PGA Dropout

They are worth it. The 94mm fits those reels very well.

I got a Citica D for around $50 that I like quite a bit.

I got hooked on buying reels and reel upgrades for a while. However I think I'm past that and back to slapping Hawgtech handles on a Shimano and calling it a day. Keep an eye on the Flea Market for some pretty Daiwas as soon as my season is over. I will say that I bought a 7'7" *** Green yesterday on a great sale and that was pretty enjoyable.

Orioles have to go and crush my dreams then lay an egg in Kansas City. Grumble grumble.

I drag them a lot but they are also good for hopping. In cold water I'd probably use a craw with less action. Rage Craws flap like crazy.

I think I would go for the moderate action, especially if braid is involved.

I'd probably buy the Team Lite. Valley Sports might be able to make you an offer that you can't refuse.

I'm in the market for bite resistance, so I sort of am looking for diameter. However, I think I'm just going to get some Musky leaders and call it a day.

I have some experience with tuning and modifying Daiwa casting reels. Prepare to surrender your wallet. Reel modding gets expensive quickly if you're not careful.

I think that's the best course of action.

You misspelled Conquest 301.

That's good information, since I was considering using a CH201E with 60 lb. braid as well.

I appreciate the vote of confidence. My worry though is that I won't be able to get more than 50 yds of 20 lb. Hybrid on the reel. It's significantly thicker than 20 lb. mono apparently. Do you happen to know offhand how much 17 lb. Big Game it holds?

So I've got a couple small swimbaits on the way (2 oz. and under) and my girlfriend became wise to my plans to buy a dedicated swimbait reel. I must make do with what I have for the time being. The rod will be an Okuma Scott Martin TCS 7'3" H (thanks Ron!) and I have a Citica D without a home. I was intending to use 20 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid for line but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get enough line on the reel, as the 20 lb. Hybrid is pretty thick. I have some 15 lb. Hi-Seas copoly but I was not impressed by its resistance to teeth. So I have a few questions. 1) Am I going overkill with the line? The lakes I fish have a fair to good Pike population and sometimes I get out on St. Clair (Musky surprise!). Should I just add wire? 2) Does anyone know of a deeper spool that will fit a CI201D? I saw the 200 DSV spool but it doesn't seem like it would add a lot of capacity or be easy to find. Thanks!

I do very well with poppers on cloudy days with calm water. When there's some wind or chop on the water, I break out the noisy walking baits. Jigs are also always good for me. Do you have any idea what the water temp was? 76 degrees would still be late summer here in Mich I believe.

My preference seems to be between 6'8" and 6'10" these days. I feel like 6'6" is a little short. Then again, I'm reasonably tall at 6'1".

I think straight Red Label is a fine line to start with, especially if treated regularly with Line and Lure Conditioner. It doesn't have terrible memory at lower pound tests, it has decent abrasion resistance, and doesn't stretch too much. I use it when I use straight fluoro. Something to consider is Sunline FC Sniper. There seems to be a consensus on the board that Sniper is a very nice step up from Red Label while not being overly expensive. A forum search on the topic of fluorocarbon will give you more opinions that you'll know what to do with.

I'm with you in theory, but walking a frog with a 7' or longer rod on the bank isn't always possible in practice.

Smoked Jelly, Brown head. All day. Every day. Works with Brown, PBJ, or Smoke/purple trailers.

Try to get your Perfect Pitch from Dick's. They stock MB rods online and they aren't excluded from discounts.

Do it. You won't be sorry.

The 102mm Hawg Handle will fit with the stock drag star.

I'd recommend a nice 102mm Hawgtech handle with Septon knobs and silver accents.

You should for tackle giveaways. It's just about the only reason I do it.

As I always say, Keep Calm and Buy Shimano 50's.