georgeyew

Which ever baitcaster reel you decide to get, practice casting with a lure or weight that is more than 1/2oz. That will help you learn easier.

I had to laugh the packaging on the right that said "Ebola"!!!!

The reel only comes in 5.6:1 ratio.

How about the Daiwa Procyon Spinning 7' Med Hvy for $70 and then pair it with a Daiwa REVROS 2500 for $50? After discount it will be under $100.

I have both the Sufix Elite and Yo-Zuri. And from my experience, the Sufix is softer and has more stretch. If you are planning to use a baitcaster, I'd say go with the Yo-Zuri. It will be more sensitive, more abrasion resistant and probably last longer.

I've fished a fluke on a shakey head. It looks very promising, however I haven't had any bites yet.

I had a jig hook that snapped in the middle of the bend. This was down at Lake Okeechobee last year. I had caught several big fish with it and I was ripping the jig out of a lot of heavy cover. But that was the only time that I've had a hook break on me.

Also, you may want to add a good bearing swivel in front of the mepps. The inline lures can cause line twists.

I have the Black Fury #5. For me I fish it on my baitcasting rod with 12lb line. I fish it a lot like regular spinnerbaits except for it is not weedless so I avoid brushes and grass with it. It pushes a lot of water so it is good for night time or early mornings.

If you are referring to the Tec Spec Elite, the 7'6 model is a HXF.

That's fantastic. Only in my dream would I have a 7,6 and 5 lb bass in one day where I live. Congrats!

I have a Lightning Shock 7MH. It is a good rod that covers almost all techniques for me. I think that would be more versatile than the Sojourn M.

I agree with the post above. A 3/8 oz swim jig with a trailer will be around 5/8 or 3/4 oz. That will be plenty heavy to cover the depths that you are fishing. I tend to like a black or blue jig with the same color trailer (or green pumpkin).

Neat gizmo. I use velcro straps.

If you cannot find them locally, TW has a good program to demo reels.

Glad that you found something that worked for you I see to have more luck when I go outside of my usual ponds as well.....for example Lake Okeechobee

Great idea. I love ideas like this that use everyday items. Thanks!!

I just got my 2 Rage rods today shipped in a very heavy duty tube. Can't beat the deal!

Don't forget the St Croix Rage rod. The St Croix Bargain Bin has the 7'11 H rod on sale for $89. And if you get two they are $50 each plus shipping (you have to call the store).

Have you tried their website to look up a list of distributors?

Hey WPC, Thanks for the info. I just ordered 2 Rage rods from the store for $119 shipped. I think that the number of rods are getting low. They had to go to the back to verify whether they had the models that I wanted in stock. Also, I asked about the Mojo's and they are the same price as the site....not additional discounts.

Awesome fish. Look at the mouth on that thing!!

That is pretty cool. Looks like it would work well.

I switched out the trebles on my lipless cranks to circle hooks. Last week I caught some nice sized fish on those lipless cranks and did not lose many fish. I just have to remember to lean back and keep the line tight instead of setting the hook. I like that once the circle hooks are hooked up, there is very little chance that the fish can throw the hook no matter how much it jumps and shakes.

Thanks Dr D for that great info. I am going to try and catch some snakeheads before it gets too cold.