MountainMan83

Nice pick up! I got the coastal 200 a few months ago, it's beast of a reel and pretty to boot. If you want to turn it into magforce Z, look for an HD custom 153 spool!

Did you see many snakeheads around laurel?

Aww man. Good karma will follow you. PB next outing!

Spinning or casting?

Ok, I'm "glad" to hear that. I purchased a 795sb as my intro to swimbaits and never felt comfortable throwing 2-3 oz baits and was just wondering if it was just me. Like you said, there was no loading and albeit, I never caught a fish swimbaiting, I thought perhaps this is how it was supposed to feel.

Where do you plan on trying to catch them?

Absolutely with the fish grips and spreaders/pliers are a good idea. They become very tight lipped when you go to remove the lure. I've caught a few 6-8lbers on MH rods with a variety of line types and sizes; including a 6.5 on 8lb mono (wouldn't really recommend that in pads/cover). You'll be fine with the braid. I catch a majority of mine on spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. The vibration usually drives them crazy. Color doesn't matter.

I bought one of those OG Tatula rods, years ago when I was just getting into bass fishing, at Bass Pro for $100. If I knew then what I know now, I would have bought every one they had. That rod is just amazing and I couldn't imagine a better rod at that price point. I'll second the online wally world sales. I've found quite a few good deals: A couple cronos rods and a few daiwa reels too. Got one of the discontinued Zillion rods from ALF as another example. Reels I usually get deals from forum classifieds or ebay...It is a buyers market for sure. So the rod is taken care of, 7'2" MH F OG Tatula. That leaves $150 for the reel. With that you could do alot. Personally, I guess my best reel setup with what's left would be a T3 ballistic 6.3 I bought brand new for $100 and I dropped in a RCS 1016 spool for $50. Otherwise, I might look for a used SV105.

Good on you at looking for the owner. Maybe you'll be rewarded with a new combo.

The body is weak...the hands and face are strong.

I agree with most of what you are saying, especially about the bass being put on a pedestal. However, obviously it depends on who is in charge of game laws or management, I don't think it's always negative. I have had the opportunity of harvesting an additional buck some years based on that very legislation, and added meat to my freezer or gave to others who don't want to go through that process.

Welcome to the forums and back to fishing! There are a lot of knowledgeable folks from around your area and just in general on this site. You'll be landing them in no time!

Beautiful fish and great story! That's what it's all about, that experience you two will never forget.

Is that a Wells? Right leg hospital, left leg cemetery. Do you know who I'm referencing? Mirko Filipovic.

I bought a couple Dobyns spinnerbaits with double willows last year, (didn't know they made them) and they are excellent build/quality components for around 6 dollars if I remember correctly. I even caught my PB this year on one. I will definitely be buying more.

I remember a few years ago, a buddy of mine threw out a crankbait as the sun was going down and it was glowing blue. I was like, "what the hell is that?". It was one of those livingston crankbaits, I think Randy Howell was repping at the time. Anybody catch anything with a lure like that? I could see how it would help for night time fishing, but just seemed like a fisherman trap.

Welcome! I was a big fan of Cro Cop back in the heyday of MMA. Looking forward to seeing what kind of species you guys have over there.

Hmm. Are the new bearings wider than the bushings I assume they replaced? If the posts have washers, try removing one to start. You'd be surprised sometimes how small of a washer will effect a perfectly spaced knob from either too loose or too tight.

Very nice! I've been in some snakey waters here recently but they don't seem to be too hungry yet.

Isn't that how Elvis died???

These just came today. Got a great deal. Going to try my hand at painting the 103P and see what happens. Can't wait to try the spools in my other reels too!

I own the 7' Med Ardito and it is a great rod. I've been using it every weekend when I travel on bike to hard to reach/out of the way ponds and rivers. I bring along 3 or 4 different daiwa reels with different lines and it handles them and a wide range of baits very well. Once I assemble it, I forget it's a 3 piece. No sliding of pieces after a whole day of fishing. I would not hesitate to pick one up. I'm actually wanting to get the MH version now too.

Well, fishing from a boat, you already have an advantage. What is your big arsenal?

I was going to say an OG Tatula rod but I only own a MH and it sounds like you need a medium power rod. I can, however, recommend a daiwa cronos M rod. I usually mount my sv105 on it and can throw a variety of baits and weights ranging in the 1/4 to 3/4 rod rating. Smaller blank than the OG tat (it seems it should be a better blank than the tat based by MSRP, but the OG tat is SVF and the cronos is HVF). Great build, sensitive, and can be found for around $130 new. I have a M and a MH, I like them so much. Edit: They don't have a bait keeper. Purchase a fuji keeper, which most walmarts carry, or purchase one online for 5 bucks. I actually like the ability to put a keeper wherever you want.

That fluke color looks killer. Good haul!