Fishing Doug

agreed. I dealt with JBC late last year...couldn't ask for better service..

I was actually considering setting up an aquarium like this....I would be interested in hearing from some people with experience on how difficult it is/was to keep these species alive....

I agree with Natural on this one. I picked up the 843 and I seemed to get a much better hook up ratio...however....a little on the soft side if you go with 1/2 oz size cranks or bigger.

Well, I just saw them at my local Wal-Mart on Monday on clearance........a bunch of them in a big box with a price tag of $24.95 each......I picked one up and it felt like a decent rod...but I would say you are getting what you pay for....

KU, thinking about trying Gamma this season...I like Yo-Zuri but a lot of memory on my baitcaster in 12 lb. . Do you feel that the break strength is close to what is advertised on the Gamma website? what test size have you used and liked on baitcasters? FD

When do you guys usually get a strike on spot remover type baits? is it on the fall like a jig or will a bass usually pick it up off the bottom? or both? I picked up the 1/8 and 1/4 this fall and am looking forward to using them after all the positive things I have heard.. FD

If you look around online or wait for the BPS Spring Classic, you can find a Shimano Citica for 100. I have one and it is a solid reel. I don't use it anymore since I upgraded to Magnesium reels. I have the 200...seems a little big for bass but I believe the 100 series is now available. I do not have experience with any other baitcasters in that price range, therefore, I cannot give a comparison. I am actually looking to sell this one. PM me if interested. FD

Agreed, that is one sweet list, and fishing the waters around the midwest I will likely never be on that list.....I'll shoot for the Missouri State Record instead-much less controversy anyway! ;D Raul made a great point somewhere within this topic-what about the monsters caught in Mexico but not recorded? I have been doing research on El Salto for a potential trip this year and the amount of pics I see with people holding 10 pounders is amazing. If a lake can produce multiple 10 pounders, isn't there a real decent chance that the holds a potential world record, assuming one has not already been caught out of that water? Correct me if I am wrong, but E Salto is not the only lake in Mexico capable of double digit bass... FD

Daiwa. get it here: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Daiwa-Casting-Reel-Alphas-103-Type-F-JAPAN_W0QQitemZ140073019966QQihZ004QQcategoryZ36146QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

I was contemplating the SOL but ended up going with the Japanese version-the Alphas. one ounce lighter. more line capacity. better handle. cheaper than retail price of a SOL.

HUGE fan....starting out great as always.....Can't wait for the next 2 hours tonight. too cold to fish=24. FD

I agree with Alpster on the spinning-Stradic is a good value. if you consider the Chronarch 50mg to be in your price range, I say go for it. I am a big fan of light weight reels.

We (the girl and I) used to run 10 miles every Saturday...however.....after the last time the surgeon got done with my left knee, it is now bone on bone, no cartilidge left. So, nothing but the bike for me now. such is life. I really enjoyed running, oddly enough, it was very relaxing. FD

happy bday,GMAN. you went fishing on your bday, right? I mean, we are having great weather here in St. Louis...... > FD

RW-that explains it. I had forgotten the slipping was an issue. disclaimer-new to braid.

Fellas, I use the standard issue crankbaits and spinnerbaits as "search baits". My question is, do any of you guys ever switch it up and use topwaters or jerkbaits to find a pattern? My thought is maybe when there is a tough bite or you are fishing high pressured areas, would there be a benifit to switching it up? I realize you wouldn't be able to cover as much water with either of these methods but am wondering if any of you use this to 'expand the aresenal'. thoughts? FD

Fellas, I am going to dedicate one TD-Z strictly for jigs-its on my list to get good at in 2007. contemplating Power Pro 50 lb. and as opposed to backing it with mono, can you simply not spool it all the way? how will this effect the performance of the reel? Something tells me this is a no-no since you fellas suggest backing with Mono. thoughts? FD

Sneaky, the CBR843 would be a sweet set up, however, would the 7.1 be a little fast for cranks? I am contemplating a Zillion too, but I have spinnerbaits in mind. FD

fatfishfarmer is legit. I have purchased all four of my Loomis from him and many others on this board have used him. yes, covered under original Loomis warranty.

agreed-good rod for the $$$. another bonus-good warranty. My fishing partner has the 6ft version. He stepped on it and broke it about 8 inches from the top. took it back to the local BPS, they gave him a new one, no questions asked.

I own the 783 and fished with my buddy's 844 a lot this year. Originally bought the 783 for my spinnerbait rod but have found it a little on the soft side for bigger (1/2 oz and up) spinnerbaits. I ended up using the 844 a lot for spinnerbaits-much stiffer and the 6 inches makes a significant difference in slinging a bait where accuracy is not as much of a concern (IMO). With that said, the 783 is still one of my favorite rods-use it more for finesse and topwater applications now. conclusion-if I could only have one or the other, I would with the 844 simply because I think it is a more versatile rod. FD

I have a GBlanks 6'9" with split grip/no foregrip and I love it. I agree with Flechero though-it actually takes away from the balancing. I borrowed my fishin' buddy's new Curado 200 7.1 to try it out burning spinnerbaits.....yeah, that didn't work for me. Granted that is about has heavy as a reel gets, but it just didn't feel right. Solution: Daiwa Alphas Type F and make it my finesse jig. As 5BL stated...I can't see it being necessary for crank/spinnerbait setups anyway. FD

River W, The overall size of the reel feels a bit smaller than the TD-Z's but not by much. If you feel comfortable with the TD-Z's, I think you will be happy with the Alphas. Raul or another Alphas owner may step in here and correct me, but I believe the frame of the reel is the exact same size as the American version-the SOL. If you have a store close to you that carries these, you could always take a trip and get an idea of the feel of the reel-although the Alphas is an ounce lighter. hope this helps. FD

I just got the Type F in the mail earlier this week. Haven't fished with it yet but spooled it up and played with it. I have 2 TD-Z's and it feels as smooth and 'solid' as them. I have never used the 1000 MG but if it is comparable to the Chronarch MG(which I used extensively this year on a crankbait setup), I would go with the Alphas every time. I have been a Shimano guy but I really like the 'precision' feel of the Daiwa baitcasters. I bought this primarily for finesse jigs and plastics/jig heads but can see it working well on another crankbait rig too. my 2 cents....

if you have the time and availability-minnows-now doubt about it. I crappie fish almost as much as a bass fish. I rarely have the time and energy to deal with live bait. Now I primarily use BPS Squirming Squirts. YUM also makes the Wooly Beavertail in a panfish size. Used them a little this year with great success as well. a couple thoughts from my experience: bigger baits catch bigger crappie. I use primary 1.5 inch and 2" baits.....less fish on 2", but bigger fish if you aren't catching crappie on one color-switch. I have caught crappie on nearly every color but anything with chartruese is usually a winner. FD