Big-Bass

I picked up these two baits at a yard sale and am trying to find some info on them. I have no idea what they are or what value they might be but I found them to be pretty neat. Thank you for any and all help and best wishes on the water!

I got my four thankfully. I was tipped off early by my buddy and he ordered his limit of four too. They sold out quick! Glad you got one!

Enjoy them and catch some fish!

I have two of the original black/gold Tatula 701MLRB casting rods with the short rear handle. One is brand new with tags (extra) and the other I use the heck out of. I have either an SV103H or an IP68 on it and it fishes jerkbaits, small spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and crankbaits really well.

Does anyone have a legit comparison of a Dobyns Xtasy 754C vs. a Gen1 Daiwa Steez AGS Bottom Contact Rod and how can/would you compare? Thank you!

Can anyone tell me more about these reels? Are they rare/collectable? How limited are they? I bought a few in the past and have stored them amongst my other reel horde. I am not looking to sell but looking for more info on what you have on them in general. Thanks and let me know. Best wishes on the water.

Thanks Glenn!

I think so. I still have a new Topwater Special 6'8" but it isn't going anywhere. You may still be able to find then online.

Well that stinks...much like an old Bass Pro Catalog...the ICast show was the online tackle drool of the next year!

Lew's made a truly short Topwater and Jerkbait Special a few years ago...like a 6" back grip and genuinely nice rods!

There hasn't been much out there regarding ICast 2022 with 2023 products. What have you heard and/or what info do you have? Please place here? Thank you and best wishes on the water!

We had a great trip as well up there last week. We ended up with the biggest smallie being 6.41, five over 5lbs., a half dozen just under the 5 mark, at least 40 4+ fish, and countless threes. Many of the 4s we just threw back without a weight so that number of 40 may be closer to 50-60 LOL. 1/16-3/16 BLACK maribou hair jigs for cruisers on the shoals using a long rod with light braid to leader. Drop shot was key on drops, etc. MaxScent Flatworm 3.6" in Natural Shad and Goby with 1/2-3/4oz. weights depending on current.

How did they go downhill? For me at any price, it seems there is a Daiwa to match with a smoother feel and better drag. Just my opinion but I know of some folks who swear by the President reels.

The 7'2" Medium PA is great for smaller 1.5 cranks. Good for spinnerbaits and chatters as well.

That's a great fish!

I use some of the Ambassadeur 1500/2500/4500/5000/5500 reels. They are not knucklebusters aside from a 5000D which really technically isn't either. I have a Heddon Heritage that I picked up too that is pretty cool. Made in Sweden and was a rival to Ambassadeur for a short bit.

Drag is critical. As a guy who started with push button reels and went to bait casting by 10, I was always one to horse them to the boat as fast as I could. I used spinning tackle on occasion but most of what I threw was baitcasting gear with the drag not locked, but pretty darn tight. Now, I fish alot of smallmouth (here in PA but for giants in NY). We just got back last week from our trip to the 1000 Islands and throwing a 1/16-3/16oz. maribou hair jig at 4,5,6+ pound smallmouth on 6lb. braid with an 8lb. flouro leader, one learns quickly how important drag is. I use 4000CXH reels on my smallmouth rods for the bigger spool (longer cast) and better drag displacement set to each specific technique I am doing. I can't say that I don't lose fish, but with the proper drag and the proper rod, you put yourself at much greater odds of catching a big fish and working it to the boat.

Even though most of my modern tackle is Daiwa, I have a pretty extensive vintage Abu Garcia collection. I love anything Abu and have some pretty cool, and even one-off reels. One member on here has been rather inspirational in helping me with some CDL reels and I have been on the hunt since then. At one point, I think I had one of each model produced from the mid-1950s through about 1980 but have thinned that out.

Japan Tackle, a Japanese auction site, and most recently, JapanLureShop. ? At the price they were listed above, it would be silly not to add more. They are gorgeous works of art and similar to the color of the 1976 B.A.S.S. 5500CDL of which only 500 were made and command a price of $4-6000k NIB today.

They are nice reels. I have two of them and the color is gorgeous.

Absolute beauty! Good luck with it and best wishes on the water!

Yep, not sure how the heavier lines will be but the 4 has been great.

It was a blast! In current it was even more intense. I was impressed because I got the 200yd. spool for $7.49 shipped and this solidified me as a return customer. My son was yelling and screaming and I was able to finesse it in for a couple of nice pictures/measurement before a swift release.

Well, I had some enjoyment today as I fished with my son. I am a gear hound but simplicity is sometimes great. I took out my cheapo (but I love it) Shakespeare Micro 7' L ($17) with a Max Z 20 reel (I got it new for like $24) and the 4lb. Basix fishing a Thomas Lures Eel (Chartreuse) at a local stream. I ended up landing a 21 1/2" Golden Rainbow Trout and it was a blast. The line was great, handled the fish just fine, and casts beautifully. Definite confidence boost.

I have the Veritas PLX 7' ML XF and that is a fun rod for dropshot and neds. No problem landing smallmouth or largemouth on it at all. Drag setting on the spinning reel is more important when fighting a larger fish and finesse vs. horsing them in.