jitterbug127

That’s great! I’ve got a 6.2 here I’ll try first. It’s always nice when I’m looking for something and already have a viable option.

Awesome to know! What gear ratios do you run on your curado k 200s?

Good information to know! Thank you for sharing.

I have a 200k 6.2:1 that I thought of using. I wasn’t sure how well it would do with the 3-4 oz lures I have 80 lb braid on my musky reel. I was thinking of matching that. I’ve never had a bass swimbait rod before so 80 lb braid was just my first thought without knowing too much.

Heavy lures I think would be just fine. I was more curious how the tranx would perform with the lighter lures say 1/2 oz or 3/4 oz and up.

I’m really a Shimano guy but it seems like they don’t offer anything that great in this department. Diawa seems to have it dialed in

Thank you!

I will be using braided line 80 lb.

I just picked up a st croix victory rod 7’10” heavy for $20. I am looking for a reel. I’ve got a big revo beast 60 size musky reel but I’m thinking that too big. I have that on my 9 foot x heavy musky rod. I’m looking at at Shimano tranx 401. Would this be a good size reel for this rod or is it too big? I saw the Diawa tatula 200 might be a nice one as well: I’m also open to recommendations. thanks Rob Rod is heavy fast 1-4 oz lures

The reel covers look like great ideas! I do like rod socks too. I will keep reel with line side up. how about spinning rods what do yall do? Covers as well?

I was a kayak fisherman for several years so lots of last minute sitting rods down in the boat when floating etc. I’ll try to keep them with reel upright and use covers. I always thought of them more of tools than anything so mint condition wasn’t a huge concern to me: learning even minor scuffs kill resell has me rethinking what I do. Thanks for ideas so far yall!

What do yall do to keep your reels in perfect shape? I just bought some new ones and I’d like to keep them perfect. I’ve tried selling a few lately with some light scratches and I didn’t realize in like new condition was the only way to really sell for any sort of value. It’s been a learning curve and I will keep my stuff perfect in the future.

St croix mojo bass 6 8 medium xtra fast St croix mojo bass 7 10 heavy st croix mojo bass 7 10 heavy st croix victory 7 10 heavy

I've been working on outboard motors as a hobby for the last 3 or 4 years now. I tried the amazon parts here and there and they're mostly junk. I will only buy OMC parts unless I absolutely cant find something then Sierra it is. Buy once, cry once is my philosophy. Also breaking down on the river isn't an option for me in this life.

Thank you! I had a couple vintage guitars collecting dust at my house I traded for most of this gear. Buddy of mine plays so I was happy to see them get some use. I also fell in LOVE with the mgl spools. I’ve been a curado man for a long time but the newest ones I had were the k and I. These are smaller and cast little lures so much better. I was really impressed

What can I say? Mostly trades and marketplace. This is all in last 2 weeks 😅

I’ve go through visit from the bait monkey about every 3 years. This was the year. so far let’s see so far: Shimano vanford c2000hg pflueger supreme 3000 (matches one I’ve had love it!) curado mgl 151 6.2:1, 7.4:1, 7.4:1 curado 201k 8.5:1 rods: Diawa tatula 7’ medium fast Powell max 7’ medium heavy/xtra fast bass xml 7’6” medium light xtra fast dobyns fury 7’3” heavy dobyns Kaden 7’3” medium heavy moderste dobyns Kaden 7’3” medium moderate ark rod lancer pro 6’10” medium/moderate (not sure how good of a jerkbait rod this will be) bass pro shops cranking stick 7’3” heavy moderate more tackle than I’d like to admit. still hunting for a couple more reels.

What a fish!! Absolutely stunning.

If you were going to pick 3-5 baits to really learn what would they be? 75% of my fishing is : River smallmouth. Generally slow current 2 1.5-2 mph or less most places. green and about 1 foot of visibility is clean to complete chocolate milk. There are boat dock on the river, weed lines. I'd say fairly shallow. 4 feet being average depth. I'll make a little river box and fish that all next season.

I agree 100%. Catching is about 10% of the reason I'm there. Being outside on the water and hanging out with my buddies are the main reasons I love to fish. Catching is a bonus. I am really just wanting to stop getting skunked at this point. I went nuts with rods/reels/tackle a few years ago. I have stepped that back by about 90%. I have 2 or 3 3600 boxes now and 5 rod types (I'll bring 3 medium/fast spinning rods to not have to tie all the time) instead of like 15 and more tackle than I can count.

Thanks to everyone for all of the replies! I think this thread has been helpful. I am going to go out this week and try some of the items suggested. Finding fish instead of just catching them is going to be the name of the game this fall and into next season. I have been looking at some lake maps of the lakes around here finding points to focus on depending on time of year. Also I have a new respect for water temperature i never really considered too much before.

6th sense divine swimbait in white has served me well

The places I fish have a ton of boat traffic, so I think the stealthier I can be the better. A paddle boat looks like a ton of fun! I have been reading a-jays big thread on smallmouth bass. Lots of good information in there to learn. I think I might buy a kayak this winter to get into new next season to find some less pressured places to go. Being in the metropolitan area of Indy lots people are hitting the same spots over and over and over again. Off the beaten path will be a nice change

Glad I started this thread. It’s a good reset button on how to start again. Does anyone have a favorite book they’ve read for smallmouth bass fishing?

YES! I really do think i fish a bunch of unproductive waters. This skill is probably just as or more important than finding the fish. Eliminating bad water is a big deal. Love this. Will buy some worms and give them a try. I love smallmouth. Most of my fishing has been the river. if its not fishing shallow at a lake I'm not really sure where to start. I have more to learn. Thanks for all the advice.