I own five of the TS1H reels. Love them. One tip. It has both internal centrifugal brakes and a magnetic brake. All four centrifugal brakes will be "out" from the factory, limiting your casting distance. Push a couple of them in and you're good to go.
Jim, I have a 998 on a 2.25 ram mount on the front of mine. I lay it over face down on the carpet and lock the knob down before making rough runs and when trailering. Keeps it snug as a bug in a rug -- carpet cushions it and no bouncing.
You make a great point (pun intended), mixer. And unless me and my buds are complete idiots (shut it, peanut gallery), the norm is to throw grubs on 6-pound line. You aren't likely to straighten any hook before you reach the breaking point of the line.
Whatever you buy, I wouldn't make a decision based on price. I doubt that was your criteria for picking your graph, so you'll certainly want good hardware keeping it from getting beat to death or flying out of the boat.
I will say again, you (usually) get what you pay for ... and sometimes in ways beyond the product itself, such as over-and-above customer service and warranty backing.
Another suggestion might be for those who can't/won't trailer or travel long distances by water to pair up with another boat owner who doesn't have a partner. I think those who paired up (Daryk for sure) this time really enjoyed their time on the water and made new friends.
Just want to echo what everyone else has already said. Thanks so much to everyone who worked to make this happen. Incredible that a website could bring so many good people together for fishing, food and fellowship. Takes a pretty darn awesome website to do that. Let's do it again.
I didn't make a cast with it but I held it and checked the action against Randy's hand. Also watched him throw a 1/16-ounce Ned at least 60 feet into the wind. Wow. Perfect "fast" tip and plenty of backbone to handle a good fish. And light as a feather to boot. Very impressive.
Don't be so hard on yourself, man. You sound like me! Your paint work is plenty good and it's very generous of you to offer it as a prize.
Tim has been doing custom paint work for gosh knows how long and has been featured in Bassmaster magazine. We don't expect any amateur to match his work.
Good luck tomorrow and thanks again for your donation.
Truest post I've seen here in awhile. Not sure that airboats, standing timber and nighttime mix well.
That's a Jekyl and Hyde lake if there ever was one when it comes to bass fishing. You can hammer the crap out of 'em on the weekdays, and they they shut the water off every darn weekend and only the locals can catch 'em then.
At least that's been my experience up there.
I will laugh loud enough for them to hear me in Lexington if (when) Cal gets dinged for cheating. I'd call him the Bobby Petrino of college basketball. Slimy. Just reeks of snake oil.