CrankFate

Start the braid on the spool. Tie a simple overhand knot in the braid and leave less than 1/2” of a tag end on the braid. Lay the tag end across the spool. Then spool the line onto the reel as tight as possible. It will not slip. Save the other line for leader material.

I’m bumping this response. If you like Spros — you will love these. Do not let the price fool you.

I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t just get the normal right handed baitcaster and just turn the rod over, with the guides down? Just look at how much fun he’s having—this could be you:

They don’t eat other rubber worms just sitting there.

I believe senkos taste good to bass. Do we know what they’re made of? They are the only artificial that can be constantly attacked by mini bluegills if you just leave it on the bottom and never move it.

The rods can be very different from one to the next. They are often easily 1/2” or more off in height. The action of two of the exact same rods is not usually exactly the same. Because of this, I recommend that no matter what rod you get buy it in the store if possible. From a big store like BPS, which has a real return policy. A lot of them will be visibly more likely to break. I say that, but my last two rods were mail orders from the maker site unseen.

Ordered it. I see the picture in the listing that shows a 5mm post for the Abus. Now I need to figure out what to put the 105mm handle on? I have no no idea how the Tatula handles fish like they are bigger? But they do. Maybe the knobs are wider? Or the post is closer to the edge?

That’s weird. I could not find it in the App until I did a photo search. Are you sure it’ll take stock Abu knobs?

Could be cruisers. I (all by myself) consider cruisers to be small pods that travel over more distance. I call the bass described here “farmers.” They school up the blue gills and keep them concentrated in one area. Then occasionally eat a small one here or there. The only way to catch them is keep throwing things to them. Or catch a 2” bluegill, swim it down out of the school and wave it in their faces. One will usually get mad and eat it.

I tried to find the Rays studio for Abu, but can’t. I only find one with big bulbous EVA knobs. Do you have a link?

I want the longer handle because the 105mm handle is perfect. I will be using this reel on a Kistler Heavy Mod 7’ 7” for relatively large fish (not LMB). A bigger handle makes it easier to slap the handle to bring in some line while jigging. It also puts the handle you turn further up the rod.

That's nice, and I can feel that carbon graphite sound on the sides of the handle just from the picture! I'm inclined to go Hawgtech. because its at least 102mm -- 100 is OK, but for what im going to be using tis reel for on a big rod, the smaller handles aren't big enough. Does anyone know if the Hawgtech handle is compatible with Abu knobs? Not sure? Maybe Rays Studio at 100mm. ??? … ??? I don't know now … ??? … ???

My recommendation for all light rods is anything from a known brand that’s under 6oz.

I’m just glad the last thing in the world that I’d be able to catch more fish on is a thin, stiff, brittle rod.

Throw them a half smoked Marlboro Red after Midnight. Especially if there are lights near the water.

Got it today. Nice handle, but the Abu knobs do not fit. It came with grey camo knobs, but I really want the Abu cork handles. Do the Rays Studio handles come in 105 or 110mm sizes? The reason I want the handle is the Abu handle is way too small.

What rod was it?

I know I can get flamed on this, but fish that eat less often get bigger than fish that eat all the time. I don’t know why. But if you grow fish in a fish tank and feed them once a week, they get bigger than if you feed them every day. This happens for most types of fish. I feed my fish once a week for bigger fish and only twice a week for small community fish because it keeps the water clean and I’m too lazy to keep changing the water every few days. Less food makes them longer, more food makes them thicker. My theory is they get longer when they spend long periods of time eating very little and then when they finally get more food after they grew long from not really eating, they get fat. This can make big fish in small ponds very likely based on what I observed in my fish tanks over the years. I assume a small bass has to eat small things. If it grows big from not eating much, it can then eat bigger things like blue gills and small catfish. Once it gets big enough to eat the bluegills and cats, which are probably decent sized, it’ll get fat. That might be why they get bigger faster eating less food (so they can survive to eat bigger things sooner) and why small ponds can hold big bass. Just my theory based on my laziness with cleaning my fish tank over the last 23 or so years. Yes, I know. It’s a problem. I spend way too much time thinking about fish.

Fish are not that fragile. The natural response to being handled is making more slime. Within 10 seconds after you first lay your hand on a fish it’s already 2, 3 or 4 times more slimy. The slime coat coming off a bass is as likely as the oil coming off a person’s skin. I know, it sounds harsh, but I release fish safely. Most fish aren’t that fragile. Some are, like shiners. But most kinds of fish have no problem with the type of handling you see on MLF. They can swallow a live bluegill whole and chase it with a whole live crawfish. We’d die if we tried that.

I got dead center between 2 geese last week. I think the one in front flipped me off with his wing in bird language.

You are literally better off buying a $13.00 spool of Hercules braid or Spectra Extreme on eBay than powerpro or spiderwire.

I would think it’s more like 30-40% if you buy on the grey market. Especially the ones that are most popular. I only buy brand name line from brand name sellers unless I have no choice. I recently wanted spiderwire Code Red and it was only available from one guy on eBay, so I took a chance. When it comes to hooks, I would never buy a Gamakatsu hook anywhere but stores like BPS or Dicks. I have definitely got fake hooks online.

Looks Good! I think I have that drag star in the grey/silver color with purple.