FishTank

Through the bass back that you catch. To me they don't taste the best and besides, it really is cheaper to buy fish at the store than it is to fish for them as a source of food when you add up the equipment, baits, etc. Just fish for fun, unless it's perch or crappie.... As far as a backpack goes, my personal preference is Osprey. They have several that would fit the bill.

The Abu and Lew's reels mentioned are in a way to similar to compare. I would suggest again the idea of the Shimano SLX combo.

Today's line up and it was killer. I just got everything in that was ordered, one fixed and (what I hope) set up to the correct rods..... Daiwa Steez SV TWS/St. Croix Legend Elite 6'8'' M Fast Shimano Antares 19 70a Left/G. Loomis NRX 853C Shimano Antares 12/St. Croix Legend Glass 7'2'' M Mod Shimano Antares 12 HG/G. Loomis GLX 783C Got some thoughts I will post later on which reel I like better>Daiwa Steez SV TWS vs. Shimano Antares 19 70a.... but I think I need to fish them some more first.

I went to the Indy Boat Sport and Travel Show and picked up an NRX for, I think it was around, $300-$350 and they also had the Conquest for around $400. It was just a show special. They were the regular rods, not a demo, or rep. rod. They have the full manufactures warranty.

They weren't producing, one of the eyes were missing on each bait, the hooks were bad, and the paint would flake off in my hand and in the bait box. I think I paid about $3-$4 each for these. Not worth the trouble to repair when I have or can get better quality baits.

My vote the Shimano Sahara or for something almost indestructible.... The Daiwa BG.

50lb Power Pro or Smackdown. Both are great. I did not care for Spider Wire.

St.Croix Legend Tournament? I do not own this rod but I was looking it over to purchase myself last year. I had it in my hands ready to buy at this years Boat, Sport and Travel Show but changed my mind and ended up getting an NRX instead (for a totally different purpose). The reason I changed my my mind was that I already have a 7' Heavy G. Loomis IMX that I use for frogs and heavy jigs. The St. Croix LT 7'4'' is a stout rod, almost too much power for what I would use it for, and it seemed tip heavy. With that said, I think it would be an excellent rod for punching and frogs paired with the right reel. Also, I can't say for sure but the tip of the rod seemed a little soft which is great for frogs and maybe punching but I tend to like a stiffer tip for jigs.

Sometimes.... The realistic action of the bait is what brings them in. Just as a juxtaposition..... These two baits can catch a ton of fish, both are kind of pricey but look, to me, totally different. One is sort of plain and uninviting and the other is a work of art.

I have had a few of the Red Eye Shads and the ones I bought last year all did this. I can't remember the exact colors but I had them in perch, chrome blue, and a sexy shad color. They ended up in the trash just after 2 or 3 outings. I caught a few fish but nothing spectacular. I have yet to replace them. I still like the Xcalibur XR50 and XR100 the best followed by the Lucky Craft LC's.

In the Shimano line up you can go with just about anything that has the MGL spool or is a size 70 reel. I have not used this one but I think it will do... The JDM Scorpion MGL. It will be a step up from what you have, cast light lures, and it looks pretty cool. For the rod, a lot of members here like the Arc rods you mentioned but I am kind of old school so for what you are looking to use I would go with the St. Croix Avid M Fast. It's a very versatile rod, good warranty, and kind of a no brainer when it comes to quality and price.

I ordered another Antares 12 but when I opened the box it was a 19 70A Left. I ordered it from a store on eBay in Japan but it shipped directly from Shimano. It took 3 weeks to get here. Just holding it, it is nothing like the 12. I really can't compare it to anything else I have fished with. I am hoping to take it on the water tomorrow. Definitely an awesome surprise. I thought I had order this reel (the 19) from another vendor but I failed to read the description properly and got the 12, which I kept. This makes up for it...

I had a spool of Tatsu on a reel for four years. I can get one year maybe two out of Invizx. Both are great lines but Tatsu is better, just expensive.

Smith's have worked for me. One of the guys that I fish with uses the Guide Choice Bifocals and loves them. They are supposed to curved a certain way that prevents glare on the bifocal part. All I know is I have two pair from them and love them so far.

I haven't seen them much as of yet either. I was out on the water Saturday for about 8 hours and caught 1. The guy I fish with caught 4. It was really slow but after talking to some people (at the dock) nobody caught much of anything. It sure has been a weird year, even for fishing.

6lb Trilene 100% FC XL. It will get the job done.

When I looked into finding something to keep me warm and safe on my kayak in cold weather, I decided it was not worth the trouble. Rule of thumb for me 60 degrees is the coldest water temp, sealed dry clothes stored in my life jacket, no shoes that would cause me to sink, warm layers, and most importantly, minimum of 5 minutes from shore at all times. When I did ask about what gear I would need, the best recommendation I received was to look at Patagonia's website. I came to the determination that I would need two dry suits, wet/dry shoes, and gloves> about $750 at least. The O'Neil Psycho is what I told to get for extreme cold and the Patagonia Yulex Lite for everything else. I hoping this weekend will be warm enough to get out.

When I have looked at what they had to offer they seemed like gimmick rods. Of course, any rod can catch fish but these rods seem cheap and out of place compared to other rods near their same price point. Weird rubbery handles are always a turn off for me. The heavy coating on some of them is also an odd thing. The guides on some of the ones I have looked at from both Favorite (this past year) and Halo a few years back were not well wrapped and did not line up well. Overall, there are plenty of other rods that would catch my eye before these would.

Pass on both.

I thought I remember seeing this once before....

I ordered two. One about a month ago and it arrived in a week. The other I ordered two weeks ago and according to the EMS tracking it has not left Japan yet. I am kind of worried about this one.

Here is an explanation on how the Infini system works on a Revo. Your reel is pretty much the same thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECqB2L5T_vM

The tick is just a slight tick on the retrieve, not audible but just a feeling . I probably wouldn't have noticed it except, I just bought a new Antares 12 5.6:1. I can definitely tell the difference. I have put new gears in this reel as well. The pinion and main gear looked burnt and the teeth on the pinion were worn. Also, I kind of have to remember that I purchased a second hand reel that appeared brand new on the outside but the insides looked heavily used. I might not be able to get rid of the it. It may be just that the reel is showing its use and age.

Looks like the 12 Antares HG to me....

Buying more stuff I don't need on eBay...... I was totally organized till I spent about 12 useless hours on a lake today. There was about 150-200 boat trailers in the parking lot. Thank goodness it was huge lake..... Time reorganize again. And I am still working and having to go into work but somehow I still feel confined which is probably a bad sign.