jbrew73

Is it so hard to believe that some people are more comfortable and better with casting gear than spinning gear? No point in arguing about someone else’s preferences.

I wouldn’t say they were parabolic but they do tend to be “more parabolic “ than some rods. I like the action of hammer rods.

From that list I would go Kistler(never tried but would give them a shot) or Hammer. I was not impressed with Alx or St Croix. Hammer rods are very nice for the price.

Well Norman’s ad money is apparently still good either way. ?

Some 5:1 ratio lews reels have deeper spools for increased line capacity for cranking applications. Most 6:1 lews have shallower spools with holes. I’m not familiar with lews numbering system any more but were both reels the same ratio?

I don’t think this is an accurate account. Ipt is the effective ratio between 1 turn of the handle and X” of line retrieval. The torque required to pull a given load will be essentially the same for a certain Ipt regardless of spool size or gear ratio. It’s like having larger tires on a truck, you have too lower the axle gear ratio to compensate for the tires.

Like WRB said, do your homework and be prepared. I would consider buying new or buying used on this site. Yard sales are more often than not selling someone else’s junk.

I’ve never used seaguar so I can’t comment on it but PowerPro has never let me down.

Have you tested it? What were your findings?

Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo has less perceived stretch than any mono I have tried. Drag and bow due to diameter do play a major roll in what is perceived as stretch but I think the line itself is at least equally responsible for stretch, feel, sensitivity, etc.

I blew one up last weekend that was so bad I just put the rod back in the locker. It’s rare but it happens to everyone sooner or later. Nothing a respool wouldn’t fix though. “ ***** happens “

I only have 3 colors for 90% of my plastics. candybug, green pumpkin candy and grasshopper. If they aren’t available it will be a slight variation of them.

I’m sure clunn is a very good caster and substantially better than me but I call bs on the torque on the spool thing. I believe that motion allows you to use more “wrist” in your cast but as long as it works the science probably isn’t that important. i would carry a spare general purpose reel in 6 or 7 ratio with a middle of the road line size. If you feel the need to have more than one type of line I’d take more spare reels. Kast king, lews mach and abu black max reels should be perfectly capable of part time use and can be had for about $50. If that not suitable take spare line and respool as needed.

I think the length definitely adds casting distance but is only negligible on hooksets.

Are the lakes still frozen?

That’s a really small diameter line and could be your problem.

Sounds tedious but it’s really not. I measure off the amount of line I want on my reel and spool it on. Then tie on the backing and fill the spool up. Now pull all the line off and reverse it. I know exactly how much line is on the reel and don’t have to worry about wasting line or coming up short on a cast. when it’s time to respool you pull the line off until you get to the knot, retie and spool it back up.

Straight braid

?‍♂️

Try a round bend worm hook. I rarely use ewg hooks due to poor hookup ratio. Others do well with them but my technique or lack of doesn’t jive with ewg’s

Hammer rods action and ratings are very similar to falcons but I think the Cara’s are more sensitive and refined. Both rods fit and fish right in line with their respective price point. I don't feel the Hammers are are quite as good as the Cara but they don’t cost as much either. I have one of the new Falcon expert rods and so far I have been very pleased. Honestly I probably couldn’t tell it from a Cara.

They stay up because I pull the skirt and the skirt keeper does pretty well but glue would definitely help.

Z craw or pit boss seem to be best. I have not tried any toads but they seem to be popular as well.

I like 3/16oz and yes I’m the casting gear shakey head guy. Lol. The day I have to use spinning gear is the day I’ll probably quit bass fishing. I’m sure it’s user error on my part but the poor casting accuracy and “wind” knots are just too much to manage.

I rip the skirt off my cavitrons and put on a plastic trailer only. They run slower and don’t pull to one side as bad this way. They have been very productive for me this year.