

One of my rods has micro guides. After fishing with it for several yrs now, I don't find there is any significant advantage over regular guides. Save yourself the $$ and go with regular sized guides.

Yeah, Peas are down in the Glades. The big freeze of 09-10 killed them off. Hopefully they can come back. I remember the days where the majority of the fish on some days would be pea's.

There's no doubt, fishing from the bank in South Florida, and catching quality bass is challenging. Your fish resume is impressive, hopefully down the road you will be able to share a few pics with us. What technique have you found has helped you land such quality fish?

That's a Moderator question. I am sure Glenn can walk you through this.

Do have any pics to share with us? 10+ lbrs down here in South FL are rare indeed. If you caught a couple I would love to seem them. What part of town were these fish caught? Was this fairly recent or while back? I know a lot fisheries down here have been effected with the construction boom we have been having.

Here's a direct link to the trophy catch program. https://www.trophycatchflorida.com/

Go to FWC website, and click on Florida Trophy Catch Prog.

Congratulations on those nice catches. Beautiful fish for sure. If you are participating in the FWC's trophy catch program you would be cleaning house receiving nice amount $$. If you haven't done this already you should.

A 94MM HawgTech handle will go perfectly on that CH 50. That's what I have on mine.

Thank you, I will continue to enjoy them as I have been for couple of seasons already.

Yes... not a big deal. I oil it every other trip. Takes 3 seconds.

I just handled my buddy's brand new DC MET. Sweet reel. Palmed nicely. To the OP, if you can get your hands on both reels and feel for yourself will be your best bet.

I have 3 Curado I's and love them. As far as the whining noise, I would not let the experience of 1 person detract you from purchasing a good reel. I have been observing that many individuals have not been following the directions that specifically come with this reel. The directions are simple. Every other trip lightly oil the brake drum and the whining will go away. Other than that, these reels are awesome imho. I also have a Lews TT Pro, good reel. However, given the choice. The Curado receives my vote. Hence why I have 3 vs 1 LEWS.

Many people fish Blue Lagoon because it serves as a conduit to other canals that offers great peacock fishing.

I will agree, the 736 is a great frogging rod. I had to make a change in my line up, and now the 736 is my punching outfit. This rod imho does great in this dept as well. The 734, for me is one of the best versatile rods in the line up. I like it for jigs and for swimbaiting .

Whenever a frog is thrown, keep your attention to the water. Til this day it still happens to me. Take your eye off the frog for a moment, fish strikes, you look, set, fish gone. The slurps are those kind of hits that are tough to see depending on the time of day. It looks like a little toilet bowl flush and your frog disappears. You see that, set the hook!! Most of the time for me, those kind of hits are really nice bass. Keep at it.

^^^^^ This ^^^^^