offsidewing

Bought two XT 's last week when they were $99 online at Cabela's. A couple days later they're $75! Go figure...

I've used 8lb Invisx on spinning reels the past two years and liked it a lot. I've put Pline Fluro on my 13 year old son's spinning reel and he's had no issue. My father uses Pline Fluro with no issues either.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! Looks like I'll be adding some dropshot gear to the tackle box!

My 853 JWR came into my neighborhood Cabela's today and felt great until I noticed something seriously wrong with it - it was an 852. I ordered the wrong rod! So I returned it on the spot and ordered the 853c from my phone as they processed the return of the 852 I mistakenly ordered. I was originally going to get an Avid X but wanted to try the E6x. I learned how to fly fish on a G Loomis fly rod. So while I'm a St Croix fan boy I have a place in my heart for G Loomis.

I usually do a good bit of my serious fishing in spring and early summer. Recently my family has traded it's Myrtle Beach summer vacations for trips to the lake house in Maine. Normally when I fish this lake it's spring or early summer and it doesn't take much to get into good fishing. It has clear water, rocky shores, and plenty of submerged humps, points, and drop off to hold fish. Since we started going again in August, the techniques we use in June don't apply in August. Two years ago we went out every day with crank and spinner baits and caught 4 smallies all week. Last year we researched lures and techniques a little better and loaded up the tackle box with soft plastics. We started getting 8-10 fish a day in water less than 10 feet. It was fun, but it seemed like every smallie we caught no matter where we were in the lake was exactly 15 inches. I did manage to hook two beauties easily in the 20" range, but lost them BOTH at the side of the boat (I was in my cousin's boat that day and he didn't have his net). We tried going after the big smallmouth in 20+ feet of water a couple times but all we had were senkos or worm harnesses which didn't allow us to have effective presentation at those depths. Our long time source of information at the bait shop suddenly developed amnesia when we pressed him for suggestions attacking deep water smallies in the spots we knew held fish. So, long story short, in a lake that holds a good number of smallmouth, what lures/baits would you suggest for going after them in 20+ feet of water in the summer months? The lake has clear water, rocky shores, and plenty of submerged humps, points, and drop offs that hold fish. I have a spinning and casting set up for plastics, and a couple set ups for crankbaits. I'm leaning towards jigs and trailers based on the gear I already have, but I am open to any suggestions. The Black/Blue flake and Green Pumpkin colored soft plastics were effective in the shallower water, should I use the same color combos in the deeper water with jigs/trailers? Thanks for the advice and suggestions.

Just picked up a Cabela's Tournament ZX casting rod based upon how they scored in reviews. Haven't had it out on the water yet but it seems pretty solid so far. I've fondled the HMG in the store and they seem like a sweet rod too.

I fish the Sebago Lake region regularly and plenty of friends that fish Moosehead. Black/Blue and Green Pumpkin jig combos and Senkos work well. A crank bait I've always had luck with is the Rebel Jointed minnow black/silver in 3.5" and 4.5." I've caught Largemouth,Smallest, and Chain Pickerel on them.

Golf Course Bass??

For fishing 5" Senkos and Jig/Pig setups less than 3/4 oz, would you go with a Ci4 or Metanium (matched to the appropriate rod)? I was leaning towards Ci4, but getting a Metanium for less than $300 is an attractive offer.

Thanks for the advice!

Hello all, Looooong time lurker, first time poster. I've been using this forum for a long time for it's knowledge base on fishing techniques. The info here for a weekend warrior like me has been invaluable and you guys have helped me catch so many more fish the past couple of years! Now for some advice. I've been a long time spinning reel guy, but want to pick up a baitcasting reel (or two) for lures/baits that are above the 3/8 ounce range - jig and pigs, fat ikas, drop shotting 5 inch senkos, and crankbaits. I'll leave the weightless set ups to my spinning gear. This baitcasting reel will primarily be for smallmouth and largemouth fishing on inland freshwater lakes. I am looking for a reel that casts easy, has a good braking system to minimize backlashes, and can be adjusted easily. I would also like good build quality and feel to it. Money isn't too much of an obstacle, but I don't want to over spend where I don't need to. My initial thought after some research was a Quantum Tour MG or Shimano Chonarch Ci4+. Both seem like excellent reels, but maybe not the best choice for your 'first' baitcaster as one learns the nuances of using a baitcasting set up. Maybe I get one of those reels in my 'next' baitcasting set ups. To get to the point, I'm considering the Lew's Speed Spool Tournament Reel that Cabela's has on sale for $119. Based on the info found in this forum and elsewhere on the internets, this seems to be a good 'first' baitcaster considering my criteria. I figure I can pick up two of those reels and then pick up two of the Cabela's Tournament ZX rods (in appropriate specs) when those go on sale to have two rod/reel combos. I know there's a lot of brand loyalty with anglers, but the Lew's Speed Spool Tournament seems like a great value for an experienced weekend warrior looking to introduce a quality baitcasting reel into his inventory. What do you guys think? I've read lots of good things about the Lews BB1 and the Curado I too - but I'm thinking I'll get a lot of bang for my buck starting out with the Lews Speed Spool Tournament.