roadwarrior

Take a look at the St.Croix Avid AC66MF. Although the Action is desceibed as Fast, the tip is soft. This is what I consider my "all-around" baitcasting rod for medium weight treble hook lures. I have this matched up with a fast reel and use this combination for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, too.

The pond was behind a Wal-Mart that has recently been torn down. There are five carts in the pond, just off a ledge on the steepest bank. Although I now know EXACTLY where they lay, I can't help but fish them. They don't all hold fish everyday, but at least one of them usually does. I rarely fish hard baits around these structures, but this pond produced my PB fishing a Norman Fat Boy. If we were counting soft plastics and jigs, my losses would be significant. I feel it is my duty to feed the grocery carts! p.s. Lures cannot be ripped free from a grocery cart. The carts could be removed, but otherwise, lures have a 100% loss rate when hooked up to a cart.

I have lost three lures in the last five years, all at the same pond, all on the same sunken grocery cart!

Partially submerged grass lines along what is sometimes the bank of feeder creeks. These usually define deeper water adjacent to the grass as well as a path to even deeper water in the lake or river. Fish are not always on this cover/ structure, but they are ALWAYS near it at sometime duing the day. The only 10 lb bass I have caught on "big water," was associated with this type of scenario.

Focus on structure and current if that is an option. Smallmouth can be found at all depths at different times. Personally, I like to target structure is deeper water where the fish receive less pressure, but when fishing from the bank you can't always be picky.

Wrong line...Some kind of braid is a MUCH better choice in any vegetation. I fish relatively open water. Heavy line is sometimes necessary.

Well, I have yet to hear an independent report where anyone has ever caught a fish on a snake. I would like to hear someone say ANYTHING positive about these baits, who isn't associated with the company. I have never fished a snake and don't actually know anyone else who has either. So, Let's hear it. What's the deal?

Raul's comment doesn't help you much if you are focused on a baitcaster, but the Shimano Stradic is "The Bomb!" As an all-around reel, this is one you should own. You could do all of your fishing with this reel matched up as a spinning outfit.

My first Abu Garcia was blue, but I was told it was the same/ comparable or an improvement on the Classic "Red" Ambassadeur 5600CB. The "Red" was my second or replacement reel. I used these reels a little bit for casting, but for the most part these were my first striper reels. They were not strong enough for those big fish and/or "The Rocks From Hell" on the Tennessee River. The combined longevity of the two reels was less than six months. I was allowed a credit towards the purchase of a Shimano CTE200GT which I have fished since 2001. The 2001 CTE and a new CTE200GT were serviced by ReelMech last year. He reported that the new and old reel were indistinguishable. I expect to fish both of these reels for some time. Although I would agree that comparing a $90 reel to a $300+ is not fair, but the Ambassadeur reels were promoted at the time as "top of the line" and comparable to any other reel on the market at any price. (Well, I admit that I might have been a little naive at the time). With regard to time of ownership. If the CTE200GT were measured in thousands of pouunds of fish or tens of thousands of tons of rock, I would estimate the "age" of my 2001 CTE to be about 250 "bass years". These particular Shimano reels are virtually indestructable, the Abu Garcia were not. In general, unless the line of equipment has a pedigree, I think five years might be a good measure of proven performance. I am more than willing to try new products as long as the investment is low, but I have spent a few thousand dollars "learning" my way through various fishing equipment experiments. I'm not done, but I have paid my dues. And in conclusion, I meant no offense. I would NEVER take a shot at you, Keith, for any reason...period. My comments were/ are directed only at the company and is based solely on my personal experience with that company's products. Promotional reviews mean nothing to me. The "Classic Red" still receives five stars in the BPS catalog.

"She ain't much fun since I quit drinkin' "

Absolutely! 75% your way/ 25% my way... [(.75 X 0) + (.25 X 0)] = Total Commission Paid 8-)

I'm guessing "worms/ plastics 61" covers a lot of ground. I wonder if a Fat Ika will get special mention? :

Hmm... In 1976 I bought my last Ford, a Grenada, arguably one of the worst cars ever built. Now Ford Motor Company claims "Quality is Job #1", but back then "quality" didn't have a job. In 2001 I went through two Abu Garcias in six months. Next time I buy a Ford I think I'll pick up my next Garcia. BTW, the Grenada was touted as "revolutionary" at the time. Good luck, I hope the new reels work out for you. Time will tell.

I NEVER intentionally fish for bedding bass. I think they should be left alone during the spawn. The worst offenders are the usual suspects: tournament fishermen that can only catch a decent bass when it is most vulnerable. It's just pitiful. I know some states restrict fishing and especially tournaments during the spawn. Some go so far as to have closed season during this time. It would be my wish that all states prohibit bed fishing and ban tournaments from their lakes during the spawn. The topic was "Sight fishing, yes or no?" No.

I have two CTE200GT (5.0:1). One is matched with a G.Loomis GLX MBR844C, my main heavy jig and striper rod. The other is saddled on a Lamiglas SR705R, my glass rod for big, heavy treble hook lures and deep divers. These are outstanding reels which I HIGHLY recommend for heavy duty work.

Welcome aboard!

I think 6.3:1 is much more versatile. If you were using the real for deep crankbaits only (technique specific) then I would opt for the lower gear ratio.

Thanks Matt! So, all I need is my little traveling kit of soft plastics and one rod...cool!

I think all of the stores have a trade in policy during the event. The Memphis store does. It's a great opportunity to get rid of Daiwa, Pflueger, Garcia, BPS, Johhn Morris and Quantum reels...and replace them with Shimanos! 8-)

8-) Doctor Raul strikes again! Now that's funny. I don't care who you are, that's funny! Raul is correct, of course, but you might be satisfied with the Shimano Symetre or Stradic at different pricing points.

If you have already had a bad experience with Abu Garcias, why are you considering them again?

Why buy "maybe" when you can own "for sure" for about the same price? Shimano is good-to-go up front and dependable over time.

It is very unlikely that fishing pros will ever be money makers. Revenues are driven by television, spectator friendly sports. With the exception of a very small "cult" following, bass fishing on tv is never going to be "big." I think it is unfortunate that so many young anglers aspire to be professional fishermen. With the exception of just a hand full of people, this is a dead end career path. Potential earnings are VERY limited. Persuing a career at the professional level is better suited as a sideline or second career. I suspect the "average" earnings for the top 100 pros (after expenses) is negative, but that would almost definitely be the case if the sample were the top 200. Financial success is limited to a very select group.

Use #6 ~11.9 lb test on spinning tackle. #12 ~19.5 lb test on baitcasting equipment.

Welcome aboard! I suggest that you try Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft and see how you like this line. It is not a pure fluorocarbon, but a bonded nylon/fluoro copolymer. If memory and strength are your primary issues, I think you will like Ultra Soft, I do!