Tartan34

What size / style did you get? I use the Easy Shiner and the Fat Impact....but rig them differently. The Shiner I rig on a jig head, while the Fat Impact I use on a weighted swimbait hook or swim jig.

I fish them in very clear water with great success. I use D&M Piranhas, in Baby Bass and Bluegill. I use Keitech Fat Impacts to match, in the 3.8 size.

I fish Chatterbaits A LOT....and have gone through phases when I loose fish. What I've learned....tight drag and a lot of pressure on the fish. When the fish jumps, I have to exude even tighter pressure....I've found this out the hard way. Unlike when I'm fishing any other bait, with a Chatterbait, I try to horse the fish back quickly. I fish D&M baits, and they have a stronger hook than the Zman ones, so I don't worry about the hook bending. I lost a fish in a tourney a couple of weeks ago, late in the day, because I didn't have enough pressure on her when she jumped. It would have won me the tournament. Instead, I lost by a pound. Tough reinforcement of a lesson, that's for sure.

The 803 and 853 are both MH/XF. I prefer casting, but it is only a preference. I like the 803 more for casting to tighter targets, and the 853 more for deeper water....but they are both terrific rods.

I'd go with a NRX 853C (7'1) for that application. It is a MH-XF action, and should be able to handle the range. If you are looking for something 6'8, go with the 803. I have both, and the 803 is my do-it-all rod....but I fish water fairly shallow <15 feet...most of the time.

I have both Legend Extreme and NRX rods....and for me, the NRX is in a different class, and should be for the price. The GLX, however, compares pretty well to the LE, as least in my rod collection. The LEs that I have rate at least 1/2 a power heaver vs the GLX/NRX lines.

Teckel USA Whacker Frogs.

What are you throwing on it? Bait and weight?

I fished in a tourney last weekend on Lake Butler. It was jet ski and ski boat misery. The worst I've ever experienced, and that was before pulling out at the ramp. I was really tempted to throw my single hook swimbait at the one who buzzed us at about 15 yards...but resisted. It was an older couple with their lap dog on a jet ski....I was truly amazed.

Perfect Solution for me. It was recommended to me on here, and I've been very impressed.

Owner Beast are tremendous. I also just picked up some Davis Baits SS that are good as well. I have total confidence in the Owner Beast, and always have one tied on.

Hoping the 88 deg forecast for Sunday is overestimated. Hoping the wind is stronger than the 7mph forecasted. Getting my tourney rigs narrowed down to 6 rods for boat deck. Waiting for FedEx to get here to restock a few baits....and so I can stop panicking.

Bitters. You might need to call them to order the bulks, but they offer them at great prices.

Don't do what I did. I bought a lineup of baits, rod, and reel....then decided that I don't have the patience to fish them as gulfcaptain said. This was after about an hour (total) throwing various baits...without catching anything. I now have quite a few Hudds, Wake Jr, Bull Shad, Matt's Hard and Baby Hard Gills....as well as a rod and reel just sitting there. I won't use them. Ever. Lots of $$ wasted.

I use silent when it is calm and rattles when it's not. On line color, I use both green and clear. Go with your confidence color!

Clear Lake would be interesting....as it is stocked with "Sunshine" Bass. Click here to read about the fishing on the lake. You can also read about other lakes / ponds in Orlando...and then firm up a strategy. http://m.myfwc.com/conservation/freshwater/fish-orlando/clear-lake/

I've been looking for another chatterbait rod, and I'm really interested in the Kistler KLX Blade/Chatter/Buzz rod. The only thing that scares me is the MF rating. I currently have a 7'1 ***, and I like it....but I'm looking for something with just a little more sensitivity for ticking the tops of the grass.

The Cane Toad rocks! The Big EZ is also a big fish machine.

BPS in Orlando still has a load of Gs at 99. I just left with a G7.

I was skeptical of the PS cleaned bearings on par with new ABEC 7....but now I'm sold. I just used PS on bearings out of a Chronarch 200E, and once installed, they are very, very close to new, upgraded bearings. I casted with both sets on the same reel, with the same settings. I really can't tell much of a difference (other than my older ones are quieter). Thanks for the Perfect Solution tip.

D&M here also. Paired with a Keitech Fat, they have been deadly for me.

Spent a day with my HGs today, fished against a ***. The Concept is easier to cast....and longer by a touch...but I'll take the Curado all day long with a fish on the line. Powerful and totally in control of the fish at all times. I like this reel more than my CI4 as well. The Curado is incredibly easy to target cast to tight spots, and easier for me to dial in than the others. Fantastic reel at a great price.

Hammered them on The Butler Chain today. Biggest producer for me was a chatterbait, but the A Rig and single swimbaits were productive as well. My buddy caught a bunch of nice ones on a spinnerbait.

I started using 30# SX1 as backing this year on long casting applications. I'm going with the Aaron Martens "lighten the spool" idea....so far, so good. Who knows if really pick up distance....but mentally I do. I would use PP, but I don't like green on my white reels. I use 12# Big Game as backing for my braided applications. Bottom contact, I go straight Flouro.

They are dangerous....if you get one then you will most likely end up with more than you anticipated. They are great sticks, and sensitivity with the right line is top shelf..