Evan K

...but.... why?

Would the 7'6" Lucky Craft "Carolina Rig" Heavy casting rod currently on sale at TW for $50 be a good one for this application?

Yep. Try adding an "X" to the day number.

Great job!!

Wow, I would never have guessed fish would pursue big swimbaits in the winter. Great catch.

None, except the ones in the Sale section right now that will get an additional 25% off on day 25. It's all baits and a day of boxes.

Oh, none. I just like my Lews reels. Like I said, I doubt the OP would be unhappy with either brand, I think they're both great.

Yep. Figured out how to preview all their sale days.

I have 1 Lews Speed Spool and 2 Tournament MBs. I absolutely love all of them, they've been terrific performers. Based on what I've seen with Shimano using bushings instead of bearings, I think I'd stick with Lews. But I doubt you'd be dissatisfied with a Shimano.

What's special about the Shimano boxes?

Cool! I love 13's rods (I have only O m e n s right now), and yeah you will be punished for mentioning their name on BR. I recommended an O m e n in one thread and got slapped with a 7 day suspension. On a happier note, it's my first Powell rod, so I will have to see how I like it. It's also the highest MSRP of any rod I have owned, so I am excited about that too!

I used lighter fluid in a small jar and soaked the parts in it. It worked really well.

7' 1". Little longer than I'm used to for light spinning but I don't mind.

Got a Powell 3D Max ML spinning rod for finesse. I'm holding out with the rest of my TW gift card money for their 25% off sale stuff on day 25.

Straight talk is a good option. Unlimited talk, text, 5 GB of data if you bring your own phone, for $45 a month. It's what I use.

It doesn't seem to make much sense, I agree. I've just trained myself (and am training myself) to hold the bait casting rod in my left hand and reel with the right. I still cast right handed.

I gave in too. Got a Powell Max 3D ML spinning rod on the way. It'll be my dropshot/finesse rod, replacing my M St Croix Premier. Used a gift card too, so it came out to $90 for the rod. I have to say that's not too bad, I think. I was eyeing up the swimbait rod until I finally asked myself where I'm going to use huge swimsuits around here, lol. It'll be my first Powell so I'm curious to see how I like it and how it stands up to my O m e n B l a c k s.

Anyone have any experience with Lucky Craft rods?

Agreed. I have co-polymer and a moderate action rod for cranks.

Having a slightly heavier line (provided it's thin braid) is nice in that you can usually muscle out of most snags you will encounter as well- with 50 lb braid you'll likely bend or break off the hooks before the line fails. I like 30 lb braid for the applications the OP describes.

Just want to say this is a fantastic idea. Maybe next year I'll qualify and participate!

I use 6.8:1 for MH and M fast action rods (so anything that doesn't have trebles, pretty much) and 5.6:1 for my MM crank bait rod. I tend to reel pretty fast, so I think a slower gear ratio does me good.

Getting a hand amputated is better than an arm. ??

I do much the same as Sam. I usually carry 2 rods, and have about 3 others in the car or truck, along with (so far) ALL my bass tackle. I'll load up whatever trays I need in a bag or a backpack to take with me on foot, but the car has plenty of space!

Ah cool. I've been thinking about getting some of them myself.