Anyone else here fish?

[Slydragon]

It's better than sitting at home with the wife right? lol.

Sometime.....especially during that time of the month.

[markfly98]

Get the Stradic. There are three different sizes. I am not sure of the model number, but get the smallest of the three. If you are fishing Texas Rivers, that small model is perfect. I have caught many 5-8 pound bass with that little reel. If you are going to head to the coast, it will also work on small to medium redfish on the flats.
As far as rods...There are a lot out there. Find one that you like. I normally use light to medium light GLoomis Rods. They are expensive, but are really nice. Also, there is a fly rod company called Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) and Gary Loomis is designing conventional rods for them. You can most likely pick one up for about $100 and it will have an unconditional lifetime guarantee...break it and send it in and they will fix or replace it for like $40. You can check them out online. If you have any other questions...just let me know.
Marcus
www.guidesoftexas.com

[Brutalis]

Get the Stradic. There are three different sizes. I am not sure of the model number, but get the smallest of the three. If you are fishing Texas Rivers, that small model is perfect. I have caught many 5-8 pound bass with that little reel. If you are going to head to the coast, it will also work on small to medium redfish on the flats.
As far as rods...There are a lot out there. Find one that you like. I normally use light to medium light GLoomis Rods. They are expensive, but are really nice. Also, there is a fly rod company called Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) and Gary Loomis is designing conventional rods for them. You can most likely pick one up for about $100 and it will have an unconditional lifetime guarantee...break it and send it in and they will fix or replace it for like $40. You can check them out online. If you have any other questions...just let me know.
Marcus
www.guidesoftexas.com

I lake fish in Arkansas, where I live.

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/cont...html#ui-tabs-1

There's the Stradic models. 2500FI stands out to me, the only smaller one they makes seems way too small perhaps.

Being a somewhat newer fisherman, what makes the decision for most people on what size reel they get? Obviously it depends on what you are fishing for. I only aiming for small and large mouth bass. I got one rock bass last summer, and a bunch of blue gills.

[CosmicCowboy]

I lake fish in Arkansas, where I live.

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/cont...html#ui-tabs-1

There's the Stradic models. 2500FI stands out to me, the only smaller one they makes seems way too small perhaps.

Being a somewhat newer fisherman, what makes the decision for most people on what size reel they get? Obviously it depends on what you are fishing for. I only aiming for small and large mouth bass. I got one rock bass last summer, and a bunch of blue gills.

For me, I like a smaller lighter, but "quality" reel I can depend on...same with rods...I'll take a reel designed for 10# test mono and load it with 20# braid for horsing big fish at the coast...I also want a light but quality medium/fast rod with some backbone...when I am fishing I work at it...when we are fishing tournaments we will start as the sun comes and grind right till it's time to run to the weigh-in...plus if you are chest deep in water and have to hold the rod in your teeth while you handle a big fish it's nice if it's as light as possible...

[Sportcamper]

My 2 cents…

A 200 dollar budget is tight…But there is some pretty nice made in China gear out there that is a fraction of the cost of fishing gear from the 1970’s….Wall mart has nice inexpensive stuff and knowledgeable sporting good personnel…

[Brutalis]

For me, I like a smaller lighter, but "quality" reel I can depend on...same with rods...I'll take a reel designed for 10# test mono and load it with 20# braid for horsing big fish at the coast...I also want a light but quality medium/fast rod with some backbone...when I am fishing I work at it...when we are fishing tournaments we will start as the sun comes and grind right till it's time to run to the weigh-in...plus if you are chest deep in water and have to hold the rod in your teeth while you handle a big fish it's nice if it's as light as possible...

I have made a decision finally. Going to get the Stradic 2500FI. Seems perfect for bass, I just have to figure out what rod to put it on lol.

[Spurminator]

Anyone else hear fish?

Fixed your spelling.

And yes, all the time.

[Sportcamper]

SHIMANO STRADIC …$160.00
Matching Rod…$150.00
Nice…
Better tell the boss lady that you are exceeding the 100- 200 budget…

[CosmicCowboy]

I have made a decision finally. Going to get the Stradic 2500FI. Seems perfect for bass, I just have to figure out what rod to put it on lol.

Good reel. It should last forever if you take care of it...

[rascal]

SHIMANO STRADIC …$160.00
Matching Rod…$150.00
Nice…
Better tell the boss lady that you are exceeding the 100- 200 budget…

You don't need to spend so much on a rod. You can get a good rod for under $50 and get a spinning outfit along with a baitcaster. Have two rods and reels so you don't have to tie new things on all the time you want to try another type of lure.

[Brutalis]

Anyone wanna suggest any rods for the Stradic 2500?

[CosmicCowboy]

Anyone wanna suggest any rods for the Stradic 2500?

For your upscale starter package I would go to Academy and check out their stock...In the $70-$80 price range I'd probably stay with a Falcon or All Star and for a "one rod to do everything" I'd go with a 7'0" Medium Fast action.

[DMC]

If you're going to spend more than 150.00 on a baitcasting reel, look at the Curado E7. I just picked one up a few weeks ago and matched it with a Falcon Cara rod. It's smooth, has a good drag and the retrieve ration is less than the previous model, but still good for fishing plastics and swimbaits. For crankbaits, you might look at 5.2:1 or something like that.

Don't overlook at good spinning reel (forget spincast like Zebco and that trash) though, Shimano makes the Stradic and it's a hoss if you get the 4000 model, should handle anything in the lake at it's relatively small size.

[DMC]

Anyone wanna suggest any rods for the Stradic 2500?

I guess I missed this one.

Falcon or All Star is a good starter. Not expensive (Falcon can get expensive). Make a trip to BPS or Cabelas, they have a great selection. You might buy elsewhere, but you can get the feel of the rod. Also, put the reel on the rod you want to buy to see how it balances.

[DMC]

This is even an old picture, acquired several since this one.

You cannot have too much tackle...

[Kori Ellis]

I used to go fishing when I was little.

But as an adult, my fishing claim to fame was that I caught (and released) a 5 1/2 foot, 90 pound sailfish in Costa Rica. It took like an 1 hour an a half to reel in.

[DMC]

I used to go fishing when I was little.

But as an adult, my fishing claim to fame was that I caught (and released) a 5 1/2 foot, 90 pound sailfish in Costa Rica. It took like an 1 hour an a half to reel in.

That could be an old salt's claim to fame as well. I've fished my whole life, never even seen a 90lb sail.

[DMC]

nope, and it helps to have about 6-7 poles in the boat all rigged differently so you can just pick up another one without wasting time retying

Yeah that works out well for most bass fishermen. I downsize a bit when fishing in another person's boat, especially a bass rig because there's limited storage space on the side for the back deck fisherman's rods.

Center consoles allow you to be a glutton though.

[Kori Ellis]

That could be an old salt's claim to fame as well. I've fished my whole life, never even seen a 90lb sail.

It's pretty average in Costa Rica.

SAILFISH:

April to September, most fish from the 90 LBS. to 110 LBS range.

http://www.worldwidefishing.com/cost...l+Beach+Resort

[DMC]

It's pretty average in Costa Rica.



http://www.worldwidefishing.com/cost...l+Beach+Resort

Never been to Costa Rica!

Did you catch any Roosterfish?

[Kori Ellis]

No, I only caught the sailfish and tons of Dorado.

[DMC]

Mahi Mahi dorado? There are like 5 different dorado fish.

[Kori Ellis]

I honestly don't know. I just know the boat captain said they were dorado.

[DMC]

Green and blue, fat at the head, narrow at the tail? Very pretty when they are first caught?

[Kori Ellis]

No, ugly and grayish.