crossmlk

I don't know about Shimano baitcasters but IMO Shimano spinning reels are some of the best on the market. I've been a spin fisherman for a long time. Still love my Abu-Garcias and still have several of the 2nd generation Cardinals and still use them a lot but my first choice are Shimano's. I admit I'm a little spoiled as I save up and buy the high end ones (there is no substitute for a Stella!) but even their more affordable models I have are clearing superior to most others in their class. As far as your problem, you clearing have a mechanical problem with the reel. You need to break it down and take a look. Hopefully you got the manual when you bought the reel. I couldn't find it online but I didn't look real hard. If you think it's worth it you might want to consider sending it to a professional repair shop.

So it sounds like the fish in the hatchery are just ones who have made an early spawning run, ready or not? Then the hatchery people will hold them and strip them when there ready to spawn to generate new stock for spring and after that release them back into the lake. Is that right?

What size spoons do you usually use? Have you had luck with other's like Blue Fox? Thanks.