Random Tackle

I've never felt the need to upgrade from my Trions. Wonder if I'm missing out but the value on Trion is soo good.

As a righty using spinning gear for most of my life the choice was quite easy to go lefty when I bought my first baitcaster.

I just got off the river (water levels way down had to drag the canoe over many laydowns. All fish were in deeper pools) and slayed them on a weightless Ol' Monster and a speedcraw with a 1/16 split shot. Caught one fish on a small War Eagle before I clipped it off in favor of throwing 2 different plastics. They seem to favor a quicker retrieve instead of my regular speed for plastics.

Bone is king

On the newer ones I've had to loosen the eye and back treble that the props are attached to. Out of the box they were so tight that the props did nothing for me.

Spook Jr. and Jumpin' Minnow but lately all I've used is a Sammy.

Great lure once you get it tuned right. I've not had one that hasn't needed the props dialed in, normally loosened. Can be a killer river lure in eddy water. Old School!

For what it's worth, I own two TFO fly rods and they're great. Also they have a great warranty.

The ST. Croix Premier falls in your budget and I've gotten good use out of mine. Thinking hard about this one in 6'9" MH. Kistler Magnesium TS Casting described as an all purpose special and on sale at TW currently

Went from double uni w/ 10# 832 and 10# Red Label leader on spinning gear to the FG knot this year. Would recommend

Probably the most boring yet most effective bait to throw at least for me. Last summer I fished some black trick worms on a light Scrounger. fun times!

Maybe.....

I like fishing spook type baits a good deal. always used the spook jr or Rebel jumpin minnow. Had read a lot about the Sammy and was skeptical at first. Broke down and bought one in a color I've had success on and it didn't disappoint. I don't even know if 15$ is considered expensive anymore which is funny in and of itself. Also you really have to try to lose a topwater which is a plus....

Have you tried buzzbaiting with no trailer or stinger? Using a black/black Cavitron I've never felt the need for addons.

small to medium rivers, creeks and the occasional farm pond here.

When I was younger I only fished with 3 different lures. Why? Cause that's what my grandfather did. Inline spinners, 2 inch Mr. twister grub on a leadhead and the small Rebel rip baits. Had a blast wearing them on those but now use much more variety.

I purchased a 6wt TFO Pro II rod (reasonably priced durable rod) and a cheap TFO reel a few summers ago. Very practical rod for getting knocked around in a canoe and taking a beating while wading. This modest combo has brought many a farm pond lmb and river smb to hand. How is your casting? If you are completely new to fly casting, I would recommend to pay an instructor for an hour of his/her time. In my area this is about 20 to 40$, you don't need to pay more. It will save a lot of frustration. Don't go crazy on flies. Have some poppers and streamers. Google "stealth bomber fly fishing" for an amazing popper/slider then just pick up some wooly buggers or clouser minnows for streamers.

War Eagle spinnerbaits are about all I use anymore. Really like the 5/16 finesse spinnerbaits for my waters.

There are limitless options for river fishing. My advice would be to learn to spot eddy water and current seams then work your preferred lure through it. Some of my river favorites include but not limited to: Black Buzzbait Bone Spook Super Fluke/jr in Pearl or Arkansas Shiner 3-5 inch white grub on the lightest jig head for current Texas or split shot rigged craws the 3 inch Senkos are a good hellgrammite imitation with one caveat. need a sensitive rod and proper line to not gut hook the fish if deadsticking them. Good Luck

I picked up a Citica I last weekend and after a day of fishing it developed the problem you described. Thanks for the link as that has solved the problem, which shouldn't be a surprise as you pointed out it's in the manual! RTFM indeed!

I kid I kid. The Swing Impacts and Easy Shiners are so effective I haven't tried much other than some old Swimmin Super Fukes I have.

There are paddletails other than Keitechs?

Assuming I got out early and conditions are not out of the ordinary? 1) bone colored Spook or black Buzzbait 2) moving bait probably a spinnerbait or swimjig, maybe a paddletail. or if i'm on rocks 3) a shallow diving crank or Rapala original minnow 4) flukes 5) light jigs or T rigs, weightless plastics Fortunately as a human i can process conditions and change it up on the fly.

1/4 or 3/8 black/black naked Cavitron. Never had a need for any other buzzbait.