MN Fisher

I toss frogs with my 7' Aird-X H/F (AIRX701HFB) and I've been happy with it. This is also my pitch/flip rod and I toss WP-110s on it as well. Fairly versatile rod for being a 'budget' item.

Out yesterday testing this year's canoe mods and tossing small lures for panfish. Bass season isn't open, but caught a few incidental dinks, including this one. Rig: President-25 on Fury 702SF, 8# Suffix Elite Lure: #2 Mepps Comet in Shad

Being someone who's arsenal of ten rigs is evenly divided between BCs and Spinning, I have to say...neither. Each is a tool, and what ever you have confidence in is the one to use. Now for me, finesse is done with spinning gear - but there are those who do it with BCs. Crankbaits are divided...larger/heavier ones on BC, smaller/lighter ones on spinning. Really, it's a personal choice and you have to decide which is better for a given technique yourself.

Realize you're replying to someone who hasn't even logged into the forum since Aug 2017...

Old thread - but still a goodie. Hybrid isn't FC coated, it's a proprietary process that bonds mono and FC together. See pic I use YZH on my crank rigs (1BC, 1 Spinning) and on two other rigs that I want sinking line with. It does have a larger diameter than other lines at the same test-strength, but tests have also shown that it's breaking strength is higher than what's stated on the specs - 4# test actually breaks at a bit over 6#. I'm sold on it - and quite a few others here are also regular users of it.

They do - but at least the Mobil 1 and Lucas also have gear oil (75+ wt) in their synthetic lines.

Right - Phelps Bay.

Most I've paid for a reel is $79 for one of my Fuegos, $77 for the Supreme, the other Fuego was a gift...that's about my range.

Well, the warm weather and sun lately has helped. I was out on Tonka yesterday, mainly to test the new canoe mods, and the surface temp - at least where I was - was 56o...so maybe they're getting a bit more active now.

And all out of my price range....

My 7.3:1 President was my prime spinnerbait/chatterbait reel last year. This year spinners and chatters will either be on my 7.3 President XT or 7.1 Supreme. I still have my old Abu 5.4:1 sitting on a shelf - don't really miss using it all that much. Another option is the Fuego CT - which is, for all intents and purposes, the Tatula CT without the T-Wing system...same frame, same main gear, same spool, etc-etc-etc.

The line capacity stated is just there to give you an idea of how much it'll hold. Larger line-test means less yards on the spool. 16# or even 20# shouldn't be an issue - you'll just have less of it than the 12#.

Agree with everyone else. my pair of 7-speeds on MH/F are my 'catch all' rigs, 6.3 is on my crank-bait rig.

Well I know my thumb is going to be feeling line every cast. Best reels I have are a pair of Fuegos and a Supreme...I know they'd blow up if I didn't thumb them.

Either he's using magic - or careful editing. I can't imagine a BC reel that you don't have to use your thumb with.

It's slacking because retailers are running out of stock...hard to put on sale what you don't have. 'Latest Sale' thread is still the best place - if there's a sale going on, it'll be posted there.

If the water patrol catches you targeting bass when the season is closed - it's at least a fine - could be up to major cash, some time in the county jail, loss of fishing privilege for at least that year...maybe more. I was out for three hours this morning - water patrol checked me twice...different boats (they got about half a dozen)...luckily all I had was my UL rig and my two ML rigs - and nothing but panfish lures and a container of worms. Today was mainly a test of new systems/mods on the canoe. Few small sunnies (2 bluegill, 3 pumpkinseed) and an accidental bass about 13" long.

Well, I jinxed us here - remember the comment about snow in May? People out early for the opener on Saturday have this to look forward to.

They probably picked those items up during the deep sales some place have had the last couple months - 35%off, 40%off. They can ask more than they paid and still be under retail price.

Ya - if you've filled the spool with that 30# here's what I'd do. Strip off back to the knot and cut - toss. Strip rest of line off. Put on some cheap mono as backing - Big Game is good and inexpensive (it's what I use for backing) - fill spool about 1/2 to 2/3. Tie the braid to the backing - double uni is what I use here. Fill the rest of the spool with the braid.

Other than the T-Wing system and the Tat having bearings in the handle-knobs - the Tatula CT and the Fuego CT are the same reel. Same frame, same main gears, same spool...etc-etc-etc.

Tried that once - gave me indigestion and gas.

You don't HAVE to use a trailer - but it does make the jig more 'appetizing'.

Already mentioned above - but again.

I remember opening day one year when I lived in Bemidji, MN. There were still ice floes on the lake that even us shore fishermen had to battle.