wvhunt

I used mono only for years. Everything from 2lb for trout up to 30lb for catfish. I didn't know I "needed" anything else till the internet came around

I see the youtube guys say to only use oil made specifically for fishing reels, but I use whatever various quality oil I have lying around. Normally it's a gunoil of some sort. I think there's a lot of snake oil salesmen in the oil business, both gun and fishing oils.

I'd hate to have one of those fly back and hook me!

Most used reels I see for sale locally are either bottom of the barrel Walmart specials or they want as much for a used model as I can find them for new online. Last year I did find a pawn shop that had a St. Croix spinning rod with a Pflueger President XT and a Fenwick HMG with a Johnny Morris Signature reel. The owner told me I could have both for $20 if I wanted. Out of a barrel full of rods and reels, those were the only two I'd have carried home.

I use craft wire for adding new skirts or save worry about skirt bands breaking. I wire tie all my jigs and spinnerbaits.

I knew guys that used straight braid on the river, but I never would. Abrasion is one issue, but being able to break off a snag was my primary concern. I was doing a lot of float fishing and not being able to break off a snag quickly was a good way to break a pole or cause all kinds of problems while in steady current.

I was fishing plastic lizards several years ago on a lake that I'd seen a ton of lizards in. I never caught a fish, but kept pulling in other lizards wrapped around my plastic lizard. I'm not sure it they were trying to mate with or fight my lizard.

I use the cheap clear lure wraps to keep my hooks from snagging the pole sleeves or other items in the rod locker.

We have a 144 acre lake that requires 5 hp motors or less. I can't imagine needing a gas motor on a 70 acre lake.

For years I too fished mono for everything. I tried braid with leader for river fishing then got away from it. Last year I used Yo Zuri hybrid for everything. I'll probably do the same this year except for one pole I'll try braid for frogs.

I bought a roll of woven sleeve off Amazon and make my own, but really it would be almost as cheap to buy the Walmart ones.

I'd say you're right. A clerk there told me that he saw people with arm loads of rods checking out. Last year at a local flea market a guy had a bunch of brand new rods and tons of other new stuff on his table. I'd assumed he'd cleaned up at the sale.

I had to oil the bearings in one of mine, but that was no big deal. The rest have been just fine. The SV's make casting so easy.

The only rod issue I've had was a Fenwick. They were excellent to work with.

I had a couple Premiers and really liked them till I overturned a canoe on the river and lost them. I currently have two Tatula spinning rods and really like them as well. I think either would provide good service for you. I'd handle them both and just pick whichever feels good to you.