fishballer06

That Dobyns is a good choice. The new Shimano Expride would be another good choice. And I'd say the IMX Pro is a solid choice as well.

I'll second this.

If you search this website for Chronarch MGL, you'll see that I've been a big fan of this reel ever since it was released. I've now got 4 of them and I love this reel. Probably the best all around performing reel I've ever owned.

Touching back on this subject with the Eco Pro Tungsten wacky rigs, I hit up a local pond last night. After 5 fish, this happened. Bait ripped in half but was still attached to the weight. It's impossible for the weight to come off with a fish on, because the weight/bait slides up the line, but it can't fly off over the hook tip because the fish would prevent that.

Good luck

Tackle Trap posted earlier this week that they got a shipment in.

My vote goes to the Chronarch MGL. I love these reels.

There's a few bills in that setup. Nice looking reel, rippin.

Usually they'll tear in half before they get ripped off. I guess if I was frugal I could mend them back together. No, I have yet to lose a weight, but that's not to say that it couldn't happen.

I've been using these from Eco Pro with great success in terms of durability and hookups. I've had Senkos last me around 6 fish.

Right here checking in, using my left handed reels. My tournament partner is just like Dave. Left handed and uses right handed reels. OP - There are literally 100's of thread's exactly the same as this on here and every other online fishing forum. Don't worry, you're not weird.

Shimano does not currently produce any reels with magnetic brakes...

A lot of good baits posted above, but I would like to add in a watermelon colored Fluke to the mix as well.

So today is only the second business day since you placed an order? I would be a little more patient and check back later in the week.

We caught them on Keitechs, rat-l-traps, baby 1-, and jerkbaits whenever I was up 3 weeks ago @Scarborough817. Good luck out there!

As a person who fishes as a co-angler, I'm in full understanding before ever getting on someone boat that I am not going to get clean water unless I fish the side of the boat that the boater isn't fishing. It's just a fact of the situation. Anyone who feels entitled to clean water from the back seat is just wrong.

Here's an example of the hook I mentioned.

With your very budgeted price range, you're not really going to find anything that is drastically better than anything else. I would recommend getting a rod rated to at least 1.5 oz (preferably 2-3oz.)

If you purchased it new 6 months ago, you should still be covered by the 1 year warranty from Shimano. I'd contact them about it. I'm sure they'll take good care of you. http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac-fish/en/home/customer-service/rod-service.html I own two of the rods you mention and I've had them for probably 3 years now and I've never had an issue. Unfortunately, sometimes you get a lemon.

Unfortunately, soft plastic swimbaits aren't the most durable baits, but their very soft characteristics is what gives them that great action that draws so many bites. Below are a few other similar baits worth checking out. As far as rigging, I recommend using a keel weighted swimbait hook with a screwlock. Gamakatsu and Owner both make great options in these. Reaction Innovations Big/Little/Skinny Dipper Keitech Swing Impact Fat (probably least durable bait in this category) Strike King Rage Tail Swimmer Berkley Havoc Grass Pig Yum Pulse Minnow

Sadly, the more weeds, the better it is for the bass. Even though it can make the fishing tougher, you will end up with bigger, healthier bass most of the time. They have done this to some lakes around me in order to cut down on the hydrilla. It generally leaves a nasty green slime on the surface and makes the fishing bad for a while afterwards. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about it since they are the one's that maintain the lake (whether good or bad in terms of fishing). Most public waters like they are maintained by people who care more about the aesthetics of the pond/lake, rather than the fishing.

I would say 3-4 years until the fish start getting to that keeper 12" size, unless the lake was restocked with adult fish from another location/fishery.

There are times where the fish will suck the entire bait down their throat the second they get to it, and there are other times where they will just grab the tail and swim around with it. Generally if you feel a "tap tap tap" it's a smaller fish trying to get the entire thing in it's mouth (or a panfish). For me, whenever I feel a bite, I will reel up any slack line and slightly lift my rod tip in order to try to feel the weight of the fish. If I feel the fish swimming off with it, or if I feel the weight of the fish, I will then set the hook. Most of the time this is successful for me. Other times, I have a ripped in half bait or a bait that is almost pulled off the hook. This will let you know that the fish didn't have the hook in it's mouth.

One of the guys finally sent me his pictures from the trip. This was my biggest smallmouth from the trip. I caught this fish on an Evergreen CH-1 crankbait.