lmbfisherman

I'd pick the Curado G if you get it on sale..if not then my pick would be the Lexa.

Actually you can get the Veritas for 79.99 from BPS during the Fishing Classic, but it sounds like that might be the permanent price. For me up here (Ontario Canada) I can get a Veritas for 79.99 at a lot of places. So it sounds like a new rod maybe coming from Abu. Anyway, I can't comment regarding the Carbonlite (don't own one)...but during the rod trade in (bring an old rod) you can get them for 64.99. IMO that is a great price and maybe better bang for your buck than a Carbonlite. Not saying the Carbonlite sucks, but I own a Veritas 7'3" MH/F. Overall a very versatile rod. Maybe one of the guys here who has owned both can comment. The biggest knock on the Veritas is you have to really be thorough about the quality of the rod. BPS has outstanding warranty and Abu is pretty good too, so I'd say it's pretty fair there.

Congrats Felix, you'll love it. I went with a the longer version the 135..the main reason was because it can handle the bigger waters when I decide I want to go to Lake Ontario. Huge difference fishing from it than a canoe, I never felt like I was going to flip on a hook set.

I have the same problem, so I generally stay away from using standard tube jig. I am more confident using a tube on jigs or texas rigged. Hrm maybe this is the way to go, heavier..do you guys do this even in shallower water? Like say 5-10 ft?

Definitely keep the reel! Save money later to find a partner (high end rod), don't have to be now.

90% of my reels have braid, will use leaders as needed. I don't normally go straight floro, the ones I do have full floro is because it was free spooling by my local tackle shop for purchasing the reel. If it was me, I would've placed 40 or 50 lb braid on a baitcaster. The main reason I do it is to save on line costs.

Do a search, there was a topic already regarding this. However in a nutshell here is the advantages for putting backing on braid. Prevents the line slipping on your spool. (If you do not use the wiffle spools.) - IE when you set the hook your line will slip, preventing you from setting the hook properly or reeling a fish in. As the previous poster, saves you money by having that one spool of line used for 2 reels (125 or 150 yds) I usually will use half of the spool for a reel. In general I do a 50/50 or 60/40 of backing/braid.

You look fine now actually. No need to get another setup. The lines you specified, don't see an issue with either. If you do want to get a new setup though, I would personally upgrade one of the rods in your lineup. Make the all star rod your dedicated bladed bait rod. Depending on your budget - under 150 (Crucial, Fenwick Aetos or ET Smallmouth) or go high end St Croix, Shimano Loomis Powell or Dobyns usually get good reviews, just your preference. Make it your dedicated plastics jig rod, I always spend more money for bottom contact techniques on rods. However it isn't necessary though as the three you have now can cover all things. Since you don't want to get a dedicated crank setup, in a pinch your spinning rod can do that for you decided to do cranking the times you do want to crank.

Well that was a surprise, sounds like he deserved it. Last I checked in was earlier in the afternoon. Congrats!

I am always checking all day long. I guess if you wanted me to quantify, probably a good 2-3 hours a day with my random checks and posting.

79.99 - Reel trade in it goes down to 64.99

Hey Welcome Jeff you will meet many good people and when you think you know it all, you learn more! Good to see another from Ontario, especially during winter when we can't drop a line.

Up here in Ontario you can find Veritas rods for 79.99 since Summer of 2013.

I always thought the Champion series was more in competition with the Legend Tournaments not the Avid line? For me anyways, don't seem like a "fair" comparison.

You waiting for the rod trade in? Trade in an old rod and you will get another 10 bucks off.

Good advice.

Hrm I just checked for some reason the flyers aren't showing up online.

A lot of folks just went overboard imo. I own three of them and 2 E series and I find both of them perform just the same. Sure it may not feel the same solid feel as the E i will agree, but performance isn't hindered. It is a very good reel.

Go to the Bass Pro Website -> Click on Stores -> Click on the store closest to you...there should be a link to the flyer.

Man definitely let us know your feeback.

Hey you know about Fishing World down there in Hamilton? I believe they will price match from BPS. Show'em the flyer. They are good guys, unfortunately I can't make it out all the time out there. If I drove out there often for work like I do in the BPS area, I'd probably go down there. Anyway, they have a very good selection of rods, reels, lines and lures.

Thanks for not rubbing it in for us northerners.

I'd be throwing jerkbaits and swimbaits first and then throw jigs.

x2...

Yes we can't intentionally go after bass at all until the season starts. Which also you can harvest them depending on which level of fishing license you have purchased (of course this part doesn't matter to me). It is also set at a provincial level, so it is different from each province the regulations like the states. When I go for pike, I do catch bass here and there though, but you must "immediately" release them...like you can't take pics..etc. A lot of bass fisherman up here thinks the rules need to be lifted similar to what you are saying though. The bass population is very healthy in most of the waters around here.