garroyo130

Upgrade to the Spheros. Worm gear drive is worth it. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Spheros_SW_Spinning_Reels/descpage-SWP.html

The auction site has 1,250 yd 4# spools ... in the best color at that, smoke

You should be fine. If its a newer president it likely even has a braid-ready spool.

I gotta level with you guys ... for me all it takes is the font the selected for the word "Maverick". I know its just aesthetic but it screams cheap selected off-a-list font. Paired with the ultra-inferior branding on the brake sideplate its enough for me to never consider it.

I feel like theyre just trying to save money on a bearing ...

Head scratcher on this one. It seems like on spinning reels the biggest difference is the addition of a plastic bushing on the pinion retaining nut to help keep alignment of the pinion but on baitcasting, who knows ...

I think Shimano has something where they don't allow retailers to promote bigger sales. Im not 100% and may be wrong, but I know for a fact Academy has Shimano reels on sale 1 week after their regular spring fishing sale for everything else but they don't list it online or in print ads.

Rivetted handles?

I have the same issue and the Curado K now screws into graphite (*edit - whatever they call their plastic) side plates vs metal frame.

For spinning cheap mono backing (big game or whatever you have laying around) to 20lb braid mainline (any brand is good jbraid, smackdown, etc.) to 8lb fluoro leader. Cheap mono backing (big game or whatever you have laying around) to fluoro mainline on the baitcaster.

I think the problem is we havent defined cheap as hell. Your cheap as hell is more expensive than my cheap as hell. When were talking bottom of the barrel cork im talking Shakespeare learn2fish combos you get on sale for $5 at walmart preferably from 2000 - 2005.

Theres too much money to be made with the record. I suspect that the record bass will be a bass that was raised by a person with the sole purpose of "catching" a world record bass. It will then be transported to a lake, "caught" on video for YouTube monetization and go on to make a good chunk of change for the guy who raised it.

Go lighter if you don't mind fishing slower. Otherwise, jigs as mentioned above, although you should expect to lose some of those too.

Doubt St Croix is that dumb, they likely waited for a patent to expire if one was filed at all

Maybe were talking about different lower grade but in my experience the cheaper cork handles harden and become crumbly

Find some loc tite form-a-thread. Its good for these types of jobs although a bit expensive. It's the right way to get this done IMO. And for the future, leftover tackle box compartment separators were meant to be used to tighten that screw down to the perfect torque.

Sand em with ultra fine sandpaper. You should hardly thin the clearcoat enough to make a difference in terms of durability.

Agreed. Part convenience, part habit. Seiko SKX with a dive strap since I didn't like metal bracelet scratching up the reel.

I hear you on this one. I too struggle with rod purchases. One thing Ive noticed is that new rods tend to have a deceptive feel to me. Some rods will feel good in hand and on the first outing but as I get to fish them more, I start to find things I don't like. Others feel meh but grow on me. There's also a much bigger market within my price point for rods but its difficult to get all of the ones i want to try in hand.

The 3/8 lure in question is a spoon ... that makes a difference

My advice would be to add a book into the mix with that budget. Idk about kids today but theres something cool about the older multi species fishing books. Even if some info is outdated, i like how its presented. Most can be had for a couple of bucks used.

Maybe its just me, but this looks like less action than a regular texas rigged worm

General tackle Bass hooks (offset round bend) Baitholders size 4, 2 Split shot 1/8 oz worm weights A couple of inline floats Bobber stops/pegs Hook sharpener (teach him to use) Lures Assorted soft plastics include trick worms Rat l trap Spinnerbait Mepps black fury #3 ... and for when nothing else is biting, trout magnets

Agree with others above. I fish from the bank and when I'm fishing deep (15ish feet) I will throw split shot worms, deep diving crankbaits with trebles replaced with singles, and sometimes jigs. The jigs are the only ones I lose but thats rare even with a dragging retrieve. Texas rigs and carolina rigs I lose every other cast.