bass1980

Senkos I used all 20lb braid no problem. Jigs and Trig I used all 50lb braid no problem too. I fish around or inside vegetation so braid is a must most of the time. My only setup I tie a flouro leader is shakey head. I'm undecided to go all braid or all flouro this year on that setup. I guess it really depends on the water you fish. Northern natural lakes braid is often used.

About the SS reels, I will pass on those. I sold all my T3 platform because I didn't like the zion feel. If the SS feels anything similar I know it'll always bother me.

I had a Steez and tried both 1016 and SV spools in it. I prefer the SV spools over the 1016 with lures 1/4oz to 3/8oz.

I used my setup 90% of the time for senkos because I fish it a lot. Howevery there are days where you need to get under the weeds for bottom contact so I do use this setup for light Trig as well.

Last years setup; 7'1 MF ***, Daiwa T3 1016HSL, 20lb PP High vis yellow (no leader) This years seutp;(2015) 7'5 NRX 893c, Shimano Metanium XG, 20lb PP High vis yellow (no leader)

Check out the Aetos. They designed the color on that rod just for the patriarch when Fenwick and Pflueger teamed up on that. It's botj navy blue with the black carbon details. It may be hard to see on websites but trust me if you see the rod in person it's a perfect match looks wise. I don't know how it performs though.

If you ever get a chance flush those bearings. Sometimes shimano over grease the bearings. A flush and a drop of oil will make the reel even better! If you don't mind opening up the reel take that annoying anti reverse paw out too.

I think you should have just asked this question in your other thread of E vs I. Very few people if any have done a legit test on casting distance. You need the same rod, line, and lure. You also should get at least 3 experienced people and have them cast about 10 times each minimum. All this must be done with the same amount of wind. All 3 reels must be the same usage out of the box. See, not very likely anyone will really know.

Just get the latest offering otherwise you'll always wonder how better the newer technologies are. SVS and Xship is nice but to me the "I" is just smoother and cast better than the E.

First thing I would do is switch out that Berkley Vanish line. I would not use it even if it was given free to me. To me it is stiff like no other but I have not tried it at 4lb test.

I'm about to get into that realm of gears too. Looking very hard at some limited edition JDM reels after Christmas. I would treat it like a classic car. Meant to be driven but not daily driven. Taking it out and taking extra care of it. Always have a reel cover on it when not in use. IMO the only reels that would be shelf queens are extremely rare reels that is extremely hard to find and sought after. Otherwise a tricked reel is meant to be used but used accordingly.

I'm not sure if anyone else notice but to me the 50 series is smoother than the 200 series. Stock, flushed, or bocas, it seems the 50 is smoother and it definitely cast better. I had 3 chronarch 201 and 2 chronarch 51's. The 50's is smoother for some reason. I've sold all my 201's but I don't think I'll ever sell my 50's. Even when I'm upgrading to better reels I plan to keep these little guys. They are versatile with the lakes that I fish especially since I fish with braids on my two 51e's so I don't have to worrying about line capacity.

You should go 20lb. That is what I use and I love it. There are a few times where I get line digging but it's not that much of an issue. Also you would get longer distance with smaller lines.

I started to crank with braids too. StOCK hook works well. Just don't sweep set so hard I think you should be fine. Maybe back off the drag a tad bit too. However on tournament days I will change the cranks that I feel will work to gama short shank 2

I love black friday. There's no point of standing in line if you're not after that super sized TV or Tickle me Elmo. I just wait for TW and BTD to go at it with their sales. It's winter here and its the off season. This is where I stock up for next season. I just dropped $150 on plastics! Another $50 on terminal tackle and junk. I wish black friday comes 2 times a year lol.

0 = Right Hand Retrieve 200e 1 = Left Hand Retrieve 201e

Last year TW didn't start until after this weekend from what I remember.

I used wacky senko on high vis yellow all year and catch just as much as my partner.

I'm on their email list and have not received anything yet. From what I remember last year TW black Friday sale didn't start until after black Friday weekend which was dumb. However Bass Tackle Depot had a sale thanksgiving night until that weekend.

I am all too familiar with those kinds of lake coming from MN where our natural lakes are filled with weeds by summer time. I know a smaller lake that seems to sound just like your lake and during the right months is top water heaven but when it's not top water season it's a tough lake. If you are fishing in 5 foot of water and there is tons of vegetation then you have three options. One is obviously top water with a frog, horny toad, or the likes. Weedless and can get the job done if the fish are feeding top water. I wouldn't really recommend spinner bait of swim jig if it's the same water I'm talking about. Although semi weedless, it's a PITA reeling back a lump of weeds. Now if the weeds doesn't come right up to the surface and there are also a few breaks in them try weedless fluke. I really like them as they can be walked on top, or jerk just below the surface, or sink into pockets. The fluke is a walk the dog, jerkbait, senko all in one in these water conditions. Lastly if those don't work try attacking the bottom. Not all weeds go all the way down to the bottom. Some weeds open up on the bottom. Think of a forest with trees. Up on top has branches and leaves but on the ground is all stumps with openings. When reeling your lure back up you then snag on the branches/leaves, basically the weed you see. So in your head you think how could I fish down there when it's all weed to the ground but like I said, sometimes it opens up. Try punching with bullet weight depending on how thick the weed is. Punching is like finding a needle in a hay stack, it's a guessing game. Many times I like to go and find the edge of the weed, the weed line. Throw a Trig worm or plastic or even drop shot. Many times bass are hiding at weed line edge waiting for a free meal. Fishing these weedy lakes can be tricky and discouraging. I struggle myself, especially with new lakes but the past year I've learn so much fishing these kinds of waters.

I have no issue running Gama but hey sometimes new ideas may work but may take a while for the traditionalist to follow. I'm not sure if I will but I guess one day when I'm bored. I do like the concept but I am not sure of the quality of the hooks.

Stumbled upon this ordering drop shot weights. What do you guys think of this hook? Looks pretty clever and it would seem to eliminate some twisting. I dig around a bit more on them and the video seems the hooks works well. http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=739157&destination=%2Fcheckout%2Fitem_added_to_cart.jsp%3Fresult%3Dsuccess%26categoryIds%3D104793480%7C104779980%7C104685480%7C%26searchPath%3D%252Fcatalog%252Fsearch.cmd%253Fform_state%253DsearchForm%2526N%253D0%2526fsch%253Dtrue%2526Ntk%253DAllProducts%2526Ntt%253Ddrop%252Bshot%252Bsinkers%2526x%253D0%2526y%253D0%26productId%3D739091%26backToPreviousUrl%3D%252Fcatalog%252Fproduct.jsp%253FproductId%253D739091%26WTz_l%3DChart&WTz_l=CWBAB%3BIK-116473

Site sponsor valley tackle sells tatula rods for cheaper than retail. I really like them and that reel seat feels awesome. Light and crips. Plenty sensitive for a rod in that range. I just dont realky like all that gold trim but it's personal preference.

What a setup!!!

Wow this is what I'm talking about! Sorry I always get excited when a reel and rod matches in the looks department.