Dwight Hottle

He looks extremely happy.

It's good that that you do have a place to vent and can. Cancer isn't easy for anyone stricken or close to some one who is. I hope it gets better for you & your family.

The link shows both 300 & 400 series reels in multiple gears ratios. The main differences between series is line capacity.

WTG Evan.

I think you owe someone an apology. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Tranx_Casting_Reels/descpage-TRX30.html

Somebody mentioned in a previous thread that a baby monitor left in the boat works well as a security device to alert you if someone is messing with your boat. I would definately take my electronics into the room with me. We have taken rods & reels in too.

Men will always go all the way if asked.

Nice waldo. Kudos for your honesty. Most guys would have said 10 lbs.

Take a look at this review if you haven;t seen it yet.

I picked up a LEXF 3MH Light casting rod after talking to Trey about what I was looking for. I wanted it for jerk baits up to an ounce in weight while using fluoro. I paired it up with a aldebaron 50 which balanced out nicely. The rod is rated up to 3/4 ounce but Trey said it will handle 1oz with no problem. It does without any strain. I have been very happy with the quality of the build & great sensitivity while working a jerk bait. Powerful rod but flexible enough to really load up nicely when hooked up to a good fish.

Between the two I would suggest the St Croix. They are a proven winner with a great warranty & a great company. A MH rod would give you a little more flexibility since your other two rods are mediums. The new curado K is getting really good reviews.

Tie on a jerk bait & start strolling. You have to cover water but can preselect areas of interest available with desirable structure.

You might consider a moderate fast rod for glide baits with treble hooks. You want a rod with a parabolic action to keep fish pinned once hooked.

Over the years the legend extreme was always the superior blank with a higher price between the two (legend extreme & legend elite). With the introduction of the new legend elite last year they are both listed as having the same blank materials & the same blank price model for model. "Super high-modulus SCVI graphite with FRS in lower section for maximum power and strength with reduced weight. High-modulus/high-strain SCV graphite with FRS and carbon-matte scrim for unparalleled strength, durability and sensitivity." Listed for both models. If you look at the casting rod line up you will notice that the legend extreme offer some models in fast, extra-fast, moderate & moderate fast actions while the legend elites only offer moderate fast, fast & extra-fast actions. So to answer your question the current blanks are the same except for color finish & model availability.

Is it ice up already over there in Indiana?

Sweet looking combo Jim. Let us know how that blank compares to the NRX if you get a chance to fish it before ice up.

I'm on my second set and I think they are the best. Enjoy them & stay warm & dry.

With big baits more of a lob cast or sidearm cast is safer on the backlash front. Select an average weight bait & set the spool tension so the bait just drops on free spool. Then try all six weights on. Use a lob or sidearm cast. Then try five weights on & keep adjusting the number of weights down to none on. What ever works best is what you need to use. Once you have the brakes figured out you can just leave them alone. Then when you want more distance slightly adjust the tension knob to fall more freely until you encounter a problem. Always make slight adjustments until you get the hang of it.

If you want a crankbait rod you need a moderate action rod. The only blanks made in MM or MHM in the legend extreme are longer that what you prefer. My suggestion is to get a builder to make you one by cutting the blank to your length requirements. Your other choice is to utilize a 7 foot rod in the Avid line in MM or MHM.

I forgot to add it never gets dirty either.

The new legend elite & legend extreme are highly similar blanks though slightly different. The elite has a cork handle & the extreme has a proprietary handle cover called extreme skin. It is not slippery when wet & feels good in the hand after you get use to it

Shimmy I have G Loomis nrx, Kistler z-bone & helium 3 & St Croix legend elite & legend extreme as my best jig rods. They are all pretty close in sensitivity, quality & warranty. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the five. From what I have heard the new Shimano conquest is better than the nrx but more expensive.

No! Your co-worker has been lucky he wasn't cut off. Braid for pike is good as long as you use a heavy fluorocarbon or wire leader.

This is my all time favorite because it represents the culmination of 15-20 years of chasing a dream.

Before you consider any recipes you need to grab one by the ear and put it in a sleeper hold.