Have been fishing with this reel a lot this year. One amazing thing about it is that it will cast very light baits, like the original balsa 4" rapala and the 2.5 inch rattlin rapala about as well as a spinning outfit will. Even 6" worms with 1/16 oz sinkers on them cast very well.

I don't know if it matches your reel, but I like the Cabelas Salt Striker travel rods. I use one with an Ambassadeur baitcaster. Great value for the money.

Wake: You really don't need the mono backing. The electrical tape trick mentioned earlier is fine. Just use adequate tape. I put some tape on the spool, then arbor knot the line to the spool, then tape over the line. Works great. No slippage. If you want backing to save money by not filling your spo...

I keep moving until I find fish. So your question is the opposite of the way I think. The question I try to answer is "how do I know when to stay?" And the answer is when I catch a fish and continue to catch fish.

I'm trying to find out how to use Gulp Alive and whether it's any good. Can you point me to any good articles? Thanks.

If the outfitter says he can accommodate you, then it should be fine so long as you've allowed enough time.

Have you considered Fireline Crystal with a fluoro leader? Crystal is getting good reviews from those who use it. Fluro leader will give you minimum visibilty and extra abrasion resistance. I would personally give it a try if I needed maximum sensitivity. But to tell you the truth, I'm happy with Su...

I'm trying to find a relatively low cost thermometer that's good for finding the thermocline in lakes shallower than 50 feet. Can you recommend one?

Thanks.

If you're good at selling, get a job selling something lucrative. Then use your money to go fishing. I had a job that included a lot of travel for work, and it took a lot of money to make it worth it. I don't miss it at all. Hobby equipment with price points in the tens and hundreds of dollars don't...

I seldom use swivels on a spinning outfit unless I'm using a wire leader with a built in swivel. To remove the line twist I troll the line behind the boat or let it dangle in the river current for a few minutes. It works OK.

I like the "reverse the line" idea. But what I'd personally do is just cut the line and re-join it with a double uni knot and not think anything of it.

I see fishing gloves advertised. What are they good for? Is it just the latest fashion accessory?

I've been using the Daiwa LC47 line counter trolling reel this year and it's a very good reel. The drag is excellent. The line counter is excellent and easy to use. It's a really good design. I recommend it. I'm 100% happy with it. They are supposed to be a favorite of great lakes guides because the...

JoeFishin: I have the Record 60 and I love it, but I recommend the Calcutta instead for your application. The reason is that the Calcutta is built for saltwater fishing for strong fish. My opinion of the Record is that it's a good reel for fresh water fishing. It seems a bit lightly built for strong...

Since I discovered that 30# Sufix Performance Braid and Power Pro braid both break at when trying to lift just over 15 pounds, I wonder if there anyone has taken them to task legally. Do you happen to know if there any law suits pending in this matter?