All that and a little soy sauce, good stuff!

Have you ever fished Lake Almador, close to Lake Camanche? February in the past has been a good time to fish the lake as the the trout are usually up in the water column. There is charge for fishing the lake but the lake is stocked with some big fish. Used to catch trout on fire tiger rapalas and others used power bait and mouse tails.

I saw this recently on the instructions that came with one of my Shimano Stradic reels. They recommended this while referring to the "roller bearing" in the reel. I loaded my reel with new line coming off the bottom of the spool and it seems to have worked without the twist in the line but I have not yet fished to try it out. Otherwise I have always taken my line off the top.
Another tip I have seen in the past is after making a cast with a spinning reel close the bail with your free hand, not by turning the handle. By closing with your free hand it is supposed to help to minimize adding twist in the line.

Hey Spirit he says Spec Trout right at the top and in his first paragraph. These are salt water fish. I will try to attach a picture but not your run of the mill rainbow . Trout that is!

I lived in California for 50 years and after moving here about 5 years ago it took me awhile to figure out what people were talking about when they talked about specks. Some also call them speckled perch.

In Florida, crappie are called specks

I recently broke a Fenwick HMG that was probably defective as it broke too easily given the pressure I applied and my bait came loose as soon as the rod broke. Fenwick replaced the rod after sending pics of the broken rod and pic of the receipt. Cost me about $10 for shipping. Check online for specific details on your rod’s warranty. Also call to insure you are sending claim to the right website as they had made a change to the web address for claims but not updated the web page. Good luck

Okuma not Okinawa

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean a bait caster but a bait runner. I have both a Shimano and an Okinawa and would recommend both. I will attach a pic to be clear.

I would also start with a 20 lb mono to start. Depending on where you purchase if if buy a reel above a certain value they will put mono on at no charge. As long as your drag is set right and you check your line for frays you should be able to catch some very nice fish. If you get stuck and have to cut your line it far less expensive than braid.

I would consider looking at bait casting reels in the 4000 or 5000 size for the features they offer given the fishing you are doing. At the same time look to see if a rod and reel combo is available. Never hurts to have a second pole setup while fishing as long as you are compliant with your state’s regulations.