Jeff H

I recently bought a Alyssa XLT10 and it's had some problems from the very start. I bought it as a gift for somebody and now have it back minus the left sideplate that fell off when he was using it and was lost. He told me it also would tend to spin the handle backwards when he pulled on a snag. Took it apart and cleaned the one way roller bearing and that helped a bit but it still did do this once. I don't know what to do with this thing. I should probably give them the chance to fix it and see how it works rather than letting it collect dust and suffer the the $80 loss. On the other hand, I hate to put any money into the thing too.

X2....Very solid workhorse. Probably the most dependable reels I've ever had but out of his budget.

I tried flouro a couple years ago on my finesse rig and had a hard time keeping it on the spool. Other than that, couldn't tell much difference in sensitivity, a little bit, yes, but not much. It had no other superior qualities that I could tell. Felt like it stretched as much if not more and didn't seem anymore invisible in the water (although it very well may have been) and abrasion resistance was no better. I didn't catch anymore fish with it and it costs a lot more, so I stick to what I've always used.

Anything under 1/4 oz and I don't even bother trying. I have spinning rigs for the lighter stuff.

We have a sportsmans publication here in MN where one of the regular columnists referred to smallmouth as "invasive specie" and P'd and moaned about how they were taking over his walleye spots on the lake where he has his cabin. I wish I'd saved it and could post it for you guys to read now. I think it was titled, "The only good bass is....." He didn't have much good to say about them. I was shocked (and PO'd of course) to read something like this, it was pretty bad. I've meant to write in and call him out but forgot about it until now.

A dying baitfish is one heck of a "trigger". Erratic retrieve with crank is about as close to that as you'll get with it. I've watched him throw cranks too (on tv), and he puts a lot more work into it than most others do and it obviously works.

I have a box for heads and another for skirts. I just put together what I want while I'm out fishing.

I suspect it won't be long, I'm waiting for the same thing. Probably won't be as cheap as post season sales but I'll take whatever they offer in the next couple months.

They do, and it's a gem!!. It is no longer built on the TD-A frame, it's based on the Aggrest frame now and it's black. Has HSTA bearing package (10+1), different spool, different gears (6.3:1 where Aggrest is 7.3:1) weighs a little more than the Aggrest but a hair lighter than previous Prodigy models. It is on their website, check them out.

Nobody has managed to hold me hostage yet but Daiwa is getting awful close. I'm still a bit of a free spirit I guess.

One of the plastic baits I miss most are the Guido G4 tubes ( by Luck E Strike I think) in various colors. I have looked at a lot of different brands and none are close in size. Most are fatter and (or) shorter and I just don't like them as much. I really miss the G4's!!

I had one that got the crap beat out of it for a good 12 yrs or so and I could still use it now but it's getting pretty rough. Would buy another just for the "tough" factor. Really did like the trigger too.

Seems rather odd to me. I've never had problems getting boat on trailer with wet bunks.

Bought a Dancin' eel (Bill Dance was promoting) many years ago. Never caught one fish on the darn thing and gave up on it after 2 seasons of trying it. Looks like it should catch fish but it's the biggest joke I've ever bought. Even the d**n "gators" won't hit this thing.

As "real" as what? Thats one of the most confusing statements I've read here?? They don't look as real as a real spinnerbait or....

I like that 3rd one from top! Your passion (like your baits) is unreal Marty! You just keep pumpin' 'em out.

Keep in mind that many good size MN bass are caught every year on Musky baits. I am seldom chasing big fish anymore because I have a young son that I need to entertain and keep his interest up so we go for numbers, but those big swimbaits are not immune to success up here!! Heck, losing 1-2 baits a month to gators up here is pretty d**n reasonable. I often lose more than that in a single day. Not expensive swim baits though. I don't like them d**n gators one bit!!

This is proof you CAN make a mountain out of a molehill....or something like that.

I have a Cabelas Prodigy myself and it actually spends more time on the water than my Quantum Energy. I caught it on sale for $70 instead of the normal price of $100. It's a great reel and worth it at either price. I tried to find it on cabela's site but its gone, did they stop making it? It seems like I just saw it on there a few weeks ago. Geez....I just looked too and didn't see it. I hope they didn't give up on Daiwa!! I'll admit though I'd really like to see some Cabela's labeled Revo's again. If you are near a Cabela's go look and see if they have any left. I'm going to do just that after work tomorrow and add another Prodigy spinning reel to my collection while I'm there.

You should have a look at the Cabela's Prodigy (Daiwa) too. Pretty darn slick reel for the price and performs nearly equal to my Revo SX (almost, not quite). Of those listed I'd choose the Citica.

Wasn't a new thing for me as I did use these some as a kid but....6" double hook, pre rigged worms around docks. 18"-24" leader, ballbearing swivel, Thunder Bullets 1/8oz rattling brass bullet. Sometimes no weight. Fished along length of dock down the straight edges when shaded. They spin on retrieve because they are factory kinked and they kicked fanny!!! It has been years since I've thrown this rig and it will be used a LOT more now!!! I just hope I can find some more of these!!

Getting a cover that fits that good for that price is something to get excited about. Customs are spendy!!

I did have it on my old MK 48 AT on my Cajun Elias and actually made it through a 3 day weekend once without recharging. So, yeah...I'll get it.

Just bought a "new to me" 191 Champion Elite and it has a Motorguide TM on it which I don't care for but it works fine. I'm going to switch to Minn Kota Maxxum and trying to decide if I want to spend more for the maximizer feature. What do all you Minn Kota fans think? Don't need it? or....Can't live without it? Whats your opinion?

Hasn't it been said that, "anything worth doing is worth doing right"? Some people really don't know proper grammar/spelling. It's easy to distinguish between them and those who blatantly desecrate written word with chat-room shorthand. The latter are the ones who really tick me off. Yep, I'm old too and don't like to see written word shredded by dissenting attitudes. Effort involving honest mistakes (though ugly as well) shouldn't deem the guy be dragged backwards through a knot hole in a fence post ;D