DogBone_384

Don't know much about all that latitude stuff. I take a pool thermometer and toss it out with a bobber. If you're still catching fish, A++, and best of luck.

Good for you guys down South, I shut down until spring. Water temps around me are low 50's. I'm planning on spending this winter skiing, working, and finishing my master's degree. Oh yeah, reading this forum too!

There's never been any trees/weeds/pads in BHR, except for the natural shoreline. It's a man-made reservoir that was finished in 2008/2009 after the state 'repaired' the original reservoir and installed the two underground 'reserve' tanks that are under the east hill where the flag poles are. Here's the state's report on it: http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/blue_hills.htm I've also had very little luck since early August, and talking with other 'regulars' there, I'm under the opinion that it's over-fished and perhaps folks are taking the larger ones home for dinner. At this point the water temperature there is down to the lower 50's, so I'll give it another go in the Spring. Best of luck to you if you continue there....

Tough call. I have a Core 50, Johnny Morris, an Abu Revo SX, and a couple of Pro Qualifiers. I'd have to go with my Pro Qualifiers. They're not the smoothest, or lightest, but I'll liken them to an M1 Garand: drop it in the mud & she'll still work just fine (for $100 too).

The fall bite 'bit' up here in Mass too. I took a pool thermometer and bobber and tossed it out in my local spot so I could get the temperature @ about 5' deep. It was in the low 50's. Since late August I've been shut out at this local spot, which proved really good from April to August, but that gives me plenty of time to get ready for Ski season and see what else I can learn from this forum over the Winter. Have a great Holiday season….

Thanks for the replies. I ended up with another Pfleuger, a Supreme this time. Stayed within my comfort zone.

I've become a full-on addict over the last two Summers, work two jobs, and have family duties as well. I try to get out at least a couple times per week, but if I don't, c'est la vie. I've relearned a ton of info from this forum & had a great Spring & early Summer, so I guess I don't mind waiting. It's just fun, and both jobs are great, so I'd have to say it doesn't suck to wait... Add: since it freezes up here every winter, I ski until fishing & baseball season comes back around.

I have two Presidents. They're my favorite spinning reels to the point I'm returning a Diawa Procyon I just bought in favor of another Pfleuger, though it'll be a Supreme or Supreme XT. Good luck with your choice.

Let me throw a little marketing out here for a minute. I was very lucky to work for a premier consumer electronics manufacturer for many years. One thing about non-essential consumables is that 'everything' has to be better/faster/lighter for their next product cycle in attempt to better their competition. With respect to consumer electronics, this tactic has forced price points and margins downward for decades. I've not followed fishing reel pricing, but I see parallels where reels, in this case are designed to fit into specific price points, like products my former company did. With ever increasing business costs in personnel, HR, and manufacturing, I can see reel manufacturers omitting an extra spool where years ago they may have included it. I have two Pfleuger Presidents that didn't come with spare spools but BPS advertises the Supreme XT as including a spare spool, which is nearly 3x the President's price point. I've only swapped spools on my Quantum a couple of times in 20 years, but if you swap spools frequently, it'd be worth an call/e-mail to your reel manufacturer to see if you can buy one.

My 'home' pond has been very slow since August. I've been trying T-rigged worms, Senkos, spinner baits, and crank baits with little luck, especially the last 3 weeks. There isn't a lot in the way of structure, but there are some 'hills' with weed beds in the deeper sections. Shore access is 360 degrees. This is the first fall at this pond for me so I'm still looking for them. BTW Spring and early Summer were very good, so I'm at a little bit of a loss.

What's the shore fishing access like in Needham? A friend lives out there and have been meaning to give it a whirl. Thanks, very much...

Sounds like my neighborhood - though I'm on the ocean. I lost a cat years ago to Coyotes and had one in the street staring at me one night just recently. Unfortunately we have a no firearm discharge law in city limits where I'm at and my bow was in the closet upstairs. Best of luck with your recovery from Cancer. Both my parents had it within the last three years and are clean today. The Chemo & radiation slowed mom down for a while, but the long recovery was successful. Thanks greatly to Dana Farber....

I fish when I can. I work two jobs and am finishing a Masters Degree in addition to my family duties, but I suppose my break would be Winter because I live in New England and have no interest in ice fishing.

I have both. I like use 2-piece rods when I ride my MTB to ponds I can't drive to. They fit much better on my backpack. I also agree with other members that 2-piece rods might be a little weaker than 1-piece, but not enough to bother me with the type of fishing I do. With respect to sensitivity, I can't tell if there's really a difference.

X3 on the Carbonlight. I don't own a St. Croix (though this forum is likely to 'force' me into one) but really like my Abu Veritas (6'6" med/F) which loads up a little better than my Carbonlight (7' Med/F). Both, to me, are equally sensitive. Best of luck with your choice.

Any MA folks out there that fish Blue Hills Reservoir? I'm looking to see if those of you who might have been having any luck lately. I was having a very good year there until August when it seems like the bass went on holiday. I've worked zoom, Senko, spinner baits, and crank baits since the beginning of September with only a couple of small/med bass with T-rigged 7" gourd-green zooms. Am going to keep at it. I'm pretty sure they're no longer deep buy the tank's gate, but right now don't know where they've gone off to. I don't have a thermometer so I can't tell you the water temperature. Hope any of you who fish there have had better luck.

Just Massachusetts. Working 2 jobs doesn't afford me much time to travel, though I plan on exploring the southern states as soon as I can.

I try to think of nothing but what I'm doing at that moment: fish. Unfortunately the rest of life creeps in and distracts me sometimes, but since I'm still a newbie to baitcasting and soft baits, I try to focus on technique and what the bait is doing at the bottom of the pond.

CRACKERS...... bigger than my cats!

Yes, I still have one. I also make my daughter use a hard backed dictionary when doing her homework.Sorry I can't help with the reel/line problem.

Good start.... But first a few more details: i'm not really on a budget, per se, but I generally buy mid/upper mid priced rods & reels since college tuition is only a few years away and retirement on the horizon..... Thanks, and keep it coming! BTW, slug fest is good - keeps everyone on their toes.

Sorry, didn't proof read well enough: spinning.

Sorry, I wouldn't know last year's Vendetta from this year's from 2011's. Was just wasting time on the computer, like now....

My Vendetta's reel holder is empty. I've got it narrowed down to Shimano or Pfleuger and wanted to get some opinions from the audience. I fish from shore (unfortunately, but that's life....) and have been using mostly t-rigged worms/Senkos because I never did when young and I want to learn as much as possible about their techniques. My 'regular' spot is a reservoir about 3 or 4 acres, ranging from 3' to a reported 38', and has little in the way of surface growth so I'm open to any advice. Thanks, very much, in advance....

I own 2 Presidents that are mixed with a pair of 20+ year old spinning reels (a Shakespeare & Quantum) and agree with everyone above that Pfleuger reels are exceptionally smooth and feel good in your hand. My 6925 is mated to a 7' ML/F Micro Lite and casts light lures quite well. I have no other spinning reel experience, so best of luck!