I was out in my kayak for a few hours yesterday, and along with catching a bunch of smallmouth and largemouth bass, I was thinking how fast the summer is going. Even though I’m looking forward to some great fall fishing, we all know what comes after that in Wisconsin. Since early May I’ve been on the water quite a few days chasing bass using a number of outstanding reels that match well with my style of fishing, which mostly involves chasing the big water smallies of Door County, WI (Lake Michigan) and my favorite Wisconsin smallie rivers. As I always note, I feel I’ve put enough hours on these reels to feel comfortable sharing my opinions. And, even though I fish the reels quite a few hours, I’m careful and not out to perform any torture tests.

Again this year I’m very impressed with all six reels I’ve had the pleasure to fish, and hope you enjoy my comments and can use the information when considering your next purchase.

Abu Garcia REVO Premier - $279.95

I fish spinning reels more than baitcast reels, but do enjoy baitcasters for spinnerbaits, topwaters and crankbaits. Just like my spinning reels, I look for lightweight reels and at 6.7 ounces the Revo Premier matched wonderfully with the 7’ medium action St. Croix Legend Tournament and Mojo rods that I fished it on. I spooled the REVO with 12# Stren Brute. Its low-profile stance is great for palming and I found it extremely easy to adjust to my casting needs. And, I’ve actually had “no” backlashes, which is appreciated and surprising.

The drag is very smooth through all the settings and I love the compact, bent-handle with the very comfortable EVA knobs. It comes in a high-speed version with a 7.1:1 retrieve/gear ratio, but I found the 6.4:1 ratio just fine for all my applications. Typically, I’m using spinning gear for lighter lures, but wanted to check the REVO out and was very happy with how it handled lures down to ¼ of an ounce, like smaller Booyah spinnerbaits and the newer Excalibur XR25 lipless crankbait.

If you give the REVO Premier a try you “will” not be disappointed. In fact the only disappointment might be in the reels you already own.

Features:

• Lightweight – 6.7 ounces
• 9 Stainless steel HPCR ball bearings
• Corrosion resistant instant anti-reverse bearing
• X-Cratic finish allow frame and side plate for corrosion resistance
• Carbon matrix drag system for ultra smooth drag
• Aircraft grade aluminum spool
• Infini brake design for extended castability and extreme loads
• Compact bent-handle and star
• Flat EVA knobs
• Max drag is 20lb. for non high speed models
• Right and left hand models available
• Line recovery per handle turn – 28”
• Line capacity – 145yds./12# mono, 130 yds./30# braid
• www.abu-garcia.com

Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Signature Series JMX10HD Caster Reel – $249.99, on sale for $159.99

Over the past few years I’ve had a chance to review a number of Bass Pro baitcast reels, including the previous version of the Johnny Morris Signature Series. I loved that version and can say, “I love the new version”. There are so many positives to this reel that I hate to even mention that, for me, I wish it were a little than its 8.6 ounces. But, with the great feel once on the rod, I really didn’t notice it much while fishing. Like the REVO, I used it on the 7’ medium action St. Croix Legend Tournament and Mojo rods and spooled it with 12# Berkley Trilene TransOptic. I like the carbon-fiber recurve handle and the comfort of the ribbed silicon knobs. I also like this style of knob on the Johnny Morris Signature Series spinning reel. The original version of this reel had a chrome look to the finish.

Again, I’m not as adept with baitcast reels as with spinning reels, but find the JMSSJX10 extremely easy to adjust to a variety of baits and weights, casting like a dream. The drag is very smooth through all the settings and the star designed drag adjustment is easy to use, even when fighting a big smallie. The reel I tested has the 6.4:1 retrieve/gear ratio and as noted earlier is just fine for all applications, but it does come in a 7.1:1 ratio, which some might like for certain presentations.

Like its predecessor, I can highly recommend this reel, and getting it on sale for $159 is quite a bargain.

Features:

• Diecast aluminum frame and sideplates
• Black carbon-titanium deposition finish
• Double anodized aluminum spool
• Premium Japanese stainless steel ball bearings
• 100% double-shielded 10-bearing system
• Powerlock instant anti-reverse
• Duralumin drive gear
• Dual braking system
• Beefed-up, super smooth carbon drag system
• 10 bearing system
• Lightweight carbon-fiber recurve handle with ribbed silicon knob
• Padded clutch bar
• Titanium-nitride guide
• Line recovery per handle turn – 28”
• Line capacity – 145yds./12# mono
• Weight – 8.6 ounces
• www.basspro.com

Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier Spinning Reel - $69.99, sometimes on sale

I have had the opportunity to review a number of Bass Pro Shops spinning reels over the past ten years, including previous versions of the Pro Qualifier. Back in 2007, when I first reviewed this reel, which was Bass Pros first with the Mag Spool technology, I was intrigued and impressed. Since then, I’ve also tested the Johnny Morris Signature Series Spinning reel with this technology and now the current Pro Qualifier. I continue to be very impressed with the Mag Spool and can tell you that the new version of the Pro Qualifier is noticeably smoother and a more “quality” feel than the original in 2007. I’ve mentioned this in the other reviews on reels with the Mag Spool technology. The larger diameter spool enhances casting distance and offers a smooth and quick retrieve with the 5.6:1 retrieve ration.

I’ve fished the PG10 a good deal over the last three months, matching it with St. Croix 7’ and 7’6” light and medium-light action rods. I spooled the reel with Berkley Tracer Braid 10 pound/3 pound equivalent diameter. If you haven’t tried Tracer Braid, you should. Along with being very easy to work with I love how easy it is to see with the alternating moss and chartreuse colors. In more recent years I’ve had more trouble seeing the moss green braid, but have no problem with the white of Fireline Crystal, Stren Microfuse and Power Pro. Along with the Hi-Vis yellows and now Tracer Braid.

This reel meets my desire for light weight at 7.5 ounces, as well as a compact profile, yet still able to handle plenty of braid/superline, which is my preference. For the price, this is a very nice reel that you’ll love. And, occasionally you’ll find it on sale, which is even better.

Features:

• Ultra-slim body design – 7.5 ounces
• 8-bearing system with Powerlock instant anti-reverse
• Anodized aluminum body and side cover
• Machined aluminum handle and forged aluminum spool
• Stainless steel bail wire
• Titanium nitride-coated line roller
• Mag spool technology
• Advanced carbon fiber drag system
• Free spare aluminum spool
• 5.6:1 gear ratio
• Line recovery per handle return – 31”
• Line capacity – 90yds/6# mono
• www.basspro.com

Daiwa Exceler 2000 – TSH - $109.99, lower on-line pricing

I’ve had a chance to review quite a few Daiwa spinning reels from the $59 price point, all the way up to the $250+ Fuego. I have been impressed with all of them, but have made one consistent comment in each review and that is I do prefer a faster retrieve ratio. All the others reviewed Daiwa reels were 4.7:1, which some do like. Me, I like the faster retrieve so that when my lure is out of the strike zone, I can get it in fast for another cast. Well, I love the 6.2:1 ratio of the Exceler TSH 2000, and interestingly, I see that a number of Daiwa’s new reels, which were just introduced, also have the faster retrieve ratio.

This reel has performed outstanding spooled with 18 pound/3 pound equivalent diameter Daiwa Samurai braided line matched with St. Croix medium light 7’ and 7’6” Legend Elite and Xtreme rods. Daiwa Samurai isn’t an inexpensive braid, but you won’t find a smoother one out there. The Exceler is not a big reel and weighs at the higher end of what I prefer at 8.6 ounces. For chasing smallies I find the 2000 series in the Daiwa reels perfect holding 135 yards of 6 pound mono, which as with the other spinning reels in the review allows for plenty of smaller diameter braid/superline with the mono backing.

As with all the Daiwa spinning reels, the drag is very smooth throughout the settings. The handle is comfortable and I especially love having the “large” anti-reverse lever on the back of the reel. This reel does not have the tubular bail, but it is made of a larger diameter wire and nice and compact, which I like with the Daiwa reels.

The Exceler 2000 TSH is a quality reel at a nice price. And now with the 6.2:1 gear ratio gives those of us who like a faster retrieve another great option to consider.

Features:

• Fast, 6.2:1 retrieve ratio
• Digigear
• 4 CRBB ball bearings
• Twist buster
• Washable, waterproof drag with click adjustment
• Advanced locomotive levelwind
• Includes alternate-size spare aluminum spool for a wider choice of lines
• Line recovery per handle turn – 32.6”
• Line capacity – 135yds./6#
• Weight – 8.6 ounces
• www.daiwa.com

Pflueger Patriarch 9530 Spinning Reel - $199.95

Here’s a new “wow” reel from Pflueger that has performed wonderfully. I have loved the Pflueger Supreme XT in a past review and again in my review this year, so I had a great feeling getting ready to fish the Patriarch. I wasn’t disappointed. I spooled this reel with a favorite, Stren Microfuse 8 pound/3 pound equivalent diameter line and fished it on a St. Croix medium action 7’ Legend Xtreme and 7’6” Legend Tournament.

I prefer reels that are lightweight and at 6.3 ounces the Patriarch 9530 is a dream to fish, and even better when matched with a 3.4 to 3.9 ounce St. Croix rod. The line capacity of 120 yards of 6 pound mono lends itself perfectly for those of us who like using the smaller diameter braid/superline with a mono backing. I don’t like large profile reels and the Patriarch is an excellent size to compliment my style of fishing. The spool is larger than most of the competitor’s reels that weigh less than 7 ounces, which adds to casting distance. The drag is super smooth through the settings and the reel has the thread on handle that I prefer, along with a very comfortable EVA knob.

The Patriarch has a 5.2: 1 retrieve/gear ratio, which is slower than I prefer, but didn’t notice it being too slow, and many anglers like this ratio. I’ve always liked light, smaller profile tubular bail wires, which this reel has. As noted earlier, this “is” a wow reel, and at $199.95 is not inexpensive, but seems to be a bargain in the higher end reel market. The list of features I’ve mentioned and those below are truly impressive. I’ve been fishing the Patriarch all summer, and you can bet it’s going to get a lot more time on the water the rest of this year and for seasons to come.

Features:

• Ultra lightweight magnesium body, rotor, and sideplate – 6.3 ounces
• Lightweight double anodized aluminum spool with carbon arbor
• 9 Stainless steel ball bearings
• XCR bearings in key locations
• Instant anti-reverse bearing
• Solid aluminum bail wire
• Sure-click bail provides an audible signal when bail is fully opened and ready to cast
• Anti-twist titanium coated line roller
• Lightweight carbon handle
• Durable EVA knob
• Solid titanium main shaft
• Sealed carbon drag system
• Convertible left and right hand retrieves
• Spring loaded line clip
• Neoprene protective bag
• Aluminum spare spool
• On/Off anti-reverse
• 5.2:1 gear ratio
• Line recovery per handle turn – 27”
• Line capacity – 120yds/6#
• www.pflueger.com

Pflueger Supreme XT 9230 Spinning Reel - $149.95

A few years ago I reviewed the previous version of the Pflueger Supreme XT and was very impressed. In fact, I’m still using that reel, as well as the smaller 9225 model. After fishing the “new” version the past few months, I found it very similar to the previous version, so it seems most of the changes are simply cosmetic. And, even though I like the bright gold finish, the new finish looks better and will appeal to more anglers. Also, having put many hours on the original Supreme XT, I can say with some confidence, you should expect great service for years.

The “new” version of the Supreme XT is not an inexpensive reel at $149.95, but in my opinion a great price for a top quality reel. It is basically the same size as the Patriarch 30 series, but holds a little more line at 145 yards of 6 pound diameter line. As with the original, I really like the 6.2:1 retrieve/gear ratio and is very light at 7.2 ounces. I’ve been fished this reel on a St. Croix Legend Elite 7’6” medium-light action rod and spooled it with Berkley Tracer Braid in 10 pound/3 pound diameter. Like the Patriarch this reel has a somewhat smaller profile, but large enough spool to facilitate long casts. It also has the tubular bail and thread-on handle with comfortable EVA knob. This may be picky, but the way the knob is attached to the handle is better than the previous Supreme XT, which sometimes would catch your forefinger between the knob and the handle shaft, which was annoying. The drag, as you would expect is very smooth throughout the spectrum.

I’m still fishing the original Supreme XT and expect to do the same with the new version for the rest of this season and beyond. I can highly recommend this reel!

Features:

• Lightweight durable magnesium body & rotor – 7.2 ounces
• 9 stainless steel ball bearings
• Corrosion resistant bearings in key locations
• One-way clutch instant anti-reverse bearing
• Smooth sealed carbon fiber drag system
• Double anodized machined aluminum spool with holes
• Aluminum side plate
• Sure-click bail provides an audible signal when bail is fully opened and ready to cast
• Large solid aluminum bail wire
• Anti-twist titanium coated line roller
• Lightweight carbon handle
• Durable EVA knob
• Spare aluminum spool
• Convertible right or left hand retrieve
• On/Off anti-reverse
• Neoprene reel bag
• 6.2:1 gear ratio
• Line recovery per handle return – 30”
• Line capacity – 145yds/6#
• www.pflueger.com

Fall is time when smallmouth are feeding veraciously preparing for the long lean winter. It’s also a time of rapidly changing weather that effects smallmouth location and feeding behavior. This means anglers will need to be ready to fish a lot of different types of water and depths. Here’s a quick run down of baits that will enable you to fish in a variety of depths and water conditions. During the fall, it is particularly important for river smallmouth anglers to have the ability to cover the top,middle, and bottom of the water column.

#1 Soft Jerkbaits (middle of the water column)
Soft jerkbaits are extremely versatile and therefore are one of my favorite fall baits. You can use soft jerkbaits to catch smallmouth that are chasing and attacking baitfish aggressively by skittering it across the top of the water or using fast jerks with a low rod tip. When smallmouth are in a more neutral feeding mood, the bait can be deadsticked with excellent results. Bottom line, this bait can be fished extremely fast, at medium speeds, at variable speeds or with no movement at all. That’s why it gets the number one spot!

Some common soft jerkbaits are the Slug-go, Zoom Flukes, and my favorite Winco’s Darter series of soft jerkbaits. The weight of the Darter series baits makes them easy to cast. Long casts are critical in the clear waters that typically comes with fall fishing.

#2 Tube Baits (bottom of the water column)
Sometimes fall smallmouth will move into deep ledge trenches and go into a more neutral feeding mood. When this happens anglers need a presentation that can get down deeper and be fished very slow. Enter the tube baits. There are a variety of rigs you can use but I usually keep it simple and rig mine on a 1/8 oz. internal tube jig head. The bait can be crawled along the bottom mimicking a crayfish. No self respecting smallmouth will pass up this presentation!

Many soft bait companies make tube baits. Companies like Venom, Strike King, Yum, and Winco’s Custom Lures offer some great tubes. Winco’s new Tasty Tube Jr. is worth a look. It has thinner profile than most tubes on the market and is great when a more finesse style presentation is needed.

#3 Walk-The-Dog Baits (top of the water column)
I was never a big fan of walk-the-dog lures for smallmouth until four years ago when I started using what I call “hybrid” walk-the-dog lures. This is really my terminology but it refers to baits that have a slightly concave face similar to a popper. The concave design makes a subtle splash during the w-t-d presentation that drives smallmouth crazy.

Remember to try varying retrieves when using these baits. Sometimes a constant w-t-d presentation is the ticket. Other times a few walks and letting the bait sit will draw vicious strikes. Very few companies make ‘hybrid” walk-the-dog baits. Two of my favorites are Storm’s Chug Bug and Winco’s Wink’s Walker.

Of course, I take a few more baits along with me when I fish. I jokingly call my kayak the “floating tackle shop”. One thing is for sure, I always make certain these three baits are tied on or within quick reaching distance when I hit the river in fall!

Each year, fishing with, and reviewing a variety of reels I continue to be so impressed and feel there has never been a better time to find great reels priced well under $100.

Abu Garcia Soron SX10 - $99.95

Last year I included the Abu Garcia Soron STX10 in my review article and this year wanted to give the Soron SX10 a shot. A few years ago when I tested the predecessors of both, the Abu Garcia 801 and then the 701, I stated in an article, “I can’t tell any difference between the two reels”. Well, I’m going to have to make that statement again as it relates to my test of the STX10 and now the SX 10. I actually fished them side-by-side a couple of times this year and the only difference I could tell is the less expensive SX10 has 7 HPCR (High Performance Corrosion Resistant) stainless steel bearings compared with 11 for the STX10, which over the years could make a difference.

Because of the ultra-clear water of Green Bay and the need for long casts, I fished the SX10 on a St. Croix 7’6” medium-light Legend Tournament, as well as on the “interesting” and impressive 8’ medium light Legend Tournament with the telescoping handle. Using the “new”, as of last year, Super Line Spool System, I spooled the reel with Spiderwire Hi-Vis Yellow in 14-pound test/3- pound diameter line. With the Fast Tie Design, two elastimetric rings are built into the spool to keep superline/braid from spinning on the spool. This eliminates the need for any type of taping or tying. Last year with the STX10, I tested and liked it, but prefer using a mono backing so I don’t have to put as much superline/braid on the reel. For this reason I would not use this feature. The spare spool is very nice compared to many “spare” spools. It doesn’t have the Fast Tie Design and is noted to have been designed for fluorocarbon. I used it for superline/braid and either spool will also work fine for mono or copolymer lines.
No matter if I’m fishing clearer water on Lake Michigan or one of my many rivers; I primarily use superline/braid in the 2 to 3-pound equivalent diameter and am making many casts. For this reason I want a reel that is lightweight, has a small profile and rated for at least 110 yards of 6-pound diameter line. The SX10, like the STX10, meets all three criteria and is nice and light at 7.8 ounces. Like the STX10, the SX10 is an eye-catcher. I like the feel of the smaller, tubular bails, which the SX10 has. The Carbon Matrix Drag system is very smooth across the drag settings. The handle is the thread-on style, which I much prefer.
You guys who are tough on reels will like the X-Cratic frame which is very durable and has a great feel. The 5:1.1 retrieve ratio is fine, but a little slower than I prefer. Coming in at under $100 this reel is a winner and one that you should definitely consider.

Features:
SuperLine with Fast Tie Spool Design
Carbon Matrix Drag
7 HPCR bearings
X-Cratic frame
Duragear brass gears
5:1.1 gear ration
7.8 ounces
Line recovery per handle turn – 24”
Line Capacity – 110yds/6#

“New” Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Signature Series JM10 - $99.99

Over the years I’ve fished with and reviewed a number of Bass Pro Shops reels. Two years ago I had the pleasure of using the then “new” Johnny Morris Signature Series JM10, which I still have and use. When I saw this reel was being tweaked, I wanted to give it a shot and compare it to the original.

Two key features that I have appreciated and haven’t changed with the new version are the Mag Spool Technology, which makes for nice long casts, and the weight, which is still light at just 7.5 ounces. I’ve fished this reel on the longer St. Croix medium-light rods, but also on the Legend Xtreme medium action. I have it spooled with Power Pro 10/3 Hi-Vis yellow. I like the visibility of the Hi-Vis Yellow as well as the new “white” Power Pro that I’ve just begun using.

I’ve listed the features below, but let me tell you about the changes. On the surface you’ll note the die-cast aluminum body is now a matte gray instead of the chrome finish. I do like the new finish better. Also, the body is now sealed, which will add to the life of the reel by keeping contaminants out and letting the lube retain its viscosity, reducing wear on internal components. This is a nice upgrade, especially for those of you who fish in the rain or wade and dunk your reels. The reel now comes with a sealed carbon matrix drag. Carbon is unmatched for dissipating drag heat and the 6-washer system is sealed tight for the ultimate smoothness at all times. I can tell you that the drag is very smooth throughout the drag settings.

The original JM10 from 2008 is still performing great for me and I have to believe the improvements will only add to the value and durability of the “new” JM10. This size has a nice quick 5.6:1 gear ratio, which I like. But, for those of you who like the bigger versions with more line-capacity, you can get the JM20 and JM 40 with a fast 6.1:1 ratio, which many will like compared to the 5.1:1, which is also available on those sizes. As I did two years ago, I feel comfortable recommending this great reel, which is still under $100. One of my “smallie enthusiast” friends purchased the JM10 in 2008 and continues to use and love it. And, he’s not nearly as careful as I am.

Features:

Compact die-cast aluminum chassis
11 ball bearing system. Shielded stainless steel ball bearings
Stainless steel mainshaft, hardened brass pinion gear and zinc alloy drive gear
“New” – Sealed aluminum body construction
“New” – Sealed carbon matrix drag
Titanium line roller
PowerLock instant anti-reverse
Forged aluminum spool, with spare aluminum spool for braided line
Forged aluminum handle with comfort-touch grip
5.6:1 Gear ration
Line recovery per handle turn – 31”
Pound test/yards rating – 6/90 (JM1000)

“New” Pflueger Arbor 7430 - $79.99

I always get a little more excited when using a reel that is a new design, which the Pflueger Arbor is. As with the other reels, I matched this with the longer St. Croix medium-light rods as well as the 7’ medium Legend Xtreme. It is spooled with Spiderwire 14/3 in Hi-Vis yellow, which is another line I’ve been very impressed and happy with.

Over the past few years I’ve also used, liked and written about the Pflueger Supreme XT, Supreme, President XT and President spinning reels. I have had nothing but excellent performance with the other Pflueger reels and so far am having a great experience with the Arbor. It weighs in at 8.5 ounces, but feels lighter. Also, as noted in past reviews, I’m a fan of faster gear ratios and was concerned with the 4.3:1 with the Arbor, but honestly, I didn’t really notice it being that slow and retrieving 25” of line per handle turn is similar to some reels with faster retrieve ratios.

The arbor design is primarily to improve how the line comes off the spool and to add distance. I had “no” problems with how the line came off the spool or wind knots, and the distance was outstanding. The large arbor spool design reduces line memory and twist which allows line to flow freely off the spool. When you fish in ultra-clear water for smallies distance on casts “is” very important. This reel on a 7’6” medium-light rod did the trick. At $79.99 you’re going to have a hard time not falling for this “new” Pflueger.
Features:
7 stainless steel ball bearings
One-way clutch instant anti-reverse bearing
Lightweight hybrid aluminum construction provides strength of an aluminum body without the weight
Double anodized aluminum spool
Lightweight graphite rotor
Smooth sealed carbon fiber drag system
Braid ready spool
Large arbor spool design for maximum line control
Sure-Click bail
Solid aluminum bail wire
Spare aluminum spool
Line recovery per handle turn rating – 25”
Pound test yards rating – 6/120

Shimano Sahara 1000 - $79.99

It is no secret that I “love” the newer designed 1000 series Shimano reels. They match perfectly with the longer St. Croix medium-light rods I use on the big water for Great Lakes smallies and also the 6’6” and 7’ light action Legend Elite rods I add to the arsenal when chasing small-river smallies and throwing the Rebel Teeny Wee Crawfish, along with the Kalin’s Lunker Grub. Since being redesigned, I’ve spent many hours with the Stradic, Saros and Symetre. My “reel” excitement for this article was going to be getting my hands on the new Stradic Ci4, but that didn’t happen until a few weeks ago. Having heard “so” many positive comments on the Sahara over the years, I thought I’d give the new Sahara a try. I will be doing a separate review on the Ci4, which I’ve been fishing for a few weeks. My sneak peak, two word comment - “reelly” something.

Now, back to the Sahara, an outstanding reel at a very competitive price at $79.99. I had only used the Sahara briefly prior to the re-design and liked it, but gravitated back to the Symetre or Stradic. So far this year I’ve fished this reel as much as any of the reels in this review and found it to perform flawlessly and actually found it tough to tell any difference between it and the three more expensive reels above it from Shimano. It is “so” smooth, the drag is great and it has all the “bells and whistles” I’ve come to expect from Shimano at a great price. The weight is super at 6.9 ounces and has the quick reel retrieve I prefer at 5.6:1. With the long St. Croix medium-light rods I get long casts with the Power Pro Hi-Vis Yellow 10/2 line I have it spooled with. And, even though I don’t intentionally dunk reels, this one took a couple and no problem.

Over the years when the discussion comes up on web sites about reels, there are always a large number of comments about how good the Sahara’s is and for a nice price. Well, I think I can now agree with all those comments and will say you won’t be disappointed with this high-quality reel.
Features:
Propulsion Line Management System: Propulsion Spool Lip, Power Roller III, Redesigned Bail Trip, Graphite Rotor, S-Arm Cam
Slow oscillation
S A-RB bearings (Shielded A-RB)
Aluminum frame (GR on 500 and 1000)
Lightweight graphite sideplate & rotor
Cold forged aluminum spool
S Concept: S-Rotor, S-Guard, S-Am Cam
Machined aluminum handle
Rubber handle grips
Maintenance port
Fluidrive II
Floating shaft
Dyna-Balance
Super Stopper II
Repairable Clicker
Approved for use in Saltwater
Line recovery per handle turn - 28”
Pound test/yards rating – 6/110

“New” Bass Pro Shops Carbonlite Baitcast Reel - $119.99

From 2008 to 2009, Bass Pro Shops, did a major redesign of the popular ProLite Finesse Baitcast Reel. I included this in my review article on this site last year and truly liked the upgrades and redesign. They did a great job. Well, I was surprised to see that for 2010 the ProLite was renamed Carbonlite, with a few more changes. Having enjoyed the redesigned ProLite, I was anxious to give the Carbonlite a try and see what the differences were and if they were noticeable.

Bottom-line, I like the Carbonlite better, but not because it fishes much differently. Bass Pro does a great job with their reels and I have to assume they tweaked this reel for a reason. Not that looking better catches more fish, but in my opinion the Carbonlite does look better. The weight is still very light at 6.7 ounces with the gear ration jumping from 6.3:1 to 6.4:1. A major difference, which will be appreciated, is increasing the line capacity from 100 yards of 10# to 125 yards of 12#. I had it spooled with 10# Silver Thread Excalibur line and used it on both the St. Croix 7’ Mojo and Legend Tournament medium action rods. Also, the line take-up per handle rotation has jumped from 24” to 29”.

I think you’ll like the changes from the ProLite to Carbonlite and find this reel a pleasure to fish. It sure handled the big smallies I catch on Green Bay.
Features:
Super light (carbon fiber) recurve handle and Drag Star with super comfortable EVA handle grips
Super hard/super light Duraluminum aircraft-grade gears and spool
Acclaimed DBS Dual Braking System with advanced heat and corrosion resistant Rulon drag
One-piece aluminum frame
Titanium nitride-coated line guide
7 bearing system
Lube port
Powerlock instant anti-reverse
6.7 ounces
6.4:1 gear ratio
Line recovery per handle turn – 29”
Line capacity – 120 yards/12#

Daiwa Aggrest “high-speed” Baitcast Reel - $179.99

Daiwa has never disappointed with the reels I’ve used and review. The Aggrest 7.3 Hyper Speed is another winner. Just as with my spinning reels, I enjoy faster retrieves with my baitcast reels. I’ve always felt that I can slow down my retrieve, but once out of the strike zone, I like to get the lure back in and out as fast as possible. At a retrieve ration of 7.3:1 that’s not going to happen much faster and this reel brings line back at 32” per handle turn.

I mostly fished the Aggrest on a 7’ St. Croix Legend Tournament medium action. I spooled it with Daiwa Samauri 55 pound test/10 pound diameter and went to work. I caught a number of big smallies on this outfit and the reel had plenty of muscle to get the fish in quickly. At 7.6 ounces and line capacity of 120 yards of 12#, I found it to be perfect for what I was using it for, which was lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits and a few soft-plastics thrown in.

The reel was easy to set-up for my varying casting needs, with a drag that’s very smooth. I would think this high-quality reel would be a good investment for many years at $179.99.

Features:
Hyper speed 7.3:1 gear ration
7.6 ounces
Six ball bearing system, including two CRBB anti-corrosion bearings
Ultra-tough, helical cut phosphor bronze pinion and Dura Aluminum drive gear
Magforce-Z anti-backlash system
High performance drag with precision click adjustments
Rigid aluminum frame
Swept handle for less wobble, better feel and greater winding leverage

By
Bill Schultz

Whether you like to fish with spinning reels or baitcast reels, these are six very nice reels to consider. If you have any questions that I did not answer, please email me at smalliecentral@gmail.com.

When it comes to lures, the number one topic of discussion is almost always centered around color selection. How many times has another angler asked you, “What color are you using?”. This question often becomes more complicated when you are talking about river fishing for smallmouth bass.

The river environment is very dynamic and water conditions can change in a matter of a few hours.  Based on much of the research I’ve reviewed, smallmouth tend to be sight feeders. As a result, color selection is high on my priority list.  Factors like scent, profile, and action are certainly part of the tube equation but in the spirit of keeping it simple, I”m going to focus on color. Here’s a quick and easy breakdown that can help you narrow your color choices quickly.

In the rivers I fish smallmouth have two primary food sources, crayfish and various minnow species. The most coveted is the crayfish. Of course a tube bait is a great crayfish imitation. Water clarity is my litmus test for choosing a tube color.

In clear water conditions, I’m looking to “match the hatch” and use more natural colors. Smallmouth in clear water seem to shy away from unnatural colors. There are exceptions to every rule but I find this statement to be accurate far more often then not.

If  I’ve decided to throw a tube in clear water, I’ll select colors that match the color of the crayfish in the body of water I’m fishing. When I’m fishing familiar waters, I typically know the color of the crayfish. If I’m fishing unfamiliar waters, I’ll turn rocks and observe a few crayfish then look at my tube selection to find the closest color match. Colors like pumking, carolina pumpkin, and various shades of green or brown work well in clear water. Laminated two color baits can also be great choices because often the bottom of a crayfish is lighter than the top.

Once the water crosses the line to stained or muddy, I start looking for colors that will provide contrast. Again, I’m trying to appeal to the smallmouths sense of sight. In muddy water, I may also go to a tube with a slightly bigger profile. The goal is to make the bait stand out in stained water. Great contrasting colors are dark greens, black, and dark browns. If the water is dark, but the sun is shining I may choose a bait with red, gold, or silver metal flake…sometimes all three!

This quick and easy guide will get you on your way to success with tubes in various water condition. The key is to be aware of changes in water clarity. I’ve been around fishing long enough to know that there are very few “hard and fast” rules and I know that conditions can change rapidly. As fisherman, we need to be aware of those changes and make the right choices. Color is just one of them!

I recently had the good fortune to be one the the “first kids on my block” to receive a Temple Fork Outfitters Gary Loomis Signature Series rod. Now that’s  a mouthful! Like any serious fisherman, I was first overjoyed with my new acquisition. After my head came out of the clouds, I proceed to put the rod through the paces over the period of several weeks. Overall I found the rod to offer exceptional performance and  value for a rod in the 100 dollar price range. It met or exceeded my expectations in a number of area. It’s no wonder Field & Stream called this series the “Best New Spinning Rod of 2010”.

The rod I chose to field test was a 7.5 foot spinning rod with medium power and a fast action. I selected the rod specifically for kayak fishing and tossing unweighted finesse baits such as a three inch soft stickbait. I like 7 - 7.5 foot rods for kayak fishing. Rods of this length increase your casting distance, make it easier to leverage fish from a low vantage point, and allow you to work a smallmouth bass around almost any kayak bow.

Ok…enough with the technical stuff…time for the review.

First Impressions

The fist thing I noticed out of the box about this rod was that it balanced very well. Some longer rods that I own are very tip heavy. The rod is still a little tip heavy at 7.5 feet but it is not as pronounced as I anticipated. The overall workmanship of the rods is excellent. The “fit” and “finish” is first class. The wraps are well done, the guides are straight and the split grip handle is nicely done. The AAA cork handle has synthetic rings at both ends of the fore grip, grip, and fighting butt that make them more durable. The Signature Series Rods also sport SIC guides, one of the hardest insert materials available.

One of the great things about these TFO rods is that you do not need to read the fine print on the rod blank to determine what power rod you have in your hands. Each power has a specific color on the exposed blank of the split grip handle. For example, my medium light power spinning rod has a silver color on the exposed blank of the split grip. That’s great for guys like me who pile a minimum of 5 rods into a kayak or boat. Color coding makes it easy to be sure I have the right rod in my hand.

Casting

The medium light power rod casts my unweighted baits like a bullet. The rod loads nicely and stores a lot of energy. On the forward cast, the rod blank generates good acceleration and launches a three inch stickbait more than a respectable distance. This is what I was hoping for and the TFO rod delivered.  The Loomis Signature Series is  definitely a smooth ride.

Sensitivity

I fished the TFO Gary Loomis Signature Series Rod using both monofilament line and 6/20 braid with a 10lb. test fluorocarbon leader. I found the sensitivity exceptional using both monofilament an braided lines for a rod in this price range . Honestly, because of the length of the rod and the medium light power, I had concerns that I would not be able to feel those subtle “taps” often associated with finesse’n smallmouth bass. My fears were quickly calmed once I started fishing. Even with a slight bow in the line caused by the current, I could certainly feel those taps. In addition to unweighted plastics, I also threw some 3 inch worms on a 1/16 oz jig head and found that I could feel bottom and even the subtle difference when a twig or some random water plants were hung on my bait.

Fighting Performance

During the past several weeks I’ve probably caught close to 100 smallmouth on the Gary Loomis Signature Series Rod. The medium light power, fast action rod has ample backbone to wear out even the most rambunctious, broad shouldered smallmouth. The length of the rod I chose was also a bonus when trying to work a smallmouth around the bow of my kayak.

The Temple Fork Outfitter’s Gary Loomis Signature Series Rod definitely exceeded my expectations for a rod in this price range. Are there rods that are more sensitivity, lighter, and have more bells and whistles? We all know  that answer to that…yes. However, at the 100 dollar price point this rod offers exceptional quality. If you are a budge minded angler, who still wants a quality product, the Gary Loomis Signature Rod by TFO should be at the top of your list. I know I’m already planning a second rod. I need a new soft jerkbait rod!

I’m a huge fan of top water baits; All kinds of top water baits such as poppers, prop baits and walk-the-dog baits. If there’s a good top water bite on, you can be rest assured that I’ll be tossing one of these baits. In particular, prop baits and walk-the-dog baits are among my favorite lures. I typically don’t like to take a lot of time to customize top water baits because many are great right out of the box. That being said, I’m certainly not apposed to making simple modifications that will increase effectiveness.

Over the years, I’ve observed that some of my most effective top water color patterns have one thing in common. Regardless of the type of bait, the best producers have some shade of red on the underside of the lure. When shopping for top water baits, this has led to some frustrations. Sometimes the color patterns with red are sold out. Other times there’s a color pattern that I like but it has no red in it. Still other times I find a great top water bait with a unique action but the manufacturer does not offer a color pattern with red in it.

My solution? It’s pretty simple. When I get a new top water lure that I want to modify, I take a red sharpie and color a dot under the head of the bait. I always put the dot under the head. Smallmouth seem to lock in on the red dot and this results in more front treble hookups.

It is best to color the baits well in advance of fishing to allow for drying time. Sharpies work but the color eventually does come off. This is particularly true with plastic baits. Wood baits, on the other hand, hold the color much better. Another rather inexpensive option for coloring your baits is Do-It Quick Coat Pain Markers. This is definitely a more durable, permanent solution.

I don’t color all my top water baits. If I have 3 baits with the same pattern, I’ll usually only “red dot” one of the baits. Just in case, however, I have a red sharpie stowed in my gear for water-side modifications or in the event I need to touch up a bait. Remember to dry the bait thoroughly before touching it up.

Making simple color modifications to baits is certainly nothing new but I’m surprised a lot more anglers don’t do it. It only takes a few seconds and can help you put more smallmouth in the boat. In my mind, that’s a great trade off!

Summer smallmouth fishing has arrived or is just around the corner for much of the country. Yes, it is time to think about patterning those smallmouth bass during the hot long days of summer. We also need to think of the baits we’ll be tossing at those aggressive summer smallmouth bass. I took a quick assessment of my lure choices and found that I could probably boil the vast majority of my summer arsenal down to five baits. These five baits can cover a lot of water conditions and all of the water column from top to bottom. Lets take a look!

1. Soft stickworm - fantastic bait down to about 8 feet depending on rigging. This bait though really shines in the shallow clear summer waters. Smallies love them!

2. Soft jerkbaits- Summer brings renewed baitfish activity and the young of the year. Smallies will actively and aggressively chase soft jerkbaits. These baits are available from a variety of companies and in a variety of sizes starting at about 3″. Match the size and coloration of your localbaitfish for best results in clear waters.

3. Prop baits - One of my favorite in this class of baits for smallmouth bass is the tiny torpedo. Prop baits are versatile baits. They can be “popped” on top with short jerks or even “dragged” to make abuzzbait like presentation. Aggressive summer smallmouth will annihilate the baits! Prop baits are great during the first hour or two of daylight in the summer but can be an “all day” bait if there is cloud cover.

4. Tube baits - Tube baits can be fished shallow or extremely deep depending on how you rig the bait. I like tube baits in the summer when presented with rising water conditions, cold front conditions, stained water, or when it just seems the bass are holding on deep current breaks. This is a great old standby. Try to match the color of local crayfish for best results. In stained water, go with something dark.

5. Crank Baits - Depending on design, crankbaits can cover water from 1 foot to 20 feet which is probably good for any smallie chaser! I like crankbaits in the summer when water conditions are rising on the rivers or when I encounter stained water. Some of my favorite color patterns incrankbaits contain crayfish colors such as reds, browns, oranges, black, chartrues. If your chasing smallmouth on lakes, you might want to match the baitfish colors and patterns.

I try to avoid writing product reviews unless I’ve spent some time putting an item through the paces. Recently I was headed to Virginia to do three full days of  flat water paddling and spend some time paddling the Potomac River. The forecasted air temperatures were expected to be about 55 degrees even though the water temperatures where in the mid to high 60’s. Given the unseasonably low air temperatures, I knew I was going to need something to keep the chill off and protect me from the splashing water. I took a quick look over on the Columbia website and found the Backpaddle jacket so I picked one up.

I think kayak fisherman often overlook the necessity of paddling apparel. We often make due with the clothing we wear on the boat or our wading apparel.  Much of this gear doesn’t have the water proof seals and breathable materials that outer wear made specifically for the paddler offers.

The Back paddle jacket makes use of Omni-Tech® material which is waterproof-breathable and fully seam sealed. The jacket will keep you safe from cold water splashing and overspray. Waterproof neoprene cuff and collar gusseting provides added reinforcements against the chill. The jacket certainly kept me warm and dry while paddling.

A small detail that I really appreciated was the  extended rear lower hem which guarded againt “drafts” going up the back of the jacket. I also found the jacket to have ample room for underlayers and the polyester mesh lining helps it slide over those underlayers easily.

The jacket is also cut in a way that provides great mobility which is important when paddling and fishing. Lots of casts, hook sets,and reaching to land that trophy smallmouth is always on a fishermans agenda!

Overall the jacket performed well. It isn’t a dry top nor is it true “cold weather gear” but for those unseasonably cold spring/summer days or early mornings it definitely gets the nod from me.

Most of the time when I’m on the water, other fisherman will ask the age old question “what bait were you using when you caught your fish”. I’m always glad to tell them but surprisingly very few fisherman follow up with what should be the second question. “What type of presentation were you using?”. This always amazes me because beyond locating the fish, presentation is such a critical piece of fishing success.

Another upside of focusing on presentation is that it can extend the effectiveness range of a bait. Lets take for example the very popular soft stickbait. Most fisherman see this as a shallow water bait that is effective in 4 feet of water or less and in fairly open water. I would argue that by changing up your rigging approach you can extend the “effectiveness” to a much wider range of depths and cover. Lets take a look at just three of my favorite rigging techniques and possible applications.

Nose hook

Al Winco's Custom Baits 3" Baby Stick Worm rigged on a Gamakatus 1/0 drop shot hook

A nose hooked soft stickbait can be used in open water, rock, or around sparse cover. I typically nose hook my baits on a circle hook or a finesse style drop shot hook. The great thing about this rigging technique is that it adds very little weight to the bait which allows for a very slow fall. A nose hooked bait presentation is great to use when you encounter smallmouth that are in a nuetural to negative feeding mood. The slow fall and natural drift created by this rigging technique are the ticket for triggering strikes from less then enthusiastic smallmouth.

Weedless Whacky Rig

Al Winco's Custom Baits 4.5 inch Stick Worm Jr. rigged on a 1/0 Gamakatsu Finesse EWG Weedless hook

Rigging a soft stickbait on a weedless circle hook can take the bait to all new places. You can fish the bait by pitching it between lilypads, drop it into holes in weed mats, and flip it into wood. This is a more vertical style of fishing but presenting a stickbait in cover like this can be extremely effective. Most fisherman don’t even think about using a soft stickbait around this kind of cover therefore in heavily pressured waters it definitely gives fish a look at something they’ve never or rarely seen. Hold on to your rod on this one!

Jig Head

Al Winco's Custom Baits 3" Baby Stick Worm rigged on 1/8 oz. jig head

If you want to go deep with your soft stickbaits there are a number of ways to accomplish this. One of the simplest is to rig the bait on a jig head. This is a great rigging technique for presenting the bait in deeper water or bouncing the bait along rocky river runs where smallmouth may be feeding. It definitely changes the action of the bait but you still have that great soft stickbait profile that smallmouth love. If I’m going to rig a soft stickbait on a jig head it will  almost always be the 3″ size on a 1/8 oz. jig head.

Wrapping It Up

Time has proven that soft stickbaits are not a craze. They flat out catch fish. My primary fishing mantra is “It is not one big thing that makes a good fisherman, it is a lot of little things that come together to make a great fisherman”. Focusing on presentation and increasing the types of cover and depths you can fish soft stickbaits effectively will certainly help you become a better fisherman.

From top to bottom: Yum Houdini Shad, Zoom Fluke, Slug-Go 3 inch size

One of the most popular yet, maybe, least understood baits for smallmouth is the soft jerkbait. These little gems are among my go to baits for spring smallmouth bass. In addition, they see a lot of “water time” during the summer. As we head into spring full speed here in the north east, I thought I’d throw out a few brands of soft jerkbaits along with their strengths in terms of fish “attracting” and “catching” abilities. In a nutshell, this article is part instruction and part product review BUT all about catching more smallmouth!

Soft jerkbaits are most noted for their unpredictable and erratic action. Most likely they mimic a fleeing baitfish which triggers old mr. smallies instinct to attack. lets take a look at three different jerkbaits and the subtle differences that sometimes can make or break a day on the water.

3 inch Slug-Go

About the bait
The Slug-Go brand name and style of bait arrived on the scene during the mid 80’s and created the soft jerkbait craze. That craze is now a standard in bass fishing circles. The three inch model is the smallest in a line of baits offered by Lunker City LLC.

Key properties
The extremely slender profile of the three inch Slug-Go is ideal for mimicking small minnows and other soft finned baitfish. The slender profile of this bait also creates a distinct “darting” action after a jerk. In addition, the bait offers a very slow fall rate that drives smallmouth crazy. A 3 inch Slug-Go is fairly light so lighter spinning tackle would be the best choice for tossing the bait.

Application
The smallest Slug-Go is great for river and creek smallmouth. The bait offers a subtle slow fall presentation that is best suited for shallow water applications. It is also my bait of choice in very clear water conditions when a delicate presentation is necessary. The slow fall rate of this bait is a key strength. The fall rate can be slowed even more by using a light wire offset worm hook that Lunker City produces specifically for the Slug-Go.

Rigging
Texposed is the most common rigging convention for this bait. Lunker City produces a light wire hook that has been designed specifically for the 3 inch Slug-go. My preference, however, is a size 1 offset extra wide gap worm hook. I find my hookup percentage is slightly higher with this style of hook.

4 inch Zoom Fluke

About the bait
The Fluke is produced by one of the top plastic bait companies in the country, Zoom. The 4 inch model is part of a family of baits with the “Fluke” name. Flukes are available in a variety of sizes and colors. You can check out the baits on the Zoom website.

Key properties
The 4 inch Fluke is a great bait for mimicking medium sized baitfish. The wider body creates a larger profile and displaces more water. Properties that say “hey..hear i am!” to any smallmouth in the vicinity. The split tail design gives the bait an even more realistic profile and creates more forward “glide” or “drift” when you pause the bait after a jerk.

Applications
The bait is slightly heavier and less boyant that the Slug-Go so it can be fished a little deeper. I will typically go to this bait when I need to fish in the 3-6 foot range. The larger profile also makes it my soft jerkbait of choice when the water has a slight stain or color. Most importantly, it is great for matching the size and profile of medium sized baitfish.

Rigging
Like the Slug-Go, the Fluke can be texposed rigged. I always use an extra wide gap offset worm hook with this particular bait due to the wider body. Again, the main goal is to increase hookups and successfully bring the smallmouth to hand. A size 2/0 or 3/0 hook will work perfectly with the 4 inch Fluke.

5 inch Yum Houdini Shad

About the bait
The Houdini Shad is produced by Yum Bait Company. There is less size selection in the Houdini Shad than some other soft jerkbaits but this bait certainly has a place in any soft jerkbait fisherman’s tackle box. The bait is enhanced with Live Prey Technology (LPT) fish attractant.

Key properties
The first thing you’ll notice about the Houdini Shad is it’s big bulky profile. It is great for imitating larger baitfish when smallies are really on the feed. The Houdini Shad can be cast long distances and it sinks faster than most other soft jerkbaits on the market. As mentioned previously, the bait is scent enhanced with LPT so fish tend to hold onto it after the strike. The last and most notable feature of this bait is the paddle tail which gives it a distinct circular glide after the jerk. The Houdini Shad slowly circles to the bottom with a subtle tail wag that I have not seen from any other soft jerkbait on the market. The paddle tail is perforated so you can convert it to a split tail or even just knock out the middle of the paddled creating a diamond shaped hole. This in turn, changes the action of the bait as it falls.

Applications
The bait can be used when trying to match the size and coloration of larger baitfish. Because of the baits bigger and bulkier profile, it also does well in stained or even muddy water. I’ve used the bait under these conditions with excellent results. The bait can be fished shallow or deep. I’ve fished the bait down to 8 feet with success and patience. When fishing deep, I typically count the bait down to depth. I will also throw this bait when I’ve established that the fish are in a neutral feeding mood. The unique tail action sometimes entices fish to bite that are refusing other baits.

Rigging
The Houdini Shad can be rigged a number of ways but texposed is probably the most common way to fish the bait. Again, due to the bulk of this bait, I typically rig it with either a 4/0 or 5/0 extra wide gap offset worm hook.