fishballer06

Ugh... I hated the Quick Fire triggers.

I like them, but I prefer the Rapala BX Minnow's instead. But they're in that same ~$9-10 range as well.

You won't be let down!

Some nice fish there!

They use that term here in Pennsylvania too

Calm water... Could mean you're making too big of a presence and scaring the fish.

In most cases, the fish will only get one set of treble's in their mouth, and throughout the fighting process, the lure will get thrashed around and the other hooks can get stuck in the fish anywhere. It just happens.

Really love my Fenwick HMG and HMX spinning rods. I've never owned a St. Croix spinning rod (only casting), so I can't comment there. Either company makes quality products though.

That's interesting to hear. I've done some work along side the fish commission here in PA, and they use cedar wood almost exclusively for the fish "cages" that they build. I've built dozens of these cages and I've been told that cedar grows a certain type of algae on it that small micro-organism's and baitfish feed on, and then those will attact your panfish and bass to them.

Sahara or Symetre are both great reels and are in the $79-99 price range. I own both and love them. I also own the $139 Saros, which is just another step better. You won't go wrong with Shimano.

Here's the thing... You can spend $99 on your first baitcaster, because it's your first baitcaster. But if you're going to get serious into fishing again, and want to keep using a baitcaster, you'll quickly find yourself wanting to buy that Curado I. In the end, you'll have spent an extra $100 and still have the Curado. I myself own a Curado I, and absolutely love it. It's a hell of a reel for the price, and it won't leave you disappointed. I am also right handed, but I use left hand retrieve on ALL of my reels. Luckily for you, the Curado I series comes in two different speeds in the left hand model. Use what is most comfortable to you.

I've been a braid guy for years. Just spooled up my new Curado I with 10 lb. flouro to try it out again. I can't say I'm overly impressed with it so far, but I do seem to get more strikes compared to my boatmate while using it.

Your height shouldn't determine the length of the rod you use. For bank fishing, I like to carry one baitcaster, and one spinning setup with me. If the lake/pond your're fishing has a lot of trees/brush around the banks that you have to watch for when casting, sometimes it doesn't hurt to have a shorter rod with you (5'6"-6'). If it's pretty wide open and you don't have to worry about the tip hitting a tree branch on your casts, then don't be afraid to get something 6'6"-7'.

My father bought a new Supreme this spring. That thing twists line like crazy. Can't say I'm a fan of it.

I just got a couple of the new Rapala BX Wake Minnows. I really like the action on them, and they cast a mile.

Get the Symetre if those are your two choices. If you can spend a little extra, the Saros is even nicer.

Pittsburgh huh?? Rat-L-Traps

I'm a Gamakatsu guy myself.

I give the easy to access spots some lube/grease about every 2 months. I give everything a deep clean about once a year.

Shimano Symetre gets my vote

5" Senko worms 1/0 Offset worm hook 3/16oz. slip bullet sinker Berkley Havoc Pit Boss 4" in Perfection 3/0 EWG worm hook 1/4 and 1/2 oz Rat-L-Trap in Chartruese and Chrome/Blue Rapala DT 4 and 6 in Perch or Bluegill (or both) 3/8 oz. Terminator Spinnerbait in Chartruese or White Rapala Skitter Pop in Frog Rapala BX Minnow or Husky Jerk in any natural color

No brain washing needed. The proof is in the pudding for me. I bought my first Curado in the early 2000's, and I still use that reel to this day without issues. That reel has caught numerous 4 lb+ bass, many 32"+ pike, and many 5 lb+ walleye. I've also got got two of the new Chronarch Ci4's and one of the new Curado I series. Both are which are amazing reels and I really enjoy all the new technology in them. Now I understand that these reels are all less than a year old, but I see no reason why they shouldn't easily last me 10 years.

I was unaware that Shimano made anything low quality...

Congrats

Buy it quickly. They're stoping the lifetime warranty on all purchases after August 1st.