BrianMDTX

The weather in S. Texas lately has not been conducive to good fishing. Every time I have opportunity it’s either been a cold front moving through, or heavy rain. I haven’t had a dry spell like this in a long time. My wife went back to Maryland to spend time with our daughters for Mothers Day. I fished a different pond and yep, skunked. So even though the fishing report says Lake Raven is listed as Slow, I’m headed for bigger waters tomorrow and hope to catch something. Oh well. At least I had the chance to clean and lube two Fuegos and change the cracked clutch bars. I have fun regardless.

The best work boots I ever wore were Herman Survivors. They fit great, had great foot support and lasted. Unfortunately Walmart made them an offer they couldn’t refuse, they shifted the manufacturing to China, and they are now crap. if I had to wear work boots again, I’d wear Red Wings.

This is for all the “I’ve never worked on a baitcaster before” anglers. If you look at the exploded illustrated parts diagram that comes with your reel, it looks very intimidating. So many small parts! But the fact is that you are not taking the reel apart and stripping it down piece-by-piece until every single part is separated. Take your time, use the correct tools, and take photos of everything you remove in order so you can reference them upon reinstallation. One word of advice: don’t do one reel, have two Mexican martinis with dinner, and decide to do the second reel because “it’ll be easier after doing the first one”. Those little screws were giving me fits lol. But seriously, it’s not hard. Coming from an aircraft maintenance background, I can state that the most important tool in your arsenal is your brain. Use it. Look closely at how each component comes apart. Take your time. Don’t force parts together (if they aren’t fitting back together again as they should, there’s a reason. Use whatever resources you have available (parts diagrams, photos, YT videos, etc.). The ability to clean, service and repair your reels may mean the difference between success and failure on a trip someday. If you can use a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench, you’ll be fine.

Both done. The reel on the Falcon wasn’t as bad but still cracked. All cleaned and oiled/greased with new clutch bars. Less than $3.00 ea. so I can’t complain about the cost, but I don’t think a part like that should fail so quickly.

One down; one to go! I’ve been putting it off and putting it off. Even tried to use some superglue to semi-fix them, but the Fuego on my Kistler said “nope!” this morning and gave way. So when I got home, I bit the bullet. In truth, it’s not much more difficult than a clean and lube (which I did as well). Here’s the offending bugger!

When I look at my boat and sometimes the thought “Do I wanna?” is heard before “I’m gonna!”, puts me squarely in the CCCC.

I started fishing craws (or craw-like baits like a Menace) as trailers, but I mostly fish them as a TR now. A Rage Craw is pretty much always on a EWG and ready to cast on every outing. Weights vary, from 1/8, 3/16, 1/8, 1/4 up to 3/8 oz. Many times the sink rate activates the bite.

Saw JJ with Elle King and Heart in 2019, but first for Billy Idol. After the wicked weather in Texas during the week, today is one of those days that makes you glad you’re alive. It’s absolutely fantastic out. No fishing, but I did get to wash and vacuum my car out. Last payment on 05/31 and then all car/truck payments are done. Just think of all the extra Bait Monkey coin! 😂

I bit the bullet and ordered two replacement clutch bars. Should arrive this week. I’ve taken my reels apart for cleaning and lubing, but not to the extent required to change the clutch bars out. Should be fun!

I feel ya. We’re going to a Billy Idol/Joan Jett concert tonight and I thought if I got up early and fished all morning, I’d likely be ready for zzzzz’s come show time. Woke up this morning and it’s gorgeous out. Oh, well!

I love my Helium TCJ (disclaimer- I don’t fish jigs over 1/2 oz. before trailers).

Anyone ever launched their boat and fished from these two areas? Most of Lake Conroe is too big a lake for my inflatable w/trolling motor, but those two areas are in the narrower part of the lake. If I don’t fish my local ponds I’ve normally gone to Lake Raven in Huntsville SP, but the fishing reviews this spring have not been good and my ponds are getting pressured and the catch quantities and quality have suffered.

I caught my PB on a #6 Eagle Claw snelled baitkeeper hook with a bobber on a Cabela’s UL graphite rod and a 50 YO Shakespeare spinning reel. With only half a nightcrawler on the hook. tbf, that wasn’t my intention lol. But it worked out that way.

My two TR/jig rods are both MHF. And they do well (Kistler Helium/Falcon All ‘Round Fast). But as I have mentioned before, on a whim one day I took off a squarebill from my Dobyns Fury 705CB and tied on a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG and some various baits (5” Senko, Fat IKA) and it did a very good job. Hooksets were great.

Busted my hump the past two days doing yard work. Forecast for today said rain/thunderstorms coming this afternoon, so I went out this morning. Wasn’t on the water for 60 minutes and it started to rain, get dark and I heard thunder. So I did the prudent thing and left. Back home, gear stowed, sun’s out. Caught one bass on a Rage Craw TR. Also caught two channel cats on the same bait. Wasn’t expecting that.

Easy answer. “Honey, what you just watched is due to editing. What was shown was 3.25 minutes of edited content. Reality is that he was fishing for 17.45 hours before he caught and landed that fish. So what you’re saying to me, right now, is that every trip should last 17.45 hours, excluding travel time to and from the water. Got it! Thanks for the heads-up, babe!”

@bgaviator Did you ever get that clutch bar replaced? I still need to get the clutch bar replaced on the Fuego on my Kistler, and now I see a crack starting on the Fuego on my Falcon. None of my other baitcasters are damaged in the slightest so I don’t think it’s due to my abuse. Especially as the cracks on both reels are both in the right side of the clutch bar (although the one on my Kistler is now cracking parallel to the reel).

Same here. Never caught nothing on one. Just weeds and algae! 😂

Tom, I’m with you 100%. I vastly prefer fishing fresh vs salt. But eating? If it ain’t salt, I’ll pass. I used to love a mess of pan-fried bluegills with butter and lemon, but haven’t had them in decades.

I have braid-to-leader on three spinning rigs. Two reels are Daiwa Revros LT’s (2000 & 2500) and the other is a Shimano Sierra. Two are spooled with 20 lb. Sufix 832 (Daiwas) and the Shimano with Seguar Smackdown. All have lures, terminal tackle tied directly to the leader (no swivels). The line rollers on these three reels are not ball bearing. I agree that is a better set-up, but I have been using these rigs for 3-4 years and I’ve never had an issue with line knots or abnormal wear on the line roller. OP- what weight of line are you using? I know many use lighter than 20 lb. line on a spinning reel, but it works well for me. 20 lb. braid diameter is comparable to 6 lb. mono. Any smaller than that and I have trouble tying knots.

Welcome to BR! BR is an enigma. Years ago when everything was shiny and new in the Internet, forums like these flourished. But social media and a lack of good moderation doomed many of them. Most forums such as BR are now distant memories of a golden age. There are many great things about BR, but the best of the best is the moderation. It keeps trolls and troublemakers at bay and allows others to discuss things without being derided, insulted, etc. And there is no “gang of cronies” that can do whatever they want but deny others the same. Well, I say moderation, which is true. But the real truth is that this site is the vision of Glenn May. He keeps this site the way that it is. I’ve said before that this site is the best-run forum I’ve ever been a member of, and it still is. I have learned things here that have helped my bass fishing tremendously. You will, too.

I like Smackdown. Very supple. And quiet.

My Helium is one of my favorite rods. Their shop is about 30 minutes from my house. When I was trying to decide what rod and power/action to get, I spoke with Trey about what I wanted it for (Texas rigs and jigs, no more than 1/2 oz.) and he recommended the Helium TCJ. It’s been a perfect rod for the applications I fish with it. The shop was spotless as well, which always tells me good things.

It’s a great question, compounded by the fact Company A’s MHF may be more akin to Company B’s MF or MHMF. Not all rods that are rated at the same power and action are exactly the same. My Kistler Helium and Falcon Lowrider All-‘Round Fast are MHF, and I’d say they are very close in both power and action. My Daiwa Aird-X MHF does not match the power (action is closer but the difference in power is noticeable). if I was getting my first baitcaster, I would get a MHF unless I was going to fish crankbaits a majority of the time. But if you think you may fish Texas rigs or jigs a lot, get a MHF.

I read Glenn‘s post. I had to laugh as I once had a 14’ runabout with a 40 hp Evinrude that I towed with a bumper hitch on my 1969 Camaro.