JaseOne

I like Seaguar Invizex. I used it for trout this year on my light set up (4lb test) for trout and sunnies. I liked it on a spinning reel but it was kinda stiff. I think on a baitcaster its good. I use Yo-Zuri hybrid ultra-soft (8lb test) on my spinning reel and I like it.

Black works for me the best. I also like smoke with black and silver flakes.

Practice man. I got a baitcaster a little while ago and it frustrated the crap out of me. I had to "warm up" with a kastmaster (with a removed hook) before I started fishing. You could cast out a good distance with some weight and put a piece of tape on the spool before reeling in. that way if you birdsnest, you only mess up the length that you casted out. I have to admit that I haven't been practicing with my bc as much as I should but its because I usually throw weightless plastics with my spinning outfit. The smallest I go with the bc is a 5-inch senko But I don't have a low profile bc like the revo. I have a 5501c3. I am going to get a stronger rod and use it for catfish. They are fun though.

Yeah I saw that too. To bad I'm a lefty. I would have bought it.

Thanks for the input guys. But do you guys think I'm going to lose much as far as casting distance? And leverage? I'm upgrading from a 6'0 shimano m/f and an ugly stick light action.

I am considering getting a St. Croix 5'6 medium/fast rod as I mostly fish in a creek by my house that isn't too wide. I also hit some small ponds around the city. However, I was wondering if 5'6 is too small for taking it out into the river or lake. I see that most people on the site use 6' and above. Should I just get a 6 foot rod? But I like the compact feel and look of the 5'6, and it would make transport in my small car better. What are the disadvantages/advantages of having a rod that size versus going with something larger? Am I going to sacrifice that much casting distance and feel with a 5'6? Jase

I recently got into fishing and have been reading up on this site about baitcasters. I recently got into bass fishing as I had been targeting trout. For bass, I have tried crankbaits and spoons (as I used these for trout) but nothing has been as effective as senkos. So because I like new toys I decided to pick up an abu garcia 5501 (12lb test) and try it. Baitcasters are a challenge because of the birdnest effect, but after ruining a spool of new line I got the hang of it. As a newbie, I would suggest practicing with either a casting weight or a heavy kastmaster with the hook removed to get the hang of it. Also heavier lures and worms are better to start unless you get one of the baitcasters that are used to cast lighter stuff like the daiwa pixy or somthing like that or even the abu 2500 series may be good for lighter lines and lighter lures. All that said, with my bc, I can cast 4 and 5 inch senkos with it. But it really depends on where you will be fishing. In creeks and rivers it works pretty good especially if you need to hit a spot across the water but in a little canal or around close brush/weeds where you need more of touch I have difficulty. All in all I have been more sucessfull with my spinning reel as I am more used to it, but I love using the baitcaster.