EGbassing

My mom just saw this thread and said, "These people should be giving all that money to orphans in Africa or something." ?

I bought an SLX a few days ago and fished it for the first time today so I decided to do a review on it. First of all, the first thing I noticed is the size/weight; it's the lowest profile reel on the market right now, and it's noticeably lighter than my Daiwa Fuego. The second thing I noticed is that it casts really well and it's hard to backlash. I threw a lipless crankbait, a grub on a 1/10 ounce jighead, and a jerkbait and it casts a mile with no backlash at all. Even the 1/10th grub. Also, the handle knobs; they're perfect. Same handles that come on a Curado. They kind of fit your hands perfectly or something. I didn't catch anything today but I hooked a good sized one and the drag did well, but it came off at the bank unfortunately. I like my Daiwa Fuego, but I have to say I like this reel much better so far. It retails for $100 but I got mine for $70 at Dick's Sports by using a $20 off $100 coupon and a $10 off rewards card coupon. In my opinion it feels like a ~$200 dollar reel. Overall, I'd give it a 9/10 for performance, and 10/10 for cosmetics. Go do yourself a favor and buy one this spring. ?

If you don't want to tie anything on just put a tiny piece of tape on the spool. Good luck. ?

It's in Alabama, but I don't even know what it's called. It's just a neighborhood pond with no name. (if there is one I don't know it)

Ok, thanks. There are several coves in that pond then. I've actually never thought of taking my bike, but that might be really effective for covering water. It would be nice to be able to get to the other side of the pond in ~1 minute or so.

It's a mile walk around the perimeter. I've fished it for years but the only thing I've learned is to fish shallow cover in the spring and deep water in the summer and winter. Nothing more specific than that. If I'm not fishing shallow cover I'm fan casting at random.

As for cover, there are laydowns, weeds, etc. along the shoreline, but the problem is I have no idea what cover/structure there is under the water.

Pre-spawn. What exactly are coves? Also, do you have a good method of locating structure? I feel like I could start catching them more if I could find structure underwater but I just don't know how to find it.

I've been reading about locating bass in the spring, but every article is about finding them in a big lake; I'm fishing a large, man-made shallow pond so that doesn't help. Aside of shallow cover, where else should I be fishing? I'm stuck on the bank for now.

Alright, thanks. I got some 5 inch Yum Dingers on the way so I'll just test both of them.

That's what I'm using. They're actually the only EWG's I have right now. Is the 4 inch a good size?

I have a Daiwa Fuego and I just got an SLX. I definitely prefer my SLX. It's an amazing reel so far.

Fish whatever nobody else is fishing.

So they're mainly just for structure? I don't know if there's any structure where I fish because I'm stuck on the bank.

I have to ask, when do you fish shakyheads? I just bought some and I have no idea when/how to fish them.

I found some 4 inch senkos that I either never used or barely used so I'm going to try your rigging method.

Flourocarbon

+1. I just got an SLX reel and I love it.

Haha, everybody thought I was saying that it was uneven on the spool so I had to clarify.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I went with the Yum Dingers.

Sorry I was unclear/confusing earlier, the line is even on the spool, but the actual line is bumpy. There's nothing wrong with the level wind of the reel or anything, it's just the line.

7.3:1

How do you rig yours so they last that long?

I probably am guilty of that a lot. I always get taps on the line but I assume it's bluegill because they never get hooked.

Sorry, top of the spool, like the picture below. Sorry, I meant the top of the spool. Like this going on to the reel: