jonathan627

Are there any good quality bibs under $200-250 or so with a removable liner? I would like to purchase one set of bibs but be able to wear them most of the year. Any particular ones run a little shorter or less baggy than others? I’m a little short and not the skinniest so I’m afraid fit will be an issue. I have looked at quite a few different sets but I’m all over the place. I find things I like and don’t like about all of them. Thanks for any help!!

Just got my first bass boat, a 97’ Sport R72. But there were no electronics included. So, I have accumulated a brand new Helix 7 GPS w/ Mega SI/DI, a Helix 5 Sonar, and a Humminbird 788ci Sonar/GPS. One Ram Mount. Right now I’m leaning toward 788ci up front on the mount and Helix 7 on the console. Though, I’ve also been considering running both the 788 & Helix 5 on the console with one mounted above the other with the ram mount. Then stick the Helix 7 on the front. I don’t know, just can’t decide what to do! What do you guys prefer if you only have one unit with DI/SI? Thanks

Ouch, I didn't realize they were not so well liked! I admit, I didn't do much research on it, just an impulse buy from handling it and the price. It was at my local Cabela's, looks like they're being moved out. Well, I may still end up loving it. I appreciate your feedback sir!

I like the looks and feel of the Lew's speed spools I've felt but never used one. I would agree with the above about Shimanos. My brother has a couple Curados that he has used for a long time and swears by. I hear great things about those BPS reels around the same price range as well. If you want different setups, one get a regular Tatula and the other a Type R Jonathan

Hi guys, I was just hoping to get some personal opinions or reviews on the Quantum Smoke rods. I recently picked up a 6'6 M marked down to 98 from 150 and haven't had a chance to use it yet. They had a couple more in bigger sizes/actions, might add them to my xmas list. It's my first rod with micro guides and feels super lightweight. I'm new to the micro guides, do you guys feel it makes the rod more sensitive? It seems like it will be a great lighter soft plastic rod. I don't really have my ideal reel for it yet, but did have an older Revo to put on it. Can't wait to try it out, just a bad time of year to get new stuff lol. Thanks Jonathan

Hey Victor...I was pretty much in your same position about a month ago. The first thing I recommend is trying to find 1-2 Daiwa Tatula reels. They can be had for under $100 online if you're patient. I picked up the Type R off eBay on a late night auction for $97. Stuck it on a $100 mh-fast *** rod. So for $200 right there you've pretty much got your soft plastics covered. I fish texas rigs, drop shots, weightless senkos (4" and 5") with it. I'm sure it would handle a jig n frog as well. Hell, I could even flip with it if I wanted to throw some heavier line on it. Anyway, then I picked up a Quantum Smoke rod 6'6 Medium for $98 and a used Revo S for under 100. I prefer to use that for my smaller senkos, and finesse worms. The other two setups I picked up were a Cabela's Tournament ZX 'Crankbait' rod which is 7'1 Medium with Moderate action for $100 and am still deciding between keeping an Abu Garcia Pro Max reel on it or one of my old trusty Ambassaduer 4600's because of the slower retrieve, I fished a spinnerbait with it all day today and the rod did pretty well. Then a pflueger summit spinning reel ($60 brand new), on a Cabela's Tourney Trail 7'1 ML Rod. This last combo I got lucky on and found in Cabela's Bargain Cave for $38. So basically, I've acquired about 4 reliable combos for a combined price of around 5-600 by being patient and searching for good deals after doing a lot of research. My favorites of them all are the Daiwa Tatula Type R and the Quantum smoke rod by far. Hope this helps!

Thanks a lot guys! I've been sucked in ever since I made this post a while back and haven't reported back yet. But anyway, since the post, I decided against the T3B and when I went back to Cabela's yesterday, every single one of their discounted T3B's were still in stock so I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger. However, I decided to quit messing around with the old stuff and got some new stuff! (Addicting right?). Here's the setups I've acquired over the last couple weeks... -Tatula Type R 8.1 on a 7'1 *** Black MH Fast -Revo S 6.4 on a 6'6 Quantum Smoke M Fast (<----SWEET ROD!!! Was discounted at Cabela's from 150 to 98, super light/sensitive, love the micro guides) -Abu Pro Max on a Cabela's Tournament ZX 7'1 M (Crankbait/Spinnerbait model) Another sweet rod, very comfortable, love the tip -Pfleuger Summit 8 ball bearing spinning reel on a 7'1 Cabela's Tourney Trail ML Graphite rod...just picked this one up yesterday in the bargain cave for $38 due to it missing 2 inches on the rod. The reel itself costs more than $38 Slowly but surely fixing up my little 16' Bass Tracker, got a used Humminbird Depth Finder for $25 off eBay, no cables/transducer but it was the exact one my boat was already rigged up for. Anyway, I'm all giddy like a little school girl since I rediscovered my passion for bass fishing and I had to tell somebody! Haha...Overall my goal is to get everything good to go and start fishing local tournies and possibly join a bass club. If anyone is in my area, let me know!! Thanks for reading.

Thanks a lot man, any advice helps. I'm from NW Arkansas by Beaver Lake. I actually switched those 2 reels around earlier today but that shimano was just too big and bulky for that little 6 ft pistol grip. After reading some reviews on that T3 Ballistic I think I would rather put the money toward a nice rod or two for my tatula and revo. I need to find a nice rod for fishing drop shots and senkos with my tatula. Have you ever fished up here at Beaver raider?

Hello! My name is Jonathan and I'm from the great state of Arkansas. I'm 27, been a lurker around here for awhile but just got my hands on a little Tracker boat and I'm getting back into bass fishing. I've been away from fishing for a while and I was hoping I could get a little help figuring out a good setup of around 5 poles for the boat. I primarily like to fish drop shot senkos and centipedes, weightless senkos, t-rigs, and spinnerbaits. Secondary baits for me are crankbaits, carolina rigs, and jigs. After breaking the old rod and reel collection out, here's what I'm working with at the moment. 6' Pistol grip Shimano Jimmy Houston Series MH Fast tip (stiff) Abu Garcia Revo S 6.4:1 6'6 Berkley Pro Series? MH Fast tip (stiff) Shimano Calyx 4bb 5.3:1 I think? 7' Pfleuger Supreme MH Fast (big/stiff maybe good for flipping?) Ambassadeur 4600CL3 I also have an Ambassadeur 4600-C3 laying around without a rod, and I just purchased a Tatula Type R brand new for $110 off eBay but don't have a good enough rod for it. Anyway, I know I need to upgrade but I'm really confused as to what setups would work best for my primary lures of choice. I always just grew up fishing with whatever I could get my hands on but want to do it right this time. I know I need to upgrade my rods but also don't want to break the bank. Last question, I was in Cabela's today and checked out their bargain cave. They had a few Daiwa T3 Ballistic reels in there, 2 samples, and 2 NIB. The samples were $125 with I believe 25% off and the NIB reels were around $140 with 25% off that. I believe they were 7.1:1 gear ratio and looked pretty slick. Anyone think those are at a good price or know if the reel is any good? I know it's a lot, but thanks for looking!!