The Brim Reaper

I've been borrowing my Dad's 6' MH Shakespeare Alpha Graphite for a few months, now. I only use it for panfishing, but I still really don't like it. It doesn't cast far enough for some of the spots we fish. Hence, I'm sticking to rods between 6'6'' and 7' from now on.

Sure thing. It'll probably be some months before I get it, because I just bought a rod and reel, and I will likely buy an inshore saltwater setup first.

My mistake, it's the CAJ-456!

I've got my eye on the Calico Jack. I found it on the Wal-Mart website for $53.99. The CAJ-454 is the one you're talking about, Snook?

Thanks for the advice, everyone. My rod and reel just arrived today and I simply can't wait to try it out!

Lol! Okay, so I'll stick to the specs you've all mentioned. I really appreciate your help, guys!

Yes, I would like to hear your other rod suggestions, Snook. Thanks for the advice about hook sizes and shrimp rigging techniques.

That makes sense. I thought it might just be discontinued. It looks like a nice rod and I've heard really good things about Fenwick. I think I'll take a chance on it. Thanks!

That would be 15# braid then. Thanks for your advice.

So would it be fine to put electrical tape on the reel first? My rod is a medium-light and the reason I use braid is because I sometimes have to pull the fish through heavy cover. Braid is good for that, but I don't want my line visible in the water, so that's where the mono comes in.

I ordered a St. Croix Triumph and Pflueger President from BPS. My plan is to attach a mono leader to braid. I'll be using 4# Stren, but would like to know what size Power Pro to get. I'm targeting panfish. How much of each line should I use? The Pflueger can hold 145 yards of line. It's also "braid ready", but should I still use tape as backing? I'd appreciate your advice!

So I'm thinking: Ugly Stik Tiger Lite (6'9'', Medium, 10-25) Penn Fierce 4000 (10/230, braid capacity 20/275) 20# Power Pro I imagine I'll only do inshore saltwater fishing occasionally, so I don't want to spend too much. I'd use my freshwater rods, but they're far too weak.

Thanks, dude.

Thanks for your responses. I will look into the Red Bone rods. I'll be fishing the Lake Charles area in Louisiana. From what I've read, the most commonly caught species are redfish, specks, black drum, flounder, and croaker. Shrimp is what I'll be using as bait. What size line do you recommend, Snook?

Not too much of one, I was using a medium-heavy rod. I just ordered a 7' ML St. Croix Triumph, though, so I expect great fights in the near future. Hopefully, I can catch more sunnies like this!

I'm new to inshore saltwater fishing and don't know what size and species of fish I should expect to catch. I'll be fishing with shrimp. I've already decided on a reel (Penn Fierce), but need a rod to go with it. I'm looking at these: Offshore Angler Gold Cup: http://www.basspro.c..._10051_10204611 Daiwa Coastal Inshore: http://www.basspro.c..._-1_10051_97106 Shakespeare Ugly Stik Tiger Lite: http://www.basspro.c..._-1_10051_71840 Shakespeare Ugly Stik Lite: http://www.basspro.c..._-1_10051_17946 Which rod do you recommend and what model? What size braid line should I put on it? Thanks in advance!

I caught this at Toledo Bend today. Didn't even have to set the hook, it just sucked the worm in and took off! I also caught a slightly smaller redbreast sunfish, but it thrashed about and fell off the hook into the water.

Thanks for the responses. I'm still working on identifying sunfish.

I kept catching these at Sam Houston Jones State Park in Louisiana. Is it a Warmouth? Rock Bass? Sorry if it's not a good picture.

Does anyone have any experience with this rod? I found it on Cabela's site, but there's only 3 reviews. I couldn't find it on Fenwick's website, either.

I ventured out to the spillway today and there was no water flowing over it, so tons of fish were trapped at the bottom. I saw some bass, gars, and bluegill, but was only able to catch channels. I used dillies most of the time, but also caught one on a Berkley Powerbait Swim Shad in the firetiger color. I caught dozens of them, ranging from 5-11 inches. They were hitting almost every cast! Catfish aren't a species I target, but I still had a blast!

Thanks for your response. It seems I'm off to a good start, because the swimbaits I bought are soft with paddle tails. They're already rigged, though. I've seen the bass chasing sunfish, that's why I went with the Live Sunfish. I'll look into the Shadalicious, too.

I'm transitioning from panfishing into bass fishing. So far I've only been using live nightcrawlers and dillies, but I just bought a pack of STORM Wildeye Live Sunfish swimbaits. They're 2'' and 1/4 oz. Here are my questions: 1) I've read that you may need a heavier action rod to fish swimbaits. Does this only apply to the bigger swimbaits? Will I be fine as long as I don't buy lures too light or heavy for my rods? 2) I've also read that soft plastic baits may dry out or don't always mix well with other lures. Is there a certain way I should store my swimbaits? 3) What kind of rod/reel do you personally use to fish swimbaits? What swimbaits do you use and what are their sizes? How well do they work for you? Sorry if these are stupid questions, I've only been fishing for a couple of months.