MIbassyaker

I got an order in too.

I'll vouch for BioSpawn -- they only have a few baits, but they're all kind of unique and a lot of thought has clearly been put into their designs. I posted a review of the 6.5" plasmatail a couple months ago, after getting my name drawn for some free samples (you can sign up on thier site to have your name added to their monthly drawing for testers): http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/162447-i-got-to-try-the-new-biospawn-65-plasmatail-worm/

I'm in a similar position, where I've never had a dedicated cranking set-up and I've been looking to get something in that same tier...but the sheer number of options is dizzying. More and more, I am thinking the real problem is that I actually want them all.

That kistler rod should drop below 100 during the black friday sale....

Very interesting series of tests so far -- I am taking notes!

You could always try.......bacon:

I don't use a trailer. Or rather, the hair is its own trailer.

I prefer fishing lakes. But I prefer catching river fish.

Man, at age 40, with 8 years focused casually (i.e., free time) on bass fishing specifically (other species since age 7), I still feel like everything I do is entry level. Brand conflict? I'm still too busy learning how to catch bass to worry about that.

If Shimano cares whether or not you use a competitor, you should be asking them for recommendations, not us.

Lol, do not be afraid of long words! Like longer rods, they do sorts of jobs the shorter ones can't always handle well.

You are correct of course. It's a shame, but their own doing. I am interested in hearing whether there are reasons to use moderate or mod-fast actions rather than fast for spinnerbaits. I use MH-F, but I have seen recommendations to use those before.

I try to keep them in original bags and I buy extra bags from Do-it molds to store baits that came in variety mixes and bargain buckets. Then I file the bags into Plano 3731 boxes (one big, open compartment), sorted by bait type (Worms, craws, creatures, grubs, etc.). In these boxes you can file two side-by-side rows of typical 6"-7" wide bags, as long as they aren't too tall. Longer bags up to 9" or so you can file sideways; other differently-sized or shaped bags (such as Rage tail bags with clamshells, which are a bit too tall) I just lay down and stack.

Do not eat those baits...I repeat: DO NOT EAT!!!! You weren't going to eat them? Oh. Well then: DO NOT FONDLE THEM COMPULSIVELY IN YOUR POCKET EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY FOR OVER A YEAR!! You weren't going to do that either? Hmm. Ok. Carry on, then.

That may be the most straightforward rule-of-thumb about gear ratio I have ever heard. Thanks.

Baby steps. Give it time...

My bass seem to like 'em quite a bit on a Texas rig or Mojo rig.

Cabela's has some reels discounted right now below that price; not sure if they'll be an upgrade for you, but Abu Silver Max and Pro Max, Lew's laser MG speed spool, all under 75 right now. Daiwa Exceler at 80.

I dig a power worm or original culprit, but, honestly....I don't think I've ever fished a 7"-7.5" worm I didn't like on a t-rig.

Check out this thread -- lots of really good recommendations: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/153551-whats-your-fav-bass-book Personally, I really like the in-fisherman Largemouth and Smallmouth "handbook of strategies" books, which you can probably get super-cheap used on ebay or amazon. Also, if you can find a copy, "Knowing Bass" by Keith Jones is a canonical source for basic scientific information about bass physiology and behavior as it relates to angling. I also have the two you mentioned, and both came very highly recommended, but I haven't gotten to them yet.

Well, maybe he'll show up and explain. I know for a fact there are many, many better rods than what I use for this...but I don't have those rods, and yet, the one I do have seems to work.

Seems to me as long as you're using light-wire hooks, you shouldn't be more likelty to lose fish on hooksets. and as long as you're checking your line regularly for damage (which you should always do anyway), and retying if necessary, I don't see why you'd have a problem with line breaking. An MF spinning combo with 6 or 8lb trilene is what I use for small keitechs (3"-4") on jigheads and underspins, and I don't have those kinds of issues. Stay within the lure-weight ratings for the rod, and it should work great.

Cool. Your posts inspired me to look up the rods in more detail, and I've put them on my radar.

I don't know yet -- I don't own a baitcasting reel! Total impulse buy. I'm a long time spinning-junkie, never even cast a baitcaster. I've known I wanted to get a nice mid-tier Fenwick for some time. And I've wanted to get a first baitcaster some time soon and start learning it. What I did not know was that my first casting rod would be a deeply-discounted, discontinued mid-tier Fenwick. So I now find myself in the market for a beginner-friendly casting reel. I have heard the seat on these rods doesn't fit some reels very well (some Shimano models in particular, if I recall), so we'll see.

That wasn't the Ike rod you were talking about on the other thread, was it?