Ballpark Frank

Trying to figure out how OSU deserves No.1 ranking? Who have they played? Oh yeah, No.23(at the time) Purdue. Reminds me of the favoritism that Notre Dame gets usually.

Thanks David, the funny thing is right after I made this post, I got a returned call from St. Croix. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with antique casting gear. The rep said that Dacron was the line used on the rod then, but that mono or even a large diameter braid would be fine(as long as I did not exceed the line rating). I think I'm going to use Berkley Big Game 15# and see how it goes. The reel only has a cast clutch, no centri brakes, so I'm gonna have to be on with the thumb. I plan on posting some pics later, after I catch a fish with it ;D. I hope my old antique jitterbugs have some fish magic left in them. I have been collecting antique/vintage lures for a while, just got into rod and reels. The only other I have is a Hurd Supercaster that stays at home.

Hey guys, I picked up a very nice condition St.Croix 6' pistol grip rod(made around 1950) with a JA Coxe reel. The combo is for my study, but I would like to fish it occasionally. The rod says 10-20#, but I was wondering if that was mono or the old nylon braided stuff. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks guys, I was proud of the catch. I've gotten so used to dinks, that she looked even bigger. My largest catch was 21 years ago, a 12-8 HAWG/SOW. I've only had one other bass over 10 since then. I will say I really like my short pistol grip rod, but it was very difficult controlling the fish. It works great for casting and little fish, but she nearly took the rod with her.

This morning after I got off work, I stopped at my favorite little fishing spot. I usually only catch dinks here, but at least I catch some fish. I also wanted to try out a couple of new pieces of tackle. My Cabela's Pro Guide 5'6" M pistol grip (with the AG 2005lp) and a Rapala Skitter Walk in Frog. I started casting parallel to the bridge, and walking the bait along the pillars. My third cast I caught/snagged/foul hooked a decent white bass. I was about to head home when a big wake appeared alongside a log stuck at the bridge. I hastily threw the bait, and slowly walked it around the log. Whoa, the bass engulfed the Skitter Walk and took off. When I got her to the bank, she looked huge. She weighed 9-7. I haven't caught a fish that big in at least 2 years. I knew there were some decent fish in this spot, but until now, was never able to get one over 2 lbs. I think the kayak may have to make a visit down this stream, to see what else might be lurking around.

Now that I have gotten used to the LP(with my AG 2005lp), I was looking forward to getting a Revo. The MAX reels look awful good for the money though.

I took my little Fenwick out yesterday in the kayak and had one or the best days fishing that I've had in a long time. After I adjusted to the little rod, my casts were a lot more accurate than with a longer rod and a lot easier to deal with in the yak. Afterwards, I spoke to a local rod builder here, he is going to make me a 5'6" M pistol grip on a G. Loomis GLX blank. He said he rarely gets a request for such and the rod is quite difficult to build(which means $$$). But heck you only live once.

That's cool Sam, I've caught some of my biggest when I was targeting bluegill and bulheads. One of my favorite places to fish was ruined and posted due to illegals. It was a long stream with rock bottom, that held alot of sunfish(bluegill, pumpkinseed, warmouth, etc.) spotted bass, and a few smallmouth. The stream is lined with cotton fields for miles, so I wouldn't think of eating anything that came out of it. My friends and I primarily fly-fished the stream and returned everything back to the water. We did a monthly clean-up of garbage left by others and the landowners never had a problem with us using the fields to park. A couple of years later, the stream became a fishing haven for illegals. They kept everything, I mean even 3" bluegills. They tore up the landowners fields and left enough garbage that we had to start cleaning up weekly. We had the gamewarden out a few times but to no avail. The landowner finally got feed up and posted "no trespassing" and "no fishing". They would not give anyone permission, they told us "if we let you, then they all will come back". The fishing had dropped off to virtually nothing, rarely anything but big minnows were caught. This entire thing happened in 3 months. My friends and I are hoping that whatever fish were left will multiple and rebuild the stream in a few years, and maybe we can deal will the landowners after a resting period.

I have 2 of the Cardinal 3's and love them. I've been an AG only nut since I started fishing 30 years ago, when my Granpaw gave me an original Cardinal 3 and a 5000 Red. I also have a 500 and an 800, I actually like them a little better than the 3's. The rear drag is a little hard to get used to on the 3. If you are an Abu fan, you will be happy with it.

A couple of weeks ago, I went fishing with my Granpaw for a few hours. Well here I am with all my long rods and tons of tackle, he brought one old pistol grip rod(with an antique Abu Record) and a tiny old tackle box. We both caught fish, but no more than the other. I asked him about the short rod. His words were "I've used this for 40 years or more and it has served me well, don't fix what ain't broke, son". After we got back, I dug out my old Fenwick pistol grip with my first AG 5000 on it. Next time we go, I'm taking it!! Does anyone else here still use a short pistol grip rod?

Thanks roadwarrior, but I have never liked Shimano products nor their prices. "Abu Garcia FOR LIFE"

Ok here go's. I spooled the reel up with Trilene Maxx 12# and put it on my 6'6" M fiberglass rod with a 3/8 Booyah spinner. Took the setup to one of my fishing spots to try her out. As I said this is my first LP reel, I am used to my Round AGs. The reel casts fairly well, but my distance(40 ft) was short compared to my other reels. I loosened the cast control up and set the centri brake on 2 and tried some more. More of the same, maybe gained a couple of feet. I caught a 2 1/2 #er on it which is always a good *** form me. The reel is extremely light(especially on the fiberglass rod) and smooth as silk. I do really like the compactness of it. The flippin switch is easy to use also. I am going to work with it for awhile and see if my distance improves. Any help would be appreciated. If it gets better and I get used to it, Revo here I come. I'm just glad I have not spent $100+ trying to see if I like the LP style.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the AG 2005lp reel. My wife's grandmother(a devoted yardsale shopper) picked one up today for $10, she thought I would like it. She knows my love for AG reels(my cap rarely leaves my head). I have thought about getting a Revo, but I have never liked LP reels. My old Red 5000s and C4s serve me well. The reel looks almost new, it has a little gash on the right side brake cover. The website has little information on this reel and I cannot find but a few reviews about it. Thanks

I bank fish alot when I am working off of midnights. My route home has several accesses to Wheeler Lake/TN river. I usually do not fish far from my car, so my big Cabelas tackle bag is in the back. I usually carry 2 rods; a 7' M spinning with a swimbait or plastic(I am not very successful with plastics) and my 6'6" MH baitcaster with a spinnerbait. I do not venture far from the beaten path, due to an abundance of Cottonmouths in my area.

I have several Cabela's PT Fly Combos and am extremely happy with them. As for BC/Spin gear, the only rods I have are the E-Glass series. I wanted a few inexpensive fiberglass 2-piece rods and Cabela's had them on sale for 14.99. I bought 3(6'6" M spinning, 6'6" M casting, and 6'6" ML casting) since I travel alot and wanted a selection that did not break the bank. These are great rods, a little rough around the edges, but perform well for 2-pieces. The 6'6" M casting has become one of my 3 main rods. It is great for shallow to medium crankbaits and spinnerbaits. I will probably be purchasing more of Cabela's gear in the future, I really like the ProGuide IM6 series, especially the price.

I use both, but tend to lean to the baitcasters. I primarily fish spinnerbaits and cranks, so the baitcaster gets more work. If I "try" to fish worms and plastics, I use my spinning outfits. The funny thing is the other fishing I do(crappie, bluegill, trout, catfish, and carp), I use spinning gear.

Other than spinnerbaits, I use Rapalas almost exclusively: Dive To's, Original Floater, Jointed Floater, Rattlin Rap, X-Raps(alot), Shad Raps(shallow and super),Husky Jerks, Skitter Walk, Skitter Pop and Prop, Countdowns. The most productive are the X-Raps, Jointed Floater, and Shallow Shad Rap. I use all techniques to fish these: slow retrieve, fast, jerking, walking, etc. Keep working with them, because they do produce. But like any other lures, they do not produce all the time. I hate fishing plastics and jigs, but sometimes have to tie one on. Hopefully you will have better luck next time.

Decatur, Alabama. It does seem alot hotter the past few years, but I am also older. I have been fishing from the bank(plenty of shade) alot in the early mornings and catching some young ones.

I went out on Wheeler, west of Decatur, trying to catch a few. I never thought I would say this, but it is too hot to fish. I was out at 07:00 and by 09:00 it was already 100 with a heat index of 105 . The water temp was 92. The only good thing was this is the first time I have taken my little boat out after fixing the motor. The motor ran like a top. I did more riding than fishing, cause the wind felt good. Hopefully in a couple of weeks the temp will drop a little and the bite will be back. Good luck to those who can bare this heat, be careful!!

I got the St. Croix 6'6" Medium 2-piece locally for $80, wow this is a great rod. I cannot tell any sensitivity loss with it being 2-piece. I also looks great with my AG 4600 C4 Mag on it. Thanks for the help. ;D

I went bank fishing today at a local creek. I didn't feel like loading the kayak up or paddling much. Had a great day of little bass. In a little stretch of about a mile, I caught 13 LM and 2 whites. The LM ranged from 1/2# to 2#s. They were all caught on a 3/8s Rapala Rattler in bluegill. I had a few chase a white Colorado spinnerbait, but no hookups. Today brought back great memories of stream fishing as a kid, except for the difference in tackle; Abu Garcia C4 Mag and St. Croix 7' rod($300) versus Zebco 33 and Ugly Stick($30), sometimes it makes me wonder.

I have never been a fan of LP baitcasters, I only use AG Rounds. I did however get the opportunity to fish with a friends Revo. I really like the reel. It was smooth, fast, and the braking system worked well to me. I am now considering a LP because of it.

Does anyone know of a good quality(G-Loomis, St. Croix, etc.) 6'6" or 7' medium 2-pc or multi-piece casting rod? I travel alot with my kayak fishing and need a rod that is easily stored in the back of my little car. I am looking at spending around $150 -$200.

I just discovered this forum after listening to Bass FEED podcast and heard it mentioned. This is an awesome place. I have just recently(past year) got into bass fishing. I love it. I usually fish from a sit-in kayak and paddle Wheeler Lake in Alabama. I am looking forward to interacting with other members on this forum.