The Bassman

Strike King Red Eye Shad and Rapala Rippin' Rap.

Have had to wait nearly a month but got out a little this afternoon as a front was blowing through. Actually, did pretty well with six fair sized bass. We're on a temperature roller coaster here lately. Spring is coming. The ground hog said so.

Low to mid grade composite reels flex under load. It doesn't take much to bind gears enough to compromise smoothness and power transfer. SLX has replaced that model.

I guess my first wife was right when she called me a snake.

A bass isn't smart enough to know that a big meal is going to last him longer. Winter bass aren't as aggressive as they are in warmer water so smaller stuff moving slow makes it easier for them.

I believe the PQ's are Korean Doyo's (same as several others). Personally, I would stick with what you got seeing as they can be had for just a little more on E-Bay.

I've mentioned this in related threads. Your index finger is the answer to line management issues with spinning reels. Once the bail is open use your finger to feather the line during the cast to control flow. Then close the bail with said finger and start retrieving in one fluid motion. Leave your finger pointing down to brush the line during each rotation. This keeps slight tension on the spool. Exception would be for lures like soft plastics where you would leave the bail open as the lure is dropping.

That's the way a BC is supposed to work. Don't quite understand your spinning description, though. When you loosen a spinning reel's drag all the way you're starting to remove the spool. Should be completely loose and unusable (assuming it's a front drag).

I have had two pairs. They get dull just like the rest. Right now I'm using 3.00 Ozark Trail cheapies from Wal Mart. They work just fine.

I've been looking that brand over for a while. (Really don't need more rods but the temptation is always there). They look really good. I believe that's the same reel seat that's on top of the line St. Croix. I personally need to handle rods before I buy them but for the price it may be worth the gamble.

It's at the top of the list. Just search Shimano SLX reel.

Just noticed Shimano SLX going for under 69.00 on the bay.

I was referring to spool bearings. Never soak an AR bearing in acetone. Yours has either been over lubed at some point or is in need of replacing. Try soaking it in Simple Green first and let it dry. Very lightly rub an oiled Q-Tip around the inside. If it still slips, change it. Not sure the part # but it probably cross references with several B platform reels of the same time including US stuff. Google Ole Dad's Tackle in Conroe TX and give them a call. They stock a lot of older parts for Shimano.

Seems like you'd run out of rocks in a month and a half.

Three inches of rain should do the trick.

Seems to be the case with me. Funny, my best crappie last year also came on one.

With the higher end Exsence you're buying a magnesium frame. I believe that above the price of a Stradic CI4+ you're getting diminishing return. I like what @Darren. said from hands on experience. I can second that. (And I still own the FA). I'm sure the FB is even better.

I'd go with the Stradic unless you just want a black reel for another 75-100.00.

Short of using an ultrasonic cleaner acetone or lighter fluid should work fine. Let them sit a while, then agitate. Dry and you're good to go. Contrary to popular belief a perfectly flushed bearing isn't necessary. What little grease that may be left behind will get cut with your low viscosity oil. Unless one is a BFS enthusiast bearing maintenance is way over thought.

Keep in mind that there's two versions of the Exsence, the CI4 model and the metal framed one. Big difference in price. I watched a video that showed that the CI4 was essentially a black Stradic.

You're welcome. Keep us up to date how it goes in your area this spring. Research the lakes up there. Lots of possibilities that we don't have here like pike and musky. You're a hoosier now. None of us really knows what that means other than we live in Indiana.

Shallow draft stuff like jon boats, kayaks, canoes. During low water some wading. I don't have experience there but these places are within reasonable driving distance for you.

Google Eel river in the Logansport area. Known for excellent smallmouth fishing. Also the upper reaches of the White east of Muncie can be good.

Glad to have you aboard. I'm in Indy so quite a ways from you. Not sure where to steer you. I may be wrong but I don't think clubs have as big a presence as they once did. Hope someone can correct me on that. You're real close to a lot of natural lakes that have produced reports from at least one of our members. Good luck and looking forward to your input.

Just wait until you feel how solid it is. I have an HG and it's so smooth I almost feel disconnected from the internals of the reel when I'm retrieving.