Bazoo

Thanks Bulldog.

I have a Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier 2 baitcasting reel that I use a lot. Well, it seems that the drag doesn't get as tight as I think it should. With it tightened as much as I can with my fingers, it still allows 10 pound Big Game to unspool with relative ease. I'll guess 5 pounds of pulling force. Okay, so I know it doesn't lock down, and I know it won't have a huge amount of pulling force, it just seems weak to me. I haven't oiled them, and I don't oil the reel enough to think that oil migrated to the washers. When I break down the reel for cleaning and relube I'm thinking it'd be a pretty good upgrade to replace the drag washers. Suggestions.

Congratulations, that's a beauty!

I cast the rod in the yard a while, and it's definitly in the Light category rather than Medium. I was able to cast a 1/8oz jighead with 2" grub. So, I will guess that their MH/F will be more like everyone else's Medium. I don't suppose anyone has their 2 piece MH in either 6'6" or 7', and can comment? I haven't decided if I'm going to keep it or not. If I do, I'll certainly get another heavier rod to fill the original need.

Howdy and welcome.

I guess for me it was this last summer when I started fishing Rat-L-Traps. Before that it was this spring with I really started fishing Flukes. It all started when I was at the local reservoir. I found a fluke laying there. So I took my worm off and put the fluke on. I proceeded to catch a couple right off the bat. Man.. I was hooked. It's been a solid producer ever since for me.

I received the rod today. I haven't cast with it yet. I wouldn't say I'm disappointed, but it's not what I was thinking it was going to be. It's more like a medium light than a medium. I'll cast it in the yard a while and then fish it some and see how it does. Quality seems good. Nothing about it seems like it's cheap. In comparison to the Lews Hank Parker rod I have that also cost $50, the Lews hits above the price point and the Cabelas Graphite series hits right on it. There was no packaging in the box, just a single wall box and the 2 pieces of the rod dropped in. No damage or issues though. I got the 6'6" Medium Fast 2 piece. It has 7 guides on it. I couldn't find that information online anywhere before ordering.

Thanks @Pat Brown I hadn't thought of that. I have thought of, and had some success running a weightless lizard as a topwater.

Thank you DVT.

I occasionally see Tourney Special reels on ebay at a reasonable price. I've never handled one. I understand that they aren't as good as as the Pro Qualifier 2 reels I have been using. But, how does the TS actually hold up? Does it compare to the Abu Black Max 3 reel? Talking about baitcasting reels.

I have been using Lews oil made by Lucas, and I normally put 3 drops, 1 on either end and one in the center to be distributed along the worm gear. Is there a better oil? should I flush the gear and its housing with something occasionally? Maybe ligher fuel? Then dry and re-oil. I want the very best for my level wind.

Thanks Jweller. Well, I did purchase one of the BPS Graphite series rods, sight unseen. We'll see how it is when it gets here. I don't normally do that, but the stores closest to me didn't have any according to the website, and felt good about it. Guess I'll see how it feels and if it's decent.

I have a pack of Strike King toads and they have double boot tail feet and do sound like a plopper. I have a similar toad that I found, and I fished it the other day, getting 5 strikes but none got the hook. Probably bluegill.

Thanks for all the advice. Right now, being bank bound, losing expensive lures is a concern. I'll probably start with Rogue's and Husky Jerks for that reason.

Anyone have great things to say about Creme's Spoiler Shad? I picked up a clear black back in 3" earlier at Walmart. What retreive works good for these? Pumping, where you pull it with the rod tip and reel the slack up? https://cremelure.com/3-Spoiler-Shad_c_43.html

@Glenn am I allowed to post link to the hooks in question?

I've been considering the VMC drop dead hook and I appreciate this review. Think I'll pass and find something else.

What is the benefit of a toad over a hollow body frog? Do you fish them sub surface at all?

I ran across someone selling Mustad KVD hooks on ebay at a great price. It looks legit to me. It appears that they have purchased bulk hooks and are breaking them up into lots. I can't remember if I can post a link to ebay item in question on this forum. Do I need to be concerned with getting fake hooks if they look legit?

If I had a bass boat, I'd would catch a bunch more, as I'd be able to access spots I can't access, since I'm bank bound currently. Now.. if I had any boat, that'd get me on some new water. But having spot lock sure would make it easier to deal with current or wind. Yeah, that'd save a ton of time and aggravation in boat positioning. If I had FFS, it'd put me on more fish because I could use that to learn about where fish are, and what they do, not necessarily targeting fish. I could use it to learn where baitfish are. So yep, It'd help me to up my game a bunch. If I had a bag of chips, I'd bring a couple sammiches, waters, and a coke, and I'd be ready to fish from my new boat all day. Where do I sign up for this GAW?

Really prefer a 6'6" over a 7'. Much easier to work a fluke or a topater from the bank with a shorter rod. Will only accept a 7' if I got no other choice.

I only firearms hunt. For me it's as much about the guns as it is the hunting and taking of game. Our season is 2 weeks / 3 weekends long in November. We had a special 2 day weekend season just a couple of weekends ago as part of the states efforts to monitor CWD. I hunted it a couple hours with my son. He's been itching to go since last season when he went with me and we bumped a group of does on the way out. Here we are year'afore last I reckon. With the rifle I'll be using. A Winchester 1892 Deluxe in 44 Magnum.

Thanks for sharing @T.J.. I don't want a medium light, but I also don't want a medium heavy. I have checked my local stores and they don't have them. I guess I could order one and return it if it ain't to my liking. I haven't checked my in town local stores for the Aird-X yet either.

Now that I think about it, the times I have done good on jigs, I was fishing them exclusively.

I use them with a Kreh Loop Knot. I pretty much work them with either a jerk/twitch retrieve, or I'll do a sweeping stop and go like you do with a crankbait. I always let them rest a few seconds, then twitch them a few times after the initial cast.