Shimano Stradic Ci4 2500 Spining reel

In the bass fishing industry high quality equipment is being used more and more in regular fishing outings and in tournaments. Fishing rods, reels, and lures are continuing to become more advance to fit the personal preference and style of an angler. After buying the Shimano Stradic Ci4 spinning reel I soon realized how high-tech the industry has become. 

The Shimano Stradic Ci4 not only is comfortable and is lightweight but is also very sleek and popular for its compact red and black look that will make other anglers think twice when they pick up there cheep graphite rod and reel. I have used this reel for a little over seven months now and it has preformed above and beyond my expectations. I put this reel to the test by catching smallies at Dale Hallow Lake and landing chunker largemouth at Mill Creek using finesse techniques in 20ft of water near heavy grass. This reel can preform to any angler's preference.

A stunning look at the Stradic Ci4 on the rocks

This reel weighs 7.0oz. which is less than the original Stradic FI 2500 size. Don't let the EVA foam handles scare you, I've fished in deadly heat and in cold rainy weather and this grip has never let me down by keep its original condition and comfort. Being that this reel only ways 7.0oz. it surprised me that it was in a 2500 size reel and can hold 140yds. of 8lb test and 120yds. of 10lb test. I have paired this ultimate finesse reel with a 7' 2" Shimano Crucial Medium Heavy action dropshot rod for fishing finesse techniques. This killer setup has a total cost of $360 (not including tax) with a weight all under a pound of butter. Think twice before you pick up another inexpensive reel again and choose something that will last and make fishing even more fun. 

--Jon B.

Heat Discharged Cranking

Recently I fished a bass tournament in Braidwood Illinois at Braidwood Lake. Originally I was unfamiliar with the waters that I would be fishing, but had an idea that something fast and aggressive would lure those early spawn bass to bite. I arrived at around 6:30 A.M. with low temps of about 28oF and high winds above 30mph. Right off the bat I new this would be a tough one even if this was a heat discharged lake. I began throwing a spinner bait around shorelines and rocky points and had no success. An hour after fishing a spinner I changed to a white Bandit 200 series crankbait and picked up my first and only bass of the day. A chunker 16.5in smallie that had just spawned. Anglers around me noticed this and switched there patterns to cranks and Strike King Sexy Shad lipless crankbaits which posed a deadly threat all around to me because I, of course, forgot to bring my lipless cranks. If I would have given up on my fast bait theory I would have never landed my catch of the day that put me in 3rd over all. This is one thing to consider, always think outside of the box even if the air temperature is cold. Fish in 30-degree weather but choose your lure pattern as if you are fishing in 70. That is my key tip for you especially in the pre-spawn bass season.

Summer Tips for Sriped Slabs

Many crappie anglers look for crappie through trolling, though I have found a different technique. Trolling may be a technique used to catch large, more, and healthier crappie I personally I feel that casting and retrieving can have the same results as trolling does. 

Crappie feast on schooling minnows in mid-summer and late spring making it easier for you to choose the right lures and bait, whether it be a live minnow or a small crankbait. If you are a crappie fanatic, you know how hard it is to get into slab territory. You may have to go through twenty crappie before you finally land a keeper. Though this problem can be solved.

I have noticed that when I do troll for crappie, I have a tendency to land many small ones and a fewer big ones. But when I flip and cast for crappie, I can narrow down the size and species that I'm looking for. Many white and black crappie hide in submerged trees, logs, and other structural pile-ons, and to bring em' out I flip grubs, crankbaits, and small worms. Now I'm not saying that you can't catching lunker crappie by trolling, I'm just stating that flipping can be an easy shortcut to catching striped slabs. 

If you like this article check out my  YouTube Channel to view more interesting tips and tricks on how to land the majority of freshwater species you're looking for!

Just created this blog so I can share my videos and latest fishing action with those who love the sport and past time of fishing!

--jon B.