edfitzvb

When you fish them right, it is HARD to beat an original floating Rapala. Size 9 in black and white has caught a lot of fish for me. Also like the perch and brown trout finishes

Like many others here my spinning setups reel with the left hand and bait casters with the right. I started out on an old Zebco 202 as a kid and then graduated to spinning tackle. When I bought my first bait casting setup it was a right handed reel. My oldest son is left handed and fishes left reeling spinning and left bait casting. Whatever you accustom yourself to, it's all muscle memory. I tried LH bait casters for buzz baits and ended up giving the reel to my son which made both of us happy.

Before doing anything that might affect your warranty, I would suggest contacting St. Croix by Email and enclose pictures. That way they can respond, saying it is okay to mess with it or that they will replace it. I understand that when we buy new and pay a substantial sum that we have expectations. I am sure that St Croix will respond

That last bass has a spot on the tail. I have been told they only get those random spots when there is a healthy population of bass n the lake. That looks like a great place to fish.

Uh-oh.... Usually, when something is too good to be true, it is.

I had that Rhino reel also. My wife bought it when I was on a trip with her so that i could fish. It was an RBC300, I think. Never any problems with it and I caught some nice fish. Finally got rid of it when I was clearing out stuff for my move to the mountains. Good reel for the money

Power tools for me, too. Especially a table saw or a GOOD Dremel outfit. Recently moved from Virginia Beach to the mountains and there is a LOT of stuff that needs manufacturing/retrofitting around here.

Then it wouldn't be a secret

In many years of fishing from the bank, enough to rival Arlington cemetery, and in particular one buzz bait that I have only seen that once but that was a great design.

Not so fast.... This grub ....paddle tail or curly tail?

Thank you. That makes it easy

I often buy old tackle at flea markets and elsewhere. Can someone post a picture or give a description of the "better" warts I should be looking for? I haven't been fishing them, and it seems I should be. Thanks

In this case, the Black Max accomplished the original aim... The OP learned how to cast a baitcaster. Now he is ready to move forward to a reel with better components and more features. As a comparison, Shimano makes very fine spinning reels, but they also make entry level reels. Most companies make entry level reels for novice users. Some people don't use their equipment enough to ever want to upgrade. However, most users here enjoy gear that allows them to accomplish their aims at the highest level. Yes, a Ferrari is more fun to drive than a Kia. I have numerous setups and I like all of them, but most of my reels are around the 200 price range. I like my Curados, Lews, and Revo STXs. Yes, replace your Black Max with a better reel, but don't feel like your reel was junk. It did what it was designed to do at the price point

Welcome. If you like craft beer, and brew some, feel free to send me some samples if you would like a second opinion....

My everyday carry knife (home or work) is an inexpensive Case knife that I bought for under $15.00 at either a Lowe's or a Home Depot store. I keep it sharp and pull it out pretty much every day. Small enough to carry even when wearing dress clothes and has a three inch blade. I have larger knives that I would take in a survival situation, but for everyday use this little knife has never let me down

Having just moved from a metropolitan area (Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads) to the mountains (Woodlawn, VA) the difference is night and day and requires some getting used to. My neighbors are quick to help when needed, tolerant, and everyone here seems to have time for me when I need help. Of course, I am only a 30-minute drive from Andy Griffith's home town. Plus, it helps that I grew up in the mountains before I moved to Virginia Beach, so for me it is "coming home" and not a flatlander trying out the mountains. There aren't as many places to fish for bass here as there are back in Virginia Beach, but that just means that I will learn them better. The people here are the friendliest I have ever met.

I remember when I was a YOUNG man in the mountains, fishing with a black hula popper. The cicadas were EVERYWHERE and carp were feeding on them. Carp on topwater are a whole lot different than carp caught on dough balls.

My first thought was BIG carp. Then I started reading the posts and remembered how much fun a big gar was, and how it would pull the rod out of your hands. The I remembered the bowfin who twisted my spinnerbait into knots, rendering it unusable. Pound for pound I would have to say bowfin, but any fish caught with artificials ia a good fish in my book. Interesting question

Welcome!

It is gratifying when this happens for one of the good guys. You will notice he considered releasing the fish but decided to call his wife first. If it is a record fish, then yes... I'm keeping that one. How many times in one's lifetime does that happen? Kudos

I'm an old school guy, been fishing 50+ years. FAVORITE subsurface hardbait lure is a Rapala minnow twitched below surface. Favorite topwater is a black Jitterbug. Favorite soft plastic is either an 8" Mann's Jelly Worm in blackberry or a Zoom 6" Lizard in watermelon

I think I can safely say that a Rapala is tied on at all times for me. Particularly in small ponds,,an original floater in silver/black, perch, or brown trout finish, size 9 or 11 are deadly baits. Retrieve and twitch, absolutely irresistible

Maybe. I stick it out like grim death to use up all of my "bad luck" quota. Different strokes....

I had a Silver Max. I gave it to my son when he asked for it. If I had not been okay with the reel, I would not have given it to him. Decent reel, but as others have said, I really like the Lew's lineup.

Just moved away from the Tidewater area, and I really enjoyed the fishing there. Have you tried the Norfolk lakes yet? Lake Prince is my favorite, with Lake Western Branch a close second. beautiful scenery and good fishing. if you are fishing lake Prince, try the Girl Scout cove area. I have had good success there. Tight lines