DogBone_384

I own Diawa, Abu Garcia, Lews, and (14-1) fishing reels in your price range. My Diawas and (14-1) are the easiest to set up and are very much 'set and forget', for the most part. My Abu was good when stock, but came alive when Mike @ DVT tuned it up for me. Beware, though, my Abu is finicky and needs adjustment every time I change baits. The Lews I own are good, but don't cast as well as the other reels I own, so those are my 'backups'. I own two Shimano Cores and a CI4, which are the smoothest casting I own, but are $250+, before tuning. There's a subjective feel to reels too, so handle as many models you think you want, and bring a rod with you if possible. All my reels perform great. I use my (14-1)'s the most because to me, they 'feel' the best. Best of luck with your choice. Rippin-Lips is right, at your price points, it'd be pretty tough to go wrong.

Drop them an email and ask about expedited shipping. Jun got back to me quickly when I emailed him. Remember, Japan is +14 hours, at least from Massachusetts.

I understand your starting to go STIR-CRAZY, but no sympathy from up here in New England. Lures are starting to bounce off the water.... I worked outside all day. While I was dressed for it, I had to bring my extension cords inside to defrost before I could coil them up. My air nailer wasn't terribly happy either.

Congratulations on your retirement!

Is there a McDonalds near the pond? Or did you use an air pump? Congratulations on the fatties.

Had yesterday off so I drove to Houghton's to see if I could catch something. Total bummer, it was skimmed over. I did the next best thing and tied a Silver Buddy on and fished Blue Hills Reservoir for almost an hour until my knot failed and my Silver Buddy flew about 100 yards... then to the bottom of the reservoir. Oh well. I'm headed to Orlando in two weeks, and am bringing my travel rod. The resort we stay at has a small lake on the property. I'm renting a boat and going to catch a FL bass.

Simply put, you answered your question yourself: "...definitely felt right." I own three Veritas, a 6'6" M/F (2-piece), 7' MF, and 6'10" MH/F. The 7' and 6'10" get the most use in my arsenal. I throw mostly soft plastics and Rapalas in the 1/4 to 3/8 oz. range with the 7' and find it loads up very well. My 6'10" tosses 1/2 oz spinner baits and jigs like a dream too. They both 'feel' right.

Hello Damion of England, from New England. Welcome to the best bass forum out there. All your questions, and then some, are answered here. Just search for them. I'd start first looking through the South East part of the Local forum. You'll find lots of area specific info there. Again, welcome to the forum, and best of luck fishing here in the 'States.

John, I'm about your size (6'1" 190) and fit perfectly in my Lure 11.5. I also own a Ascend 128T. The ascend was my 1st kayak, and for the money is a great value. Both are stand up fishers and have all day comfortable seats. The lure is my favorite only because it's a little lighter and is easier to reload on my ladder racks at the end of a full day fishing. The Lure's integrated wheel is very convenient, but doesn't work terribly well in sandy launch areas. I use scupper carts to transport both. Read as many reviews as you can and paddle them before you buy wherever possible. Welcome to your next addiction.

Drove through the Blue Hills. Your lure will bounce at St. Moritz and Hillside Pond, but Houghtons and Blue Hills Reservoir are still open. I'm going to try and catch a fish every month in '16....

How to make a grown man cry...

I call 2015 am 7/10. I caught fewer numbers, but bigger fish. There's wasn't much of a Spring here in MA. This was the first year using a scale so it'll be my first year with a 'real' PB. I hoped to get better reading my Lowrance and locating fish better. I made some progress, but didn't get as good as I hoped. I'd like to fish with BR members in '16.

24+ smallies on the day after Christmas ?!?!?!?!? I WISH I WERE WITH THEM! Congratulations to them and Happy New Year!

I own two Pro Qualifiers and a Johnny Morris bait caster. All are well built and have put up with my 'learning curve'. All three went to Delaware Valley Tackle for cleanings and super-tuning. Mike upgraded the Pro Qualifiers' drags. I called them a Chevy Nova in another post: they're not fancy, are reliable, and a great value.

OK, let's start the off season right: http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20160401T05&p0=43&font=cursive

That's got to do with chronologic advancement, doesn't it. My father is 75 and no longer pays to renew his gun license.

Got my sporting license just before Christmas ?

Heiser or Kostbar.

About sums it up. Nobody can make you miserable except you. Focus on stuff that makes you happy.

A ton of pennies gets you 907,184 of them, or $9,071.84. I'm thinking JDM, JDM, JDM..... and a lot help from 'the MONKEY'

Welcome to the BEST fishing forum... PEROID. You're the 200,000,000th to ask this question, and NOT THE LAST. Take some time and search this section, you're answer is already here. Regardless of your budget, Shimano and Diawa reels have a huge following. I'd liken them to Toyota and Honda: well built, easy to use, and never let you down. My first baitcaster was a BPS Pro Qualifier, another hugely popular reel. I'll call it a Chevy Nova, not fancy, but reliable and easy to set up/use (they also take to custom tuning very well). As far as rods, I find $99 is a magic number, giving you limitless choices of high quality, light, and sensitive sticks. Try to handle as many as you can in person. You'll know a rod's right for you by 'feel'. I'd start looking at medium-fast, or medium/heavy-fast. Welcome, and best of luck.

Happy New Year, and a PERSONAL BEST in '16 for everyone!

Sounds like a plan. Perhaps a casual Bassresource kayak tournament! And if I get a trolling motor on my 128T, I'll have a easier time transversing Great Herring. I've grown to like that water very much, VERY quickly..

That looks like a big chunk of water for a kayak, Tom. I've got all winter to look for topos, and perhaps take a walk over it when it freezes. If I don't sell my Ascend 128T for an upgrade (I've got the Hobie/Native foot power itch...), I'll be sure to figure out how to get a trolling motor on the big girl. On a side note, we just booked a long weekend at our time-share in Orlando before the boss (err, wife) starts tax season, so I'll get half a day or so on the property's pond/lake with my Diawa Ardito travel rod and its T3 Ballistic (one of my favorites).

I've responded to shootings, so I'll toss this in for thought: A .380 WILL penetrate at least two layers of drywall (interior wall, uninsulated) and the exterior sheathing (5/8" exterior plywood) without issue. In a worst case scenario, what if a target is missed travels though connecting rooms, WHERE will it land? I own a handful of different caliber guns and, quite honestly, only hope they stay locked up unless I'm going to the club or hunting. Anything larger than a .22 is likely to do its job, but accuracy might be more important. Happy New Year everyone!