The Bassman

I was the same way with chatterbaits until this season. I forced myself to stick with them a few times earlier this year and am glad I did.

My new secret weapon this year for LM. Are you rigging it backwards? I cut a notch out of mine to give the hook point a little more bite.

Just close your eyes and point. They're all fine. SLX will save you some $ over the others. Several guys have mentioned the Daiwa as being a trouble free caster.

You're likely referring to the Blue, Flatrock, and Driftwood rivers. Throw in Sugar Creek and you've got lots of choices. Problem right now is high water. It'll settle down eventually. There's some good smallmouth fishing available there. If you're live baiting be prepared for some big cats, too.

There's a matching Regal rod lineup that feels really light because of some counterbalancing in the rear grip. would work great for your application. Edit: Rod is actually listed as RG Walleye 6'6" medium through several sources. Wally World has it under 60 bucks shipped. I handled this rod at our local Gander Outdoors and it would be great for light work in spite of its medium rating Sorry. Rod I handled was ML. If you Google it other sources have it.

Roughed up hand vs. just thumb = big bass.

Really didn't mean for this to be a war of words about hooks. FWIW I try to rationalize when I'm losing fish that it's all for fun and if they get loose I still enjoyed the fight without having to deal with a deep hooked fish. (Easy to say that at 5:00 AM when I'm not fishing). I appreciate the input but it's time to take a deep breath and relax.

Anybody ever get on a bad roll where it seems you just can't keep fish pinned? I was about 5 for 20 tonight on a weightless wacky Senko. Other times I can do no wrong. Hook, a Berkley 2/0 weedless wacky Fusion was plenty sharp and the fluorocarbon weedguard is usually not an issue. The fishing gods certainly humbled me.

Again, don't let the 6Lb. rating throw you. It's thicker than your 8 lb. PP and stronger.

I use it on one of my Stradic CI4+ 2500's. It's very strong and smooth. Sufix rates their lines one size under other US manufacturers. 8 lb. is at least PP 10. Even the 6 is supposedly almost the same dia as PP 10. I don't notice much diff between my 832 6lb. and 8.

Good to see you fishing moving water again. Just wish our creeks would get wadeable here in central IN.

I've had that feeling many times. I had 8lb. Fins braid do that recently. Now I tend to avoid it. Funny, I used my 6lb. to wrestle 3 & 4 lbrs. under a storm drain with no problems. My biggest concern is that the fish gets free of my lure when I break off.

This for sure. Smoothest of the bunch. Daiwas feel good from the top models all the way down and this is coming from a guy who mostly uses Shimano.

This is how it serves me. The small profile makes contact bait fishing very efficient. Moving baits work fine, too. I just don't care for the feel of the aluminum gears that comes with this technique. I hear of guys using these for heavier apps with no problem.

I doubt you'll find anything and FWIW manual drilling can mess up a spool's balance. You're apt to have a buzzing reel when you're done.

This girl looks like she's late to the party. I'd expect this a few weeks ago but it's late May and not yet spawned out. At least I presume she's full of eggs and not shad at this point in time.

They're both great reels. I have two Fuegos and love them. I use them for company so I don't have to be looking out of the corner of my eye at my Stradics. Use them myself frequently, too. That said, I think the Regal might even be the better buy. You're not paying for the mag seal which isn't all that critical in fresh water.

LT's are smoother. I've handled both LT's and Supremes. Carbon body is more than adequate.

Parts are bnt 2264 and 664. Cost is next to nothing. Six bucks shipping, though. I noticed that 2264 isn't listed but they should have it (maybe under a new part #). Keep your spool tension as loose as possible and they'll last a long time. Edit: Be careful when you pull the spool bearing out of the brake side plate. That wire retainer likes to fly away. I hold one side with my thumb and pry it out with a tiny screwdriver. Wouldn't hurt to do it in the confines of a plastic bag. Good luck.

Those reels are centrifugally braked. No magnets. Sounds to me like a shim under the cast control cap or in the palm side plate has worn through. Easy fix. Call Shimano 877-577-0600.

I gotta admit that's a good point. FWIW the skin on the back of my hands seems thinner than my arms. Maybe it's more susceptible to deeper damage.

Not the 5's and 6's some guys are showing but finally getting some river action. Caught 9 the other day with this one being the best. Also, some decent white bass action. They're lots of fun.

I started using Sims fingerless. They have open palms so you don't even notice them. As I get older I can see the need of keeping sun off of me as much as possible. Also, if the weather isn't too hot I've found that cheap arthritis gloves like Copper Fit knockoffs are great for grip and giving my thumb arthritis a break.

Bass Pro on the budget end. St. Croix for some better stuff.

Touch it with rough fingers and you'll notice how multi filament it is. It literally comes apart.