snake95

@roadwarrior Several years ago you were recommending YZH 6 and 12 lb as good multipurpose lines, with line conditioner as needed. I took your advice back then and was happy I did. With the clear understanding that YZH is not fluoro - and it has great knot strength and is thicker than a comparable "rated" mono... With the passage of time, these days would you default to InvizX and AbrazX instead of YZH? I'm talking for the avid angler but weekend warrior here, not necessarily a serious tournament angler.

I use good old Power Pro. Does anyone use Suffix Performance Braid?

Gents, just jumping on here as OP to elaborate a bit. Picked up the 5.4:1 reel intending to use it for cranking (KVD 2.5, DT-6 etc.) with a MH cranking rod. Turns out it comes with a shallow spool intended to help customize the reel more for lighter line and lighter baits. I know that older baitcasters were all slower, and guys caught fish just fine, and they are still very valuable for lots of applications... I haven't heard much about slower reels and light line and light baits in the same sentence. I am aware of but know little about BFS. I assumed BFS was all about relatively faster reels. So... I wanted to learn what techniques/lures that combo works with. Yes! I have a few M baitcasting rods I can use for lighter baits. I hadn't intended to use this reel for lighter baits and an M rod, but now I will!

@jbsoonerfan@BaitFinesse @jimmyjoe Great responses and thanks for helping me understand better. I will try using this reel for light baits. I will post pics!

Got a 5.4:1 Revo EXD and it comes with a shallow spool for light line. (It also has a deeper spool and my intent was to use that for cranking). Any suggested applications for a low ratio reel with light baits? (Not a combination I have thought much about before this).

This question gets asked almost weekly. There should almost be a sticky for it. I swear I have most guys' responses memorized by now and I'm ready to take the quiz: "describe the mix used by Catt... State your answer in metric units..." I don't use anything. Too scared of a spill. But this reminded me to check to see if the gulp bait containers in my trunk are leaking!

Not 100% certain the timing is consistent nation wide, but they must have just started the 50% off fishing clearance. As of yesterday their stuff was not reduced that much.

Fairly new to kayak fishing. Now I'm getting out there with kids and a neighbor. I am sure lots of folks fish with a partner as a "team" - fishing same spot with different presentations, fishing different spots nearby, taking off to explore and fish two different spots. Who fishes with a buddy with the goal of narrowing down patterns and finding active spots quickly? Any tips for optimizing fishing with a partner? Thanks guys.

This^^^ no joke. Fishing has saved me more than it has cost me. My local DSG now has a whole display of various types of chatterbaits in fire craw. You just pick the price point you're willing to fork out for and jump in at that level. They know exactly what they are doing, and they are doing it well! Different baits - but I see Strike King is also selling packages with 5 different SK hardbaits in red craw. Three years from now if there are any left over some of these (except not the jackhammers) will be in clearance bins (they will still catch fish though!).

Thanks Chris I fish a lot in local ponds, Lake Chereful, Acworth etc. I fish north end of Lanier and Hartwell when I can. Have tried Alatoona aka the Dead Sea with little to show for the effort. Will connect via message.

@jimmyjoe thank you! I fish exclusively braid on spinning. On the larger reel I see using 15 lb PP maybe 20, on the smaller reel I will use 10 lb maybe 15.

I have used spinning reels in the $60-120 range (mostly Pfluegers, and a Daiwa BG) for the past 6 years. They have served me well and will continue to use them. I got back into fishing with an inexpensive Shimano (Shimano Spirex) that I was surprised performed poorly and did not last long, but I know that despite my one bad experience Shimano has a reputation for good quality reels. (I stuck with Daiwa and Abu for most of my BC reels after this experience). I am looking to upgrade a bit to one of the following reels in the 2500 or 3000 size: Daiwa Tatula LT Shimano Stradic FL (or maybe Vanford?) Might also get a smaller one (2000 size) for smaller baits and ML rods Background: Several years of heavy bank beating are behind us, but my kids fish with me and are now are getting big enough to take in kayaks Now I have kayaks for everyone and a trailer, and actual fishing buddies that also have kayaks I've proven that we will use them after trying them out last fall. Fish every few days in the spring-fall period Avid spinning fisherman, particularly for the waters we fish where BC reels are more common Can justify spending a bit more for lighter/smoother gear at this point Fish primarily GA ponds and some highland reservoirs Using these on 7-ft +/- M power spinning rods Use spinning a lot for flukes and senkos, and unweighted trick worms Sometimes also throw poppers, inline spinners, and rapala minnow baits on spinning gear Also fish ned rigs, small swimbaits on jigs, and dropshot (probably need a smaller reel for these?) on ML rods Trying not to care too much about brand, but think I've narrowed it down to these. Thinking about 3000 size especially for the larger baits - I've read about benefits of deeper spools Fast retrieve to pick up slack after tossing a senko or fluke is key Any pros/cons for these two reels, and maybe the Vanford? Thanks guys.

?? Hm.... I did not expect that. You got me there. I know action ratings are subjective to a degree - makes it a little more difficult to talk preferences. One thing I have figured out at this point is that I don't have any fast rods that I like to throw cranks or chatterbaits on. But with all the subjectivity I am not shocked that fast cranking rods exist.

@Dens228 @Choporoz @CountryboyinDC and others. Guys, these are great comments and very insightful. I can see the appeal and advantages of both options. I now think for my needs pedal is the way to go.

I tend to agree with you. It was about 2 years after renewing my interest in bass fishing when I realized fast was not the way to go with cranks. Of course, cranking means a lot of things to a different people, in different situations: deflecting squarebills, ripping lipless through grass, bouncing off bottom with a DT 6 or a wiggle wart, and cranking a 6XD along a break are all pretty different modes of cranking. After thinking about it more, to clarify my question, I am wondering if any of these options call for a faster tip in some applications. I would think some guys like a faster tip for squarebills or for ripping through grass. Otherwise, I don't see it. Fishing chatterbaits is not cranking, but I have heard a range of opinions on those. Last year at the Classic I asked Brett Hite about it and I thought he was pretty clear that he was fishing chatterbaits on a moderate, no matter the conditions or applications. Personally, I am using moderate tips for all, but open to trying something different if justified.

Thanks those are very interesting observations.

When it comes to cranking, when do you like to go with a more moderate action vs. moderate/fast? (I know there is no universal standard for actions, but generally speaking). I get the impression that some anglers prefer a faster action, maybe a moderate/fast, for shallower cranking, for example for squarebills. Any other times you like to use a rod that is more of a moderate/fast for cranking?

I started with a paddle kayak (Bonafide RS117) for ponds and fishing along the lake shore last year. I have a kayak trailer that I can back down ramps with. Loving this setup. Contemplating a heavier and faster boat to get around the larger reservoirs in our area in North Georgia faster, and ultimately for nearshore fishing in New England bays and Florida. Looking at kayaks with pedal and motor drives. I especially like the look of Old Town's kayaks with the motor mounted ahead. What are some of the pros/cons to consider when weighing the benefits of one option over the other, setting aside price and exercise considerations?

Its cousin the wooly hawgtail have been excellent for me on back of a shakey head or on a mojo rig. Hard to find in stores but excellent baits.

That's a heck of a thought. (But thanks for the guidance which is more important anyway). If I wanted to find a different spool, can you suggest how to go about that?

Interesting, thanks. I mostly use mono or YZH for cranking, and wondering if the Catalina was a mistake from that perspective. It seems like a beauty of a reel, but with lower spool capacity than a lot of folks would like for cranking.

@Crackintubesand @PhishLI I also got one of the Catalina TW JDM's in the 4.9:1 that TTT was selling early in 2020 and for various reasons it has sat in the box. Can you guys weigh in on what the line capacity is relative to other low profile cranking reels? It says it holds about 150 yds of 50 lb test braid. I assume this means Daiwa's J-braid, which would be 0.36 mm = same diameter as 12 lb test mono per Daiwa or 14 lb Trilene XL. The Revo Winch Gen 4 has a capacity of roughly140 yds of 14 lb test mono. To summarize, it should have line capacity about equivalent to that of a Revo winch. Does that sound about right to you? More importantly, what are you using it for? Shallow or deep cranking? Thanks guys!

I am sure a lot of anglers on here have met Ike in person. I have talked to him several times multiple places over recent years, and in person he is a very engaging guy to talk to. In my experience he's actually a great listener and tries really hard to connect with each fan. His "entourage" of his wife and the Ike Foundation folks are personable and provide him with great support and help keep him on track. Pure Fishing and Rapala and Missile and others have a really great ambassador for their products and for the sport with Ike. The fact that his name is on so many products is a testament to his great people skills as well as tireless promotion. I'd also love to head out on the water with him: you'd learn a lot and have fun doing it.

@Team9nine I posted this hoping someone like you would swoop in and provide this kind of an education on this topic. Much appreciated.

Picked up these jigs and got me thinking about line tie positions and shakey head jig shapes. Have a few questions: Is the horizontal tie intended to let the bait float up while the ball head has bottom contact? Pros/cons of fishing these heads another way? Eg cast and wind? What is the advantage of a ball head over other shakey head shapes? I think I will both shake and drag a bait with these, maintaining bottom contact. When is a ball head preferable to a football? Thanks guys.