FishTank

I normally would have some advice but I am in same boat so to speak. I caught 3 fish last weekend for 12 hours out on the water and today I was out for 8 > caught nothing. ? I plan on staying confident (which does catch fish) and I'm going to enjoy it no matter what.

They were the PT's and not samples. The first was given to me (sort of) new by an avid Quantum fan. I had issues with it and exchanged it. The second I bought on ebay from Simmons Sporting Goods. The one I exchanged also had the same issues. In a way, I tried three. I cant's speak for the newer versions but they do look like the Vapor, which I do like. I used it today, as a matter of fact (no fish though).

They are the Guides Choice with black frames and the Techlite Polarchromic Copper Mirror lenses. I used them on the water for the first time today and they have been the best I have used so far. We had clouds, cold rain, wind, and then sunshine. They handled all of those situations. https://www.smithoptics.com/en_US/sunglasses-lifestyle/GUIDES-CHOICE-SUNGLASSES.html

I fish mainly Shimano reels as well and had that itch to try Quantum again last year due to a bet. I found some at a good price from an Ebay dealer and decided to give it a go. So I tried an Accurist, Smoke, Vapor, and Icon. The Accurist was a dud (tried two of them). The Icon was good but I just didn't fit my needs so I sold it. The Vapor was a work in progress. The side plate did not fit properly but Quantum's customer service got it fixed (it took a lot and a long time). It is a really smooth reel. The Smoke is the shining bright spot of the bunch. It's just a good all-around reel. The down side to all of them though..... When you take them apart, it's clear that they are not as well made as others despite performing well. I can't speak to their longevity myself but others here have had great luck. On another note, when contacting their customer service I got the sense that they are struggling with production/quality control but they do care a lot about what they do and they want to make it right. Personally, if you have to have one, the Smoke would be my choice >otherwise I would stay with Shimano.

Monkey has me working overtime..... I was able to cross off several things that I have been eyeballing over the past year and beyond. I have gone to pretty much all Plano Edge boxes. I had some bad luck with the first one but since then they have been excellent. I have about 5 pairs of Smith Sunglasses and like them all for different reasons but this is the pair I have been truly hunting for. They are high contrast (all the time) and impact resistant lenses but they change intensity with available light. So in low light everything seems brighter and in bright light they darken up and make everything clear and sharp without getting blinded by the sun. The Yeti has been on my list for a while and I just couldn't bring myself to pay $300+ for the one I wanted so this was a compromise. I had a gift card and a 30% coupon for Kittery Trading Post. In the end it was about $175. If filled with ice and a large ice saver, the ice will last about 2 days and the drinks are all most frozen. New fishing jacket for fall and spring, Arc'teryx Gamma MX. I haven't used it much but it's does the job and then some. I like it but I think I should have gotten a Stormr. And finally some real fishing stuff...... My favorite jig line, Abrazx and some TSI-321 oil.

I think you can use both for all of the applications you mentioned. I have the 853 and the 844. The 844 is probably the more versatile of the two. I use it for jerkbaits and topwater/frogs.

G. Loomis GLX 803C.....I throw chatterbaits on it and have used it to skip them a few times. It has worked great so far. It's only 6'8'' and it has a pretty fast tip so in order to load it properly I roll cast the baits I skip.

I love St. Croix rods but not this one. They are now an additional 20% off select boxes. I picked up the jig box for $14. Amazon has 200 yard spools of Tatsu in 10lb and 15lb for $30.

Without question the rod. As long as the reel can cast and bring fish in, what else is there? As far as the rod goes.... it communicates what is going on under the water and somewhat on top, it sets the hook, and handles the fish.

I have the 844C GLX and the 783C GLX (both the older versions). The 844C is a great rod but to me it's too stout for most chatterbaits and buzz baits. The 783C on the other hand is perfect and is also great on a kayak. The shorter length just seems to work better for most baits when I am out on the water. As far as, what you can do with this rod, just about anything. I have used it for T-rigged soft plastic, spinner and chatter baits, and, my favorite, jerkbaits. I use the 844C for bigger topwater baits, big jerkbaits, and jigs.

What's your budget and how heavy of a jig or T-rigged setup do you want to use?

I have G. Loomis 903C IMX and it is a great rod. I would imagine the 906C wouldn't be that much different. It's sensitive (but not too much), light, and the end of the rod is longer as mentioned. Another one I would consider is the St. Croix Legend Glass 7'4'' MH. It is closer to the price range you mentioned.

I sort of had something like this happen on my Curado DC. I cleaned it some and oiled the spool bearings but when I put the side plate back on I didn't get it set just right on the reel and I also got oil on the inside of the dc drum that covers the spool. I am not sure which one it was but I took a cotton swab to excess oil and I put the side plate back on properly. Has worked fine ever since . I know you DC system is different but maybe this will give some insight.

Shimano SLX. When DSG has a their Black Friday Sale, there is usually a 25% off coupon. Last years had no restrictions. That would put you around $75. It would be a great beginners reel as well as one he could get some long term use out of.

I have tried the KVD stuff and it does work but I found that I really don't need it if I use good quality line. Some heavier mono lines do benefit more from it, like CXX or Big Game. I have since moved on and decided I am OK without it.

I have tried one from Outkast and did OK with it but it wasn't enough for me to change from a either a swim jig or a regular casting jig.

When I first started using baitcasters, I used right handed reels and it just didn't feel comfortable even though I am right handed. It's sort felt and looked like I was throwing a baseball with my left hand. I picked up a left handed baitcaster, problem solved. I have been using them for 15+ years know. I have tried going back to right handed reels and same issue. I think I am stuck with them for the rest of my life.

They are becoming hard to find but I have always liked the Lucky Craft Flat Mini series.

Sorry. It's an Avid.

St. Croix 6' ML Fast. I have used this rod for just about 12 years and it has stood the test of time. I use it for inline spinner baits and 4in senkos. As small and light as it is, it has brought in some big fish for me, including my PB (10lb 2oz).

The closest you are going to get in a spinning rod is probably the St. Croix Legend Glass that goes up to 3/4 of an ounce. I have not used it but held it in hand at a show last year. It is pretty stoat and it might be able to handle that size of lure. But as others have stated, you would be better served going with a casting set up. I would suggest again a St. Croix Legend Glass 7'4'' MH and a Shimano Curado with Sunline Defier 15lb. This combo will get the job done, be fun to fish, and would be close to the cost of a GLX rod alone. On a side note, I would say that a GLX level of sensitivity is not really needed with crankbaits. I have owned one of the old GLX crankbait rods. It was a great rod but too sensitive for crankbaits and I ended up selling it. I know it sounds weird but it can be a disadvantage, at least for me it was. I found I was setting the hook too soon and missing fish. I currently own four crankbait rods.... A G. Loomis IMX Pro, a St. Croix Legend Glass, a Shimano Curado and a Quantum KVD Launcher rod. The each have their uses. The IMX pro is pretty much perfect for all my small cranks, the Legend Glass is my do all, the Curado for deep cranks and the Quantum does my heavy stuff.

For all year round fishing..... 5in senko black and blue flake 4/0 EWG hook 1/8oz bullet weight Any Green Pumpkin and black colored jig with a zoom chunk trailer

Megabass Dark Sleeper. I have caught just about anything and everything on this lure.

St. Croix Legend Glass 7'11'' Heavy