Oklahoma Mike

Unless you're fishing some nasty slop, I would go with 30 or 40 lb braid and tie on whatever size leader best suits the bait/technique you're fishing at any given time.

No worries, friend. I found some other things I couldn't live without while I was in there

I'd never heard of them until I saw this thread, so I googled them. They look awesome, but no way in hell I'd spend that kind of money on a pliers/scissors combo tool.

This thread is getting very expensive for me.

That's a pretty good list. I would consider adding an inline spinner - they catch everything, are simple to use, and can be added for very little extra cost.

http://www.hammerrods.com/products_results.php?Search=1&ProductCategoryID[]=21

FC: Seaguar Tatsu on casting reels and Seaguar Finesse on spinning reels Braid: Seaguar Smackdown Copoly: YZH Mono: Big Game I recently bought a spool of YGK G-Soul Upgrade X-8 to try out on a spinning setup but haven't spooled it up yet. It is similar to Gliss, and I'm hoping it will provide the same benefits without some of the shortcomings of Gliss. I'm excited to try it out and will post a review after I've had a chance to fish it.

If you're fishing semi-slack presentations, I feel that FC is the best choice by far. The problem is that some brands have too much memory and create a lot of line management issues on a spinning reel. A high quality line like Tatsu or Seaguar's new Finesse FC line treated with some line and lure will avoid that problem.

Soft plastics by a long shot. Behind that it's probably topwater lures followed by spinnerbaits or jigs.

Jigs Senkos Jerk baits (if the water clarity is decent)

I like and use the Keitechs quite a bit too, but my favorite is the Jackall Rhythm Wave. They have just as good of an action as Keitechs but are more durable. Doesn't hurt that they are less expensive too. IMO the only advantage the fat swing impacts have over them is a larger color selection.

Honestly, I'm not so sure that another $20 is going to get you a better reel than the President. Maybe spend another $30 and move up to the Supreme.

I went to 2 different Academy stores today and they were $119. They must've mismarked them at your store. At $38 I'd have probably bought all I could carry.

Yes, just cut to the desired length. On one end glue on a cap. On the other end glue on a female threaded connector, then install a screw in plug after you insert the rod. If I were going to mount that on a vehicle I would want to be able to secure that as well, so I'd probably try to come up with some type of hasp or bolt type lock at the threaded plug.

Hmmm... I might have to make a run to academy to check that out. I looked at their online store and they are listed for sale but at $119.

The packaging.

Best "value" rod on the market IMO. I've had one for many years (and the older lighting rods before that) and still keep it in my regular lineup.

They were $6.29 around here. I cleaned out all 3 of the DSG stores in my area. All had the sign up but didn't have the BOGO in the system yet honored it anyway. I am set on senkos for a while

I have one of Denali's Lithium series crankbait rods and absolutely love it. Their customer service is outstanding as well. I am not a fan of Duckett.

Man I hope so. I'm looking to pick up an Aldebaran and failed to get it bought during the 20% off sale. If I find anywhere with Shimano sales I'll post it here.

I grew up with nothing around me but farm ponds, including one within about 100 yards of my back door. All we had to do was fish and ride our bikes. The first time I went fishing was at 5 years old with my dad. By 7 or 8 I was fishing on my own all day long, and I've never stopped. When I was in high school I had a girl break up with me because, according to her, I "loved fish more than her" lol. My wife now probably feels the same Anyway, I'm 45 now. So I'll say right around 37-38 years of bass fishing.

I own another Patriarch XT and I did have a Stradic Ci4+ but have since sold it. I really prefer the Patriarch. It has a slightly higher gear ratio, feels smoother, and I prefer the magnesium body to graphite on the stradic. I don't know if shimano has made any changes since, but mine had the EVA knob on it and I just did not care for that. I do think the stradic is a quality reel, but unless I were going to use it in saltwater I would choose the Patriarch every time.

Thanks for the heads up. Just grabbed one of the Patriarch XTs.

Sorry, I misread your post as $220 being your budget for just the rod. In that case I'd probably look at a $100 rod like the Tatula and pair it with a Lews speed spool.

The Revros feels very cheap to me. I was planning to pick one up to try but just did not like the cheap feel and all the plastic when I handled it in the store. I am a huge fan of Pflueger spinning reels. The President is a great real and fantastic value, but I would spend up a little and get a Supreme or Patriarch.