islandbass

I couldn't have said it better. Given the rigs at hand, I would have given an almost identical answer. 8-) Incidentally, if you needed to have a non-spinning rig drop shot, the cherrywood will function as a decent drop shot rod.

That is a bargain and a half. Congrats on scoring a pretty darn good reel.

First, let me tell you that I am a Lamiglas fan, but in all honesty, the Excel series didn't even make a blip on my Must have it, radar, nor did it stoke in me the desire to check them out. My initial guess about them was that they might be a series that was probably nothing more than their venerable Competitor series of rods that sported a split grip. I saw it as Lami's answer to the $100 price point rods that other makers have done, like the Mojos. You know, just Ho-hum... Whatever... I attended a local sportsman's show yesterday and upon visiting the Lamiglas booth, decided to check to see if they had any Excel models on the racks. I wanted to confirm or dispel my preconceived notions on this line of rods. Fortunately, they had a few models on the rack. But before I even picked one up, I spoke with their rep and ran him through the 20 questions ringer about the blank and the components. The rep mentioned that the blanks in the Excel line were identical to those used in the Certified Pro rods (I hope he wasn't blowing smoke up my sit down part). Off that bat and out the shoot, that is very impressive. I have a Certified Pro rod in my arsenal and I can say that it is NOT a fair fight for the fish. You can feel the fish burp and fart with a Certified Pro rod. Because the Certified Pro rods start at about $180.00 and sport Fuji Alconite guides, I suspected that the $100 price point of the Excel rods is probably reached by using a cheaper (cost, not quality) set of guides. The Excel rods possess American Tackle's Halide guides. I don't know anything about these guides, but I would like to see and hope that they would be at least on par with Fuji Aluminum Oxide guides or better yet, their Hardloys. So far, so good, but it wouldn't be worth a grain of salt if these rods felt terrible in hand. I took a short breath and while on the rack, I turned the blank around to read the specs: XL734C - 8-20 lb, ¼ - ¾ oz. Translated from Lamiglas speak, this means the rod is in the Excel (XL) line, 7'3 in length and is a casting rod (the C) and is a 4 power (medium in the line up) rod. Given its 7' plus length and split grip, I presumed that the rod might be more tip heavy than necessary. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not. The rod instantly felt at home in my hand. It didn't feel heavy in hand either. If this could be judged in terms of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, I'd have to give it the Baby Bear rating of, Just right. No Right on!!!! Grabbing the MH 7'3 rod yielded the same feel and much to my delight, the spinning rods also felt fantastic. I was a bit blown away that such a good feel could come from rods at the $100 price point. The only thing that I would have loved to see is how they would fare on the water. Ironically, despite living only 2 hours from Lamiglas' HQ, I'd have to actually special order one from local vendors if I wanted one, since no local vendor is going to carry this series of rods. These are the models that I held in hand: XL734C, Line Weight: 8-20 lbs. Jigs, Senkos, Small Swimbaits and Carolina-Rigs. XL735C, Line Weight: 12-25 lbs. Frogs and Small Swimbaits. XL703S, Line Weight: 6-12 lbs. Drop Shot, Shaky Heads, Tubes & Gitzits. In conclusion, I can say that the Excel series left a great first impression. I believe Lamiglas really hit it out of the park in terms of value and performance at this price point. I believe that they are also made here in the good US of A. Now that's practically unheard of today! Wow. No, I haven't fished with the Excel rods, BUT I know full well the excellent traits Certified Pro rods possess in feel and sensitivity. I would feel very comfortable recommending an Excel rod as an excellent candidate to a budget minded angler. Getting the rod of Certified Pro performance for about $100 is a steal of a deal any time. Anyway, just my two cents. I just had to tell everyone because I couldn't contain my first impressions. -ib

Me either! ;D

I have some ugly stick combos that look nicer than those. But I'll tell you what... I'd be more than happy to take those off of your hands and trade them for yours. ;D Just kidding. Those look awesome. Those are truly representative of the perfect blend of combining art and beauty with functionality . Gotta pick my jaw off the ground. 8-)

I have a 301A to handle my salt water fishing. I also use it on occassion for cranks since it has a sub 6 gear ratio. With regard to size, you should consider whether or not any of the species you might encounter could spool a 100 or 200 sized reel.

Google is a good place to search. http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html I don't have a personal favorite, but the most common knots I tie are the palomar, albright, double uni, improved clinch, and trilene to name a few.

I made a very simple contraption that will hopefully assist me when I hook into my first steelhead. Given the rule, if I understand it correctly, that they must be kept in the water unless they are being retained when legal, I have often wondered how I could take a photo of the fish, while still holding the rod in one hand (I am not going to do the, hold it by the teeth method, no way), keeping it in the water, AND trying to hold a camera. The simplest way would be to have a buddy around to take the photo. Unfortunately, most of the time I go fishing, I am usually alone. I got a small section of PVC tubing and put it together with a few other items to that should enable me to at least be able to hold the line with one hand and the camera with the other. In descending order, a 5.5 PVC pipe (1.5 diameter), a Slide Lock, 5' of black strapping, and a strip of Velcro. I fed the strapping through the PVC tube and attached the ends of the strapping to the slide lock. Next, I wrapped the Velcro strip around the strapping. This Velcro strip is probably a short-term solution until I can think of a better way to hold the blank to the strap, but it seems to work. You put it on as you would a bag with a strap, and then feed the butt of the rod through the tube. Then, you hold a section of the rod blank by the Velcro. My son was more than happy to help me by acting as a model. This little contraption seems to hold my 8'6 rod pretty well, even with some harsh movements and jumping. Granted it has yet to be tested in the real world but I think things look promising at this point. Incidentally, the holder could also be used to allow you to retie and rebait without having to put the rod down. That should come in handy especially when wading. My son thought it was pretty neat and wanted one for his Spiderman rod. I suppose it's the least I can do for his willing assistance. Although I don't know when I will get the chance go fishing, I can't wait to test it. -ib

Great advice! But I think one was overlooked Don't forget license Remember to relax Feed the baitmonkey

I am not a doctor, but my diagnosis would be cabin fever! Well done. ;D

I agree with the above post. I have also seen these rods in person. They aren't too shabby at all. I think it's a vendetta competitor.

Wow. That is beyond impressive. Great work, SJ! What did you use for your topcoat?

That was cool! 8-)

You can probably get the schematic at Shimano's site. The is a thread on the Shimano Forum in the Everything Else section.

I've tried a whole bunch, from VMCs, Gammies, Owners and Mustad. I will say that none of them have let me down. For best bang for the buck, VMC has packs of 25 for about $5-6. They're good enough for rapalas, and they make feathered ones for replacements on xraps too. However, I think it is cheaper to dress feathers on trebles yourself. For size, I will usually replace with the same size treble. Owners are awesome. I have not tried the KVD ones.

Well......purple is the nectar of the paint gods. I'm really starting to like pink, too. Perhaps I'll combine both into a new scheme called "JEM." (if you were a child of 80's, you'll ) Hmm.. Sounds like synergy to me! ;D

If you find one, you might want to hold onto it. Its rarity ought to make it very, very, valueable.

Yep, they are dirt cheap as a matter of fact. Also, I use them to protect my trunk rods when the move around. I have added a piece of pipe insulation to the other half. I actually use a bazooka rod carrying case and I think it can accommodate 7' rods. It was about $35 at the time I bought and it has protected my rods enroute to Mexico a couple times.

That is a steal of a deal. Congrats.

I have used and like both. To present a crude analogy, although the are roughly the same diameter, picture this. Elite is to Trilene XL as Siege is to Trilene XT. Granted it's a rough translation, but I think you'd still get the picture. I got the impression that siege was a bit more abrasion resistant than elite. For the applications you mention, I'd choose siege. Both are among the best monos I have ever used. I think you will also be impressed at how it resists memory much better than any mono I have ever tried to date.

Your ugly stick would probably be a good crankbait rod! ;D As for whether a rod can make you catch more bass, they can help. I don't care how sensitive a rod is, if you're fishing, where they are not, you won't catch fish. So in that respect, the answer to your second question is no. I was not too impressed with the mojo line. This isn't to put them down, as they weren't bad, but I think the other rods in its class feel better in my hand. Lastly, you will never know how much nicer other rods might feel in your hands until you try them. Everyone is a nay sayer until they see the light, present company, yours truly, included.

Right on, my fellow washingtonian! Yeah, the pinks were in good this year. I caught my share too. Can't say that for steel or chum however. :'( My accomplishments are far more humble: 1) Designed a crankbait from scratch that caught trout and smallmouth bass. I wrote about it and almost won a fishing rod for that story with a second place finish. Bitter sweet! I tried to win the rod for my dad. http://fethastyxblog.com/2009/12/time-to-get-crankin-making-them-that-is-spin-a-story-second-place/ 2) Took my dad salmon fishing, his first time and he caught two different species, the pink and silver. I also wrote about it and it got posted on a hunting and fishing forum. 3) Caught my first bass on jig. Four seasons long without a jig bass. What a shame! ;D 4) Had two bass fishing showdowns with my little girl and fished with my son also. First blood in the first five minutes yielded a first class smile. Drop shotting at 45'. He wouldn't let me help him hold the rig. 5) Took a group of Seniors fishing. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1262252552 My major accomplishments involved sharing the joy of fishing with others with me under the radar and behind the scenes where I prefer to be.

The fulcrum is the point at which a lever turns. Picture the good old teeter totter or see-saw at the playground. The bar on which the see-saw rests at its center is the location of the fulcrum. Here, the teeter totter moves up or down. In terms of a rod, this is a point, usually just above the location of the reel. I don't know if there is a standard, measureable or defined location for this balance point because I am inclined to believe that this might be partly subjective. I think this could explain why one setup feels great to one person and not someone else. As for a rod being "tip heavy", I would guess that the fulcrum in that rod is probably closer to the reel seat than it needs to be. Back to the see-saw analogy, it would be like placing the fulcrum much closer to one side than the other. Picture yourself on the short side, holding plank so that the see-saw is perfectly level to the ground. You have to exert some force to keep it level. Without you exerting the force needed to keep the plank level, the see-saw would prefer to have the your side, the short side up and the longer side down. This is what is meant by being tip heavy. With the fulcrum closer to the angler, the tip side of the rod would also prefer to be hang down just as the longer side of the plank wants to. This means extra work for you and could possibly allow fatigue to set in sooner. A balanced system or rod requires little effort on your part because it would prefer to stay neutral vs. biased to one side or the other.

I woke up the day after Christmas 2009 to a crisp 31° F. It served as a frosty reminder that winter has just begun and I am willing to wager that many anglers have already put away their gear until spring. Except for the most hard core of anglers, these anglers try to find ways to stave off the fishing blues. Some frequent online forums or learn the craft of making lures. Others do it by reliving and remembering the memories of the past season. It could be a new personal best 7.5 lb. largemouth bass caught on a jig-n-pig pitched into lily pads, a 4.5 lb. smallmouth nailed with a drop shot rig, helping a young child catch and land his or her first fish, or catching a fish on a homemade lure. Whatever the experience is, we use those memories and the anticipation of the upcoming season to sustain us through the winter doldrums. I have a memory that will help get me through the winter, one I think you might also enjoy. We'll need to go back to this summer. I took a group of seniors on a fishing trip. In the midst of our busy lives, I think that this is a segment of our community that could fly below our radar, and at times they can be overlooked or forgotten. After speaking with a few seniors, the subject of fishing came to the forefront. As I shared my passion of fishing with them, they returned theirs to me. I was delighted to hear their stories. I heard lines such as, My dad used to take me fishing when I was a little girl, and, I used to fish all the time with my husband before he passed away, or, I have never gone fishing but I always wanted to try. One line that really struck a chord with me was, I sure would love to go fishing again. I heard them loud and clear. I was moved and wanted to do something to make this a reality for them. I called upon anglers belonging to local fishing forums for assistance and through their generosity, received a variety of gear and tackle. I also held a workshop that covered the basics of fishing that covered topics such as learning a fishing rod's nomenclature and tying knots. Fast forward to the day of the trip. For their safety, comfort, the amenities available, and practically guaranteed success, I decided a trout farm would be the best bet. We gathered at a senior center in the Rainier Valley and headed to Bill's Fishin' Hole in Orting, WA. Upon arrival, the group found their spots and started fishing. And they're off! They started catching fish almost immediately. I had a heck of a time and thoroughly enjoyed running around doing things like untangling lines, tying knots, unhooking fish, and taking photos. This is the first trout of the day. First-timer looking to catch her first fish. Success with the trusty Barbie rod. There is nothing like a relaxing day to fish. I got one! I can't wait to eat this one. A beautiful rainbow trout and an angler's matching smile In addition to catching fish, we ate lunch and enjoyed a quiet afternoon away from the city. All had a great time. You might know a senior who might be someone who used to fish or always wanted to try fishing but never had a chance to go. Go ahead and ask them. You might play a major role in introducing them to the joys of fishing or rekindling a passion they once had. I assure you that the benefit is mutual and you would add to your bank memories and experiences to get through the winter blues. In close, I would like to give a warm and special thanks to those who made a donation of gear and tackle. This trip would not have been possible without their generosity. Date: Monday, July 20, 2009 Location: Bill's Fishin' Hole, Orting WA Conditions: Partly Cloudy, Low to Mid 80s -Alexander L. Arceo

I think that's part of the price that we have to pay as shore anglers. It just comes with the territory and I too dislike having to leave my stuff on the ground but we have to do what we have to do. I just want to point out that I also keep an eye on my stuff but in my neck of the woods, people have been getting their unattended gear stolen from even closer than that. Also, leaving the extra rods and gear in the car is the same as saying to tweakers and thieves, "Break my windows and take my stuff, and while you're at it, take my gas too." Dang meth addicts. Hopefully you folks don't have issues with tweakers as we call them here. What I have done as a result however is to place a simple bell on my rod quiver. That way if anyone tries to take my stuff when I'm not looking, can at least hear something that will alert me that something of mine is being stolen. I take anywhere from 1-4 setups.