Chris at Tech

Champion 735c

If it's me, I'm starting with jerkbait, jig, grub or keitech, shad rap, colorado-blade spinnerbait

I mean, if you also used a cash back credit card, they're practically paying YOU to get all that stuff Nice haul, sir!

Junebug

I wouldn't trust that pic as truly representative of the rod in question.. The rod specs in the description are for an MH rod for 1/8 - 1 oz. The pic you're referring to is for a M rod for 1/8 - 1/2.

Subtle hint very much noted (and under consideration).

At this point, I just assume you book and pay for the next trip every time you’re down there.

I have 2 recommendations to make. First off, upgrade the drag stack to Carbontex. It's cheap, easy to do yourself, and definitely worth it for improved drag performance. I'm a big proponent of professional reel services, ESPECIALLY for Shimano. I love my Stradics but the issue with longevity can be impacted by the frequency with which Shimano releases new reel models, and discontinues support for older models. Now the FL just came out so you should be OK for the immediate future, but I would still suggest you send it away for professional maintenance ~every other year.

First, let me answer the easy question. Check the "other species" forum for my previous posts on my inshore fishing adventures in Hilton Head and Panama City Beach where I include some info on what I typically use. Long story short -- spoons, soft jerkbaits, hard twitch baits, popping corks, paddle tail swimbaits, artificial shrimp and spooks. *IF* pinfish are an issue (I've never had much of an issue in SC, but they're brutal in FL), then the Z-man plastics are absolute lifesavers. To me, the beauty of trout and red fishing is how simple you can make it compared to bass fishing. Local tackle shops are great for recommending colors, locations as well as recommended tides to fish. As far as freshwater reels in salt...I've been doing this for years with my Stradics and I never had an issue up until this last time I went to PCB in Sept. In the past, I'd ALWAYS tighten down the drag as much as possible and hit reel with the garden hose and be done with it. For some reason, that didn't work this last time, as I felt the reels being sticky on the retrieve. I sent my reels off to Reel Ex, where Dan told me I needed new bearings and that my care regimen was all wrong. His advice was to hit the reels with a few squirts of Windex, wipe them down and be done with it. So to be honest, I'm a bit confused on what care should be taken. I guess for now I'll follow Dan's advise, since he is an expert. Your mileage may vary.

So I have a purely hypothetical question (at least that's what I'm telling my wife. Don't judge me) about where I should direct my $$$. A little background first. I fish out of a heavily modified G3 1652 jonboat on electric-only reservoirs around Atlanta. Currently, I have an older HB 898 SI as well as an 80-lb Minn Kota Maxxum foot controlled TM, and both are totally fine in doing their jobs. As much as I'd just like to obey they bait monkey and upgrade both the TM and the electronics, I'd prefer to avoid costly divorce proceedings so for now I'll only consider one. The case for the electronics upgrade to a more recent HB SI unit is 1) larger screen = more details but more importantly 2) the ability to create my own topo maps of the smaller lakes I fish (as there are none currently available like the larger bodies have). On the TM side, the case for upgrading to an Ultrex is centered 100% around spot lock, which I believe is a game changer for being able to more effectively fish spots. Anyone in a similar boat (pun intended)? Any sage words of wisdom for me to help me decide?

H Kistler KLX or Helium worth checking out as well

Something like that...

I’m just punishing myself every time I open one of these threads?

DVT, ReelEx, or The Tackle Trap

Book a trip with a local guide

I’d add lipless crank to the list too

Apparently the cuda put on quite a show but I didn't see a second of it since I was bent over the gunwale trying to wrestle it back to my side of the boat!

why not send it in to a reputable reel repair service?

A few of the notable fish from this year’s trip to Panama City Beach

Chatterbait, wacky senko, t-rig creature, frog, popper

I think you made a cut and paste error. The “over 10 lbs” section is missing! ?

Spoons, jerkbaits, paddletail swimbaits, flukes

6.3 to 1 for me

I think you'd find the sensitivity better in the Tatula Elite.

Wow -- I've had that same dream before. And I shall again