Crankin4Bass

The Pflueger 20 size is more like a 500 size Shimano. They both hold 100 yds of 4lb test mono. I have the Pflueger 20 size on my UL trout rod. I find the retrieve to be very slow. I also have a 30 size Pflueger President on a 6'6" ML Berkley Lighting Shock I use for bass. I would suggest trying out the Pflueger 30 size or a Shimano 2500 size reel on the 7 foot shock in a store to see if it balances well. Whatever size you wind up liking, I think you can't go wrong with a Pflueger president.

I think you will be happy with the Revo Winch. I have had one for a couple years and find it to be super comfortable. The long handle is nice and even though it's low profile it holds a lot of line. Enjoy!

I'm in MA too and feel your pain. They are hard to find here even though the law has been in place for 5 years now, Basspro has had mostly lead jigs forever. Bought some of their tungsten heads with the wire guard which fell out on the first use. I have tried eco pro, keitech, and eagle claw jigs. My favorite are the keitech casting jigs: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-KCJIG.html?from=basres I also use their round ball heads when it's not weedy I have also tried the eco pro shaky heads. The screwlock is a pain on those. I can't even use the green ones. The black ones are slightly better, but still a pain. Anyone know of non-lead ned rig, swimbait heads, or belly weighted swimbait hooks? what bass club are joining?

6'6" M/F Spinning Rod 2500 Spinning Reel 10 LB Mono

I have the 6'6" Medium and really like it. I prefer this length because I fish from a kayak or shore. Works better for me because we have a ton of trees around the banks. Light weight and easy to fish all day. I pretty much always have a 1/4oz jig with trailer tied onto this rod. The Veritas does run a little heavier in power. I would say it's between a M and MH. They are on sale for $80 at most stores. They must be coming out with a new one. Good luck!

Lots of good ideas here. I like to keep things light and easily accessible when bank fishing. I have tried a few things. First I started with this small Plano satchel box: http://www.planomolding.com/fishing/stowaway-utility-boxes/specialty-stowaway-utility-boxes/connectable-satchel-17-compartment-utility-box I found it a pain because I constantly had to set it down. Next I tried this cheap Berkley bag: http://www.berkley-fishing.com/berkley-tools-and-equipment-tackle-management-berkley-classics/tackle-bag---berkley/1285972.html#start=6 I slung it over my neck like a messenger bag and would turn around so it was on my back while casting. It worked ok but was small and sometimes stuff would fall out when I unzipped it. I finally found a Simms Headwaters Sling Pack. It's made for fly fishing but it works great anytime. My hands are free and everything is easily accessible. http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1716528&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=52f48f54ac10845751bc71d881b55593&destination=%2Fuser%2Forder_details.cmd%3Fid%3DicR06IMzLsPl6UcOOCChew%253D%253D%26key%3D4ac21c66938a4c67a811024234093d5e The best thing about this bag is that when you rotate it in front of you, the front pocket opens up to form a little work space. It looks like Simms has replaced it with a newer slightly larger model called the Waypoints Sling. I think they have made some nice improvements. http://www.cabelas.com/product/clothing/men-s-casual-clothing/men-s-fishing-clothing/fishing-vests-packs|/pc/104797080/c/104746680/sc/104329080/i/103928580/simms-reg-small-waypoints-sling/2125607.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FN%3D1102599 Orvis has a similar one to the older Simms Headwaters pack called the Safe Passage Sling Pack: http://www.orvis.com/p/safe-passage-sling-pack/14zf I carry 3 small Plano Stowaway boxes with hooks, jigs, poppers, and cranks. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Plano-Stowaway/16351084 I use a a Dr. Slick's scissor clamp attached with a retractor to remove hooks and cut line. http://www.drslick.com/catalog/view_item/clamps/scissor-clamp Add a one gallon ziplock with 4 bags of plastics, a little first aid kit, a bottle of water and I'm good to go. My buddy uses a cheap messenger bag and one 3700 Plano box and carries the same amount of gear. It works for him and he spent a lot less on the bag. I probably would have done the same but I caught the Simms bag on sale for 50% off. I'm really happy with the Simms pack and have it and a 2 piece spinning rod in my car all the time.

Just go to buy some opaque rubbermaid containers and put the extra tackle away in the garage/basement. Find it in a few years and be pleasantly surprised. It will be like Christmas! Just make sure your wife doesn't find it.

^ This is great advice. I always like to try the reel at a store too. It always comes down to what feels best for you.

I have a couple 50e's and bought a Curado 70 recently. I didn't like the feel of the Curado. Love the 50e's!

I felt the same and returned it.

That's a "Spigot" type of ferrule.

Here's a link to some practice plugs. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Practice-Plug/product/13377/ I've given these plugs to some of my friends kids and told them to put a hula hoop in the back yard and try to cast to that. Then to work their way up to landing it in a bucket. Mom's love it cause there are no hooks. Have fun and enjoy your new setup!

12-15 Lb mono. It's cheap and you won't worry about having to change it if you get a serious backlash. I would echo using a lure weighing 1/2 ounce to start. Maybe a jig head and trailer or start with a practice plug. Don't worry you can try all kinds of expensive Japanese fluorocarbon or braid later. Don't try to bomb it. Finesse is what it's about. For me bait casting is all about precision, using my thumb to control exactly were I want the lure to land (hopefully softly.) Good Luck! Welcome to a whole new world of fishing fun.

So I just received a Curado 70 HG I ordered online from Cabela's. Was excited to spool it up and fish it today. Open the box and there is grease on the handle and drag star. When I crank the handle it moves slow and feel like it's full of grease. Feels like I need to open it up and flush it out. None of the 3 Chronarch E's I have were like this out of the box. Is this the way they are shipping them these days? Disappointing. BTW. The reel looks good. It's very small. Maybe too small. Feels smaller than the Chronarch 50e's I usually fish with.

I like the Acme Kastmaster.

I had the 7' MH power M action crank bait rod (model WMESRCB70C1.). It weighs a ton but I liked the action. Unfortunately, the butt cap came off the first day I used it, so I returned. I bought it at Walmart and things get banged up there, so that could have been the problem.

Pflueger President 6920.

I ordered one from Dick's and returned it. They only had the 6'6" in M/M left but it was 50% off so I figured what the heck. I found it to be very stiff and a little on the heavy side.

That's looks like a great lightweight fishing platform. I like the mods you made. Got some great ideas. Thanks for sharing!

Glad to hear you are ready to go. Which kayak did you get? I'm looking for something light weight too. Thanks in advance!

Thanks!

I've been thinking of buying the medium casting rod for travel. Was wondering how long is the case? Thanks in advance!

I have the 6'6" M Veritas 2.0 and love it. I also thought the MH was a little more towards a heavy. I use it for 1/4 jigs with a trailer. I bought the 6'6" because I fish from a kayak most of the time and I have long arms. Feels great with a Shimano Chronarch 50E. I think you made the right choice. Enjoy!