WRB-2.0

I suggest getting the reels that support your fishing skills. Same make and model if they meet your needs is ideal but in reality difficult to find. For example tournament fishing requires several different lure presentations. The 2 that stands out is deep diving crank baits and medium to large swimbaits require 300 size reels with lower gear ratio and high line capacity. Daiwa and Shimano have excellent choices but different braking systems. The Daiwa Zillion can be used in brackish water, the Shimano Met is magnesium and is subject to corrosion. JDM offer good price without a warranty, domestic suppliers on sale you get both. No spinning outfits? Tom

Some folks in emergency watch, some run away a few run to help that is courage. Having the heart to stick too it come hell or high water doesn’t take courage it takes internal drive to grind it out staying focused on the goal. Few people have both courage and heart my hats off to those few. Tom

Vanford 2500 vs 3000 is the same reel and spool diameter, 3000 spool is deeper the gear ratio is 6.4 vs 6.0 faster IPT. Spinning reels have faster IPT then casting reels and finesse you don’t need speed. Tom

The 852 is a finesse MF rod. No reason to put a heavy size 3000 reel on it. You want balance and a 7’1” NRX will balance with. 2500 size spinning reels. Does your son use braid with a leader? Tom

^^^^we are discussing California^^^^ Tom

Trojan changed their focus to 6V golf cart battery systems. The engineer that designed the SC225’s started his own company Wil Power for UPS commercial back up power. His AGM’s were in my boat for 15 years without any issues, amazing batteries. UPS is a different market. The batteries have SST dual terminals perfect for marine use but not his market. I believe it’s lithium today. Tom

Rules for thee but not for me sound familiar! Tom

Bass fishing tournaments do not draw spectators to the events. The participants come to weigh ins then go home. B.A.S.S. can’t make any money and local communities do not support the events. Recreational vacations fill the hotels and rentals. Local bass tournaments fill in all the prime dates well in advance. B.A.S.S. doesn’t have anything to offer and they know that and don’t come to California anymore do to lack of support. Tom

I always open the bail to cast using my left hand from left to right with the bail roller positioned at 12 o’clock by habit. This allows my right hand index finger tip to pickup and hold the line while casting. So at what rotation position does the bail close when casting? Simply avoid that bail position to solve the problem. Works in the States, don’t know about merry ole England. Tom PS, instead of Bloody Shimano enjoy a Bloody Mary….cheers

80’s & 90’s I ran 2 Trojan SC225’s flooded cell with Flow-Rite watering system for the TM and a group 27 cranking battery. The TM batteries were hard to get to so that is why the watering system. The Trojan batteries lasted about 8 years before trading them in for new. We can bass fish year around so the batteries never sit without being used. I believe the watering system doubles flooded cell battery life. We moved in 2005 to a home with a shorter depth garage and sold my 19’ boat and bought a 17’5” flooding trailer tongue that fit onto the new garage. This boat I put AGM’s in and the batteries were still good when I sold the in 2020. Amazing batteries with zero maintenance. Tom

Jack family of fish are tough fighters. We have Pacific Yellowtail jack family of fish very strong and fast fish. The big adults over 50 lbs usually break off 50 lb tackle. I. Was blessed to catch. WR class yellowtail on 4 lb line fishing a Balboa Club sponsored event. The WR lasted a few months topped by a Yellowtail caught New Zealand. Tom

You see my top 5 FLMB under my avatar all were caught using mono 10 or 12 lb line. The 18.6 lb bass was Trilene 12# XT, the other 4 on 10# Big Game. The 10# line strength isn’t an issue controlling the bass, it’s the line contacting rocks or wood that damages it. For example the 19.3 lb bass was hooked about 100’ away from me and ran towards me under the boat and out the other side another 75’ or more before fighting that bass back to my boat to land it. If that bass managed to wrap the line around any wood or over rocks it’s gone and 20 lb line wouldn’t make a difference damaged it would break. I can’t cast 20 lb line far enough to get close to these giant bass. Tom

Out west we call the 1 oz a 1 Ton jig very popular in the fall dragging them down clay banks kicking up a mud trail. Tom

Honestly can’t remember a bail mis function with either Shimano or Daiwa. The last Daiwa I owned was in the 80’s SS TD 1300 that had a manual close bail. All my Shimano spinning reels have been Stradic’s and Vanford with zero issues. Tom

Twin Power from Japan Lure Shop approx $295 USD, would a stronger upgrade reel. Tom

It was a “slip shot “ rig👍 Tom

When BPS bought out Cabelas and shutdown the Sidney headquarters, the largest company in that town, it devastated the community. I understand business and corporate take overs however that was a brutal take over. As a result I cut up my BPS gift cards and will never do any business with them. Tom

Bass are predators and all predators attack stragglers. Tom

Bait fish form a tight ball to appear bigger and any straggler is targeted. Tom

Havasu is mostly steep rock walled Canyon lake. The upper end where the river flows has large reed areas where most of LMB are located and good area for kayaks. The Bill Williams River arm located at the opposite end of the lake can also be decent kayak area but not particularly good bass fishing. The big Smallmouth bass are located primarily in the main lake on man made fish attracter structures that provide areas for baitfish and bass. The wild card at Havasu is high wind eliminating the main lake areas, very few coves to get out of the wind. If it’s windy the majority of the field will up north in the river area flipping reeds. Tom

I snagged a 40+ lb Channel cat under the pictorial fin with a jig. Felt the line move and set the hook into a fish that freight trained me and had to get on the TM to follow it. I am telling myself claim down this is the fish! Very strong fight no rolling to indicate a cat, just hard runs. Finally got the fish up where I could net it and almost cried then slide the big cat into the rear deck. Slimed up my deck carpet and hard to pull the hook out with pliers leather like skin and cartilage. Yeh I have hooked Channel cats using a wide variety of lures like everyone else. My son caught a lake record channel cat on a 3 1/2” reaper when he was 10. Tom

B.A.S.S. Rarely schedules tournaments west of the Rocky Mountains! Why on earth would B.A.S.S. schedule any event on Colorado River Lake Havasu? My guess is Havasu City offered a sweet heart deal. Lake Havasu isn’t set up for kayaks, poor choice! Tom

If you plan to go within the next few months better check if the launch ramps are open. Think deep and slow swimbaits like ROF 12 HUD 68 blue back color like Shasta. Tom

If the adult size bass has a girth about 60%* of it’s length there isn’t any potential for that bass to ever get a heavy body. Tom * average girth is 75% to length.

I have a spool of 11# Armilo and the green Shooter Nylon can still be found on eBay. Tom