Evan K

That's the fishing day of a lifetime! Congrats!

Sure did! As beautiful as the LC rod looks I am really kicking myself for not scooping up several of them.

It'll be a little while before I can save enough to make the actual purchase, but I'm curious to get the opinions of fellow members here. I just got a Powell 7'1" ML XF spinning rod that will take over as my finesse rod. I also got a Lucky Craft 7'6" H XF casting rod that I would like to use especially for swimbaits (1-3 oz) and other general heavy applications. It'll be my first time fishing swimbaits. What reels would you use for these setups? What's currently in your arsenal that matches these and how do you like it? I've been considering a Shimano Saros 2500 size reel for the spinning setup, and either a Shimano Cardiff or Lews Super Duty casting reel for the casting setup. Thanks! Edit: forgot to mention my budget. $150 for each is absolute tops.

Just received my Powell Max 3D and Lucky Craft rods today. Wow. Absolutely fantastic looking rods, great feel and craftsmanship. I absolutely can't wait to put reels on them and go fishing!

Well spoken- I don't try to make friends at work exactly (I'm very introverted and it usually takes me a while to warm up to a person) but the least you can do is be unfailingly polite and respectful. Then if you haven't made a friend at least you've not made an enemy. @Raider Nation Fisher good luck with the interview- sounds like some good advice has been given. No need to hide your blue collar- just make sure it's clean and tidy. If that makes any sense.

Hm that may be an idea.

Man that is ALWAYS how it is. My DSG is really lame.

I'd recommend braid. It's super limp and manageable, and I've found backlashes are a lot easier to pick out with braid than mono or copolymer.

I'm not a super handy guy, but I cleaned and lubricated all my reels last month for the first time. I have mostly Lews reels. It wasn't hard at all. I took a bunch of photos as I disassembled the reel, so I could reference them if I forgot how to put it back together! I used lighter fluid in a small jar for cleaning parts, and used Cal's grease and corrosionx for lubrication. Also 80w gear oil on the level wind. Give it a try!

I have experience with 13 and St Croix, and I like them both very much. I will point out though, that the recommendations here won't be completely honest, since the site administrator has banned anyone from mentioning at least one rod company. So research around the web well and just because a brand isn't mentioned here doesn't mean no one uses it! Tackle Tour seems to be about the best resource for in-depth tackle reviews.

Cool! Pretty solid and smooth?

Went out over lunch break to a nearby private pond (about 7 acres) here in central MO. I was only out for about 15 minutes before I had to come in. My braided line was freezing to the rod guides and to the levelwind on my reel. Guess I'll wait for it to warm up a bit.

Wow! That is a trophy for the bait monkey. I've eyed those up for a while. Is it everything a spinning reel worth a mortgage payment should be?

Been crazy rainy here too, in central MO. It's supposed to be done today, though.

Got a couple nice rods on the Lucky Craft/Powell day. I hope they're nice rods. Haven't gotten them yet.

Just placed ANOTHER TW order. This time for a bunch of chatter baits, some mushroom head jigs, and a bunch of Plano and Flambeau boxes. Got 3 of the 4510 boxes for plastics, they should be about perfect for storing bags- 15" x 8" x 6.25". I'll keep all the plastics in there and fill a gallon bag with ones to take out when I go.

I thought the same thing, lol.

That looks like a super combo!

I have one on backorder from TW. I cannot wait to get it and try it out- seems perfect for the small pond I usually fish. It's loaded with bluegill and pumpkinseed and no real shad presence at all.

I'm getting ready to put together a new ML spinning outfit myself. I have 6# P-Line Fluoroclear on my ultralight rig, and I'm thinking about using 8# of the same on the ML rig. So far the fluoroclear has been great line; very limp and almost no memory.

Was at BPS in Columbia MO today. Picked up 2 Bomber Fat Free Shad cranks, 18 ft. divers, for $1.88 each. A couple blade baits for the same price. Was a really nice little trip.

I love fishing buzz baits! My favorite time is early morning (right after sunrise) in the summer. I have found the white skirt/head and silver blade to perform best for me. I always used Booyah buzz baits and have been quite happy. I just got a bunch of cavitron baits and am eager to try them out next spring.

St Croix Premier 7' MF Spinning rod, BPS Pro Qualifier reel with 15 lb braid and sometimes a 10 lb fluoro leader. I like Gamakatsu's finesse hooks. I always fish them weightless. When my ML Powell 3D Max comes I'll be using that and either selling or using the St Croix for other stuff.

I'm sure it's a good one, but I already bought the Lucky Craft rod.

Hm. I guess you may need to use it with some stretchy line and a lighter drag. Mono wouldn't be bad actually since you visually see the strikes, instead of feel them.