LCG

Read through these forums for various articles and threads. Focus on basics of rods, reels, techniques then practice and learn hands on. Lots of great youtube videos ie tactical bassin and bass resources. Lots too learn so it can get overwhelming so take it slow.

I am eyeing this reel pretty hard. Love the curado K I have, so this seems like an obvious choice. Just not crazy over the two tone paint job thing, but I am sure I can get over it

Been debating these two myself. Curado has more bearings and micro module gears. I have the 200K and have no complaints at all. Will probably go with the curado mgl. Not crazy about that cheap looking front section though.

Good luck to you sir. Hope you have a fast recovery and enjoy a healthy life.

This is the first year that I have not experienced a wind knot with spinning gear. It's also my first year using a Shimano stradic FL with 20lb suffix spooled. Not sure if the line or reel or combination, possibly just luck, but I use to get them with 10lb braid and other brands of reels. I am guessing the spool design and maybe heavier lb test, thicker diameter, braid helps reduce wind knots. Not sure yet, but don't want to experiment when the system works so far. I also use a snap swivel for lures that are known to cause twist, I. e. an inline spinner. I also have always used a leader which I think helps reduce overall line twist.

I am still fairly new to spinnerbaits, but the fish I have caught with then are all hooked outside the mouth, I guess you could call it foul hooked on the outside of the mouth. Anyone know why this is? I am wondering if the bass are swiping at it or going for the blades. I seem to mainly catch then on a 3/8-1/2oz double Colorado blade white/chartreuse skirt, but I did just switch out of the skirts for black and blue will try this weekend.

Thanks for doing what you do. I would be lost without this site, especially in the off season

Also go fishing now and enjoy. In the winter read these forums and watch some quality YouTube videos ie tactical bassin. Amazing people with some great advice here on this forum.

Longer rod = more casting distance Shorter rod = more casting accuracy Use what your comfortable with until you learn more about techniques and why each rod has its purpose. But a 6'-7' rod will be fine for general use.

Next time you get hung up, grab the spool, point the rod straight at the hang up, and pull straight back. This will snap your line but not damage your rod.

Ugly stick. Heavy, not overly sensitive but put some braid in it and you will be good. Hard to break ugly stick rods.

Maybe try greasing the drag washers. Take you 5 minutes and should be good as new.

I have had no wind knots at all this year. Spooled with suffix 832 20lb braid to 6lb leader. Casting distance is so subjective and varied depending on conditions, but I would say the taller spool does help a bit. Everything is so smooth with the Stradic FL. I liked it so much I sold my other reels and bought a Curado K, which is another great reel. I have owned Abu, Pflueger, Daiwa, and so far Shimano has my money and will continue to as long as their quality is as good as it is now. Not to come off as a fan boy, but I am a big fan of their reels so far.

Was in the same dilemma earlier this year. Went with the Stradic FL 2500. No regrets at all. I felt the reel was more solid, durability based on past models, line lay is perfect, smooth reel with very smooth drag. I prefer the solid feel even if it comes at the price of minor weight increase. I have no doubt the stradic FL will last a very long time.

#4 Mepps gold in line spinner has saved the day more than a few times. One of the few hard baits I throw. Simple and effective.

I put a steel rod with angle joints zip tied to the bar and wedged into the plastic support piece of the car. I put the rod handle on it, secure it with a rubber band and put the tip in a piece of braid that is secured to the sun roof slider. Works great. The rods sit across the roof line. Some people just put bungee across the grab handles but I have a kid in the back seat so don't want to risk the bungee snapping back on him.

Wacky and other finesse techniques I use a 6'8 M-XF spinning rod. Texas rigged weightless and weighted go on MH-XF casting rod.

I heard somewhere that Shimano changed the name of the stradic ci4+ line to the new van Ford to better align with their V names of high end reels ie vanquish. I have the stradic FL and it's very smooth in every way. I would imagine the van Ford would be perfect for anyone looking for a lightweight reel. I just prefer the solid aluminum feel.

Not breaking strength of the rod. If you deadlift a 10lb weight with a rod, it's probably going to snap. It's just a suggestion based on the rods designated technique generally speaking. Ie your frog rod is designed for up to 30lb normal line, 50 lb braid will be no issue at all. I have 30lb in a rod rated for 20lb line. The rod, reel, and line all work together as part of a system to help fight the fish and varies depending on types of cover. Your rod and line are designed for jacking fish out of cover, lock down the drag on your reel and enjoy.

I had this with my Curado K. Found out it was me favoring one side slightly when I was spooling the reel. Same if I retrieve from extreme angles. It just took a little adjustment on my part.

Braid to leader will solve the line issue. Practicing accurate casting to not get caught up in anything. And use smaller weights maybe will help.

I have approx. 140 yds of 20lb suffix 832 on my FL 2500. Have not even come close to using all that line yet.

Looking into purchasing another baitcasting reel with an MGL spool for lighter stuff like weightless plastics ie trick worms. Something that can throw as low as 1/8, but mostly 3/16 and up to 3/8oz on a medium powered rod. Also looking for something that is well rounded ie pitching, side arm, and regular casting. What are people's opinion of the SLX MGL, Curado 70 MGL that just came out, and the Bantam MGL. That's about as far as my budget will go.

I try to take care of my stuff. Rods have rod socks on then and reels have covers on them. But once you start using them, they become tools and sometimes get scratched up. But luckily my stradic FL and Curado K are still in excellent condition from this year's season... So far. Other than the ocd factor, I am sure they will perform just as well with a few scratches.

This is the thing that gets overlooked a lot, people may be quick to blame the reel when it's actual the casting technique to blame. I am guilty of it too.