re: IM wondering if we stopped the drinking threads

I have a Lews Mach crush baitcaster that is pretty sweet. I generally use 6' to 6'6" Med rods with a fast tip for the river fishing I do. Anything longer gets difficult (that'swhatshesaid.gif)

If you're bass fishing, look and see if there is a bass club near you.

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I ended up buying a spinner. I imagine starting out I will be using light tackle, not heavy lures anyways. Once I get comfortable with light stuff I’ll branch into various lures.

The poll I bot:

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Good solid rig for what you paid. It will work fine for you from finesse fishing to a little larger stuff

I have been around the world with Baitcasting and Spinning reels. I use both. They are a lot like golf clubs. When you do a lot of techniques, you will need both. They do different things

From my 25 years of guiding I tried a lot of reels. I have never really tried or been on any reel prostaff teams. I do get a considerable discount on mine when I buy them

I have found that for spinning, you just can not beat Shimano spinning reels. Nothing lasts as long fishing every day like I did for 15 years like Shimano spinning reels. They are just better in every aspect. I do buy the higher end stuff as I need them to work. My spinning reels usually are in the $200-$250 range.

For casting, I have needed reels with a little larger spool capacity so Shimano and Lews have lasted the best. I tried all the newer stuff and the Daiwa/Abu and none of it lasted 5 months on my boat. I have a few new Lews right now (Superduty 200), that are nice. I bought 6 of them for the boat and all have lasted a while with zero issues. Very smooth and casts well. I have some 10 year old and some 20 year old Shimano casting reels that are still worked every trip I take

I have 12 Shimano Stradic FJ series spinning reels that I bought at once in 2011 and every single one of them is still operating perfectly and have never been repaired. My favorite spinning reels of all time. I kept them and brought them here with me for salt water.

To each its own so take it for what its worth but that has been my experience

What you bought is going to be awesome for you. It will last you forever. Those combos are great. I base my opinion on me using them everyday.

There are a lot of good stuff out there now. Rods as well. I use nothing but St Croix rods and have not for 20 years, But once again, I am buying for professional use and get a very nice discount.

Hope you use your new combo. Dont stick it in the garage and let it get dusty.. Get out and use it

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It took four years but I finally got the Saturday/ Sunday off days that I wanted. I hope to start doing that most weekends. Between my wife and my 2 girls sometimes I just need to get out for a minute

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Where do you live and what kind of fishing are you thinking of doing?

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Have a truck

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Kayak might be a good idea, if you're looking to up your experience beyond the pier. You can find them used all the time on Craigslist or FB marketplace. Tons of Youtube content on kayak fishing.

Or a jonboat. I paid $2500 for mine 12 years ago and have easily squeezed $10k of enjoyment and memories out of it. I could probably still sell for $3200 now. Yamaha still cranks easy, runs great. I did have to upgrade trolling motors & add tilt on the yamaha.

I would think the Coosa would be decent and is Black creek fishable? There's always the Lake, but big water takes knowledge and equipment.

You’re gonna wanna go ahead and get a jetski

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you just can not beat Shimano

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They make good bicycle gears too. They are good at making things that spin.

So another big red-letter day in the slacker household yesterday. Moved my second kid into an Auburn dorm yesterday. I'll have a senior & freshman on the plains this fall. One sole survivor in the house and soon to be basement king, once we move him down.

Hit us a little harder than expected yesterday. I had a little help getting by last night with my friend Basil Haydens. House is definitely different now.