Arv

AMEN! I would buy any one of the reels above the TP in a heart beat, but, alas, I am a left handed cranker

I'd go with the 7'1 MH. I also fish a lot form a kayak and I personally don't have any trouble using 7'+ rods. Only rods I carry that are shorter are a 6'9 mh/m and a 6'10m/f, and I can't really tell a difference there.

I've been trending that way too recently.

Really looking forward to the DB Craw and the Cut-R Worm.

Haha, that's what I meant.

Haha, I did mean DSG. In my head goods started with an S

Went to DSG today to mosey around, not really planning on buying anything. Found a couple colors of the Rage Tail Recon Worm on sale for 3.47 with an additional 20% off or something like that. Wound up getting 5 packs for 13 bucks. Just a heads up if the DSG near you is running the same deal.

100%

I agree. the TSS is a nice reel but I just got a TP and wow. There is definitely a difference there.

Got a Tournament Speed Spool, Tournament Pro. Soon going to add a BB1 to the arsenal. I haven't tried every reel out there but I feel like I have tried enough to decide that I'm sticking with Lews from now on.

I second what Kevin and Imb said. Put out a little more money for a Lews Speed Spool or BPS PQ. You can find them on sale for around 80 or used for as low as 50.

5'' Watermelon/Black fleck Senko worm

Northstar makes a great jig. I have several and I can tell you that they are made with quality material. Everything I've heard about Seibert Outdoors would stand to fall in line with the same quality. If you want to get a couple quickly, I would suggest trying out some of the Strike King jigs. I like the Bitsy Bug and Hack Attack jigs. Materials are not quite up to par with the jigs mentioned above, but they will still produce for sure.

go get some frogs

I use braid. If I'm not getting bit, I tie on a leader. Sometimes I start getting bit, sometimes I don't.

Get it. Fish it. Enjoy it. Powell makes an excellent rod and the 723 is one of my favorite.

For a new Curado 51e that's a solid deal at 160. If it stays at 180, thats still better than 200. Just depends on if you want it that bad. You should be able to find them used for around 130-140

What does your "bite" feel like? If you're getting small taps you may be yanking the rod too quick. If not I would question the hook size you are using like mentioned above. Another echo from others before as well, you don't need to crush the fish on the hookset either. Not sure what the issue is, but that's my 2 cents.

What are you using it for? How long have you been fishing? Both are good. A lot depends on preference and application.

Fat Ikas are a lure I would add. I also use braid, sometimes with an FC leader

I mostly throw it around cover. I don't like it as an open water application. I either throw it weightless or on a wacky jig head. Both have worked well for me. Most of the time I get bit on the initial fall. If not, I lift it up once and let it fall again. If I don't get bit then I reel in and cast again. This is also my favorite application for skipping docks. I can get way in the back skipping a weightless wacky worm.

Not too long ago, I was about to get rid of all my treble hooks. They are very annoying to me since the like to pick up everything. My carpet, my shirt, my shorts, any pine needles or weeds in the lake, etc. But then I pumped the brakes and thought about it. They do a great job catching fish. Literally the day after I decided to take my cb rod off the fleamarket I went out and hooked up with several nice fish with the largest being around 4#. Yeah, I had to pick off pine needles more often than I liked, but it was worth it when I landed one of my bigger fish of the year. Like mentioned above, they are situational and will obviously not be the #1 choice if your area is densely weeded or covered in algae. I'll also echo everyone else that said to mash down the barbs. If you do decide to go through with selling everything though I'm sure you'll be able to get rid of it.

10-20# braid. Leader optional.

As mentioned, a lot depends on the cover. I learned to fish on texas rigs (mostly worms) and crankbaits and I still think those are great lures to get started with. Another good lure get going on is a senko worm. Also, maybe get some basic topwaters like poppers or a jitterbug.

stained and muddy water, I still use watermelon and green pumpkin, wacky or t rig, works fine w/o any modifications for me.