F14A-B

Well I say, curado I or a E , I know you will be well served... The only thing that gives me pause, is will you enjoy the baitcaster as much as a spinner.. I can't answer that, the reels are a wise investment IMO that will outlast the lews, again my opinion... But the guys seem to like several upper to mid level lews... I don't hear or read a lot of strong love for the cheapie lews... Good luck, and tight lines!

I don't think soft plastics are ever a bad ideal, try a fast bait plus a slower bait... Saturate fish you're area.. Move on looking for fish, bank fishing I presume? Go catch em

I think straight, I use owner cps 3/0 to 5/0 but, I just like those, also I use a lot of straight and offset round bend to.... That's my choice.. Good luck Guy....

Yea , D is such a solid reel, no doubt, but it's older and parts maybe harder to find (101D) resale seems to hold high on the D ... My Shimano 300 E is nearly the same build as the D's were, but with some improvements , still has a gear side aluminum plate( not junk) very powerful gear set, 15 pd drag, metal drag star w/ click... cast as good as my Curado I model and can crank in line at 29" per crank it's a brute of a reel.. Use it for cranks, a- rigs, swimbaits, or salt use, weighs 10.2 oz... But it's bad to the bone! And way better than a Lexa, it's not even close IMO. Japan made, mine are... Just sayin it's a nice reel to have in you're inventory at at fair cost.

Guys! See OP's last post! This was resolved days ago! Lol!!!! Drrrrr..... Both smallies/ no it ain't it's the same fish two pictures! Lord....

Yes Sir , exactly what RW said, and especially his last sentence , absolutely !

I like em too, I have some of the biggest size, and I think it's a good stix bait.

I caught fish with similar patterns a lot in the Hawthorne area, even in north Florida in Oseola Forest Pits....

Welcome and enjoy the Forums, hope you share some of you're Experiences here, See ya around...

Yes Sir! Welcome to the Forum and What the Guys said is true... So I hope you enjoy you're time here! Senko, plastic worm Trigged, maybe a spinnerbait too... That fish came a ways to kill it, but it was dead already! Plastics get it done for close inspection and just about always work. Fast/ Slow , one or the other is almost always key. Keep a follow up bait ready to go, next time you will be ready! Even pond hopping, 2 rods are not usually a problem. Good luck Enjoy!

I don't stress much( lol ) about hook color, but have to believe hook style and strength is pretty important when fishing this way. I like Owner 3/0 mosquito hooks.. As well as 2/0 SSW owners ( cutting points ).... But I know in my bag of hooks.. There's a hook in there that will work....almost ANY.. Will work... See what works BEST , for you.

The croix ml xf sounds pretty sweet!

Aluminum main gerar, taller profile, main gear replacements may be hard to find... But a great real, truly....51 is newer, better in all ways in my opinion, lighter spool I believe, I like mine quite well super easy to palm! Cast great, pitches great as well, brass main gear, easy bearing change out(spool) I think it's better, but the 101 d is sweet... Just a bit older... Chronarch 50 / 51 is just a tad improved, larger handle grips, a bit tighter anti reverse bearing, diffrent color, pretty much the same!

11.2 off Lochloosa in 87 .... Now here's the thing, we got a pontoon... And crappie fished( specks) down there, after about 30 good specks.... Bam... Largemouth.. Big un .... Cane pole and minnow! Maybe it don't count, but it was a trip!!! Haven't broke 10 pound since.... 9.7 on Lochloosa in 88 on Gilraker 7" red/black spinal core plastic worm. Flippin Hydrilla

Yea, it truly is unfortunate

Just so many great shimano reels! Hard to remember all,..... All the time!

Yep...^^^^^ this! Plus Calcuttas, TE's , plus, the I is really a great reel at almost any price.... Can't speak with a a lot on spinning reels or rods... But these reels will please you I believe!

Sweet!

Like I said! I couldn't rember Zacks name! But yep, I guess I am just a old metal guy, but I enjoy lots of diffrent music, for sure....

I agree with you on Jimmy Page... Saw Zep, in 78 had tickets when John died, to see him play a double neck 12 string or acoustic was a work of art, if I voted he would get mine, lots of outstanding guitarist though, Slash is better than most credit, Randy Rhoades, was quite good... Angus is meat and potatos .... List goes on and on... Metallicas lead, his name? Gezz I forget now, he's great... I could go on if I could remember!!!

You Guys are somethin..!! That handle is neat! I really like the handle nut retainer or whatever it's called, with 2 screws? Looks very symetrical, very nice rigs!

I'd pull the trigger on a Rod built here in the USA, St. Croix.. Certain loomis, NFC, if you really want something special? Have a Rod built. Of course it all comes back to you, money and you're need. Kistler Falcon Plenty of Rod company's right here in good ole USA!

Yes, exactly what jrob78 is saying! Or, tomustang, either way should do it for you

I just want to say that I am very happy with my Hawgtech Handle on my Cte200Gt , my reel is much improved, as well as just looking very cool! Customer service from this Company is second to none, I am grateful to these guys for their awesome product as well as the personal effort they put into customer satisfaction. Thank you Hawgtech!

Glad you brought that up, I still sometimes fish that way in Windy conditions, not braid, (experimenting now with it) but yea, Good point, and nice post!