wet_dream

Only reel that I own in a 2500 and 3000 size is the Stradic FK. They utilize the same body and spools are interchangeable. Lip diameters are equal, difference being the depth of the spools. I use the 3000 if I’m using heavier line and need the capacity. 2500 if capacity is not a concern.

I’ve been happy with my LL Bean waders. They used to have a lifetime warranty but that was just recently revised due to customers abusing the policy. I fish saltwater and they’ve held up well. I believe those number sizes you are referring to are shoe sizes. The only thing I would do different is buy a set of bootfoot instead of stocking foot for the saltwater. Sand is a pain in the butt.

It’s been a tough fluke season for me in NJ. I’ve been catching tons of shorts and some have been painfully close. It was nice to unexpectedly run into some bluefish and stripers first thing in the morning but I could not manage a fluke for the dinner table once again. Awesome day on the water nonetheless.

I’ll watch some videos and see if I’d be confident to do it myself. A friend of mine attempted to replace be time in one of his rods in the past and it did not go well. I think he may have used too much heat to the point that he damaged an inch of the blank by pretty much “melting” it.

Hello BassResource, Figured I'd get an opinion to see what the best course of action would be for repairing this guide on my Shimano Expride. Not sure exactly how this happened, but would it be safe to attempt to bend this guide back and solder in place? Or should I take to an experienced builder to replace the top guide? The blank itself seems to be structurally sound and intact. Looks like the tip "slipped" out, possibly from the tip jamming into something or maybe having the drag set too tight when transporting the rod? Thanks in advance for any input, Cy

I bought a Perfect Pitch, due to the rave reviews, during the first run of sales. It's sitting in my rod rack, brand new, never used. I may list it in the Flea Market with some other gear that doesn't get used. I'm re-evaluating some of my gear to see which rods/reels will get used and which ones will most likely collect dust.

No problem, I was tempted to order a Spinnerbait Special too, but compromised with the Bait Monkey and kept it to a Diablo Spec-R. Looks like a lot of the popular models have sold out already.

TackleTrap just restocked more of the XX Orochi (first gen) rods, certain models. Same sale they were running earlier this year.

The weather up here in New Jersey has been pretty inconsistent but a string of a few warm days has turned the bite on. I’ve only been able to catch them on jigs and t-rigged senkos worked really slowly the last couple weeks. Today was no different. Really windy day and I was not expecting to do well. Barely felt her bite. I think the light tackle helped me out in today’s conditions. Landed about 10-12 fish, and was lucky to get some pictures of this girl before my phone died. No scale or tape measure, but I’m guessing she was approaching 4 lbs.

Thanks for this! My short-lived willpower held me off from buying a bunch of whopper ploppers earlier today just long enough for you to post this code. But in the end, the baitmonkey won.

Ok, gotcha. Then I don’t see why the Tat SV couldn’t handle what a 2500-3000 can. And since you’d be using it to cast as well, then it would serve multiple purposes.

Adequate line capacity would be my concern with using the Tat SV as a trolling reel. Heavier duty, round conventional reels come to mind when I think of trolling. Targeting fish in deeper water may be tough when you’re limited by the line cap of an SV spool. I’d consider a 200 sized reel or maybe even a regular Tat CT for the slightly larger line cap. Plus, I feel like you wouldn’t be utilizing the SV technology by using the reel for trolling anyway. My 2 cents.

Fishing is WET, and I DREAM of fishing, and when I dream of fishing I...

This was also my thinking until recently, someone made a good point. You will really only be saving time if the way you hold your reel during your cast is the same as when you are retrieving your lure. I use left hand retrieve reels and cast with my right arm, but depending on what I'm throwing, I adjust how I hold the reel. This motion could take just as much time as someone who is switching hands. Especially if they are doing what @Chance_Taker4 describes here: All that said, in the end, just do what is comfortable for you. I think if you do it enough, you will find ways to make it more efficient so that the time you "might" be saving by not switching hands, basically becomes neglible.

I’ve been stopping by 2 local Walmarts periodically over the last few weeks and finally found something worth picking up. The selection in the “clearance” section has been sparce as far as fishing stuff goes. Decided to stop at one on the way home today and found some hooks for $.75/pack and some fishing line for $2. Also, came home to my new Saltist Back Bay LT that I ordered on Fleabay with the recent 15% off coupon. I’ll be putting this against my tried and true Stradic FK’s this year for my all-around Inshore set ups.

LOL, Sorry?? The BaitMonkey has done work on me this winter. I just need this weather to start warming up so I can start fishing and not have all this free time looking at gear. I really like how the CT palms. I was considering the Type HD for the larger capacity but I have a Tranx for my heavier duty stuff. I’ll be using the CT for bucktailing fluke and casting light plastics in shallower water.

With the 15% ebay code right right now, I just picked up a CT Type-R for $85. Can’t beat it. I’m going to try them out for my lighter inshore fishing this year. We’ll see how they hold up in the salt.

Neither of the 2 Walmart’s near me has had anything good. I’ve been checking in periodically the past few weeks and they barely have anything on Clearance. And the few things they do have in the clearance section are not marked down much at all.

Atleast my monkey doesn’t let me pay retail for anything LOL. I guess he’s got my back.

I’ve had a Steez A TW in my cart for a couple weeks. I was doing well resisting the monkey. But couldn’t fight him off when I saw this code. Patience paid off!

One of the more informative channels I’ve come across. He does great, in-depth reviews. He’s been talking up the Daiwa LT line of spinners. I’m tempted to try one but I think I’ve grown into a Shimano fanboy, at least for spinning reels.

Here’s a pretty informative, but long, video comparing Shimano’s Core Protect (Ci4+) and X-Protect (Sustain).

I have a few Stradic FK’s and they’ve treated me well for my Inshore fishing needs. Sold off my Ci4+ FB’s this offseason, I just preferred the extra heft and solid feel of the FK’s for the type of fishing I do. Picked up a Sustain FI a couple weeks ago, has not seen the water yet though. Striper season just opened in NJ so I’m excited to put some fish on it. Supposedly there is a Stradic SW coming soon, priced between the Ci4 and Sustain.

UPDATE: So I just signed on to view my claim and it looks like it’s been approved for the full insured amount! I was very surprised to see a resolution so quickly after hearing about some of your personal experiences. I was expecting a long, drawn out process so I was relieved to see this today. We’ll see how long the check takes to arrive. I appreciate everyone’s input on the matter and hope that anyone who may have to go through this process in the future receives the same, favorable outcome I did.

Spec-wise (capacity, weight, gear ratio) the Ultegra and FK are very similar. It really depends on if you want to buy into the Shimano technologies that are in the Stradic but are missing in the Ultegra. X-Ship and a difference in bearings look like 2 differences that stand out. I’m not sure if those are the only differences or if those “upgrades” warrant an upgrade in your case.