Brett's_daddy

Well, if you listen to the guys from Tactical Bassin' (which I mostly do) they will recommend something flashy, something bold, something in a ghost and a craw pattern. I went with Gold Shiner (flashy), Chartreuse Shad (bold), Ghost Minnow (ghost) and T.O. Craw (craw pattern). They're new to me so haven't seen the water yet but they will soon!

Anybody done business with Asian Portal Fishing? Are they reputable/legit? How quickly did your rods/reels arrive? Was your purchase exactly what you thought you were buying and is it quality? Sorry for all the questions but this would be my first JDM purchase.

Depends, do you want to spend like $50 - $60+ on gloves? If so go with the Simms or Aftco. If you want a cheap/affordable version that will work almost as well but may not last as long go with Kast King Sol Armis (I have these in the Blackout color and they look and feel great!).

This is a Lews Mach Smash. Just checked Lew's website and they say it has a braid ready aluminum spool.

Is it necessary to put a mono backer on a spinning reel when spooling braid? I'm going with 20lb. braid to 8lb. fluorocarbon leader.

Probably t-rigs, wacky rig etc.

So, regardless of which reel I choose...what ratio would you get, 7.4:1 or 8.1:1?

I would say if you have the bones to pay probably the Zillion would be the best out of those 3 reels mentioned. As for the rod, I would highly recommend a Dobyns Fury 735C Mag Heavy. I use this as my froggin' rod and love it!

Oh my God, that’s my son totally. If it’s not Roblox it’s v-bucks for Fortnite ?. I am reaching my budget without selling some older stuff. Can’t really afford a $300 reel. As for another setup, I could use a MH rod...that’s about the only hole in my arsenal right now. I mean I could get the Curado by that’s the Max for a reel, then sell some stuff to get an SLX XT/rod combo but that’s the only way I could really swing it. The money doesn’t stretch as far as it used to!

Isn't this a brand new reel that just came out in Fall 2020?

I don't have that particular jig but I can tell you that Dirty Jigs make nothing but quality products! I have a few swimbait heads and finesse football jigs, pitchin' jigs.

Curious, what knobs did you upgrade to?

So does the SLX MGL feel unbalanced? I'm sure both reels are great, I mean they're Shimano's and just about everything Shimano makes is quality.

Is the Curado MGL 70 that much better than the SLX MGL that it's worth the extra $$$? I'm contemplating one but at $229 for the Curado I can get an SLX MGL rod & reel combo at ALF for $199. Is it the micromodule gearing that's the main difference?

I've been told this hook is the best there is for that... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustad_Grip-Pin_Max_3X_Punch_Hook_4pk/descpage-GP.html

The lady I spoke to at TW said it's a combination of reduced staff due to COVID and the fact that more people then ever before are fishing across the country...again, probably COVID related as being outdoors is the best way to escape the COVID restrictions. Still, TW can't afford to rest on it's laurels of being the #1 online tackle vendor for too long as others are catching up fast!!!

This is a pretty lame excuse when almost everyone else online can get your orders out the door within a couple of days after placing the order!

Right now this is just a fun project with my son...not looking to do it on a regular basis.

So my son found this 3 bait kit in Walmart that comes with 3 clear plastic lures, a square bill, lipless and popper for kids to paint. It's made by Shakespeare. What would be the best markers for customizing these? I found those CS paint markers on TW but at $6 each that gets expensive in a hurry if you want more than a couple of colors.

Yeah, that's not anything I want to get involved with on my new reel. Guess I'll just use the stock knobs .

Okay, I was given a new Lews Mach Smash spinning combo for my birthday and I wanted to upgrade the spinning reels handle knob to the oversized Winn grip knob. I figured you'd pop the cap off the stock knob and it would just be a small screw you had to unscrew and would be a simple change but it doesn't appear to be that way...after taking the cap off the stock handle knob it looks more like a pin with a c-clip but it's very recessed inside the knob...how do I change the knob out or is it more hassle than it's worth?

Be careful, you may have "insulted" creatures, they'll label you a creature racist and you won't be able to sell your books anymore .

Academy Sports has a nice looking one too called Ultimate Jerk Bait. Looks sort of like a Vision 110 and is made by their house brand H2O Express which IMO is one of the best "house brands" you can get and I think they're like $5. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress™-ultimate-jerk-shad-1-2-oz-floating-jerk-bait?repChildCatid=891758

I'm a tackle hoarder as well and desparately need some organization but...I'm torn. Right now the wife doesn't really have a clue as to what I have for tackle, she knows A LOT but she doesn't have any specifics so if you pinned her down she couldn't really tell you exactly what I have and how many...if I organize it'll make it easier for me to see what I have and select what I will be fishing with that trip but it will also make it easier for the wife to see exactly how much I really do have...lol !!!