T-Billy

REALLY liking it so far. I've had it out a few times now, and have absolutely nothing negative to say. I would prefer a mag brake, but the ACB works well with lots of adjustment settings. Almost 2oz lighter than the Super Duty with more drag power. 20lb max. It's also the smoothest Lew's I own. It's every bit as smooth as my Curado BFS. Spooled with 40# 832, it holds plenty of line for casting. I've only pitched a 3/8 T rig so far, but it'll pitch that 60' easy with the flick of the wrist. I think Lew's really got it right with this reel, especially for braid. No need for backing. I think I'll be replacing my Super Duties with SP's as they wear out. So...... Anybody know how to wear out a SD? Mine just keep going and going like Energizer Bunnies. ?

You're missing something alright. Poor handling, poor knot strength, phantom breakoffs, spending way more money for inferior line that needs changed often. Flouro provides better sensitivity. That's it's only positive IMO. XT is my choice for mono, but I'd be good with Big Game, Advance, or Siege as well. Probably several others also, but these are the monos that I have experience with and like. Right now I have all my casting rods spooled with 832, but cold clear water is right around the corner. I'll be spooling a few up with XT.

Sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.

Beautiful fish Dave. Thanks for sharing.

Tear down and deep clean once a year. Lucas Red n Tacky grease for gears and TSI 321 for bearings. Great products, and $25 will buy you a lifetime supply of both.

Those times when the wind blows the same direction for a few days can make for memoral days on the water. Seems especially true in fall with all those big schools of baitfish in the main lake basins.

Did you buy a rod yet, or still shopping? My Kaden 744 should be hear tomorrow, and the 765 late next week. I'll share my thoughts on them here after I get a chance to fish them.

Seems easier to just call it a Dave Rig. Maybe Glenn will do a tutorial vid on it? ? Just funnin ya buddy!!! Everytime a tube shows up on the porch the wife gives me the same look. ?That look that says, Seriously......What is the matter with you? I don't have a rational answer.

WRB makes a good point. Technique matters. 40 years of setting the hook with mono is why 15 inchers usually fly over the boat when I'm pitching with braid. I'm getting better about it, but old habits die hard. I still prefer mono for some techniques. Braid makes some baits too reactive IMO. I prefer mono for tubes, neds, treble hooks, and I still think it's the way to go for pitching during the cold water seasons.

Well... Looks like I'll be getting a Kaden 765 soon. Some dummy, (who shall remain nameless), broke the tip on my Sierra 765 yesterday. I mailed in the required rod section with receipt and money order this morning. No Sierra 765's in stock and not sure when they'll get them. She said three containers expected between now and Dec. Kaden 765's are in stock and mine should ship next week. I was going to wait on the Sierra's, so I ordered a Tharp King Cobra last night, (Really like my Guntersville Special), then had a change of heart this morning and asked to exchange for a Kaden. So... TWO new flippin sticks inbound. I'm hopeless.

Flouro is denser and transmits vibrations better, making it more sensitive than mono. It sinks making it superior to mono for some presentations. Mono handles better, has better knot strength and shock strength. Mono recovers from stretch better. Mono has proven more abraision resistant, in both tests I've seen, and on my rods, and if flouro has any visibility advantage it's WAAYYY overrated. Flouro cost me two PB's in two years. It's been braid, XT, and Big Game ever since. No more phantom break offs. Most of the claims about flouro's advantages are pure marketing BS IMO. Feel free to disagree, but that's been my experience.

I have to disagree on this one. Flouro has worse knot strength than mono, doesn't recover from shock well, and while the price per spool is similar, braid doesn't need to be changed out nearly as often as flouro making braid more cost effective. I also much prefer the way braid handles, particularly 832.

Same here. I palm it with the trigger between my pinkie and ring fingers, and pay close attention to my line. I also balance all my rods to balance on my middle finger. Improves sensitivity and reduces wrist fatigue IMO.

What kind of mono? When fishing straight mono, I like low stretch, with Trilene XT being my favorite. Braid to leader, I use Big Game. BG has a bit more stretch and is famous for it's shock absorbing ability. Sound advice from huZZah above. Watch your knot closely when cinching down. When everything stops moving you're done. Don't over tighten and stress the knot, and lubricate well before cinching.

^Sound Advice^ Try not to raise your rod tip or forearms past about 10 o'clock when you're moving that T rig. This keeps you in position to set the hook as soon as you feel the bite with braid. With mono or flouro, I always drop the rod tip and reel up the slack to compensate for line stretch before cracking them.

Both.

Welcome aboard. I think you're on the right track reel wise. The LFS Speed Spool might be the best reel in it's price range. Quality build and simple and effective mag brake. Rod wise, I would recommend a Dobyns Fury 735C over the Lews. The Fury is tough to beat at that price point, and the Dobyn's warranty and replacement program is excellent.

With Dobyns. Over 40 rods in the garage, after giving 16 to my grandkids. I'm a sick sick man.

Dang it!!! This post got me looking... Just bought a 744 Kaden. That's 2 Sierra's, a Kaden, a Lew's Pro SP, and a Penn Battle III in the last month. Thank you Lord for blessing me with a patient and understanding wife!!! This Kaden should be perfect for Dave Riggin with 14# XT though!!!? Wait, is it still considered a Dave rig if I'm not using Tatsu?

I vote Kaden for mono and flouro, Sierra for braid. I have the Sierra 765 and 766 flippin sticks. I'm very happy with them. Using braid on both. Great tips with PLENTY of backbone.

Praying for Aaron. Sorry you lost your son Tom. I can't even imagine how hard it would be to lose a child. I'll keep you in my prayers too brother. God bless.

Pick up some Trilene Big Game and see what YOU think. We all have our preferences. Mono may be yours for these applications. BG is quality line at a great price. If you're not happy with the results, you're not out much. Pull it off and give a quality 8 carrier braid a go.

The Dave Rig!!! The next big thing to hit bass fishing!!! Soon we'll all need specialized $1000 rigs to fish it. Thanks Dave. Time to start shopping. I'm getting in early on this one!!!

Pretty generalized term anymore. When I think of a T rig though, a weedless bait with a bullet sinker is what comes to mind. I use a snelled flippin hook anytime I'm fishing it on bottom anymore. Point buried in the plastic. I can fish it through near anything without hanging up. Hooks them in the roof of the mouth 90+% of the time, and not many come off. Flukes, and topwater I use EWG, without a weight. Tex opposed, but I don't think of them as Texas rigged without a weight. I may be wrong by definition, but that's how it works in my mind.

My old Pro Qualifiers look pretty much identical to those Calcuttas. Right down to the handles. Shimano may not have made them. Dunno, but same or very similar design. I bought them used for $50 each. Quite a bargain.