Missourifishin

Exactly! Every one has to claim to have caught one a little bit bigger.

I'm thinking of the smaller ones. 5 1/2" arms sounds about right. I've read elsewhere on the web about people using 7'6" rods for them. Is that just for casting purposes? I currently don't have anything over 7'0" which is why I am asking.

I've never thrown any type of umbrella rig. But I think I'm going to give it a try soon. I was wondering what kind of lures you guys put on them. And more importantly, what type of rod, reel and line do you use? Thanks.

People like to tell big fish tales. And a lot of people like to embellish them. Why everyone you talk to seems to have either caught 6 pounders, or chosen 6 pounds as their made up number, is a mystery to me though.

This is a good point. If you go with a manufacturer like that, go M/F. Otherwise you might want a MH/F.

My problem is wondering what the hell happened to fall?? Last year I was still doing well this time of year, and even several weeks later. I wasn't catching a ton of fish, but I was catching enough, and more importantly a high percentage of them were quality fish. This year I got really busy around late August and I'm just now getting time to get out here and there. Problem is that we seem to have gone from summer to winter in the blink of an eye. And the few decent days we have are never the days I have time to fish. I had high hopes to get out for a couple hours this afternoon, but the wind was insane.

I agree with this. If you have a chance to go into a shop and feel the MH/F and the M/F, do it and see which one you like better. But the MH might have a little more backbone than you want/need. I have the 7'0" M/F spinning, and it's about perfect for me.

12 pound mono

Yeah, you're right. Like I said earlier, the fishing guys at my local BPS are good. And I've had great conversations about fishing with several of them. But I was really disappointed when I started getting hassled about vacation packages. For a while last year it was messing up my whole experience there because it was every d**n time I walked in the place.

The guys in my local bass pro seem to know a lot about fishing gear. I've only been in a Cabelas once, and the guy I dealt with was rude. I could chalk that one up to bad luck though. I'm sure not all of their employees are like that.

^^^This! I use a 6.4:1 for squarebills.

I've gone swimming in ponds many times. The turtles and snakes always stayed as far away from me as they could. And I don't think I've ever had any leech problems either. Maybe I'm just lucky.

I got my Mettle for $29 last year. I think they were getting rid of old stock to make room for the Mettle 2. I have no complaints whatsoever. It was my first baitcaster, and perfect for the job. My second baitcaster was a Lews Tournament speed spool (retail price $150), which was a huge step up. But for the price, I can't imagine beating the Mettle. It's simple, yet performs well and gets the job done.

The 6'10" is what I throw squarebills on. I like it a lot.

I have 2 expensive (to me) setups. They didn't cost anywhere near 900 though. But I use my expensive gear regularly, and enjoy it. I try to be smart and careful with my gear. But I don't think I would ever really worry or stress about it. It's all about having fun.

Almost everyone in this topic beat me to it, but for spinning rods priced at under $200, the Avid will always be my choice.

Yes.

I've only caught bass here in MO. The only other state I've fished in was Colorado, where I was fishing for and catching trout. I am hoping to catch all kinds of fish in a lot of different states (possibly countries) in the future though.

I agree, we need more info. More questions: Are you fishing from a boat or from the bank? And if it's from the bank, are there a lot of trees and other obstacles that might make a shorter rod easier to handle? Also, what size rods are you used to using? If 6'6" works for you, and is comfortable, I don't see any reason to return it and get a longer one.

I have a Mitchell 300 Pro. I like it a lot. Unfortunately, I don't think it's much of an upgrade at all over the President. Like I said, I like the Mitchell, but the President is such a good value, I'd consider them in the same ballpark as far as quality goes. I would probably go with another President or a Supreme, although I haven't used a Supreme, so I can't comment on how much of a step up it might be.

^^^This. Just cast it out, and crank it in. Change up the speed and cadence. It usually doesn't require a whole lot of patience. And the only skill it requires is figuring out where the fish are, and how fast/slow they want it.

I would have much less of a problem using a good friend or family member's lure. If I somehow lost it, I would immediately tell them I will replace it, and then make good on that promise. I also don't mind letting someone use one of my lures (as long as it's not a lucky craft or something else over $10). The risk of them losing it is worth it to me if it helps everyone have a good time, and possibly a more successful outing.

This is why I never travel far from home without at least 1 rod and reel.

I literally just smacked myself in the head for not thinking of that. Thanks