Capt.Bob

If you prefer the split grip handle, I would look at the St. Croix Legend Tournament in your price range, the TBC71MHF or TBC71MHXF they are both great jig rods and an excellent rods with a lifetime warranty, or if you want a great rod that is well below your budget with a lifetime warranty, and great actions, and has a full cork handle, take a look at the Avid from St. Croix, a AVC70MHF, or the AVC70MHXF, both can be had for under $200.00, I think the Avid is the best buy in the rod market for what you get for your money, The LBT is a sweet blank, but once you get close to $300.00 which is lightly more than your budget is the Legend Elite and where I would spend my money, and really a buy it once and never look back rod, if you like a one piece cork handle, which I do. I am sure there are others in these price ranges that are good rods, but if they feel good in your hands, there are none better!! Good luck!!

No Idea but I would sure give it a try regardless what some one else said just to see. It might not work, or it could be the same thing, but you might discover a secret weapon!! If you do before it becomes a secret, let us know if it becomes a super bait,,,,,the same,,,,,,or doesn't work,,,,,,,but I would find out before I just threw it out. I have found in a couple instances where I used Crappie nibbles Power Bait, together along with redworms that my fishing pardner was also using, and I was consistently getting more bites and averaging larger fish, he started using the nibles with redworms together and he started getting bites quicker and the fish were bigger than he was averaging on redworms alone. Hardly scientific evidence but hay, it worked that day. This is what fishing is all about. When I was Chartering on Erie me and other Captains would set around many many evenings coming up with stuff nobody ever used and making new riggs and lures and many of them became go to baits, the tackle stores are full of lures and rigging methods that came to life this way. You should never settle for what works but always experiment with new ideas in bait lures and rigging, many times the results are fabulous and when they are fishing is much more rewarding. sorry to be so winded, I should have just said, I would give it a go and let us know if it worked,,,,,,,,,,

No that is called a HOG LAKER!! That's very nice Dwight!

Keep the closed face for your youngsters, my younger grandkids use em and have a ball. But for any serious fishing, you really should invest in a spinning reel or a descent baitcaster, I am sure you would appreciate your fishing experience much more.

I may have to I have only talked to 3 of the folks I get old parts from and they are thinking I may have to do the same thing, this is one of the three outfits my Dad gave me in his lifetime, I like to use it now and then in local ponds,,,,just for memories!!

in over 50 years I caught plenty of fish on this outfit to, it holds line, Cast's lures, reels in fish, and I still take out a couple times a year. It's a ball but I have to say, most days I prefer a little more refined gear to do the same job! I think we all realize just because a reel catches fish,,,,that doesn't mean that's all we want, it may be all you need, but most want the best bang for whatever price range they are wanting to stay within. I personally think in my price range there are better reels and rods out there. PS last week I was using that old Shakespeare and had 1/2 the knob crumble off the handle, it's the first part that has broke since 1962, and I am having trouble finding parts?????? HHHMM,,,,,,,any help?

My absolute favorite fish to pursue is hands down Walleye, my favorite fish to catch is Smallmouth, and my favorite for the table is Yellow Perch. This might be different if I didn't live where I do as flyfisher stated in his post but thank God I have plenty of Walleye and Smallmouth around. I fish for a lot of different species and love catching them all, but these are my main targets. There is nothing like ambushing 30+ lbs King Salmon in a shallow stream littered with timber and rock, but way more work out than this old man can handle day after day, but it sure is fun for 2 or 3 trips each fall.

I use and sell these fluorocarbon leaders with great success and have had no complaints. I have had others report musky up to 50" on them, 100# and 130#. My biggest pike to date on them is 36", on my light ones built with 100# Fluorocarbon, but I have been debating a leader built with 60# Fluorocarbon, and for your purpose I doubt anything up to 30" would be a problem with this lighter lure. You always risk being hit by a big boy and then the 100 and 130, are about your only choice to withstand the punishment with Fluorocarbon. It's that or wire, bout all you can do in these circumstances.

I usually only smoke my King Salmon. But many moon's ago at the Lugington fish cleaning station an old salt gave me a recipe for Salmon that was killer, I tried it on Walleye and it was the only time I ever screwed Walleye up!! So it may be good for other oily fish like trout, I marinade it in a saltwater brown sugar brine, to taste--salty but sweet and not over salty, 24 hours in a baggie. Drain it, and in an electric skillet @325 degree, put a half stick of butter in Salmon fillets skinned, and cover it with thin slices of apple and onions, as soon as it starts to brown, add the rest of the stick of butter and turn it over, this time add a small amount of quality sweet white grape wine, (not boons farm and the like), and cover. it won't take long but 3-5 min and the wine and butter will turn to a glaze, served on white rice with a glass of the wine on the side and enjoy!! I don't eat most trout but much the way Dwight mentioned, when I catch larger Lake Michigan Steelhead (over 5 lbs.) I don't fillet them, I start at the head and cut steaks crosswise about 1 1/2" thick, and melt a stick of butter in a pan, squeeze one whole lemon in it(to the tartness you desire), then add back pepper and Italian Dressing, keep stirred when using. I lay aluminum foil over the grate on my charcoal grill and poke holes all over it with a fork, When I start I dredge the steaks in it and cook on high heat, a few minuets while brushing each the whole time with the dressing mix as Dwight said, till just starts to brown, turn and continue brushing for about 3 or 4 more minuets till that side starts to brown, and it's time to feast. While it is grilling the mixture dripping through the foil and creating a heavinly smoked flavor that is out of this world, and the meat easily flakes off the bones. not shure if it woud be any good with smaller trout, but 5-15lbs. steelies it's killer!

I don't doubt that you guy's like your Catfish, but I think your in a minority??? When Catfish sell's for the same price as Carp (Buffalo), and is cheaper than White Bass and White Perch, you have to believe most prefer Walleye and Yellow Perch when it's selling @ 5X the price of Catfish. Usually when markets are that far apart it's a good indication that most are wanting the Walleye and Perch. But know guy's that like White Suckers and even Sheaphead. This place is one of the best Fish Markets around for freshness, and price. http://www.portclintonfish.com/index.cfm?i=12354 I will definitely stick with the Walleye and Yellow Perch!! At $12.95 a pound for fillets, I gotta catch'em or I'd maybe be changing my diet also,,,,, I'd have to eat nothing but venison, cause I ain't eat'n Catfish, but my grandkids sure love catch'n them!!

I didn't think anyone ate catfish, that would be enough to turn most off of eating fish, I would bet if you ever tried Walleye or Yellow Perch you would never say that again, fried, grilled, baked and broiled Walleye is probably the most versatile fish to cook on the planet, and Perch is great fried but I have a recipe for fish soup that will blow your socks off, great when out on the hard water in the winter fishing for Gill's, my 3rd favorite food source for eater fish!! You are spot on there Jeff H, I have a freezer full of Walleyes and my main fish for the table, but Yellow Perch have always been the finest eating fish by a long way's in book! I Like 10# 832 Sufix, I find lighter braid gets hard to deal with in a little wind, 2-6 lbs Fluorocarbon and Mono leaders

For your purpose, the BB1 Pro is a great reel especially if you are throwing lures 3/8 oz. and over, but if you are going to be mainly throwing 3/8 oz. and lighter lures the Tournament pro is a better choice. The Super Duty would be much more suited for very heavy deep diving cranks, but is much better when used for pitching and flipping with heavier line it is hard to beat, but for med and lighter lures there are much better choices. You won't go wrong with a BB1 Pro or Tournament Pro, these both would be good choices, and for lighter lures the TP shines and is a lighter reel than the Pro. For shallow cranks I prefer the 6.4:1 gear ratio. Both reels can be had below your 200 dollar max, the Tp can usually be had for slightly less than$150.00 new with a little shopping around, with the BB1 Pro being newer It is hard to get one much less Than $165.00, at these prices both are bargain and will put a smile on your face.

I prefer the St Croix rods over anything else in their comparable price range, I have a preference for a full handle and one piece reel seat over the split grip, but I do have one LTB but it is an older model with the one piece seat and split cork handle ( compromises), it is a great rod and I find it more sensitive and lighter weight than the IMX in the comparable action and length. But would agree, you should feel them in your own hand if you are not familiar with them, both are very good rods. I would go with a MHF action in a 6'6" or 7' for an all round jig rod, for lighter jigs under 3/8 oz and open water, I prefer a MXF with the same length range. Good luck like others have said both rods are quality blanks, up to you to choose the components you prefer,,,,, or buy the St Croix blank and have it built your way, always the best choice!!

it worked, I got by with it,,,,,

Well your right about one thing, there are some National competitions, (not all) that don't allow electric but not all. It does as you say take all the work out of it, once you have a good recipe you can practically put it on and except for adding wood the first 3 or 4 hours, (after that your just making heat with wood and charcoal as meat won't absorb anymore smoke after that), so you can practically set it and forget it, and go do whatever, and repeat it over and over with set it and forget it ease with perfect results every time. This is the main reason some don't allow it, it is an unfair advantage. Like I said also, I still have my other two larger smokers for when I want to smoke like a neanderthal and have no electric available. I like results, but hate working for them when I don't have to!! Call me lazy,,,,,,,,but don't call me late for supper!! But you missed the thread if you thought this was about competition!!! It is about the wife!! There are many who when the wife is down or feeling forgotten, or put behind other task's and activities, as mine having to work so much with me fishing and taking the grandkids for pleasure outings while she can't, this was about making her day in a time of depression. Many would run out buy flowers, go to the jewelry store and spend large sums of needless cash, or even rush home before she walks in and take her to supper..... I call that playing the game, but when they don't see it coming, and know you didn't stop on the way home from the lake and spend a few bucks to suck up, but instead spent hours getting things ready for 2 days, and preparing EVERYTHING YOUR SELF,,, while not letting her know so it is a surprise,,,,, that my friend is what I call a POWER PLAY,,,, not just playing the game, they know the difference. This is playing on their feelings far more than just spending quick cash, and saying I love you, this is showing it!! Like I said I'll be reaping the benefits from this for more than a couple weeks of running wherever and whenever while she is bound by her job, and she will remember this, not for just a couple weeks, but for probably another 40 years!!! They know the difference. For us well hey the cash or new stuff is good enough, I found out many moons ago, cash and presents don't mean near as much to them. I really doubt she would have cared anymore had I used one of the other two smokers but maybe yours will,,, give it a try it only means a couple day's of your time and well let us know how it worked. Now thats a competition!!! Tonight mine is getting whole stuffed Venison Backstrap, wrapped in bacon, stuffed with garlic onion pepper and cooked in the brinkman with charcoal and RED OAK, cooked,,,not smoked and Walleye Cheek's on skewers(grilled scampi). She doesn't know that yet either, just that I was going to have Venison Backstrap for supper. She deserves every bit of it!! They put her on 6 -10's Monday,,,,,,,,,

You need to use a photo editing program like adobe photoshop, or whatever your computer comes with, and go to resize image, you may want to crop it for your avitar most do, once you do that you can post any picture that is in responsible taste. Welcome aboard and good luck!

Around $150.00 on the BPS site, just checked myself.

How many models and now many sizes was strictly to let the OP know I am evaluating apples to apples, in 6 different sizes of these same model of reels, I thought that was what he asked for, experienced opinions using Stradics from both locations?? I think in reality once you have mastered a great tool,,,,,size doesn't matter,,,it will get the job done and more enjoyable, when you know how to use what you got!!! Just what I have been told,,,, It ain't always about hogg'n em in, some like the challenge with light tackle!

Welcome to BR!!! I haven't heard of it either, but I will be checking it out, it sure looks like the reel deal for behind the truck seat, way better than what I carry there now! The 4 in 1 concept sounds great. Nice Find!!

Sir please reread the OP, we are not talking about mine is bigger than yours, we are talking about where a reel was made, and is one place better than the other!! The same reel, the same sizes, all in the same model. Simply if the ones made in a different factory, are worse or better, so to put it simply, if you like a graphite framed Bantam Stradic from the early days made in Japan,,,,,go for it, most here realize how much better the Aluminum framed FJ (with its plastic used in no place where it would ever need to be metal), is superior, if not I would think they would sell the FJ and for the money they got buy 4 early Japan made Stradics!!! I will be one keeping the FJ and am not alone here,,,trust me. This is what we are discussing, The FH was a very good Stradic, and the last Japan Stradic made, and it was Aluminum framed, Excellent actually. I sold all 4 of mine and upgraded to the FJ after buying one, this was obviously a better drag, better gear system and smoother and lighter reel with a much improved bail and gear system improved spool design, etc etc. In reality this is maybe more than common sense, as most don't know the difference in all these models, but probably what they are looking for hear, and it is what this thread pertains to. Not where how or why you use it, or compare a certain size!

Wow sorry to hear about your sister, but what a great response from all those you never new just how good a buddies you had,,,,,you won't ever wonder about that again!!!!! God Bless and prayers sent to your family!!!

Then I would post on a saltwater forum,,, not a Bass forum,,,,,common sense would suggest on a bass forum the question is concerning Bass Size Reels we have been here before!! The question is about quality with different models, not why Salwater fish are hard on an certain reel or size,,,we should keep it reel!!! (pun intended "reel"y)

If that's the case,,, keep them full, full spools are a must, and don't go heavier than 10 lbs. test line, preferably 8 lbs. test. These reels wont cast when just a little low on line, and never crank against the drag, or as DVT said, feed it all out and rereel!! Good Luck, and trust me,,,you will enjoy the new reels!!

We aint after permit and cobia,,,4000 is a freshwater salmon and Muskie reel! One has to wonder why a few have problems when the multitudes don't????

Perfect, I ilke this size because any smaller I start fighting line management with the super light fine lines used. This size also balances my UL 5' and 6' Avids excellent also, plus this is the smallest Stradic available,,,,and I don't know how to beat the Stradic for UL spinning?? The other problem I have for my size hand the less expensive 750 size reels (as the Stradic and Sustain 1000 size is the smallest they offer) and smaller hit my knuckles on the hand I hold the rod with as the bail revolves,,, JME