Armtx77

Same here and their Picardin on my my OR Bonnie hat. Keep in mind when using DEET, anything over 30% is pointless. There is no difference in the staying power or effectiveness over 30% deet.

I'm fortunate enough sometimes to catch Redfish and LMB on the same lure on the same stretch of bank. I dont eat LMB, but I often target Reds and Specks for the table. More specks than Reds, but Reds are a great sport fish to me.

They have new ones out this year. Be sure to check with them to see which version you are getting...Im in the market for an Expert as well.

On the bait caster, yes, so it doesn't cut into itself. 10lbs 832 is 4lbs mono equivalent diameter.

135 degrees in the AZ HEAT? Yeah you are good. You start looking at ISO and Reliability standards for heat on bearings and they talk about 20 degrees over ambient as being well within spec of a bearing. If you are packing them with synthetics, that grease won't break down until 400 degrees...mineral based is cooked at about 175-180. A boat fishing buddy of mine carries a spare in a ziploc bag. They are usually pretty inexpensive and if it is on your mind...you could carry a spare.

This right here. Scour Craigslist, Facebook and check out any kayak forums they may be local to your AO.

Prechill with a 20lbs bag of ice and fill with water. With Temps you are looking at, shock packs or a 20lbs bag of ice will be more than enough. Wanna get fancy? Drop a couple pounds of dry ice in there, wrapped up in a bath towel.

LOL What a greedy little bugger.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-ZEBCO.html?from=basres Read the comment section...classic. Cool Hundy for a Zebco Bullet.

What the devil was that one in the second picture planning on doing with that meal? Like trying to eat a Big Mac in one bite.

Never had a Zebco, but they are part of a lot of good memories with some of the kids I grew up around fishing. Still don't understand the hate on them. I have a 4 1/2 year old son who loves the water and I am keeping a couple of old Shimano 500 series spinning reels for him to start on, but maybe a Zebco should be his first.

I used FC on a week-long float on the Buffalo River and it was not for me and I caught some fish on it. My brother started putting on the spare spools of 8lbs 832 on his rods...he really didn't like it. I did like how well it held up. We got into a tight bend with a nice deep pool that I caught a bunch of smallies and hybrids out of, on a Rebel Wee Craw and I was really impressed how good that line looked and felt after about 10 or 11 fish in about 20 minutes. My biggest issue is that it just doesn't have the feedback I'm looking for and it felt like a wet noodle when setting the hook.

I have two Abu Garcia Black Max bait casters, attached to BPS IMX 6 rods that I bought 27 years ago. 100's of fish caught, on set ups that were about 120.00 in 1993. My dad has been using them and aside from getting new bearings and getting wiped down with soapy water, they are still going strong. Get a schematic and do a search on how to maintain a reel. Not much to them really, but be sure to back off the drag ALL THE WAY after each use. That will save a lot of uneeded wear and tear on bearings and gears.

10l-15lbs Sufix 832 on the spinning gear and 40lbs Sufix 832 on the baitcasters. I flip the line every year and get a few seasons out of it.

I typically don't let them hit the deck either. ETA: I'm not questioning your reasoning. I typically try to get them back in ASAP and getting the length, is easy work. Girth is a bit more involved.

I use 15lbs Sufix 832 and still use a 1/16oz weight to get the feed back you are talking about on spinning gear. I can go without the weight and get feedback, but that little extra weight, it just feels right. I have never wacky rigged a Senko. So take my advice with a grain of salt.

T-Rigged 5"Senko, on a Gammy EWG 3/0 or 4/0 hook and 1/16oz tungsten bullet weight, pinned by a bobber stop. Soon to be adding a bead between the hook eye and bullet weight.

I like the idea of that. How do you keep the fish from touch the ground to get the girth measurement? I know my cork handles are all 14" and I mark 18" & 22" on the rod itself.

Senko for the WIN!

LowRider Baitcaster in All Around MH/F, with a Curado HG201 hooked into it. It is sensitive for its price point, with plenty of back bone, maybe too much for Senkos and the spoons I toss at Reds. I really dig it. I fish mostly from the bank, but it rides in the Yak too. So, it is an All Around rod, from throwing TRigged Senkos, Swim jigs and even some frogs. I was looking at getting a second set up, but getting into a M/F for throwing Senkos at Largemouth and Golden spoons at Reds. I'm going to see if I can take a reel in and a couple lead weights and checking out the new Experts...the Falcon power/action classification are odd. You really need to put them in hand and check them out. I have about 60 LM in the 10"-22" range this year and a couple dozen Reds in the 2-7lbs range.

Recently picked up a LowRider...Expert is in my future.

I doubt it makes much difference.

Use the beads between the hook eye and the bullet weight? If so, someone school me on that! I use 3/0 & 4/0 EWG hooks and use a bobber stop to pin my weight. What size should I be looking at using 1/16-1/4oz tungsten? I'm thinking that tapping action of the weight against the beed is what this is all about?

I got a long sleeved t-shirt from them for 5 bucks as one of their add on. Hard to beat a 5 dollar LS T Shirt. I love TW's free or almost free stuff.

Been a long time since I gut hooked one, but I am prone to setting the hook on grass, sticks, Lilly pads etc. I'm not ashamed of admitting it either. When in doubt, knock em out. If it feels weird, knock em out. You see the line moving in a weird way, knock em out. Hook sets are free. Dish them out with a smile in your face.