TNBassin'

Gotta disagree here. Its actually a nice rod for the $. It's much better than any of the Lightning rods in the same price range, and it's decently sensitive with fluorocarbon. The Black Max isn't bad, but I'd go with a reel that doesn't have a graphite frame.

For clear water go with natural bait fish/forage colors. For stained water go with chartreuse/black back, citrus shad, reds.

I like the Pumpkin Ed jigs by Yum.

I always try to grab the line and support some of the weight myself so the rod doesn't have to bare all the load.

I fish them in 3/16 and 1/4.

Not buying into the hype at all. Another gimmick IMO.

For lipless cranks I burn them or yo yo them. For crank baits I use a steady retrieve, then kill it, then steady retrieve then repeat.

Crank baits and swim jigs for me.

Don't get a Pro Max. It has a graphite frame. Plenty of bargain reels out there with aluminum frames.

Uh...on here it does.

I hop my jigs, and move my rod almost like I'm fishing a shakey head to get that skirt flaring and those rage claws moving. Ton more bites than dragging it for me.

I have 2 new spools of 10# red label I bought for my Curados, so I can take one back and swap it for 12#. Not sure 12# red label is night and day different manageability wise than 10.

Makes sense to have dominant hand control the fish, and non dominant hand to reel it in no?

I'm right handed but reel left handed. Like the op I grew up using spinning reels so it felt unnatural with casting reels to go right. Lefties rule.

I use Yo Zuri and Seaguar Red Label. No mono, no braid.

Yeah no need for braid here on Douglas Lake. I wish it was needed, as that would mean we actually have some cover/vegetation.

I just use the site to store option so I don't pay shipping anyway for anything I order. They price match Gander and Academy, and when the Cabelas gets built in Bristol they will match them too. It's just funny that BPS gets called out, yet 99% of online sites are just as or more expensive than BPS.

Cabelas is more expensive than BPS lol. And good luck getting your order shipped quickly from Cabelas. They are by far the slowest when it comes to processing orders and getting them out. And shipping. I ordered 6 Xcalibur XR50s and got charged $8.95 for shipping lol. That's ridiculous.

I've been using 10# Red Label for my worms and jigs. I fish mostly open water/rocky bluffs and haven't had any issues so far, but a buddy thinks I'm nuts for going that light. I mainly throw 1/2oz jigs and worms with a 3/16oz weight and so far so good. I've always heard to fish with as light of a line as you can and it's served me well so far. Should I keep on keepin on with 10 or go up to 12-14?

This makes me wanna run to the WalMart a town over to see if they have these that cheap.

Really? Haven't noticed. Have u ever taken advantage of their price match policy?

Take the spool tension cap off and put a small dab of oil or grease on it. That tension pad was dry on all 3 of mine.

I have similar experiences at BPS. Stuff like this goes a long way with me and builds customer loyalty. Something a lot of companies don't care about.

Use the warranty

They are on sale here for $124 lol.