PGA Dropout

Just swimming them? I've been meaning to try those.

His first "problem" wasn't a problem. I doubt this one is, either.

Tighten the drag all the way down and see if the play goes away. Also, continue to buy things on the internet. Paying retail is for suckers.

Do you have a Dsg around somewhere? There is one here that carries Ikas.

Curado 50e should run you $150 - $180. 51e is harder to come by. NIB chronarch 50/51e can be had for $180 shipped, so there's always that.

Dick's should have St. Croix Triumph rods. I have a ML 7' that is very good. $80 too.

Trick worms usually.

If the KVD bait is the Sexy Dawg, I have the gold bluegill pattern. Some days, the bass and pike just hammer it. Nice loud rattle and it walks well. I've seen many pictures of bass caught on Mirrolures. They're a good choice for walking bait variety.

This thread came in very handy today. I had a good two-pounder who tried his best to swallow a 3/0 Gammy. Got it out with lots of swearing but very little blood and no visible damage. How long is too long to keep a bass out of water? I got him back in and he swam off, but it was longer than a sixty second ordeal.

Possibly. I've been running a MH 7'1" *** which carries a Citica G6 with 50 lb. braid on it. It does T rigs, frogs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, walkers, and lipless cranks very well, and weightless flukes, dingers, and Senkos reasonably well. I think if I went down to 30 lb or so, it would handle the weightless baits better. I also think the *** Black is on the softer side on MH, especially compared to a St. Croix or Veritas. I feel that it helps in the "all-around rod" department. I will add that I don't drop shot or use shakey heads, though I should.

It is *probably* worth the extra money, but at this point, it is all speculation.

x2 Thanks for the chuckle.

Also Shimano is excluded from most (not all) % off sales.

It's very hard to beat Booyah. Soft, good hooks, and $6.

You could give it a little oil. No harm if you're planning to exchange it anyway.

*** *** Black or Shimano Compre if you're buying new. If you're willing to buy secondhand, Shimano Crucials can be found for $100. If you're lucky, you can find St. Croix Avids around the $100 mark. I personally do not buy Veritas rods, but they are popular.

What are you planning to use it for?

That poor dead horse. Anyway, spinning reels can be had new for $40-60 that are decent quality. Shimano, Pflueger, Abu Garcia, and Okuma make decent spinners around that price. Actually, if you have a Dick's near you, you could get a Field and Stream rod on clearance for $25 and maybe score a spinning reel, too.

Plastics would lean me towards hybrid or a higher quality fluoro. I think Invizx works pretty well on spinning reels.

That color is like a sexy shad, right? Silver with a chartreuse racing stripe? I'm probably going to get one before Fall. You might have better success with a froggier color, but that just might be my preference speaking.

Weightless on a 3/0 lately, hooked upside down. They have a very good wobble when reeled steady and the tail really wiggles on the fall. Always pearl white for me. I am going to try weighted. Sounds like fun.

You had 20 lb braid on a 6600? Holy cow. Did it hold a thousand yards? That is a big reel for bass and even normal pike fishing. I have an old 5500 and it is a backlash machine. They are well built but they need heavy or aerodynamic lures in my experience. No wonder you are getting frustrated. You need the right tools!

Shallow Shad Rap #7. Silver and black usually. Shad Rap #5 in Firetiger is an honorable mention.

I have been very spendy this year. However, it's been mostly closeout and clearance sales with a few auctions thrown in. I'm still searching for my "ideal" setups. When Lews starts to offer more LH options, I'll probably jump on those. I have been eyeing a Super Duty for a while. The Bait Monkey and I have come to an agreement. He can buy whatever he wants, as long as it is less than retail price.

I fish flukes on a 6'8" MF Cumara. I think you're looking at a Compre. If you go internet auction hunting, you can get a current gen Crucial for $100-110 shipped sometimes. I echo that sentiment that MH is a bit too much, but it's certainly doable.