RMax

This is so cool! Those are beautiful rods, good job builders!

Two quantum reels right here... No complaints whatsoever. I, however, am one of those people who believes rods and reels can't be as well made and come from the same company. Every company specializes in one side over the other. Not saying rods from companies like Abu Garcia and Shimano are bad, I just trust a rod company more than a reel company to have better blanks.

Its not nearly as good this time, unless it hasn't started yet.

Its better to use the grippers to reduce potential injury to the angler and the fish. Also: Aye, a fellow Omaha-ian

So its essentially the base design of some of their reels? Cool.

What do you mean by alphas and pixy. I looked up "alpha fishing reel" and it came up with a $30 shakespeare reel. Then, I looked up "pixy fishing reel " and saw a Daiwa pixy.

1. Should I wait for the probable new Curado's? 2. What is better, the 200 or the 70? For bottom contact lures. (I know the 70 is primarily a jerkbait reel)

My St. Croix Mojo Bass Spinnerbait is a MH MF and I think its way better for loading itself up on moving baits than a jig and t-rig rod would be. It's too soft to through bottom baits in my comfort zone though. I like a stiffer rod for bottom baits because I can feel the taps a little easier.

I think that I am just going to stick with the 2500 and the 7' and save my money for a new baitcaster or ultralight.

I caught the nastiest catfish I've ever seen at Lake of the Ozarks. He shook the hook as he landed on the dock and I didn't want to push him in with my hand so I kicked him in. With my bare feet. Ended up with a 3 inch long gash that bled for a few hours and took weeks to heal. It was also on the bottom of my foot so I had to walk like an idiot everywhere I went.

Pack of Havoc Pit boss's Strike King Red Eye Shad 1.5 3/8 oz Silver Spinnerbait Whopper plopper (or Buzzbait if on a budget) Senkos (or Stik-o's if on a budget) 3/8 oz bullet weight 3/0 EWG hooks If you have extra money to spend get: Ned Rig stuff, Wacky Rig/Drop Shot hooks, Drop shot weights, Zoom Trick Worms, Rage craws. If you have the money, get variety of colors!

Curado or Tatula in my opinion. I love Shimano, and plan on trying out Daiwa soon, as I have only heard good things about Daiwa on the forum. Not too big of a fan of Abu, and not a fan of Lews. Edit: Really like Abu Garcia's cheaper reels, Orra and ProMax but have seen some really bad black max's

That reminds me of this video 1rod1reelfishing posted a year or so ago. Note: NOT ACTUALLY 1rod

Most bodies over water are really tough in Omaha, at least from what I've heard and experienced.

You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages. My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.

Sick... but overpriced. Might as well get a motorized 16 foot boat, which would be a lot cheaper. Maybe when I'm a billionaire with nothing else to do.

There is a lot of trees along and in the shoreline where they live. I have read that they run straight into these roots when hooked.

Do you think that would work for rainbow bass also? They're essentially peacocks with different coloration and teeth.

Welcome to Bassresource

I found Shimano Nasci's for $90 in the 4000 or 5000 size. Should I go with those?

Welcome! Try a Texas Rigged Pit Boss. Black and Blue in muddy, green pumpkin in fairly clear. That's how I caught my first soft plastic fish!

First off, I would like to announce that I live in Nebraska, so saltwater fishing is a rarity. In a month, I will be in Costa Rica. I am going to do kayaking on Lake Arenal and will also be stopping at the occasional beach, predictably on the Pacific side. I would like to fish in both of these situations for whatever bites. My current setup would be a 2500 Shimano Nasci with 15 pound braid (and leader) on a 7 foot MH fast action 3 piece rod. Will this be enough to tackle the bigger fish found at their beaches? Should I get a larger reel/heavier line? If so, any offers or recommendations? I don't think we will be spending days at the beach, guessing around 6 hours total.

Get a ProMax for your reel. I cheaped out on my first baitcasting combo and it almost ruined it for me. It really lowered my opinion on baitcasters until I tried a few of my friends, which wowed me. As for the rod, it honestly depends on the situation. I was fine with a 7' MH Fast for quite a while. I mainly threw T-rigs. You might mainly throw moving baits, in which case you would want a little more flexibility in your rod. Look in the best seller list on TW and see what people are buying. Read the reviews and see if it falls to your liking at a nearby tackle store.

I was interpreting it that they were electrofishing and placing fish in their livewell. Then, to simulate a tournament, weighing them. However, you make some very good points. I think that I am still going to avoid participating in tournaments, except on rare occasion with friends and continue to practice quick release instead. Even though livewell care has increased, for all I know, the mortality rate could be 20%, which I don't think is very sustainable, especially since people keep the "bigguns."

Wow, I didn't even notice that the first time I read it. Those fish don't even go through the stress of being reeled in and have a 40% mortality rate? Super sad, kinda revokes my respect for tournament anglers although I am sure a lot of them remain unaware of this.