Big Hands

Interesting. I did a quick Google search that indicates that bass caught in California are not disregarded from IGFA consideration. I also read this and couldn't find any language that indicated that this could be the case: https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IGFA2024_RULES-REGS_062424.pdf There doesn't appear to be any differentiation between Northern, Florida, or other strains. Just simply "Largemouth Bass". Am I missing something?

The manual states that the low power mode is for charging lower capacity batteries. They don’t really explain it too well as to why that’s supposed to be OK. My 24v IP67 can be configured to charge at either 12 amps or 4 amps. The “low power” mode on the IP65 just states it is at 14.v instead of 14.7v so the charger can be used on lower capacity batteries. It may have the ability to do it safely, but I would like to see a better explanation before I hooked up a smaller capacity battery and to avoid just hoping for the best.

Doh! Now that I think about it, surely you're correct.

I also ordered a reel late last week from Digitaka and at first when I attempted to pay as a guest, there was no line item for the tariff/duties. So, I created an account and went through the purchase process again as a member, and it was there. My takeaway is that, currently, the tariff splitting feature is there for account holders only. My reel is scheduled for delivery tomorrow (Wednesday). An interesting side note is that it looks like the package shipped from Japan to Anchorage, AK on Monday, and then went back to Japan and back to Anchorage again earlier today before finally arriving in Oakland, CA later today.

The Daiwa Steez spinning rod known as "The One" (STAGS761MMLFS). Daiwa named it that because it is said to be super versatile and effective for baits from 1/16 to 3/4 of an ounce. Tackle tour has a somewhat in depth review of it.

Have you considered. . . . . . "The One"

I've had the RH version for a few years. It performs better than almost all of the reels I have that cost quite a bit more.

I have a similarly garage inspired system for that very same reason. It's a chunk of steel that weighs a metric crapton that I set on top of my leader spool so it doesn't move.

Well Sir, I think that is a lie I have told myself more times than I care to remember. In fact, I did it again just a few hours ago. I guess since I have employed that same cope myself, I tend to make assumptions that project my own feelings about such matters. If you were a close friend, I would say, "Brother, just buy it because you want it. You have the means. It's OK." They would probably have a witty comeback, we would laugh, and carry on like great friends do. But I don't really know you that well, and you're not me, so I'll just share a few thoughts on the gear you mentioned that I have some experience with. I wanted a Windbuster (the Orochi XX version) so, so badly and I was convinced it would be awesome for throwing weightless wacky Senkos. I was on a vision quest for a superior rod for that specific purpose. I had put hands on that Orochi XX Windbuster several times and went into the shop one day intent on walking out with it. I brought my Kage spinning reel with me just to double check that it would feel as incredible as I had convinced myself that it would. To make an already long story not quite as long, I found that the Windbuster felt tip heavy and had a relatively short butt section (which may have contributed to it feeling a bit tip heavy TBH). The P5 version may not feel the same, but I would buy another Windbuster without first verifying how it felt with a reel on it. Balance is high on my list of priorties. A sidenote: I eventually discovered I love longer (7'6") hair jig type rods for WW Senkos and dropshot fishing in my neck of the weeds. I have a 6'10 SLX M/XF for jerkbaits, poppers, etc. myself. Solid combo IMHO. With that said, whatever you do, wherever you go, absolutely do NOT put your hands on a P5 "One Ten Stick" unless you're prepared to plonk down. As good as the Expride is (and it is), it's not a P5 "One Ten Stick". Love the rod for BFS (I have the 7'4" version), but I have had two Curado BFS reels (still have one). I can't say the Curado BFS is a bad BFS reel, but I can say that IMHO, it isn't really a BFS reel AT ALL. It's a great, well built reel for throwing 3/8 oz baits on 8 lbs line, but that's not really what I think of as BFS, not even American style BFS. More like BFS-adjacent, and quite good at that, but I can buy a $100 +/- KastKing BFS reel that will walk all over the Curado BFS for actual BFS fishing with the Phenix Classic BFS. You can get a JDM Aldebaran BFS for about $16 more than you'll pay for a Curado BFS stateside. I have the Aldebaran BFS and it is the real deal, with great build quality. I don't know anything about that rod, but straight vanilla Curado 200's are great bang for the buck for that purpose. I have two 200K's. Good casting workhorses. Love 'em. Cheers Brother. I think you have good taste in gear.

I can, but I don't do it very well, so I choose not to 😁 @Fried Lemons is a better man than I am.

Every reel mentioned above me was at some points in my life, something I wanted, but simply couldn't afford, and I have caught scads of bass on lesser equipment. They are all fine reels, but they are not exactly alike in ways you may or may not notice and may or may not care about. If you told me you just liked the color of one of them better for the way it looks on your rod, my most delicate skin will not have been damaged and I will believe you have made a fine choice. With that said, most of the techniques I employ spinning gear for are finesse techniques like WW Senkos and dropshot. When I "set" the hook, I am reeling FIRMLY up into them rather than using a traditional snap or sweeping hookset. Much of the time, they are convinced to "come to papa"; every once in a while they inform me that I may not be the one in charge here. The newest Vanford (the FA variety) contains some felt drag washers, while the Stradic doesn't. This is one of the things that makes them slightly different in intent in their newest iterations. On the Daiwa side, I Bought a JDM Caldia at the beginning of last summer, and had a few chances to put their "ATD" (advanced tournament drag) to the test, and it did indeed feel like it has a smoother release point than any of my earlier Tatula LT or Kage LT (among others). That was the main selling point that convinced me to add another one a few months later (along with a Vanford FA for the same reason). Does that mean that any of the other reels mentioned that don't have drag systems that might not be quite as optimized for that type of fishing are not going to do a fine job? Not at all, and all these features are all part of a system that includes the angler themselves, along with every other part of that system. There may also be other features like waterproofing or other features that influence the way a unique individual may use their tools to their best advantage. . . . not to mention cost.

Sometimes the fish wins and that is as it should be in my world.

My previous fishing goals have generally never materialized. I think maybe I made them too specific. I know that the first letter in the SMART goal school of goal writing states that it should be specific, but hear me out. I don't want it to be something I can necessarily achieve one day in April and simply check the box and move on. Instead I would like to expand my arsenal of baits and techniques, and even my mindset, but within the framework of working within the conditions that are presented to me at any give time. For me this year, I think I want to be willing to get back into the heavy cover further than others are willing to go and see if that gets me some quality bites. I don't care . . . much. . . if they get off. I care that I got in there and got them to strike, The more I have tried to do this in recent years, the more I realize there are bass in places many don't expect them to be. Who'd have thunk that? Now I want to get in there and grapple with them. If the bass wins, It'll just make me want to figure out how to get them out of there.

On that topic, I will sit back and listen to folks that are familiar with that type of fishing.

There's at least two schools of thought on the best action on jerkbait rods. One of them being the mod-fast camp and another being the extra fast camp. Being that I am of the latter persuasion, it wouldn't be my choice, but apparently the mod-fast action works for the jerkbait systems of other anglers. I would even say that any decent angler could adapt their technique or other aspects of their unique system to make it work. I find that balance of a combo is important to me when jerkbait fishing because it takes a lot of effort to impart action to them when they're wanting a lot of movement to elicit a strike. I think I would rather fish a well balanced mod-fast combo than a combo with an extra fast action that had poor balance (tip heavy). Ideally, I prefer an extra fast action and excellent balance.

I have four dedicated cranking rods (not including BFS and BIG stuff) to throw crankbaits with and may have anywhere from zero of them to all of them with me as space is limited and my entire roster cannot all fit on my bus. Three of them are 7'6" and one is 7'11". Line size would be anywhere from 8 lbs to 15 lbs mono.

Have you tried: Command +

IIRC, the Newell 220 is based on the Squidder Jr. but the parts may not be interchangeable And, you can get a Newell conversion kit (on the auction site) for the Squidder Jr. that comes with the lightweight spool, one piece frame supports and reel base. If you see a Squidder Jr. with a black spool, it's either an aluminum spool or possibly a plastic spool (although I don't specifically remember plastic Squidder spools) vs the original 146 (non "L") that came with a chrome/steel spool. For the Squidder Jr. to really shine, you want the aluminum spool and if you can get the one piece Newell supports (as opposed to the two chrome posts) it will be a better supported frame structure. I had a Beachmaster 155 BITD. They can be had in a narrow version and IIRC some came with a lightweight plastic spool.

I got a notice asking me to change the setting in my ****er to allow ads, which I made an exception for in this case and did as I was requested since they have not been a nuisance like they are on other sites. PS: I use dark mode on the rest of my apps whenever possible, so I am definitely liking the updated look.

If you're using Google Chrome, you can click on the 'ice cream cone' (that's what our IT department calls these three stacked vertical dots) in the upper right area of your browser. Half way down this drop down menu is the zoom setting. After the update, mine looked smaller than before and sure enough the zoom was set at 80%. I bumped it up to 100% and all is good in my Bass Resource world once again.

The Dobyns FR 806HSB is a solid choice at $159 and rated for 2-8 oz. It claims to be a "Fast" action rod, but IMHO it more of a mod to mod-fast type action which is most suited for good sized swimbaits with treble hooks. I have mine paired with a Daiwa Tatula 200 for exactly that purpose. I don't think I would throw an actual 8 oz swimbait with the FR 806HSB, but up to 6 oz would be in it's true wheel house IMHO.

Squidder Jr. 146L The Jigmaster and a Squidder Jr. with a lightweight spool was a classic 1-2 punch for local half and 3/4 day party boats BITD. The Jigmaster for slinging iron and the Squidder Jr (with a lightweight spool) for bait fishing and relatively lighter lures.

I caught my first double digit largemouth on 6 lbs mono, and a fair number of other of nice fish. OTOH, I have had my heart crushed and run over on 4 lbs mono. More than once. I just can't get myself to even think of trying it again. I did recently pick up some 5 lbs Daiwa J-Fluoro and spooled up one of my BFS rigs, but I haven't had a chance to have my feelings hurt. . . . I mean fish with it yet.

I have the Dobyns SUF700C and the SUF 690C and both cast a Karashi (they weigh 3/16 oz, or slightly over 5g) really well. I also have a 7'4" Phenix Classic BFS and fishing from my boat, I prefer the SUF700C or the 7'4" Phenix for the extra distance. I would not go to an SUF701C as I think it would be a bit stiff for casting a Karashi for distance. Karashi is on the heavy side for a lot of the small hardbaits that I like to throw as many of them are more in the 2.5g to 4g range and I definitely wouldn't want anything too stiff for that. Additional food for thought: I can bend out hooks or even break the hooks on a Karashi if I try to horse the fish too much on even the rods I mentioned above. I have to be mindful of that, so I think it would be even more of a problem with even a slightly heavier rod and I wouldn't want to have to not keep a rod well bent to keep from losing fish by bending out hooks.

Savage reply.