DitchPanda

Fairly normal? No...you are way understocked. Better beef that inventory up.

Which one is the better option? Or which do you prefer?

I haven't been impressed with the newest presidents...which is depressing to me because for 10+ years they were my go to. I've got several older ones going strong..they are still nicer than my new one. Actually just talked to a buddy who picked up a revros this summer. Said he is extremely impressed for the price. Think this is the direction I'm gonna go. Although I may try a black max as well...I've been happy with the casting version for a cheap option.

Well this has been done before but I'm gonna ask it again. Need some suggestions in the $60 and under range on a good spinning reel? Girlfriend wants some ideas for Xmas but we are doing a tight budget this year...plus at that price I may be able to squeeze 2 out of her!

I've got it pretty much narrowed down on my craw baits to two anymore:Rage menace or zoom ultra vibe speed craw.

Oh man I feel terrible for you. The other morning it was 8 when I woke up...high that day was 24. No sympathy here.

Tonight me and the old lady will be chowing on some smoked pulled pork tacos with some salsa and homemade pickled jalapenos. I plan to wash it down with a couple cans of Shiner Bock.

I tend to favor the rod for spinning and even split for casting. Several $300 casting combos $150 rod $150 reel. Most spinning the rods are $100-$150 and the reels are $50-$75. That said there are so many good options around $100 for both spinning and casting rods and reels that a $200 combo of today us better than a $300 combo of 5 years ago. As you go up in price I completely agree on the point of diminishing returns. I've compared a $200 rod to a $400 one...is there a difference?yes. Is it twice as good? Not in my opinion. Then again that's for everybody to decide for themselves.

Over the years I've tried several different mono and copoly lines for cranking with mixed levels of success...this year I used 10lb big game for small cranks and was pleasantly surprised. That's why I'm confident in using the 15lb for lipless and square bills.

Ha...agreed. The past few years I've had my local lake flood several times from the river and a bunch of small mouth have been left behind. Now I haven't caught any giants but have caught several in the 2.5-3lb range...they fight as hard as a 5lb largemouth.

Well if I understand correctly a "premium" mono has less stretch and better abrasion resistance...basically making it very similar to fluoro. That's it I'm getting some 15lb big game and calling it a day. To many options...making my head spin.

Yes but I'm assuming you are using a premium mono?

I love asking these types of questions because you get such a broad scope of answers. Half the guys are using the most expensive stuff the other half are using the cheapest. Guess I'm curious as to what the advantages are of using a good fluorocarbon instead of a durable mono like big game? I'm willing to spend the money if its worth it

Black and blue is a love hate relationship for me. I don't catch many on it but when I do they are bigs. First bass I caught on a black blue jig was 8lbs.

I myself haven't had good luck with it but I can't say why. Its basically a light brown and purple mix both of which are extremely fishy...together I can't seem to make it work well.

Yes but I'm shallow cranking so I'm not concerned about diving depth

I guess if you were switching the reel from rod to rod there wouldn't be alot of negative. I have dedicated reels for cranking so for me the negative would be cost of fluoro.

What are the benefits of fluoro for cranking? Sensitivity and invisibility seem to be the big benefits of fluoro neither of which would matter much with a moving bait in my mind

He won 4 bassmasters classics...3 of them he won catching largemouth.

Talking specifically about line for square bills and 1/2oz lipless. What is your line of choice? Over the years I've tried lots of different things and haven't found the one yet

April,May and October have been my best months consistently for size.

My girlfriend has bad anxiety and it is painful to watch her struggle with the fear and decision making. Also I realize thru seeing this its not easy to understand as a person who doesn't have anxiety or panic attacks. I will say in regards to fishing tho you gotta learn to enjoy the process and the challenge or it gets hard to even want to go over time. I know its easier said than done but try to remember that your choosing to do this for fun and recreation so try not to be so hard on yourself. We all know there are much worse things then not catching a fish...just try to remember that.

Good idea. Jigs can truly be magic once you unlock its potential...the hype is true they seem to catch bigger fish more consistently than anything else I've thrown. But there is a learning curve so when you couple that with the fact that they don't normally get tons of bites to begin with you are gonna have some trying times...but the end result is worth it. Ill also say I'd start with 2 jigs...an arky style full size jig and a finesse style either ball head or bitsy bug\flip style.

I am by no means a great jig fisherman. I feel that I am decent and constantly improving which is all you can ask for. Finding a few different jigs to match my style and getting to know those jig inside out has helped me in my feel of the jig and just my overall confidence in my ability with it. As far as gear is concerned I think good gear just compliments the skill set...but good doesn't mean it has the cost $1000. My jig combos are in the $300 and under range and they serve me well. Intuition is the hardest thing to learn and its earned thru effort and time on the water. Only early you can know what that jig is supposed to feel like is feeling it feel right a million times...then you can tell when it feels different.

Well I was just kinda having fun and playing around with the back reel guys the way you guys are playing around with us drag guys and our stack of washers. To me old school isn't an insult...but I believe something that used to be the dominate method that has since changed and 95% of people are no longer doing it is old school. The biggest thing I don't get about it is the money involved..take for example the Stella. When you put alot of money into a spinning reel you are getting refinement in all areas...weight, cast ability and drag performance. Drag performance is a huge one so I can't see spending that kind of money for that refinement and just backreeling. Of course this is just my way of thinking and I'm definitely not saying its the right or only way. Out if curiosity what is the no AR bearing for deep cranking thing? I'm not a deep cranker but I'm curious