Silas

I used the Zoom Tiny Fluke today and did really well! First time with the Tiny fluke for me.

I think the Shimano Cumara 7'2" spinner in medium is a fantastic drop shot rod! I just bought my second one (brand new) of the bay yesterday for $104!. The first one I got a month ago new with tags on another forum for $120. Best money I ever spent!1 Have one rigged with a Sustain 2000 and the incoming will have a Daiwa SOL 2000. I fished the Sustain today and was delighted with just how well it works!

I think birds nests with fluorocarbon are a whole nother ballgame! If you accidentally kink or scratch a 4-8# fluoro, there is definitely going to be a weak spot.

3/8 oz is a good size. Or on a spinning setup 1/4 oz

Man passenger must never ask if he can drive owner's boat! Owner may offer on his own, if he wishes.

Chartreuse, orange, yellow spinner bait with large blade. We used to call that our "Mardi Gras" spinnerbait. A chartreuse and white one with gold blades will do. We have LOTS of murky water in South Louisiana!!

Plain old mono of any kind is good for backing. I like to use 6# Yozuri, only because I got an 8000 yard spool of it. Use the cheapest mono you have off an old spool that's got left over line on it. Been trying out Sunline SX-1 Braid in 12# test. Works really well! In my opinion, your braid is most efficent from 5# to 20#. And, fluoro leader is a great idea....just as go with the best there.

Check to see if the line is wrapped around the rod at some point. Check the top guide to see if it is "nicked" in any way.

I agree! I've seen a few Daiwa Sols going for around $200 new. They pop up now and then. Best buy for buck with Daiwas I think. The Alpha 103 used can be had for about $200. an excellent reel!! I As an owner of the Sol, Alpha, TDZ and Zillion, I can say that ALL of these are excellent and most can be had used for your price range. Once in awhile, a used Steez comes up for about $275. Magnificent reel in the 103 and 100.

I like to use the Original Shaw Grigsby hooks made for tubes that have a locking clip on the eye of the hook. These and the Fat Gitzits are still the best in my opinion. I find the tubes work best weightless also.....just takes more patience. And that particular hook holds the tube tightly onto the hook and won't let it slide down. Another hook I've found recently that works very well is the Gamakatsu Skip Gap hook. It pinches the side of the tube up against the hook and works well. I use the 3/0

X2 on lure retreiver!! Best purchase I made in last 6 months!!

I use this Mojo rig on finesse worms too. But better, I've found, is the "FLOAT IT" beaver type bait.....it actually floats off the bottom with a 2/0 hook. Been doing quite well with it. Comes through grass and even lily pads.

I have the Curado E series in 200E5 and 50E. I think they are the finest reels on the market in their price range. Literally perfect from the box. And, from what I've heard, the upgrade of bearings and drag will put them in a whole new class. I don't see the need to improve on them. Great buy!!

I have an almost new Curado 100D and am super pleased with it. It casts every bit as wll as my Curado 50E. And, it feels more "solid." I think it is all aluminum.....I could be wrong. I WAS going to get it upgraded just after I bought it but was so excited about how well it cast (on a Dobyns DX 702C finesse) that I didnt want to mess with it. It was perfect. Before I bought it I did a lot of research on it and found it to be a real keeper. As it was new in box , I paid about $125 and it is worth every penny. I mostly have it now for a "back up" reel. Not sure I'll sell that one. Close at its heels, and perhaps better is an old battle worn Scorpion 1000 that I had DVT clean and upgrade. That reel beckons me to buy the NEW Scorpion XT 1000....for about $200, which I believe is the very best deal at the moment.

Chronarch 50E for sure! Or get you a Curado 50E for a little less.

A vintage Balsa Squarebill crankbait.(named a Tenneesee Shad by Lonnie Stanley and Mooney Winston....about 45 years old that I had Marty Burns re-paint. The color was called "Pea Green." No other cranks since then have been able to actually come through timber and catch fish as well as this crankbait. I have 3 of them and they are my ultimate "confidence" bait. I suppose it catches fish because I KNOW it will catch fish!!

Congrats on the ladies!! It's such a joy to get new stuff that you really like! Like little dreams actually coming true. You are on the road now......what's your next "dream" set up for the future?

That's fine, Austin! I agree that one shouldn't rush into such decisions. I think you really need to look around a bit more and come to a conclusion on your own as to what you really want. I'm up late spoolng a "just arrived today" Ebay Shimano Twinpower 2500 spinning reel with SX-1 braid. As it is now, I tend to "fool around" with my stuff more than I fish with it! Lol! Good luck in your hunt!!

I don't want you to feel bad about turning me down. I won't be offended. I do understand the "either/or" conundrum. I'll be good with whatever you decide. Great stuff comes up on the flea market all the time, and you may have some different equipment in mind. You need to get exactly what you want, for sure.

As an old codger, I'll have to say when you hit 70, you just "automatically" slow down. You begin to appreciate all the things you are seeing. Sort of having a "Vampire awareness." You become a child again, in a sense, and in a good way. When you were a child, "Nature" was your teacher. Then you hit the rat race, and as has been mentioned, perhaps got caught up in the "run and gun" phase of life, and perhaps, of tournament fishing. I find I am really enjoying fishing more these days.....the entire experience.....the morning mist rising on the glass smooth water, the cry of the Kingfisher, the splash of a nearby curious alligator. And when I throw that Jika rig up next to a Cypress tree, I don't mind relaxing as it sinks to the bottom, hesitating, and giving it a hop now and then. I don't "have" to catch fish now......used to be my pride kept me on the water till I darn sure caught fish. But......strangely, in not having to catch them, I'm catching MORE of them. One of the ironic epiphanies that some of us discover in the ageing process. So, just a "heads up" for you younger whipppersnappers......it only gets better!!

I'm just starting to use the Magic Shads. Only used them with a 1/16 swimbait hook and have done well with the 3 1/2 inch Bluegill size. My question is what size Scrounger head and what size Magic Shad? (and your favorite color?)

thanks for the kudos, Dale! Now why don't YOU join in with me since you are the man with the "good stuff" and make him an offer he can't refuse!! Good Karma comes back around, you know!

I'm almost of the same mind, except I have the Dobyns Champion 704CB GLASS model. It will handle both jerkbaits and cranks well. I especially like the way it "slingshots" a bait. Loads up great!

Great suggestions on rods and reels. Since you asked for opinions on Braid, I have one. I'm currently trying the Sunline SX-1 Braid on 2 of my spinning reels. The 12#. About $20 for 125 yards, or $35 for 250. By using the method mentioned on the forum of filling the reel first with cheap mono, then cast out, and double that.....cut it off and top off spool with the braid.....I've gotten 2 reels done and will do another. So, it's not so expensive that way. And, more importantly, I find it casts smoothly, effortlessly, and has NO problems at all. I'm very pleased. I use a 7# Sunline Biwako FC leader.

Baconstealer, I have a deal for you, since you are looking for a good set up. I have an almost brand new Shimano Curado 200E5 in the box.....fished maybe a couple of hours. It's pretty near perfect. And I have a Powell Diesel 7'2" Medium Heavy rod,with about 2 hours on it, and a St. Croix Mojo Bass 6'8" Medium, with about one hour fishing on it, and a 13 Black *** 7'3" medium, with about 2 hours on it. My offer, which is valid only for you and till Tuesday nite April 23, midnite, is $200 TYD for the reel and ONE of those rods of your choice. I'll even kick in a "surprise" bait which I know you will really like! I don't really like to sell stuff and have a lot of it......and don't like to be bothered. So, I'm just throwing this out there for you for a couple of days. Thought I might have a little fun! The clock is ticking!!