Michaelangelo

I wish we could buy all the original sizes and colors. Xcalibur made really high quality and effective lures. Wonder why they sold out?

I bought a Rip Knocker in chrome black, haven't tried it yet. Yeah the bait itself is the same, but they don't have nearly the color selection of Xcalibur, and what makes no sense is to stop making their best colors. I spoke with a sales rep from Booyah and he said they will be making chrome and black again, in all their current sizes and styles. VERY excited for this.

You have seen them surface feeding, right? ?

That's pretty much how I've felt about it for years. It's definitely an improvement whether pressure is added or not.

Well, I'm getting a couple Antares tuned soon, and whenever I get reels tuned I add carbon drag. I will do a comparison before and after and post it.

I set my spool tension knob first to where the lure falls fast but controlled, then I set the magnetic brake to the middle setting which will give you the ability to finely adjust either way, then I make some casts. At this point, you want to adjust your brakes inside the reel to where your lure casts well, but doesn't wanna start backlashing right away. The happy medium is in those brakes. I never use them all. Once that's good, just use your magnetic brake, should be all you need to adjust for wind. Also keep in mind, your eyes and thumb are probably the best brakes you have.

Probably a Curado K

That's more of what I'm trying to find out. Like I've said, I've used carbon for years and can attest to the performance, just curious about any added pressure. Does anyone know of any comparisons or stats?

Is this something available for Shimanos?

Yeah saltwater is a whole different world. So I've known about the smoothness and overall efficiency aspect for years, all I'm trying to really find out is some kind of comparison with other drag systems. Like something that actually shows how much pressure you can gain, ballpark.

Google Carbontex Smooth Drag and it will come up. Calling them is much easier than searching yourself. They have a much larger application database then what they list.

I have added carbon to multiple spinning and casting reels, which replaced felt/dartanium. They have great performance of course, but it's always been hard to tell if I actually got more pressure. I recently restored and tuned a worn out Shimano Scorpion Antares V2, and I put Carbontex in that, and it works like a champ. Restoring and tuning my 06 Antares DC is next, and I've already got carbon for it too.

Just wondering how Carbontex compares to dartanium, and other washers. I know the carbon is smooth, and labeled as more pressure, but is that true? And tips to make a stronger, smoother drag?

3.5 - 4 realistically. It's a healthy fish. Once you can fit your fist in it's mouth without touching on any side, then you know you're getting some size. Some very sound advice - get a scale, and a soft ruler. If you were to ever catch a trophy bass, and didn't want to kill it to be mounted, you will need lots of pictures, and lots of measurements. Weight is for bragging rights, or knowing what your biggest fish 'actually' weighed. I've caught thousands of fish that have touched the ground, boat, net, etc. Some people are very unrealistic about their survival after those instances. Pretty sure PETA would have shut down all fishing shows by now if a fish touching something other than water 'actually' killed them every time. Look how many pros grab the fish on the back in front of the dorsal fin. Pretty sure B.A.S.S. isn't going to let them do that either if it kills them every time. Just be quick about unhooking and releasing, that's it.

Avid. Great rod, comfortable, sensitive, good actions, lifetime warranty.

Doesn't removing the front hook on the treble make the other two settle right along side the bait? I would think that would make it almost ineffective, but I do see how it would help a lot with weeds. I have some inline single hooks made just for crankbaits. I tried removing all trebles and using just one of the inlines in back before on a Baby 1 Minus to help with weeds, but didn't try it a whole lot. So what about swivels, useful or useless in a one hook situation? I have a Promar rubber net. Spent 15 or 20 minutes trying to get a hook out. Wound up having to rip the net the very first fish I caught in it.

To make releasing fish quicker and easier, I've thought about going to one treble. I'm sure that less hooks will catch less fish, but messing with hooks, especially when they get caught in the net, is less time on the water. I'm mainly wanting to try this for when I wiper fish, because getting them in and out quick as possible is essential. I can see points for front or back. If they come up on it, I think front would be best. If they chase it, back would be better. If I go to one hook, would using a small swivel on the hook help at all? Have seen some do that bc it gives the fish less leverage on the bait.

You have the 300 and 400 Tranx you mean? Or Lexa? I'm a Shimano guy at heart. 10 of my 12 are Shimano, my only 2 that aren't are the Lexas haha.

And these are the problems they're having? Wouldn't these be issues with any reel?

See I prefer a little heavier gear. We have had days where we have caught around 100 fish in a matter of an hour or two, all wiper, and light tackle just wears me out. I throw almost all lipless and the gear I use easily throws 5/8oz lipless. I haven't made it to Cabelas to get the rods, but will tomorrow most likely: 7'6 St Croix Avid Inshore H/F with Calcutta Conquest 400, 20lb Red Label 7'6 Avid Inshore MH/F with Ultegra 4000XG, 30lb Maxcuattro These handle my wiper and striper needs.

What'd you get your wiper on? Gear?

I don't throw anything over 3oz, and need a rod that can double for striper cranking and small mostly jointed swimbaits, as well as handle saltwater. Also need a series that has spinning and casting that match closely in size, action, and power. Been looking at St Croix Avid Inshore. The one I'd use for swimbaits is 7'6" H power, F action, rated 1/2oz to 2oz, or 8' H/F 1/2 to 3oz. Does have a foregrip. Would have a 400 Conquest put on as well. Thoughts? Looking for versatility as well.

Good thread.

Good post.

What size lures? Is that based on personal experience or brand loyalty? Lots of good reviews on them out there, and videos of them in some pretty rough fights with saltwater fish.