JLeon77

If you are new to bait casters you should get a heavier braid like 50lb. If you indeed are new, you should start with something inexpensive in case you get a bad backlash and have to cut it out. When I started with a bait caster I started with 15 Berkeley XL... Cheap and thick enough to be easy to learn with. The thinner the line the tougher to manage on a baitcaster when learning. Once you are comfortable with the reel you can get line for your intended use. I use Seaguar Invisx 15lb or 12 lb for most of my rods except if you are fishing top water, you will need mono or braid. Since you mentioned cabelas, their x50 fluorosis awesome, and you can usually get P-line copolymer there and it is really good for the price.

I have 2 casting rods and a spinning rod. Great rods for the price when they are on sale, or when they are not!

Any advice for portage lakes? I've never been there and I'm fishing and OBN tournament there Saturday. What do you catch em on there?

Central Ohio here....welcome to the site!

Never had any issues and they have lots of my hard earned $$

5:4:1 for deep cranks or slow rolling...6:4:1 works fine as well. High speed reels will wear you out reeling in moving baits with lots of resistance. I use a revo rocket and other high speeds for jigs and flipping/pitching, gets the bait back fast for another pitch.

I have that Mojo rod, perfectt for jigs and t-rigs, especially in close quarters. Paired with a 7:1:1 okuma Helios it's great. A crankbait rod may be too soft for jerk baits. You will want something with a faster tip...I use a 7' M St Croix legends or jerk baits.

Just be honest about your skill level and be yourself. You will probably meet some guys that will end up being your good friends. If you aren't honest they will know it when you are out in the boat with them. Once you are in the boat...learn as much as you can from the guys who have been there. Oh, and have fun!

Mike, I have a few reels that need cleaned too, what is the turnaround time on say, 5 reels? Would be 2 revo sx, a lew's, and two okumas.

Love those poppers, I've had a lot of luck with those! Gotta remove the split ring in the mouth first.

Mono - Suffix Siege Fluoro - Seagar Invisx or Cabelas X50 (made by Seagar)

I've caught a ton of fish on a chatterbait. Definitely a confidence bait for me. You can always feel the blade vibrating which helps me detect bites.

Shouldn't be too long to catch a smallmouth up there. I'm down in Cbus...catch smallies on the rivers all the time.

Welcome to the forums!

I just ordered one of these from Tackle Warehouse during their holiday sale for $49. I have been looking for a new cranking rod and I figured for that price it would be worth a try. Once it gets delivered and I try it out, I'll post again and let you know how it is.

I like the Cabelas Tournament ZX rods and you can't go wrong with the Duckett Ghost rods. The Tournament ZX can sometimes be found for less than $80 when they have sales.

Welcome! I fish over at Green River Lake quite a bit...other side of Lexington from you. Enjoy the site!

Used to live in Indiana myself...welcome!

Welcome to the site!

Thanks all, figured it was a juvenile pike

I caught this in the scioto river in central ohio while bass fishing. I didn't know there were pike I this river. Any thoughts on confirming the species on this? The spots on the fins make me think pike. Sorry he's on the ground, he flopped off the hook after I landed him.

Welcome eh!

You'll be fine, as a co angler( back of the boat)...you just need to throw what is needed in the situation. The guy running the bait has control over everything else.