Loomis13

So I have a lews tournament pro (not G) and a Curado K on the way. Which reel would do you guys think would be better suited for pitching? Im not experienced in doing that stuff and it would be sparingly. But I feel like choosing the better reel for the application would make the learning curve easier. Perhaps they would be about the same, but I certainly don't know enough about reels for that application to know! Any info would be appreciated!

@new2BC4bass What I meant by the crank bait comment was that, too me, there are seemingly two rod types: Those for crank baits and then those for everything else. Sure a moderate-fast might be better for spinner baits and an XF might be better for jigs but you can pretty much have crank bait rods and then rods for everything else. With that being said, I do prefer an XF for some applications, but more often than not, I compensate with my line choice. For example, my crankbait rod is a Medium Fast which I have flouro on to allow me some give.

Thats quite the question. Ill give it a go. 1) 7' MHF St. croix Legend = Elite w/ shimano aldeberan w/ 30lb Power pro 2) St. Croix Legend Tourney 6'9" MHMF with a Curado K and 30lb power pro 3) Swim baits are out of my realm... 4) St. Croix Avid x MHF 7' w/ a Curado K and 15lb flouro of your choice 5) St. Croix Avid MHM 7' with Abu Winch. 30lb power pro. (I like the sensitivity) 6) Shimano Poison Adrena 6'6" L w/ a Stradic CI4 1000 w/ 10lb power pro. (I fish stained water) You can see where my preferences lie lol

Ill help as best as i can! 1) Yeah, that should be plenty especially by the time you add plastic. Although as you know, companies vary and some are rated down to 1/8 but really dont do great with them. 2) Um, tough question. I would have to see the rod and make my decision based off of playing with it. Are you actually considering a rod with that range? If so, im very curious what rod it is. 3) For bass fishing, I see no reason to be able to lower than 1/8. If crappie fishing then absolutely. 4) For the techniques you want to do, yes 5) In my opinion, you have crank bait rods and then anything else. 6) For the things you want to to, I like a linger rod because they will be able to cast a lighter lure much better. When i say longer I mean something like 6'10" to 7'2". 6' will tough. Anyway, thats what I think in the questions you asked!

Thanks Everyone! I had a very fortunate 2017 and expect a slower 2018 haha. Yes sir. late season muzzle loader in Iowa runs from Dec. 18 - Jan. 10. I cannot say enough good things about my TC pro hunter.

Havent aged him. But does seem like an older deer..I would venture to say 4.5 or older

A lucky year for me. Filled my bow tag and my late season muzzy tag, havent done that very much. It has been frigid here in Iowa and only supposed to get colder. Glad I don't have too sit out there anymore! We had this guy on trail cam in august. Shot him at 8:45 this morning at about 60 yards and dropped him.

Getting over 140 is impressive with 8 pointer for sure! Congrats the buck! His neck still looks pretty swollen? Perhaps it's just the picture. Being from Iowa I can't imagine hunting with a rifle, but they did allow straight walled rifles this year so maybe the time is getting closer..Anyway definitely a nice deer!

For basketball games I like sitting in the upper deck, preferably near the front of the upper deck. I like to be able to see everything open up!

Well I was lucky enough to have this guy come to a light rattle on Monday morning after throwing the kitchen sink at him. Shot him at 35 yards.

Congrats to him! The smile says it all.

Nice buck! Gotta love November!

Have done the boiling thing a few times and it works well, but that smell really gets to me for some reason. It takes a lot for me to stomach it. We have always boiled them in a turkey fryer and then you kind of paint a bleach based solution on them and set them in the sun. Also, be careful as the nose can break kind of easily!

Very possible that the blanks are made in Wisc. I just know the rods say "Mexico" on them lol

Just as an FYI, the mojos are not made in Wisconsin but rather made in Mexico. The premier is the cheapest rod that is made in the US. With that being said, the mojo is going to a much more sensitive rod as it has the SCIII graphite vs. the SCII. Also, the rods that are discounted at the store are factory blemishes, often like a blemish in the epoxy on the guides or something very minimal. So if its do-able, Id say try to get into Croix and check everything out!

Favorite sport to watch by far, could sit in front of the tv all day on Saturdays. Alabama and Clemson look like they have some ground between them and the other teams but Georgia is looking tough. Perhaps two teams from the SEC get into the playoff. What a win for the cyclones (Cyclone fan here) but that sure messed up the Big 12's chances. Would not be surprised to some more carnage in the big 12 and they get left out and could see the same thing happening in the Pac 12. I also think OSU wins out and they are in. While nobody is talking about it, and their offense doesnt look great, Notre Dame has the schedule, where if they win out, they cannot be left out of the playoff. What a great game from Mich. St. and Mich. Sloppy offense but it rained hard and was entertaining. Don't have too many games I am looking forward to this weekend but I will still be watching!

So ready for deer season. While it has opened here in Iowa, I wont be out until Nov. I am working a lot on the weekends right now so when November comes I can have some time off to hunt the rut. Doesn't hurt my feelings too much not being out there right now as the weather is pretty warm still and a lot of crops are still in. Good luck to everyone this season!

Depends on the kind of fishing you are doing. Many people prefer mono when casting jigs because it offers a slower fall rate compared to the thinner braid. When I am fishing in timber I like braid because I can get my jigs out of the wood by bending the hook. Disclaimer: I do not use any mono on my panfish rods, I have braid and nanobraid for casting light jigs. However, the best pan fisherman I am acquainted with refuse to use braid when casting jigs because they like the slow fall rate mono offers. Oh I almost forgot...the braid is WAY more sensitive

I have the Legend Elite 6'10" MLXF and I think the action would be awesome for what you want to use it for. IMO its not at all too soft for tubes and that weight range should work well. I don't think you can have too sensitive of a rod, especially for techniques like that. I have braid and mine and WOW

The BB1 also has the bigger handle which is why I went with it for my cranks, however I got the 6:4:1 so I cannot comment on the 5:1:1.

The tournament MB would be okay if you want to stay cheaper, however I like the BB1 or BB1 pro for cranks. They are on sale at tackle warehouse right now...

Love the SDJ knot. so simple to tie

I have cabelas guidewear also and its awesome. Wouldnt be caught without it. I have the bass angler versions and it is not insulated.

It depends on how fast you will be trolling as to whether you want to use lead or cranks. I assume you will be fishing to slow to troll cranks so I would grab some 1/4oz lead heads and any natural colors (whites, silvers, etc.). Also the depth you will be fishing will come into play on the size of jig you want. The fast you go the harder it will be to keep a lead down at the right depth. What kind of weight does your dad usually use? My guess would be lindy rigs or bottom bouncers?

For my walleye fishing I came from a loomis IMX blank that was custom made which had slow taper and went to a MLXF Elite and I absolutely love the extra fast tip for jigging walleye (my favorite species to fish for. Had a very slow day today actually) but the I wont be without that XF action any more.