Joe H.

I use 12 lb sunline sx to a 6 lb leader, works fine only the leader knot I use (blood knot) is really hard to tie with this particular braid. Usually takes me a few tries.

You're right, the handle is really long. So is the reel itself. Takes a little getting used to...

Great choice!

Works fine, and the cheapest line I know of.

Amazing fish! That's a heck of a smallmouth.

Lake Lopez this weekend with fisherrw. Nothing huge, got a 4-4, two 4-1's, one 4, and a 3-3. Caught probably 50 fish, Mostly largemouth with a couple smallmouth and crappie.

Could be four or five. Measurements would help.

Yep. You did the right thing. That's what pictures and replica mounts are for. Also: Bluebasser is right on, a fish that size won't taste good anyways. Last weekend my friend and I kept one 2.5 lb smallmouth. In my opinion a 1-3 lb smallmouth is the best bass to eat. Even then, we would never keep more than two or three from a lake with a good bass population like trinity.

Looks great! Don't need to catch much at a cool place like that!

Very cool! Congratulations to her

I've bought 6 10xds and 2 packs of 1/0 2x st-41 owner hooks in the last 5 weeks and caught a ton of fish on them but I lost every single one to snags. Lol.

The 6.1 I caught right before the 8. Broke my PB twice in less than an hour!

Yep be sure to flip the private dock on the left side of the launch. Good spot. Not the f dock. F dock is overfished. Last time I was there I caught a 5 lber on a green pumpkin jig on the main point by cottonwood cove. That was early september, haven't been there since but I'll be camping on the 6th/7th weekend. That was one of two fish I caught ALL DAY. And the only fish over 4 lbs I caught there this year. Another lake negatively affected by the drought and only getting worse... Most recent report I've heard: http://www.sportfishingreport.com/lakes/CA/cencal/lopezlake/index.php?date=10-08-2015

A few weeks ago I made an overhead cast with a jig and snagged my friends rod on the shore and it went flying into the water, $400+ combo. Luckily the water was fairly shallow and for some reason the tip floated up and I was able to snag it with a crankbait, no damage done. If I was you I would either be swimming or throwing a 10xd...

The Metanium xG is easily my favorite reel. Super smooth and solid. Another thing: you can't go wrong with shimano spinning reels. My brother has three: a Sedona, Sahara and a symetre. All are 2-5 years old and have been passed down from me to him and he has them and they all work like new.

Ha thank you. Reminds me: thanks fisherrw for taking the pics and putting me on fish! Great trip

X2. I'm currently using an E6X 845 for squarebills and 5xds but I'm a little underwhelmed after fishing it for a few months. I think the fss will be my next rod...

Shimano from now on:

Fun combo I'm pleased with the k2. Handle assembly/ reel seat is clean and much nicer and a little less "chaotic" than what I've come to expect from phenix. Blank as most of you know is excellent

Ya it's pretty sad. Lake's the 2nd lowest it's ever been right now. As long as we have an El Niño is the next couple years it's not going anywhere, though. There's still a ton of water compared to the central coast lakes I fish!

Thanks everybody! It was a blast alright! Ended up catching 25 lbs 5 fish on Saturday with an 8,6, two 4s and a 3. Not to mention the fish rw caught!

John Fogerty: Almost Saturday Night

Thanks!

Got my personal best largemouth last weekend at lake trinity ca on a 10xd! 8 lbs even! Gut: Not the combo I caught her on but a new favorite: phenix k2 7'1 ml/ shimano sustain 2500. Fisherrw making her look like a 12:

Sustain on the way, I'll post pics when I get it and the k2! Should be a nice combo.