FishTank

I bought a Sarah years ago and it was an awesome reel. It would definitely be my pick. I have never been a fan of the Ugly Sticks> So I guess the SLX.

Keep your eyes open on Amazon. I picked up a Abu Garcia Winch Gen 4 for $145. This is the best cranking (5.x) reel I have ever used.

If that is the case, I probably wouldn't use any of the above reels in saltwater. The Revo Toro Beast or the Inshore or the Shimano Tranx.

A Core 101 or especially a Calais 201. I still have the Core and its just as good as the day I got it. I would love to have another new in the box. I sold the Calais and I always regretted it. Smoothest reel ever.

I have the Curado K and I love it so far. I also have the Curado DC and it has, for me, lived up to the hype and then some. I have fished but do not own a Daiwa Tatula SV. You can't go wrong with K or the Tatula. I think the Tatual, like most Daiwa reels, feels more machined and palms better. The Curado feels smoother and slightly more powerful. As far as casting goes.... The DC is the best to me, then the Tatula, followed by the K.

I have a few Avids and when I went to look for a new one, I debated between the X and the regular Avid. And after looking at them side by side, I just thought the regular Avid fit my needs. On a side note, I thought the regular Avid felt like a better rod in hand. I couldn't tell you why that it is but it was just a gut choice. I have not been disappointed so far. They are great rods.

I have the Citica 201E and it is a nice reel. It sort of reminds me of the old B series Curados . But as far as a used value (like stated above) $50-$60 would be a fair price.

Senkos on sale at DSG..The sign was wrong but they honored the price anyway. I picked up 16 packs and they let me use my coupon and my Dick's cash. They came out to $2.75 each.

Like above I would say the line is too thin. 15lb braid is around 4lb to 6lb mono. I have the Curado DC and have not used braid on it but when the Calcutta DC came out years ago, I saw a reel blow up/birdsnest a couple of times because of the braid being used. I am not sure which brand but it looked like 50lb PowerPro or Suffix. The wetter the line got the less effective the breaking. It was like the reel was being fooled. This same guy switched to Suffix Siege Mono and had no issues. This was about 12years ago though.

A little insight into your reel. I always like this guys videos. They are pretty straight forward and he does a good job of explaining the basics. Not sure if this is what you are experiencing but listen to what he has to say between the 24-25min mark about the reel flexing under load.

I tried them years ago and when they were clearance/sale priced for $1.00 a bag and had no luck with them. They seemed like they would work but again just didn't catch anything compared to other baits. If I want to get a budget priced senko..... Yum Dingers have worked great for me. I can often find them at DSG for about $2.00 a bag but I do have better luck with the original Senkos.

The 10.5 inch is a different story compared to the 12inch. I have caught several big ones with the same set up as you. June Bug and the South Africa Special are my favorite colors. The same holds true for the 12in Powerworms. I do well on them except for the 12in.

That's just it.... This Cabelas has a pretty good staff and they are serious fisherman that seemed to be well versed in their product but the stocking of the store makes no sense. For example... The last time I was there a guy wanted a Lowrance Elite 7ti 2 with the higher end transducer. They had the unit but no universal mounting bracket for his console. He was also wanting a St. Croix Legend Tournament rod and a Shimano Bantam. It would have been over $2000 all together but he left without buying anything.

I have been using the Zoom Ole Monster 12" worm for years and really have not caught any big bass on them. I have caught OK bass, crappie and bluegills. You would think the big ones would jump on them. I have been using a 5/0 Gamakatsu EWG or a 5/0 Trokar EWG with a baitpin.

Unfortunately, there are no tackle shops around Indianapolis anymore. They have all gone out of business. There is a DSG around the corner from me and they do OK on stocking lures but they have cut the amount of items/sku's in half and no reels or rods that draw my interest. There is a Cabelas about 30min away and it is sort of depressing. They have a lot of high priced junk these days. Every time I have been there, there are always customers asking for the things they don't carry..... a better, higher end reel than the Curado or the Tutula, Megabass Lures, G. Loomis GLX rods, etc. The sales guys end up apologizing and the business ends up going out the door. They have $50,000 boats but no reels above $200 (except maybe the Curado DC). Can't figure it out.

I have been using a pair of Smith's Captains Choice. I picked them up on Sierra Trading Posts website. They were originally $250+ and I picked them up for $75. They have been awesome. I ended up buying another pair in a different style as well. They usually have 25% coupons floating around.

It's for your clothes. You hang up a shirt, jacket, backpack, pants, etc. and spray it, let dry. It lasts for about 5 or 6 washes (unless you use bleach). Its sort of like the expensive Bugs-A-Way clothes. It works great by itself as a repellent.

Shimano Calcutta 300 would get my vote.

I like the Pop X but the Pop Max is my favorite. It's just causes more violent strikes but I do catch about the same amount of fish on them.

https://www.duluthtrading.com/sierra-sage-bugs-be-gone-18803.html#q=bug%2Brepelent&lang=default&start=1 My wife likes the way it's smells and it works. This also works but don't spray it on your skin. https://www.duluthtrading.com/sawyers-premium-insect-repellent-86021.html#q=bug%2Brepelent&lang=default&start=2

Not sure about the rod but it's a good deal....

Tatsu by far. The last time I bought it, I did not change it for a couple of years and the reels I used it on, I fished at least once a week. It hits every nail on the head. I have yet to find it's equal but the price is hard to stomach sometimes.

I tried red hooks and it did nothing for me. I really don't think it matters much. I have been using the regular colored Owner and Gamakatsu hooks for awhile and it has worked so far.

I have not tried it but I would think so. If you don't want try FC, Sunline Natural has been my favorite mono as of late. It doesn't last as long as FC, it floats, it's cheapish, and handles a spinning gear well.

It's definitely better than mono but it's 6lb line so it's marginal. I like using it for weightless soft plastic and since it sinks it's just an added bonus.