Sherlock 60

Stradic FJ looks good on a Veritas rod.

More like the 40th page. I love my Shimano spinning reels, but the posse does go overboard at times. I don't qualify as a Shimano posse member because I use Abu and BassPro PQ baitcasting reels.

Been using braid on spinning gear for soft plastics for years. Last year I dropped from 20# to 15# and am very happy with the 15. I fish lots of weeds and Lilly pads and usually don't use a leader. The braid cuts through the weeds effectively and allows me to get where the fish live.

Shimano Symetre FH 1000. Probably 14 years old now. Still use it for ultra light fishing and it's smooth as silk.

Pretty much my experience when I was there on Saturday. They didn't have much in the way of inventory and very little was on sale. Can't wait till the new Cabela's going up next door opens in a few months!

Thanks for all the information. This discussion led me to research the Barbee Chain of Lakes in Northern Indiana, where I do 99.7% of my fishing, and I think this knowledge will help me be a better angler. It turns out that of the 7 lakes in the chain 3 are mesotrophic, 2 are eutrophic and 2 are hypereutrophic. This will help me get a bit more specific with the lures and techniques I use based on location.

Shadyside Lake in Anderson has some very nice bass. I've not personally fished the White River but have heard from a number of anglers that the river is good for bass fishing from Anderson to Indianapolis.

Shimano Symetre.

That's the one! Not a full sized store, but it has to tons better than the "Dick's Clothing Store" next door. And the nearest BPS is 100 miles away.

They're building a new Cabela's about 20 miles down the road from me. Can't wait!

Uni is my favorite. Had a "slippage problem" with the Palomar.

Stradic FJ. Both 2500 and 3000.

7' M Veritas spinning rod with a Stradic 2500 rell with 15 pound braid. Been using this arrangement for years and its a fine set up. The Veritas M is close to most MH rods. Gary Yamamoto recommends spinning gear for Senkos so I tried it and much prefer spinning gear over baitcasting for Senkos. And if the Senko flies off during a cast there is no backlash to deal with.

I use 50# Power Pro or Spiderwire Stealth for froggin'.

I have a lifelong buddy who is a very serious bicyclist. Not long ago I mentioned Shimano's status in the fishing world and he was astonished. He only knew them as elite bicycle parts manufacturer. And I think their fishing presence took them down a peg in his mind until I explained that reels are precision machinery, too.

I have two Stradic fj reels (2500 and 3000) and love them both. Solid and smooth and they will last for years. Tried lighter spinning reels with mag frames and kept coming back to my Stradic (and Symetre) reels.

This last weekend I threw a 3/8 Cavitron at least a hundred casts in low light conditions and never got a hint of a strike. Tried it fast, slow and in-between. What am I doing wrong?

Used them for Senkos the last two years and was disappointed. Hook up ratio seemed to go down and not as many bites. And the hook angle made it more difficult to skin-hook properly. Went back to Gammy EWG this spring and things are back to normal. But I will try Twist Lock hooks for swimbaits and flukes and see what happens.

Stradic Fj would be my pick. But if you want to stay on the lower end of your price range the Symetre is a fine reel.

And I always wait till the local wintertime sport show at the state fairgrounds to buy the good stuff. Discounts range from 25% to 50% and it is always a hands on product comparison. PLUS, I'm supporting mom 'n pop tackle shops instead of the big boxes.

And I always wait till the local wintertime sport show at the state fairgrounds to buy the good stuff. Discounts range from 25% to 50% and it is always a hands on product comparison. PLUS, I'm supporting mom 'n pop tackle shops instead of the big boxes.

I have two Stradic FJ's, the 2500 and the 3000 (same body, 300 has bigger spool and handle). They are wonderful reels! I considered the Ci4 both times I made my purchase decision. I simply preferred the more solid feel of a metal body and don't mind the additional weight. They are both "buttery smooth" and outstanding reels.

I use a MH spinning setup w/ 15# braid for all soft plastics. Better distance and no backlash when a Senko goes flying off in the wrong direction.

WAY too much! Shimano Stradic 3000 BPS Pro Qualifier 6.4:1 2- Revo Toro 50 reels on clearance Okuma 8'6" H Telescoping Musky rod 3- Denali Kovert rods: 6'9" MH Spinnerbait 6'10" M Crankbait 7'6" MH Crankbait Plus the usual assortment of crankbaits, jerkbaits, plastics, jigs, hooks and terminal tackle that I really don't need. But then need is NEVER the issue.

As a crankbait beginner the BPS Cranking Stick would be perfect for you. Medium 6'6" for squarebills and medium depth divers. MH 7' for the deeper cranks.