MidwestBassAttack

Falcon Lowrider Amistad

Falcon Cara Amistad without a doubt….even after trying an NRX+ 873crr.

Scariest thing for me….Was a Saturday…bank fished a local 2700 acre lake. Was out the entire day and not a single text or phone call from the wife all day. I thought something had happened to her! I raced home and was relieved to find her with our mailman AND FedEx driver. Thank the good lord! I proceeded back to the lake and ended up catching my PB!

Metanium MGL for me. I especially love the look and feel of the 2016 release. I did the brass gear and Carbontex upgrade on all of mine.

As others have mentioned, take off the braid and go straight mono. Big Game 15lb was my “learning” line. Easy to use and super cheap. Earn your wings on that. if your backlashing at the beginning of your cast, adjust your brakes. If your backlashing at the end, adjust spool tension and work on your thumbing. I might also suggest using a heavier weight. For instance, 3/4oz while learning.

A few “legacy” retailers have certain models in stock now. One of the reviews I read mentioned it has a matte finish. I’d have one in hand but I prefer magnesium reels (Metaniums)

Curado MGL….all day long

I have a Halo HFX 7’ medium crankin’ stick. I would check it out! I love mine…super sensitive and comfortable in hand. Can feel every single wiggle and can tell immediately when that wiggle feels different.

Quite honestly, check out the 873CRR for what you are looking to do. I have two of them and with Metanium reels, they balance right at the small bit of cork in front of the reel seat. Light and very good balance. Different model altogether but I also had a GLX 895 that was so tip heavy it was ridiculous. Promptly returned it.

I tighten down drag and spool tension as tight as I can. Using my Berkeley spooling station, I saturate a sponge with water, run the line between the folded sponge, push down on the line/sponge, then reel on with my right hand. Gets it packed super tight. I then back off the drag and spool tension to my preferred fishable settings. I have found that “dig-in” with braid can happen as a result of a jerky technique.

Second this. I still have mine and love it. Keeps the perfect amount of tension on the line.

1) Spinning setup for finesse. 2) Casting setup with a versatile rod such as a NRX 873crr. 15-17lb fluorocarbon. 3) Casting setup with a heavier rod for frogs/flipping. 40-60lb braid. Notice how I left out a cranking setup. I hate cranking from the bank.

2 on 2 off inside. With braided line I can go down to 2 on the external with side to side play. My other setup is 2 on 2 off inside. 17lb P line tactical I generally go between 4-6 on the outside with a good amount of spool “shimmy”

I’d be casting and pitching jigs into it. 1/2 or 3/4oz to get it in there with a large profile. Darker color. Water temps are still a bit cool for them to be chasing baits still.

This is why I just pay to have things like this done. True; I could do it myself but not being the most handy, it takes longer and the risk for having to re-work is high. This ensures the job will be done correctly (the first time) and I like delegating ?. It turns my wife on and I get my time to fish. Winner winner!

I use plain old masking tape. Tie my knot to the spool, tuck the knot into one of the spool holes, tape over, keep tension on the tape while winding, strip of tape goes one revolution around, then tight tension on my line. Never had an issue with slippage or uneven line spooling. Do this on all my bait casters. Spinning reel gets mono-backing though.

I found the Experts to be more softer in the tips compared to the new Cara. I would definitely do the Cara over the Experts based upon my own preference

Yesterday here in the Chicago suburbs….wind chill was sub-zero most of the morning. Coldest St Patty’s Day parade ever. This morning we are right at 40 with a high in the upper 50’s and sun. Most of the next 10 days lows will be above freezing with daytime highs in the 50’s and 60’s. Heading out to find some biggun’s shortly!

Awesome - thanks for the intel MN Fisher!

PM sent! This would be a blast to help work and teach!

Looking at getting my first rig next season. No; I’m not one of “those guys” that’s going to drop $70k plus on a Ranger, Skeeter, etc. as a first rig. I’m looking for minimal cost but will get me on the water. Looking at some Jon boats and just a trolling motor. Nothing fancy. Any suggestions? Trying to cap the spend at about the $5k mark. I’m fine with pre-owned.

As others have said, huge improvement over the prior setup. If your targeting bass, the 5000 size might be overkill. I personally max out at 2500 sized spinning reels. But either way, enjoy it. Your first high dollar combo usually opens the flood gates in gear preferences. Better start saving up now!

This post would be more fun if we named the color… My two votes… #1 Bloody Turd #2 Ex-wife

LOVE frog fishing. One of my absolute favorite techniques. My frog setup… Reel: 2016 Metanium MGL 8 speed (brass gear and carbontex upgrade) Line: 40 or 50lb Pline X-Braid (May try Sunline Plasma this year) Rod: Either Falcon Cara Amistad XH or Halo HFX 7’3” heavy Frog: Spro Bronzeye 65 at 5/8oz in Bone, Black, and Killer Gill Typically throw late May through September here in IL

My cutoff would be 2-3 hours max. Anything longer I’d want 2 nights to allow for a solid, full day of fishing.