PhishLI

I use 6"ers more than anything else. I simply do well with them. I usually rig them on a weighted or unweighted Owner Twistock Light 6/0 for t-rigging. However, last year I found these VMC Drop Dead 5/0 hooks. They have an even longer shank than the Owners do, so they reach farther down into the egg sack of a 7" senko. For the 7", I swap out the keeper for an Owner CPS Large, and with that and the longer VMC hooks the durability has gone way up. You really need to find the correct sized o-ring(s) for the 7". Just snug enough, but not too tight, or they'll just guillotine the worm due its weight combined with its softness. And you can't nick the worm with the hook when you rig it or it's game over quickly. Even if you size the o-rings correctly, you can't cast too hard or it'll just split in half eventually. But casting hard isn't necessary. It's heavy. It's like casting a hot dog. It'll just go.

Spool rpms aren't really high enough during a pitch for centrifugal brakes to really come into play and make a difference. Spool tension has more of an impact if you choose to use it, but you really don't want to. Spool control comes down to you controlling the speed of the pitch, the trajectory of the bait's flight, and your thumb. My favorite pitching real is a Pflueger Supreme XT with centrifugal brakes. I pitch with my frog setup when I'm on the boat, so I make sure to mount this reel up for that duty. There's only 1 out of the 6 brake blocks engaged with the brake drum, and it might as well be completely out of the circuit for pitching. I use this reel strictly because of its ergonomics. It simply feels perfect in my hand for pitching while palming. My thumb makes unobstructed contact with the spool from its tip to the first joint. Having pitched with every reel I own this is an important factor to me. I like contact with the line closer to the heel of my thumb for pitching. In the end, the reel in conjunction with the reel seat and trigger, plus your hand size and finger length, are all going to contribute to how comfortable you are ultimately, and whether you'll find one reel/rod setup highly preferable over another. No way to know that until you try it out. On some of my reels, I find that I will often make contact with the spools rim if I'm not mindful to avoid that, so I don't use those. I want an unobstructed path to the line without having to consciously contort my thumb in an unnatural way to achieve that.

Yup. CI4+ Baitcasting CI4 is a Shimano original material reinforced with carbon fiber that is lighter and has a higher strength than conventional resin material. CI4+ is an advanced version of the original CI4 material and is 2.5x more rigid than its predecessor. While improving lightness and rigidity, reel bodies and rotors built with CI4+ are further reduced in size and weight.

You'd think by now people would discover twistlock hooks. Worms or anything else rarely come off with them.

^X2 I've had two Fuegos for the past 5 years and brutally fished them both in choked out water with straight braid the entire time. Somehow, they feel pretty close to how they felt out of the box. Perhaps a little clackity compared to a really smooth reel, but there's no denying their endurance. They're easy to adjust, are reliably consistent casters, and easy to endorse. My brother has owned 3 versions of the SLX and they've all lost their smoothness fishing the same waters. I could overlook their geary-ness, but my brother can't stand it. Probably because he's serviced them all several times a season and it just irks him. The LFS is the only reel from a major at the price point that offers a fully supported pinion. Besides that, and regardless of how I typically feel about Korean MagTrax braking, it's a sneaky good caster. Also, they hold up quite well to use, and like the Fuego they're adjustable externally. Any of the 3 will work out just fine. The SLX too, especially if you're not fishing jungle-thick water. Just choose which one feels better in your hand and don't think about it again.

I thought this about the old VBS in the E series. Just tweaked the spool tension occasionally on windy days, but with this particular reel I find myself dicking around with adjustments too much, especially with stiffer lines like fluoro and copoly. Not so much of an issue with straight braid, but I don't jerkbait with braid, and my jerkbait rod has micro guides, so no leader there. Otherwise, glad it works for you. I wish I loved mine, especially for the 50$ I paid for it. It was practically new when I snagged it. That isn't the same reel though. Mine came from a guy who had no desire to deal with managing it, and he owns Aldes and Mets. I can deal with it, so I use it sometimes, but I own other reels where I don't need to. I can set my brakes on 8-9 on a Tatula 150 and mindlessly cast for hours without a hiccup. Anything from flat casts to targets, to high arc casts for distance, and in the dark. No problemo. With this thing it'll throw up loops and fluff up unless I'm diligently minding the spool, even after it's dialed in. Maybe I'm just lazy, but meh.

Unlikely. Check the auction site for "completed sales" and "US Only". For some reason or another, Japanese sellers get a bit more.

It's good for the price. It's totally built out of CI4+, meaning it's Shimano's space age plastic. It also has the early SVS Infinity red brake blocks which, in this reel, can get zippy sounding quickly unless you stay on top of oiling the brake pipe. A good caster, but touchy to dial in if you switch lure weights often. Otherwise, it's typical Shimano SVS braking, if you understand what that means. Since you're primarily a Daiwa guy, you'll probably hate fiddling with it unless you just dial it in for one presentation, but maybe not. I take mine out occasionally to chuck jerkbaits, but only when I'm in the mood for self-flagellation. The best thing about it, IMO, is that the plastic frame is great for cold weather fishing., which is why I use it for jerkbaits. Unlike metal, it doesn't turn into an ice cube, and I hate a cold hand when I'm jerkin'.

I used Daiwa J8 and fish lakes loaded with pads. No problemo. I've never been broken off using 40lb, and rarely 30lb. I still use 50lb for frogs and swimmers rigged with larger Beast hooks.

By clicking on the "..." tab one up from the bottom then clicking "description" tab has brought me to channels I would've never found or looked for otherwise.

We "had" a F&S in Huntington. It "had" a really fantastic and huge freshwater section. Even had a good JDM baits section. A hardcore bass guy was definitely in charge of stocking it at some point. The place was so good that it made all other DSGs in the area look sad. They turned it into Public Lands and ruined it.

They ship with the handle unattached, but both the reel and handle should be in their own separate plastic bag. There's no other packing to speak of other than a cardboard flat which you'll see when you first open the box. On top of that you'll find a bag of spool adjustment washers and the paperwork.

The Aruku 65 shown on the bottom is another good one for less $.

Here's my first rig circa 1977. Saved up for it all winter splitting cordwood after school. I'm still amazed at where I was able to put that bait while spooled up with only 6lb Stren. It would come through most things and back to me. I lost very few. Daiwa 1000c on an Ugly Stik.

Some things like this.

It's a reasonable generalization. However, what are all the factors? Did a heavy flow of super cold rain shock the temps down 10 degrees? Hard to say where they're at. Could be belly down on the bottom, or anywhere else. It's reasonable to assume they'd be somewhere near their spawning grounds at this point in your season, which is why I suggested it earlier. Just work the zone and find out what mood they're in. If things get really rough, try some presentations that seem counterintuitive. I've had more bad days than I can count saved by an unusual hail Mary bait choice.

Here you go Team Lew's Pro SP Casting Reel - Tackle Warehouse Daiwa Tatula Elite Pitch/Flip Casting Reel - Tackle Warehouse

In some places for sure, but never here. All the places with an outflow actually become cleaner if they had color to begin with. Personally, this time of year down there, I'd start near a known spawning flat, then work the zone from deep to shallow. there are worse plans.

My friend just got back. Water temps here are 36-38, so I imagine yours are the same or a tad colder. Lake Ronkonkoma's water temperature & fishing (lakemonster.com) Lake Ronkonkoma's Current Water Temperature Is 36°F Todays Forecast Is, Light Rain In The Evening And Overnight. With A High Around 45°F And The Low Around 33°F. Winds Are Out Of The N At 5mph, With Wind Gusts Of 13mph. Air Temperature 34°F High: 45°F Low: 33°F Wind 5 MPH Gust: 13 Mph Bearing: N Water Temperature 36 °F Weather Details Average Wind 6 Mph Humidity 79% Cloud Cover 61% Precipitation Probability 66%

Yes, and I still use one particular lure often. When I was a kid I caught more bass on this one by a wide margin fishing through lily pads. When my local shop ran out of them sometime in 1980 and told me they were discontinued I was crestfallen. Thanks to the auction site and a flea market I was able to re-supply. The top one is a shelf-queen, but the other two see action. The perch colored one shown on the bottom got me this cutie a few years ago.

I agree on the flipping part, but not the pitching part. I do it often. It simply requires a shorter rod than usual that complements the dimensions of the person using it. While it is a horizonal motion, it works, and comes in handy. It allows for a touch which is lighter than a roll cast.

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Stress-Free Versatile

That was funny. Somewhat cruel, yet funny nonetheless. I didn't know you did funny. Kudos! ?

Unless you're quite tall with a long torso and wide wingspan, I'd shorten up your rod a bit down from 7'6" if you'll be casting from a seated position. A rod that long will not enhance your accuracy, and it's a PIA to land a fish unless you have an extra-long net on board. Even if you cut it down to 6'10" you'll still be casting plenty far from a yak. Far enough at least, and your experience will be much better in general. You can stop your bait on a dime using your thumb, whether you're pitching, skipping, or casting. You may be able to do this now with your spinning rigs, but you'll do it better with a baitcaster. There's also a greater sense of connection with a baitcasting reel, IMO. Once you get past the growing pains, you'll probably agree with that. However, there will always be a few weirdos who prefer spinning gear no matter what, but you don't come across as weird.?