Eric 26

I really enjoy the trip reports.

@Mobasser I haven’t seen an ugly bug for many years but if I had access to my late brother’s tackle box I’m sure he had at least one stashed away from our younger days. If I may ask where are they being sold these days as I’ve not seen them in my favorite local tackle shop and he carries quite a bit of “locally “ made tackle.

@Mobasser I feel the need to share this about Ardent. So yesterday at 10:30 am I  contacted the Ardent customer service with an E-Mail inquiring about a reel part that they promised to respond to within 48 hours. At 7:00 am today I received a response E-Mail asking for my address and by 11:40am this morning I received yet another E-Mail stating the part I inquired about was being shipped with a confirmation number via USPS and the kicker is they never asked for a dime for the part or shipping. Very good customer service that I’m hoping your grandson doesn’t need to use.

I really enjoy both my ultralight and light powered bps panfish elite rods.

I have 3 Carbon X spinning reels that get used quite often. I have a Saex Elite casting reel which is a dual braked/different colored Ardent Apex Elite still available on overseas sites, I got mine when they were blowing them out and no longer selling them direct. And I have a Spark I paid around $35.00 for shipped to my door. The Spark won’t hold any adjustments longer than a dozen casts and wasn’t used much and will no longer be used. The Saex has honestly been an extremely enjoyable reel that I feel would benefit from a deep cleaning/service and the Carbon X reels have been used every time I fish. With that said I’m not targeting 5 lb plus bass but I’ve enjoyed them enough to recommend them several times on here. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts on the Alloy M as I’m looking at one for a specific rod and I’m thinking it will be similar to my Daiwa CA80 that I’m a fan of.

I’m with MN Fisher the 1-1/2 size seems to work good. You can also try Blakemore Road Runners or Bass Pro Shop stump jumpers in 1/32-1/8 ounce sizes. They come with marabou, plastic body trailers or my personal favorite no trailer just the jig head itself. I have good luck with a 1/16 ounce chartreuse head, no trailer which I put a Berkeley gulp or gulp alive minnow in 1”-3” on. Catches bluegill, crappie and bass when it seems nothing else will.

I bought a first gen Tatula Type R for $99.00 last year new in the box. Also as far as budget reels I’ve got a Daiwa CA80 I paid $65.00 pre tax with free shipping off Amazon, I have no experience with the Caius B but I do love my SLX. I’m seriously thinking about upgrading 1 maybe 2 reels to Fuego CT’s for next season.

I don’t have any experience with Dobyns other than handling them in store, but I have been using my Carbonlite 2.0 med-fast for the past two seasons and I’ve thrown spinner bait 3/8-1/2 oz no trailer with no problems on the cast or hook set. But my favorite use for it is lipless cranks, again 3/8 -5/8 the tip is soft enough to really launch em and then keep them hooked up but enough backbone to rip them through the weeds. I also really like the Wynn grips.        Hope this helps.