BrackishBassin

Thanks! They look like a completely different color online. So weird. Those pictures definitely help!

Thanks! I watch FFO and peruse the deal thread occasionally. I hate to admit it, but I'm a bit OCD. Was keeping an eye on the Fenwick stuff FFO has. Great deals on their Aetos casters, but they're a weird blue-ish green color. That would look god awful with a black and red reel, imo. Like I said, I'm weird like that.

It's funny because as a saltwater guy, I'm still struggling with getting my casting down with a baitcaster. Never had an issue spooling a spinning reel after the first couple of times. Seems like we need to get the saltwater guys talking to the freshwater guys and we'd all be set.

I'd like to keep the rod under $100, but closer to $50 the better. I spend a majority of my time bank fishing, and I only carry two rods with me at a time. I always have a spinning rod and a baitcaster. So, it would need to do just about everything short of dealing with heavy cover. If I thought I'd run into any of that, I'd break down and bring my Black Max combo with me since I have it spooled with 50lb braid. I think that a medium power rod with either a fast or moderate fast action would be the most versatile rod I could carry with me. I'd like to cover as many bases as I can with that one rod.

Yep! Our discussions have been one of the reasons I started looking at them more seriously. In the end, it was the breaking that clinched it. I've spent all my time with magnetic breaks so far and don't want to relearn with centrifugal. I also like the ability to adjust without messing with the sideplate. The rod I have the Black Max on was a combo rod, so I will have to see if it fits well. I've also been looking at the Ugly Stik Elites. Have the spinning version and the guides really are bullet proof.

PowerPro for my braid needs and Suffix or Berkley Big Game for mono, depending on what I'm using it for. I use them because they work.

Since I won't be able to get my hands on the reel prior to purchasing it, does anyone have recommendations for a rod that would match up well with a CT? The only reel I have hands on experience with is the Abu Garcia Black Max. How do they compare with size? Thanks!

I really like my Penn Fierce 2. Great reel for hopping back and forth between salt and fresh. They're not all that expensive either. I've got two of the Battle 2's that I use for my bigger saltwater stuff and they're tanks. I've been really impressed with Penn's stuff so far.

What about EnviroTex?

I use a Zoom 6" lizard in pumpkin with a chartreuse tail to imitate blue gill. Fish it almost exclusively when the blue gill are spawning and it works like a charm.

Maybe easily isn't how I should have described it, but it could be done. You need to have the time and resources to do it, neither of which I have. I spent a year working for Maryland growing oysters as part of the Bay restoration program. We selectively bred for size, growth rate, and disease resistance. We didn't use any chemicals and/or attempt any sort of genetic modification because all the oysters were seeded in the Bay. I'm willing to bet that we could have grown some massive oysters if we had. But all that aside, I was really just curious if there were restrictions on the world records or not.

Oh, I may not be able to do it in a farm pond. However, I could easily do it in 10 or 15 generations in tanks. That's why I was asking if there were provisions for it only being a natural born fish, taken from natural waters, etc. You're probably right about it being a female, but 'his' name was Leroy, so I stuck with the male monicker.

Question - are there rules governing where the fish is caught, meaning the body of water? I'm relatively new to freshwater, so I'm just curious. I mean, it would be theoretically possible for me to build a pond on my property, stock it with fish, and feed the hell out of them until they were world record size. Then 'catch one' and bam, I have the record. The reason I ask is because when I was growing up, I used to fish my grandfather's pond in upstate NY. He stocked his pond with stuff he caught from Cayuga Lake. At one point he had a bass in the pond that was easily 7+ pounds. His name was Leroy. He was hand fed white bread at least once a week and you had to release him immediately if you ever managed to catch him (grandpa's rules). Could that have counted if he kept growing and someone caught him when he was large enough?

What I was saying was that I tried mono first on my baitcaster and had lots of issues with it. Haven't had any issues since I went to braid. That's all.

Can I ask why mono is suggested when learning to use a baitcaster? I followed that advice for a while, got annoyed with constant backlashes that required me to cut out line, and decided to give braid a try (it's all I use for my saltwater stuff). Haven't had any issues since. Any backlashes u do get are easily pulled out because the braid doesn't bind to itself under pressure like mono would. I'm not sure if it's because I switched (I'm used to braid, so it worked better for me.), or I just happened to get better at casting around the same time.

I do. Usually weightless. Any weight at all and they get hung up. The issue with jigs is that they sit down in the grass where nothing can see them. At least the bass get a look at the plastics ( weightless) on the fall. I'll check it out. Thanks!

I'll give one a shot. Thanks! Have to be pretty light though, to stay out of the muck.

I'd like to improve my ability to use a baitcaster from wooded banks. Main lake I can access is all heavily forested on the bank.

Most effective for me has been plastics, but I did manage to catch one on every lure in my box this year except top water and jigs. I plan on focusing on both of those until I mange to hook up with something. The top water is probably doable, but I think I'm going to struggle with the jigs. Everything I have to fish locally is soft bottom that's covered with grass. Definitely not great jig territory. Baits I'd like to try fishing this upcoming season (or this winter if I can find some water that isn't frozen) - chatterbaits, underspins, and some bigger spinnerbaits.

Haven't lost any bass for that reason, that I'm aware of. I have lost some pickerel that way though.

Anyone find any decent deals online for Black Friday? Looking for rods and reels mostly.

I use an old JanSport that I had laying around, mainly because it has a rubber bottom. So, I don't mind dropping it in the mud or even in the water, if need be. I also travel really, really light. 2 jigs, 2 crankbaits, 2 jerkbaits, one spinner, and the rest plastics. Easiest way to store plastics is a gallon ziploc bag. Works great, and you can drop leftover/used plastics in there to melt and re-pour or use as trailers. All I do is bank fish, and I can tell you that going light is your friend. I might even stop carrying my baitcaster with me and just fish spinning gear. Still trying to decide on that front.

I'll check out the Pixy. Thanks!

Yeah, I was worried about that when I spooled it up. Probably should have gone with 30 lb. Oh well. I've got a frogging/punching set up now, in case I ever make it out on a boat again. It's a Black Max combo I picked up for a steal ($29). Works great considering what I paid for it, but you're right. Probably need to upgrade, if I want something that's a little more reliable and versatile.

Thanks for the advice, but I think I need something in a med action and shorter rather than longer. Like I said, there's lots of trees and brush. With a 7' 3", I'd be in the trees all day. I've got a med heavy now and it's too stiff to load up when casting plastics.