NavyToad

@IndianaOutdoors Midway still has some open box Tatula spinning rods left. I bought an open box casting rod and it appeared to be brand new with tags. 6’6”, 6’10”, and 7’3” Medium still available. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022115290?pid=253066

I don’t think catch and release is widely practiced in P.I.. I’ve lived there and my wife is filipina. Truth is that every species of fish, no matter how big or small, is looked at as food in the Philippines. My observation is that if a body of water holds fish, it’s likely heavily fished and as far as I know there are no remote, untapped fisheries in the Philippines. Their efforts at Fish and Game preservation are all but non-existent and/or ineffective.

Omnia has 30% off Ark Gravity reels and select Ark rods. Invoker Pros are $104. I’ve wanted to try their Gravity reel and picked up a Gravity 5 for $125.99 shipped. I’m a Premium member and was notified through e-mail.

Most of my rods are 6’10” to 7’4” MH and can be used for darn near anything. There was a time when I didn’t know the difference between a fast action and a moderate action and I just fished and didn’t pay much attention to whether it was a Medium or a Medium Heavy. I just fished! I used to fish for catfish with a 1oz barrel weight using a 6’ ML spinning rod and never realized that the rod wasn’t meant for that. I caught fish and had a ball. Just fish - you’ll figure it out.

@wsmithyou might get a better response if you start a new thread relevant to your question.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VD8NP4F/?coliid=IPSTRNZ4HOGVG&colid=2C3BUKK1V0BMW&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1 I have 4 Caldias with some of them being 7 or 8 years old. My newest one is the one above. Holds 100 yards of 8# line.

2 years ago, after 35+ years of abstinence I took one single hit. Never again! The stuff nowadays must be 20 times more potent than the Columbian we used to get. I became incapacitated and it was anything but pleasant. I wouldn’t be capable of fishing.

I have a Revo 4SX and the Tat SV. I have 3 Lews Tournament Pros. I won’t hesitate to buy another Lews Tournament Pro, I’ll never buy another Revo, and if the SVs went on sale for $100 I’d consider it. Take a look at Lews.

I’ve heard that with today’s drag washers it’s not necessary. Out of habit I loosen mine after every use.

@throttleplate Maybe the worst loss we could have suffered. Not the end of the world, but losing a shutdown closer is a huge loss. Depending on the extent of the injury, Tommy John is likely in his future. I’m guessing we’ve seen the last of him this year.

@throttleplate Our pitching has been a surprise to me. No Cy Young contenders, but they’re getting it done.

I consider Dobyns 4 power rods Medium Heavy. I use a Champ 735 for frogs in light to medium vegetation. I really think you’ll want a 5 power (735) but you’ll have to step up to a Maverick. You’ll probably get plenty of good suggestions and Labor Day sales are right around the corner. Call Dobyns 1 (903) 919-8028. They’ll be happy to talk to you and their advice is sound in my experience.

@Darth-BaiterIMO today’s latest and greatest isn’t really better than what they had 25-30 years ago. They fixed backlash with centrifugal and magnetic brakes a long time ago. Minor (superficial) advancements have done little to improve reels beyond what existed 25 years ago IMO. “DC” reels may work, but I’m not on board and never will be. This is only my take on it and means next to nothing. I bought a Curado K the other day mostly so that I could compare it with a 25 year old Bantam I have. I’ll have the new reel Wednesday and give it a whirl. Will be the 2nd Shimano I’ve ever bought and probably my last for reasons I can’t justify. Don’t get me wrong, I have the disease. I just don’t believe the hype when I buy a new reel.

Shimano Stella is the only reel that comes to mind. Stellas have been at the top of the food chain for decades and I think they’re pretty rare. I’ve never seen a Stella in the wild. It’s not hard to imagine that the older models will be highly sought after at some point.

Omnia VIP members get 20% off with code SUMMERSALEVIP.

As far as I’m concerned, a Dobyns 2 power isn’t good for much of anything. I have a Champ 732 and never use it. I use the 733 for 1/8 jigheads and above and it works great. Their spinning rods are rated alot like their baitcasters. A Medium (3 power) is really a Medium Light.

I’m a Ravens fan and we’re looking good IMO, but as long as Patrick Mahomes is around, my money would have to be on KC.

@MontclairDave The 150 will work as long as the line capacity works for you. The Tranx 300/400 were originally developed with the surf/inshore fishing crowd in mind and those same features are found in the 150/200. If you look around you might prefer something else, but the Tranx has a stellar reputation going back years. The Tranx came out after the Lexa 300/400 and Abu Toro Beast, and was Shimano’s answer to the low profile high capacity baitcaster from Abu and Daiwa.

I have mostly Lews reels and I’ll keep buying Lews reels. I’m a fanboy. If I was fishing inshore I’d get a Shimano Tranx 200. I don’t think it can be beat in the $200 range.

Immediately soak the bloodied area and keep it wet ‘til you get home. Then try the remedies listed above. Don’t let the blood dry on the fabric.

I still back my drag off after every use. A holdover from the old days. No harm in it.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102211501?pid=146978 Not as discounted as they were last week, but you still can’t beat it. 6’10” and 7’3” are still available. Don’t let the “open box” worry you. I and several others on here bought them last week - no complaints.

I go through a pair of Cudas every year or so. They cut as well as any I’ve used and get dull just like all the others. I buy them 2 or 3 at a time when I need them.

Tampa Bay pitcher McClanahan “highly unlikely” to pitch again in ‘23. Bad news for the Rays, good news for the rest of the AL East. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38157854/shane-mcclanahan-highly-unlikely-pitch-again-2023-kevin-cash-says

The Shimano Spheros SW is the best bang for the buck and a very good reel - period. Digitaka has them for $112. Take the rods suggested to you, grab a beer, pull up a chair and get on the internet. Tackle Direct probably has the largest selection and from there you can look around for bargains. Inshore/surf fishing is a deep rabbit hole - there’s a striper fishing forum that might help point you in the right direction about all things inshore.