J Francho

I use a butt seat that has a concave back, just raise it a little higher and it supports your lumbar when leaning.

Lew's reels have series numbers? Where?

In Wade's case, it just part of his identity. Dude does his rods up too.

No, but I did get a knot in the cord. Had to pick it out with my teeth. Don't tell my dentist.

My buddy Wade paints his every year, but it's not for hiding from fish, just cosmetic. It lasts the season.

Hmmm. That's a tall order, some decent options listed here. My only input, save for a Saint Croix Avid AVC70MM. You might be able to find a used copy in your budget.

The problem is that if it chips, and exposes the thread wrap on the guide, the thread can decay, and you'll have to get it rewrapped and epoxied. I have a rod at the shop now for just that issue. It took five years, but the rod's twin sister doesn't have this issue.

I could be fishing for squirrels in the trees, and the picks would steal the bait. They are so bad on that lake, lol.

Some variation of the topic cones up every few weeks. I'll give the same answer as always: jig.

Curado B, Curado E, Daiwa TD-A, Daiwa Zillion, Revo Premier Gen 1, are a few modern day reels that will always be a standouts. All are easy to maintain, bullet proof, and stood the test of time.

Let's see a pic.

Ain't that something? Thanks for helping a BR member.

Noel, any chance you can put a pic up of your modded buddies?

I bring my girlfriend when I shop for baits. A nice back rub makes the discomfort much easier. I'm kidding. I guess my only advice would be to try YUM - the bags are still red.

The "plastic" star drives a brass drag nut. The plastic they use is tougher than any soft aluminum alloy. It's funny, the old Curado B series had a plastic star - no one complained about that. There are Elite pros still fishing them.

Put it in your sig, if you want. I run an 18' Xpress and a 22' Bullet.

We fish for smallies in 20+ with them. A t-rig isn't really the best rig for that. But shallow - heck yeah. Tubes are sort of forgotten T-rig baits, especially for beds. Most are throwing creatures. Good change up for that stingy bed fish.

A 7:1 reel with a D20 deep diver makes for VERY slow reeling. I reel pretty slow with my slowish reels.

I hardly sit in mine when I kayak fish. Usually standing.

He's already go the rod - a MH/mod-fast, which is perfectly suited for larger cranks and deep divers. Anything south of 25" per turn should work. I use Daiwa Sols (5.8:1, ~23 IPT) for cranking.

Local boards are a good way to find new fishing places, but don't go up looking to get spoon fed spots. A better tact would be to try to hook up with other locals for fishing trips. Share some of yours, learn new spots... Just going up to spot burn will get you tossed off a locals forum quick. It's about building a network of local fishing friends, not getting easy info.

Any slower reel would work fine.

Well, they don't go out west, and with it February,. it's got to be south of the Mason Dixon Line, so what does that leave? Southeast.

Use the old wires to fish them through. A quick "J" connection, and electrical tape is strong enough to fish the new wires through. Get some waterproof shrink connectors, and solder the wires, and you'll be good for years. Check any rubbing points, and cover with rubber grommets,. if possible.

A new harness is around $12. I'd start fresh. Takes about an hour to rewire.