FishTank

I watched the video and it looks like they tested Big Game against leader material in a dry test for salt applications. So before I toss out my two cents on this, a little disclaimer..... I don't care what line it is or the cost, if it works for what I need, it lasts a long time and I can I use with confidence (meaning, it cast well and it is consistent in knot strength and abrasion resistance from spool to spool and yard to yard within a spool). Also, if the line is supple, it's a bonus worth paying for. My conclusion, the test these guys did, didn't prove anything to me and is sort of BS. I checked all 20+ lines that TT did and they have developed a base line for abrasion resistance by taking the average of the lines they have tested> more data and testing done here=better results. After reading there tests, FC is by far more abrasion resistant and last longer. Please take the time to read..... http://tackletour.com/menulines.html Is it worth the extra cost though? I think I will use an extreme example of my own test. I like and use to use Big Game for a few things but I would have to pull off about 30-40 yards after about every 3-4 uses because it was shot. Do this 2 times and it is time to respool. I fish about two 8 hour sessions a week and maybe one or two outings that last about 3-4 hours. So typically if I used it for my main line on two rods, I would buy a new spool about once every 6-8 weeks (about 1000 yards). As main line though, it's tough and not supple at all, it does cast well when new, and can bring some fish in but it would breakdown quickly and knot strength would be come questionable as well. Seaguar Invizx 12lb on the other hand would last me the whole year with no issues. Often times I have one reel that has the same lure tied to it all year until I change the line (not the best idea I know) but it holds up and catches fish. My time is better spent not having to worry about line and its properties and better spent on fishing. That to me is worth the cost.

Out of all the rods I have owned over the years, I have broken only a few and mostly by user error. The most recent was an older G.Loomis CBR rod that I got caught in a car door. I have broken one with the automatic windows and another got stepped on. But three have been broken while fishing> St.Croix Triumph, All Star Classic, and a Shimano Crucial. The Crucial was several years old and had been used frequently, the others were less than a year old. I think I have seen more rods, out on the water, broken over knees than I have seen broken by fish but it does happen.

Invizx 12lb for T rigged soft plastic Tatsu 10lb for jerkbaits and weightless soft plastic Trilene 100% FC 6lb for spinning gear And totally sold on Sunline Defier for crankbaits. Fantastic line.

I have one of the crankbait rods and it's a fine rod for the money especially at a $100. The one I have was acquired due to an exchange/warranty with Shimano for an old Crucial rod that I broke. When I was in contact with Shimano I noticed that they had a few rods that seemed identical to each other and when I asked what the difference was between them, they said one is designed for FC and the other for braid. I failed to ask what the build difference was but in your case the 7'7'' is designed for braid and the 7'6'' is designed for FC. Other than that, they seem pretty similar. I think I either would work for frogs. For me, I like a 7' Heavy Fast rod for frogs with a kind of softer tip. I use a G. Loomis 844C for frogs but I also use this rod for other topwater, jigs and t-rigged soft plastic. In the Curado rod line there is a 7'5'' Heavy that is a frog specific rod, that may be a better choice. Most flipping rods to me have been like broom sticks even though they say they are a Fast rod, the taper seems stiffer throughout, not exactly what I would want in a frog rod.

I have the 6'8'' M Fast Legend Elite and I would say it is more like a regular Medium rod rather than a Med Heavy. I can not say the same about the St. Croix Avid line up though. I also have the Legend Elite 7'1'' MH X-fast and it may just a fuzz heavier than a MH, in say, the G. Loomis GLX line up but not by much. Based on what you are wanting to do, I would go with either the 7' M Fast or the 7' MH Fast in the Legend Elite line up. Both would do the job but for pitching I like a heavier rod than the Medium. For all the purposes you are asking, I think the 7'6'' is more specifically designed just for flipping and pitching. I looked at this rod last year and this year but ended up with a 854 NRX instead. Another one to consider that I use for all of what you listed, is the G. Loomis 844C GLX. It is a 7' Heavy and can handle topwater and pitching well. As far as soft plastic goes, I use it for t-rigged soft plastic with a 3/16oz or heavier bullet weight. If you search this site, you will find numerous old posts from Road Warrior on this rod.

Got to love the 50e Curado. I have a 51e Chronarch. Those 50 size reels are something special.

I use to use a 201 E for deep cranks and had no issues. It was not the smoothest reel nor did it cast real far but it got the job done with 3/8oz to 5/8oz crank baits.

I have two older Calcutta 251's and would not use WD40 or Tri-Flow on these fishing reels. I would stick with Shimano Bantam Oil and Drag Grease. I have had one of the Calcutta's for 15+ years that I clean and lube each year and it fishes like new. I have replaced the spool bearings just for the heck of it and that's it. These reels are tanks and could potentially last a life time. If you are going to use an oil with PFTE, I believe most guys like Super Lube but I can not vouch for it's longevity. DVT I believe could answer this one. Tri-Flow if memory serves me right is what we used on our stitchers at a printing company I use to work at. It was good stuff but we needed to apply in large amounts and then after awhile it would need to cleaned off with a gas like cleaner (Quick Dry 66) because it would gum up.

I'm right handed and use left handed reels. I cast with my right and don't switch hands. I know it sounds weird but it feels natural to me. Like batting right handed and standing on the left side of the plate or swinging an ax right handed but holding it in my left before I swing> just weird stuff like that.

I know this has been brought up before. But with all of the new colors that came out this year and last year, I thought, why not see what everyones thoughts are. So since I bought my first one 15+ years ago, the pro blue has been favorite and it seems to be pretty popular with most people who fish this lure. Do you have a different favorite or a color scheme process for fishing this lure?

I have have the Steez SV TWS and have it on a St. Croix Legend Elite M Fast. It has been fantastic so far. I use it for jigs and t rigged soft plastic. Another rod that I like with it is the G. Loomis 803C GLX. I have been considering the NRX version of this rod. I love the 853 I have.

Got it. I should have looked at your avatar. That thing's a beast.

I picked up my NRX at the Indy Boat Sport and Travel Show for around $400. There were a few booths that had them at that price. I am going to hit them up next year.

I have a tried a few from Simms and have been underwhelmed when you consider the price but they are nice. If you are planning on taking a lot of gear, take a look at pretty much anything from Osprey. Best backpacks I have ever used. I have one for hiking, one for fishing, one for work, my son has one for college and my wife also has two for her work.

I remembering seeing these years ago and thought it was same rod as the Avid, only with different colors. I would reach out to St. Croix just to be sure. They have great customer service. Just give them a call.

Just curious.... What's the specs on that rod and which rod is it exactly? Also, if you live in Florida, you said you haven't caught anything over two pounds with it. It's kind of surprising. Most of the bass I use to catch at my family's place in Ellenton were about 4lb+ and a few bigger monsters occasionally. The only issue was staying away from the alligators. I have definitely caught some big ones down there.

I don't watch this guy often but when it comes to light line big catch, this comes to mind. Remember to have a net. Sometimes it just takes experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmRuvB9T2vY

7' at the most. I don't like to take a ton of gear when I am out on the kayak so I only take two setups, one spinning and one casting. My usual choices are a St. Croix Avid 7' MH Fast casting with a Curado and a 6'8 M x-fast St. Croix Avid spinning with a Stradic. I can use these two for just about everything.

I think when they say "Scaling back", they are talking about how many stores actually have a fishing department. The one by me has grown a little but it's junk. It's more of the lower quality baits at higher prices than you find online. Even things like senkos are $8.99 (regular price) a pack compared to $7.49 at Tackle Warehouse. I think the thing that bothers me about DSG is that they have the potential to have a great fishing department but they just won't take the steps or make the investment to do it.

Odd... Last year I bought a couple of the Gen 4 Abu reels and I like all of them except the STX, which is what this guy used. I don't think I got a lemon, it sort of failed for me all around. It didn't cast well, the brakes worked when they wanted to, the drag was marginal and not smooth, and the reel it's self was kind of geary and rough. I did try two of these before I totally gave up and bought a Curado DC. The other Abu reels I have (ALF, Winch, and Revo Toro Beast) are smooth and have been great reels.

I have a rods from 6' to 8'. I find the 8' rods even on a boat can be hard to handle unless you are in open water. The 6' rod I have is a St. Croix Avid ML spinning rod and I use it for inline spinnerbaits and 4in senkos. It's a blast to fish and it's great for using on my kayak.

Either would be fine but if the SLX DC is like the regular SLX I tried out, I would go with the Curado. I have the Curado DC and tried out the SLX for a few minutes fishing at the dock. The SLX is a good reel but not as smooth as the Curado and it seemed like best entry level reel I have fished. With that said, the Curado is more of a workhorse reel. I think it would better fit your needs based on your statements above. I have loved mine so far.

Why do idiots swim near fishing piers? And add the sharks, priceless.

I shop E-Bay occasionally and have seen the same thing happen with lures. I tend to bid on stuff from Simmons Sporting Goods and I have seen three Lucky Craft lures go for more than you can buy them for on Tackle Warehouse. I think with people being off work, they have nothing better to do and it's increasing the chances of a bidding war. If you are looking for a Calais/Antares DC, try AsianPortal Fishing on eBay. Not sure when you will get it with EMS at this time.

Good point. I just wish I had a local tackle shop here in Indianapolis.