Eric 26

@Mike L You and everyone else down there stay safe. My prayers are with you all for a much weaker storm than is being predicted.

Definitely a fun one. Albeit I haven’t watched much football so far this season ☹️ I will also add I really enjoyed watching my beloved Chicago Bears beat up on the hapless Carolina Panthers😃

I hope this doesn’t come across as ignorant or uninformed but which casting model Shimano comes in a 100 size? I only have 2 Shimano casting reels which are a SLX MGL 71 and a Curado 151 MGL which much like @FrnkNsteen I feel have more than enough line capacity for my fishing style, but I will add I own a 100 size Daiwa Tatula and (2) 80 sized Daiwa reels that both hold more than enough line for my style of fishing. It seems to me at least the Daiwa’s hold more line than the equivalent sized Shimano’s in the first place if that makes any sense.

I have zero anywhere near this man’s experience and knowledge but I know enough to know when he shares an opinion I listen.

Almost all of my baitcasters are spooled with either 10 pound big game which is budget friendly and readily available or 10 pound Suffix Advance Monofilament.

I’m not sure if you’ve found what you’re looking for yet but the Bass Pro Shop Crankin Stick comes In medium light in 6’-0”, 6’-6” & 7’-0” for $79.99. I have the previous version in 7’-0” and absolutely love it I throw everything from 1/8 ounce inline spinners, 1/16-1/4 ounce road runners and my favorite a Strike King KVD square bill in 1.0 (1/4oz) or 1.5 (3/8 oz), I currently have a Tatula 100 paired with it for reference.

Welcome from New Lenox Illinois.

This is a new one for me but I won’t be picking it up again based on the hazy tropical that I felt tried too hard with the fruit juice. The brain melter was my favorite of the 3.

We had a bit of a cool down mid week which cooled down my favorite retention pond with a 70 degree plus day yesterday which had the crappies up close to the shoreline 😃

If I’m not mistaken the Alphas has the same frame as the Tatula 80 which I own along with a SLX 71 MGL and if you feel the Shimano is too small you’ll hate the Alphas. I have short fat fingers and I myself love my Tatula 80 but in your case I would suggest maybe the new Tatula 100 or even a Tatula 150, either way you should be able to handle both at a tackle shop or better yet a BPS if there’s one near you. Best of luck and keep us posted on your purchase.

I should have added the Okuma I referenced above is marked as a moderate fast not a fast although they do have a 7’-0” medium fast. I will also add it is a very versatile rod with enough backbone for single hooked baits but enough “give” for treble hooked baits as well.

Regardless of what they’re supposed to be they are definitely good looking and would definitely catch bass in my beloved retention ponds.

I love my Okuma TCS-A in 7’-0” medium plus. Recommended by @MiceNReets and was reviewed on this site, a sweet rod for sure.

Oh my god I needed this thread so badly. I’m laughing out loud with every post 😃 Although my vote goes to A-Jay I wanted to give you all a like but I know I wouldn’t be able to so a group one is in order

I’m currently using Kastking monofilament in both chrome blue and rebel red in 4 pound test. Although the blue color faded really fast it hasn’t affected the performance, the red color has held up extremely well. I also bought a spool of fluorokote in 4 lb test a handful of years ago and haven’t had any issues yet. I’m not sure what you’re fishing for but I’m fishing small retention ponds for bluegill, crappie and small bass for what it’s worth.

Wow, absolutely beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing 😃

Unfortunately Yuengling is unavailable in Illinois 🙁 Fortunately for me Indiana isn’t very far from me and I have a ton of co-workers who live there who would most definitely pick it up if I’m ever in the mood for it😃

I’m in the @herder and @gimruis club with the biggest difference being I haven’t been fishing nearly as long or have as much time on the water as these 2 gentlemen.

@new2BC4bass Keep practicing and you’ll be as proficient as you need to be quicker than you think 😉 Also as @bulldog1935 has posted elsewhere “spinning reels are functional but casting reels are fun” I think I may have botched his phrase but it’s something that runs through my mind every time I use my casting reels even though my spinning gear catches more fish for me albeit bluegill not bass😃

Ooh I do love me some IPA’s. As far as the deschutes is that the black butte porter? I know I tried a deschutes variety pack at some point and the porter stood out for me. Another fair priced beer that has good flavor to me is Shiner Bock.

I know I’ve said it before but as far as “cheap” beers go my favorite is Hamms, but then again there’s something just different enough in my opinion that an ice cold Old Style hits the spot every now and then also.

I have used 4lb Trilene XL on quite a few reels and currently have 4lb Kastking monofilament on a couple reels and have had zero issues using the Trilene knot I believe it’s referred to which I learned from watching Bill Dance years ago. It’s a simple knot to learn and again zero issues with 4lb up to 17lb monofilament at least for me.

I’m sticking with my Oktoberfest while it’s in season. @BigAngus752 this one’s a bit better than the Shiner in my humble opinion if you have it available by you

@fish_wish12 @Smirak Just posted that fishUSA has the SLX XT on sale for $99.

Another really good hard rock cover is Korn covering Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick In The Wall”. Sorry if it’s already been mentioned.