The Bassman

I fish two CI4 Stradics and love everything about them except the EVA knob. I replaced mine with left hand septon PGII knobs. The difference is like night and day. Part is listed under Chronarch 201 E. Cost is only 3 bucks.

I've always pinched barbs on trebles but didn't think to on singles. Used your tip this morning during some great wacky action. It kept me out of trouble several times and fish stayed buttoned just fine. Also, started fishing Mepps plain lately. Smallmouth hit them just fine. Come to think of it the dressed ones don't look any different in the water than when I pick up slop. Thanks so much for your input.

My dad instilled in me my love for fishing, not the lure chucking bass chasing that I do now but live bait line watching for cats and carp. The best part was the stop on the way home for a hamburger seasoned with sweet black nightcrawler dirt from my fingers. (Dad wasn't too strict about sending me to wash my hands).

One has to be a Seinfeld aficionado to appreciate my screen name. It concerns an episode where Kramer got a proctologist's novelty license plate by accident. Drop the B on Bassman.

I've developed a habit of using my index finger to feather the line during the cast and close the bail in one smooth motion. A slight lift of the rod tip at the same time and no problems. I keep my spool as full as possible as it really helps with distance.

Swimmin' Fluke Jr. is one of my handful of go to smallmouth baits. Have introduced a couple of friends to creek fishing with it. Just rig it on a 1/16 or 1/8 head and straight retrieve. They will come.

Welcome from another central IN angler. Unless I'm missing something you're in a bit of a dead zone for such opportunities. Boone's pond has never produced well for me but I haven't been there for years. Southwestern quarter of the state is fertile ground for small craft. Here around Indy I try to make friends with my painting customers and fish their retention lakes. Fishing can be excellent. I also love to wade creeks. Kayaks seem to be gaining more favor over mini bass boats these days for small waters. I kind of like the idea of sitting up on a swivel seat myself if given the choice.

I really miss the pre 1990's when it was so easy to find 6' and under rods. They work better for me, too as my fishing is done on foot around small waters and streams.

You're turning through a shorter radius. That causes the circumference to be less distance. It doesn't change the retrieve ratio but allows one to achieve faster retrieve albeit at the expense of torque. *Accidentally quoted myself, but simply put, greater RPM is achieved with a shorter lever.

Actually a shorter handle will create a faster retrieve by virtue of its faster rotation (more turns per minute). No connection with IPT. That doesn't change.

That concept from the late 80's was meant to give the angler both an adjusted and locked down drag. It was actually quite cumbersome to use. Best bet is just to get your tension where you want it and don't try to incorporate both. The touchy adjustment is probably due to the drag washers being shot. Carbontex washers might be available from Smooothdrag (no typo).

Check to make sure you didn't put the pinion yoke back upside down. The ramps should fit like a puzzle. Edit: The video showed it. I was too lazy to watch. My bad.

A recent article in Fishing Facts showed the Trilene knot to be as strong as any in mono and adequate for braid. That's good news for me as I find it very easy to tie. Not sure I'd trust it on slick lines like Gliss and NanoFil but I don't use them any more. Safe bet with braid is to add a couple more turns. It seems to be slip free even with 8 strands.

You know if you didn't hold 'em all so close they could all be 4 pounders.

Noticed that just yesterday while casting a small Mepps over nesting bluegill (some real bulls). Twist stopped abruptly a few feet from the lure and I didn't notice any "spinout" when the lure was hanging from the rod tip. Braid shouldn't cause the problems mono does as it doesn't curl under twist.

Keeping my spool filled just below capacity seem to minimize wind knots for me. The trade off is a loss of casting distance. I keep spare spools filled both ways depending on my application.

I'm guessing you've got a new model as older versions only go to 4000. Sorry to say but I'm pretty sure that the knob is riveted to the handle and there's no larger complete handle.

The side plate with the adjustment dial has a brass cone on the inside that the brakes push against. lightly oil the surface of it. Don't leave any excess.

Fished an office park lake this afternoon. It has a large storm drain feeding it. I live for these situations after a big rain. Bass were stacked up in the flow. No bigs (one 18") but nonstop action on whatever I threw. This is usually a good opportunity to catch my season best or something different like a big cat. Might try tomorrow if timing with next storm round works out.

Just never liked fishing the slop especially from shore. I gravitate towards creeks later on.

Just got in from fishing a customer's retention lake. Had an absolute blast with big bluegill 8" and round as a ball. Caught 'em on small tubes and Mepps. Nice change of pace. Gonna hate it when these housing addition ponds get mossed up soon.

Bantam 1 over on TT addressed this a while back. Said that composite worm gear wore less than machined metal ones in tests. Question arose as to why it's not on high end reels then. Created quite a stink for a spell. Time will tell.

Line will keep indefinitely at room temp. and out of direct light.

Shimano's intent with their new SVS is to leave all 4 tabs on and make adjustments with the dial. You can free the reel up with a drop of oil on the brake drum. They don't stress this like they did with the original SVS infinity for noise reduction, but it definitely speeds the reel up. As mentioned go easy on the spool tension. If the reel goes wild on you just take a dry Q-Tip to the drum.

6lb. Fireline is crazy strong. I think it breaks at almost triple that. I use thin braids (I know Fireline is fused) and the biggest hazard is that they can cut you real fast if you're not careful.