lmbfisherman

x2 on Raul's post. I personally use the Trick Worms wacky rigging and Drop shot the most. But any of technique will work.

My comfort zone - Spinnerbait, weightless flukes, buzzbaits and jigs. Always what I tend to to do in most situations. Although last year after forcing myself to DS more, it was one of my go to last year.

I usually break it in for awhile before I clean/relube. Like others have stated, I want to ensure everything is in working order before I open the reel up.

Oh, heh..I don't care if you used a no named brand. I don't criticize people for using what they like.

I would say Crucial too from that list.

Good to know as I'm hoping my wife will buy me a 852s or 893c for my 40th.

I'm just not seeing how it's not smooth. Maybe you looked at a bad one? I'm just surprised, never went to the Ci4 level as I'm happy with my FJs. However, when I'm in the market for a new spinner I will probably go for one. I own a 2500 series and 1000 series, never put them side by side...plus it's not a fair comparison as one has 10lb braid and the other is 15lb braid. Just from memory I don't ever think WOW my 2500 can cast so much farther than the 1000. So I guess it isn't that noticeable for me?

I would say get a M/F or MH/F the length is up to you. As for my experience in the $100 dollar range: 1. Smallmouth Elite Tech 6'10" M/F would be a good rod as suggested earlier. I have this rod and definitely can do what you are requesting. 2. Shimano Compre MH/F - I would stay under 7' with a Curado 50E 3. Veritas - M/F

Nothing wrong, there is no hard set rule that YOU MUST USE 6'6" or below or you will FAIL! Everyone has a preference.

Just chuckling atthe comment about being 5'10" and can't use a very long rod. I'm 5'5" and I love my 7' rods, but I'm assuming you mean jerkbaits in general. Even then I don't think height matters as jerkbaits overall a shorter rod is favored by a lot of people. Now to answer your question, not sure if you are limited in budget since you list Veritas ..but the best Jerkbait Rod in my experience is the St. Croix 6'6" Medium Fast. I don't know what it is, but it just feels "natural and right". I also have it paired with a Daiwa Lexa 100...great combo. Not only is it an awesome Jerkbait rod, it's a great bladed bait rod too and 3/8 oz swim jig rod. A pretty versatile stick. Most of the time though it is dedicated for jerk baits.

Stradic 1000 FJ is fine.

I use a 7'6" H/F Aetos.

Understand, same here! I just wanted to give you what I thought would be "optimal". I would probably go for M/F rod then if you wanted to do what you are doing.

My advice would be to use the spinning rod as a cranking rod and use the casting rod as a jig rod. I'd go 7' for the jig rod and XF or F is up to you, BUT I find the action isn't the same on all brands..for instance XF from Shimano/Loomis/Fenwick isn't the same as St. Croix or Abu. So choose your preference by checking them in store, I definitely would go MH as it would be more versatile.

Thanks for the input guys. I may just go with Bass Masters because they are at least responsive to my queries which gives me good vibes. I have yet to hear anything from the other club.

Buy the Tatula during the reel trade in save money on that and then wait until March 15th get the Curado G.

BPS has awesome warranty I with their products. I have heard/read multiple occasions, usually no questions asked. The Carbonlite gets great reviews here, I haven't read too many complaints. The Pfleuger President reels are good reels and should be a good buy. if I wasn't a Stradic/Symetere fan, I'd probably would buy a President.

Exactly how I felt when I compared the Savvy to an Aetos and Crucial. That is just comparing them at the shop. Not defending the GL2, I think it is way over priced and should be 100 dollar mark..I agree that it is heavy and has not so good parts, but I own the 893C (I bought it on sale for just over 100 and use it for Senko Fishing, where you don't need a sensitive rod). Didn't think it was half bad with sensitivity, I would put on par with a Compre, I wouldn't buy another one mind you and especially at retail. Cause I would just buy an Aetos or Smallmouth ET over it. I guess they justify because it's a Loomis and they have the wildcard warranty.

I agree, I consider weightless senko fishing "line watching". Flukes I line watch too in between jerks or when I dead stick and because of the standard jerk and pause you really don't need that much sensitivity. (If you any rod you can't feel any difference when a fish grabs it during the jerk, that rod is horrible or you have dead hands.) Now if your talking about jigs, texas rigged plastics..(bottom contact), that is where I'd spend the money.

I would wait for the reel trade in at BPS and land a Chronarch E or if you can get lucky and land a Curado I. I can't say much about the STX vs Chronarch, but I can say with confidence that Shimano makes awesome reels that last. I still have a Curado 200B in my arsenal and still buttery smooth. The Chronarch E is proven platform.

x3 too on this suggestion.

So I finally decided to join a local bass club and am having a small dilemma. I'm not sure which would be the better one to join, so would like your input. At the moment I'd have to sign up as a Co-Angler, but I'm hoping to after setting my goal, to get enough money to buy a boat in 2-3 years. I guess that is a criteria, which association is friendier to Co anglers? I'm not looking to be a "pro" in the next 5 years or something, but I would like to see do a few tournaments and get better. What I really want to get out of the club is to learn more from everyone, to get a feel on how a tournament goes in reality and if I have the right stuff to do more in the future. Also, I would like to try new bodies of waters and learn to adapt. I'm sure both clubs are good for either or, but I'm trying to gauge which one would actually be worthwhile in everyone's experience. Is there a pro/con for each? I'm in Ontario, so if any other locals can comment. Right now I am leaning towards the local FLW club. Just not sure though!

I really want another Ci4, but I also want to get a NRX. So I'm a little conflicted on what to do. haha...too bad I can't get both though. I would go for the Ci4/Curado though out of the two.

1. Aaron Martens 2. Scott Martin 3. KVD 4. David Dudley 5. Brent Ehrler

Going crazy right now!