Gaerith

Where did you purchase the rod at? Sometimes they will be nice and replace it for you.

I'm hoping someone can help me understand this better. I got my first b/c a few weeks ago and I've figured out how to cast it by watching youtube video. In his video he says to turn the tension knob until your lure just starts to fall at a steady pace. When I try to do this, I get it to a point where it starts to fall, but it accelerates instead of falling at an even pace. If I turn the tension back up even the tiniest bit, the lure doesn't move unless I jiggle my rod. I'm using a BPS Pro Qualifier for a reel. Is there something else I need to do to achieve this? Does it really even matter? I am probably over thinking this, but it gets to me that I can't replicate what Glenn's suggesting to do! I'm not having any troubles casting it normally (can't seem to pitch more than 10 ft, any tips for setting up for that would be great too). Do I need to adjust the internal brakes or whatever? Thanks for any help!

I got a Cardinal for Father's Day and it broke in less than 2 months. The handle (where you hold onto it) just fell off when I was using it. There is no screw or bolt to hold it in place or anything. However, their Customer Service was really good and I didn't have to pay a dime to get it fixed. If you have the patience, keep looking in the flee market and watch ebay. You will get a lot better reel for your money at that price point.

What brand arkie are you buying at Walmart for $1.65? I haven't been able to find any arkie heads around where I live.

I recently bought the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth M-XF 6'9" rod, and I love it. The price is right, it has a lifetime warranty, it's very light and has felt very sensitive so far. It feels well built, which sealed the deal for me. I would definitely buy it again, if I had the choice.

The bass are probably holding in deeper water on the bigger ponds. I've read they hold in deeper water during the summer to stay cool. There's a little reservoir I fish at that I couldn't buy a bite at using any plastic lures (would always get ~ 1 lbers using real worms tho). Went back the other day, and tried throwing to the middle instead of at cover, and I finally got a solid 2+ pounder. Took me all summer! Keep at it; I bet they're in there. You just gotta find where they're hiding.

That's really interesting. I always open the bail to untangle...if you get a chance could you ask him why pulling the line out through the closed bail works better? I'll have to try it next time I go fishing. Have fun fishing with him, sounds like a great opportunity.

Thanks for all the info, you guys rock! I think I'm going to get an Fenwick Elite Tech, and wait for the Stradic Ci4 to go on sale/clearance. The info about the lifetime warranty was really helpful, thanks.

I'm looking to purchase a new setup for around $300, and I'm hoping I can get some feedback on if I'm making a good decision! I recently started fishing again, and rIght now I have an Abu Garcia Cardinal spinning rod combo M/L 6', that I mainly use for (rainbow/brown) Trout fishing in rivers. I am looking to get a pole that would be good for kayak fishing and boat fishing. I live in SE MN, so mainly fishing for Bass/Pike/Walleye in central MN, and occasionally northern MN. I don't plan on using it for saltwater fishing at all. I really like my spinning rod, and would like another one, but I wonder if I shouldn't get a baitcaster instead? Which one would allow me to do more? I have 0 experience with baitcasters, but am willing to learn. I am looking at getting a St. Crox Avid 6'6" Medium rod. For almost 2x the cost of an *** or St. Croix Premiere, is it worth it? I'm looking at less than 7' for kayak fishing, and would like it to fit in my Outback. I am the most lost at what reel to get. I see a lot of people suggesting Shimano, so I was looking to pair the Avid with a Shimano Symetre. Otherwise, I could go with a Stradic/Premiere. What size would be best, 2500 or 3000? Or I could get a Chronarch/Premiere - Ugh, so many choices. I will probably use braided line with a fluoro leader if that helps. Thanks for any suggestions, I really appreciate it!