BassinLou

I will post some pics and give you my feedback. I am expecting them either tomorrow or Saturday.

I received my credit card style permit yesterday. I would love to have the 5yr card with both salt and freshwater. Next year, maybe I will call FWC directly. I also do several copies of my permit. I also carry a photocopy of my fishing license and driver's together in a zip lock bag. That way if I am fishing around my neighborhood I don't need to be walking around with my wallet and $$.

I actually went the custom route. I ordered a few spinnerbaits from Seibert's a couple of days ago. He managed to make a custom color I wanted, and it made its way to color that he will be offering

After reading this I can see how choosing a frog can be a little overwhelming. I have taken that experience for granted. I use primarily the Live target frogs. I throw the medium, and the large occasionally. I use only 3 colors depending on water clarity and lighting conditions. I throw it in the nastiest of cover I can find and I work it different ways. I will walk it, swim it, or if I really want to get attention I pop it aggressively. Only time on the water and experimenting with different frogs will dictate the type of frog and frogger you will be. Be patient and have fun!!

Congrats Mike!! WTG!!. You have had them dialed in for while now, and to have it come together on Tourney day, is unbelievable.

I have not tried a Tatula Type R, but I was fortunate to get my hands on the new Curado I, and its great reel. Smooth and very far casting. I enjoy the tweaking of the brake system by just using the dial. The handles are nice and long for great leverage to battle fish. The craftmanship looks and feels solid. So far I am enjoying it alot. Yes, the $$ tag is higher than Tatula, but hey, its my $$.

I stepped out for a little bit yesterday late afternoon early evening. For the first time ever while fishing, 2 on spinnerbaits on 2 consecutive fish broke right at the line tie. On one I salvaged the blades, on the other I salvaged the skirt. I lost a spinnerbait the same way last month. So 3 booyah spinnerbaits in a 1 month period of time, is making me think on going custom built. The booyah's caught me several quality fish, and yes I had to carefully tune them back after each catch, but 2 have break on 2 fish that were less than 1lb each has left me scratching my head on the quality of wire that is being used. After that debacle i lost a nice 3.5lb 20" + fish on a swim bait right at the bank. Soon after that, I fell climbing up the steep bank of the canal and hurt my right shoulder. Adventurou, and $$ costly canal trip that's for sure.

I also noticed Walmart carries these frogs. I have to say, that I am guilty for falling for good marketing. These frogs imo, are not all of that. Yes, the legs kick and stuff, but these frogs do stand not stand up to our fish down here is S. FL. They tear and lose their limbs very quickly. The one interesting thing I found was that if you replace the legs with skirts they are not bad. LOL...

Yozuri, has my vote in this dept. Their lines are strong and the $$ point is a plus. Treat it with KVD line conditioner often and it will preserve for a while.

Out of the 5 reels listed, my #1 would be the TT Pro. I know its not listed there, but the new Shimano Curado I falls within the retail price point, and it's a great reel.

MC's are tough fish that's for sure. I have been catching some big ones lately. They have been nailing my spinnerbait. Even on M/H tackle those big ones really put up a fight.

Ummmm... thanks for that....... I have been hooked several times. Once requiring an ER visit. But that right there looks reaaaaalllllly painful.

^^^^ what he said ^^^^ .... utilize the $25 and get others things you need.

I tie leaders from time to time and I make them pretty long.4-6ft. I use the alberto knot and they go through my guides all the time. I have been doing this for years and I have yet to break a guide. To the OP, were you fishing with standard guides or micro guides?

Adding another skillset to your fishing abilities is always a plus. There will be a learning curve transitioning from a spin cast to a b/c. You are going to have to use your thumb a bit more than just pressing and releasing a button. As far which b/c that's an entirely different thread....

There are several good choices on that list. I have a couple of Lews that I really enjoy and I can vouch for. The Tatula has been receiving a lot of good press lately. Abu's I own 3, and 2 of them you have on your list. They are good reels as well, although I lean alot more to the LEWS. Since you have done the research, see if you can get your hands on some of them and see how they palm, and balance on the rod you will be using. Good luck!!

Very nice reel, enjoy!!

6:4 will cover the range you are looking for. You want to pick up slack very quickly then the 7:1 is your best bet. However with the applications that you will be using it for you will have to slow down your retrieve if you go the high ratio route.

HOLY SMOKES!! That fish is sweeeet!! Your brother has caught some behemoths!! WTG!!

I use a knot that I have yet to find the name of, it was shown to me. Stick with the palomar if it has been working for you all this time. It's not the knot that is not allowing you to walk the frog its your technique. Even if you would manage a rapala loop knot on braid, i wouldn't advise it. Loops and hard hooksets will lead to disappointment imo.

You got them as the combo or individually on-line for 5 yrs?

Maui Jims offer great sunglasses. I usually lean toward lens that are darker in tint to maximize the amount of protection. The sun in South Florida is bright and exposed to it for long periods of time without the right protection gives me headaches. As far as frames go. I do not golf but I fish as often as I can, my frames are thicker and encompass my whole eye. Thinner sun glasses I find although they are polarized and protect the eye, are more for a stylish look imo than hard core recreational sun glasses.

1/2 oz Spinnerbaits usually carry with it big blades. Just like georgeyew mentioned, big blades offer alot more resistance. Try a spinnerbait the next size lower and you will notice a difference.

I am sorry, I mis-communicated. Has anyone seen that option on-line?

Coincidently, I just renewed my license and I saw the availability of the hard card. Do any of you know for future reference, if they offer the fresh/salt water combo for 5 yrs. I only see fresh and salt individually for five years. Thanks