roadwarrior

Shimano Symetre 2500, $79. I fished a couple of these for several years. Seven years later some friends of mine are still fishing these same reels that I gave them. This is a GREAT reel for the price.

Okay, earthworm77, If there were only five colors to pick, watermelon with black flake & black neon for soft plastics. White, black and silver, alone or together for all hard baits. Oh! and green, too. That is still only a total of five: green, red, black, silver and white. Still, I like blue and sometimes red or yellow, brown and of course chartreuse. Hmm...it seems there are a lot of choices and sometimes it is important. (Oops! I left out a touch of orange.) Well, anyhow, color is not the most important factor unless it is. Just fish green, it usually works...Or, like Raul said, black.

There is an old fisherman's saying that goes something like this: "Fish that get away immediately double in size." Good luck on your next outing, I hope you catch the "Big One." If you are looking for a couple of suggestions: Don't upsize your line diameter, walley can be VERY line shy. Buy some Yo-Zuri Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test). Set your drag, CALIBRATED BY SCALE, to 4 lbs. You have plenty of rod for walley, be patient, these fish don't fight very hard and tire out quickly. p.s. A true 6 lb test line is too light for a MH rod. That is NOT a balanced package.

The $20 G. Loomis warranty is NOT unconditional, but since you have to pay shipping one way, it may have little value anyhow when compared to the Xpeditor UNCONDITIONAL warranty program. For $50, you receive a new rod and mail your broken rod back in a PERPAID shipping tube- NO QUESTIONS ASKED! Kistler may have a fine rod, but they claimed to have a fine rod years ago and the originals had quality issues. There still seems to be a problem with seating certain brands of reels. According to one of our members when this isuue was brought to Kistler, Kistler Customer Service instructed said member to "use a little duct tape" and it will be fine.

Fighting a fish is fundamentally different with these two types of equipment. Spinning gear relies on the "strong" arm to fight the fish and the "weak" hand to retrieve line when you can. Baitcasting equipment is designed to "crank in" a fish with the "strong" hand while maintaining a firm and steady grip on the rod with the "weak" arm.

Hey! My friend... I fished your Sunline Defier and I REALLY liked it, but I'm not sure too many guys are going to pay $40 for a filler spool!

Welcome aboard! You only need two rigs: Spinning: St.Croix Avid AS70MF or G.Loomis IMX SJR843S/ Shimano Stradic 2500FH/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test) I would fish all soft plastics and light jigs on this combination. Baitcasting: G.Loomis IMX MBR844C/ 2005 Curado/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #12 (19.5 lb test). You can use this for everthing except very light presentations.

I maintain my equipment much like a soldier would care for his weapon. I doubt that anyone could tell the difference between my equipment new this year and my nine year old gear. I tend to everything that is exposed and rely on professional care for internal maintainance. My tackle is good to go at all times and I use it whenever possible. Right now would be fine by me!

I'm giving up: 1. Skydiving 2. Liver & onions 3. Running marathons 4. Lifetime Television

As a side note, this was two years to the day (Saturday before Thanksgiving) when my friend Speedy caught the only 10 lb smallmouth I have ever seen. I netted and weighed the monster, he released her. As far as we know, that was the only 10 lb bass that has ever been caught on the Tennessee River. When his fish went airborne, I thought is was bigger than the one he landed two years ago. It was HUGE!

Excellent! Great pic and nice fish. I'm so glad you are back on the water. Congratulations!

As Good as it Ever Was! Just what I expected, another great effort and excellent production. Thank you LBH!

It comes in green, has virtually no memory in use, is highly resistant to abrasion, lasts forever (literally) and I have never been broken off by a fish. I like it and I think you will, too.

I don't like braid either. On spinning tackle, give Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (11.9 lb test) a try. I think you will like it, I do.

Excellent! I love brown fish.

Has TackleTour ever reviewed a product they didn't like? It's the little things that drive me crazy. Not having a hook hanger is an advantage (?) and it...saves weight? Exactly how much weight do you think it saves? Oh! and it helps prevent hooks from scratching your rod, too? That's great. How or where do you secure your lure when it is not in use? Do you remove a lure everytime you put your rod down? Isn't it interesting how wannabies are always comparing themselves to a G. Loomis?

Welcome aboard! My fishing partner has a 2004 Yamaha 225, 4 stroke on a 2180 BayRanger. The motor is powerful, quiet and has required no maintance other than an oil change.

I had several reels serviced by ReelMech earlier this year. You will be 100% satisfied.

A rod tip that is too soft is certainly a possibility. My favorite rod (PR844S) is rated Medium Power/ Fast Action, but the tip is way too soft to be used fishing soft plastics. My soft plastic and jig rods have very firm tips.

I agree with Raul: #1 A sharp hook is MANDATORY. #2 A powerful hook-set is not (usually) needed, but a quick-set or snap-set will get the job done. When you feel a tap, lower your rod tip and reel down quickly. When you feel the fish, snap your wrist moving the tip, but leaving the position of the rod butt stationary.

Welcome aboard! Two new members: Costas and to_k5

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A couple of weeks ago I fished Kentucky Lake with "A Southern Gentleman," Bud Jenkins. I didn't fair too well, but Bud got several bites and landed a 4 3/4 lb largemouth right off the bat with a white Pointer 100. The next day Bud had some success with an X-Rap. My observation is that the specific lure selection was NOT important. It was all about the location, presentation and the color of the lure. I fish all of the jerkbaits you listed. They are all VERY productive. I tend to use Lucky Craft more often just because they tend to perform flawlessly, but all of these jerkbaits will catch bass, walley and trout.

Excellent! It sounds like you had a good time and I bet your dad considered the day awesome! Congratulations!

Thank you ww2farmer, that was a very informative reply. So, durability does not seem to be an issue and they are reasonably priced making both brands a good value. That all makes sense to me.