huskertko

The other day a started a topic of whether I should new reel or upgrade my rods, and as I suspected everyone suggested the rod upgrade. Well, now I need some advice on that subject. I currently have a St Croix MF 7' that I use for crankbaits and spinnerbaits and occasionally t-rigs. I also have a Quantum that came in a combo that is MH, I assume fast action, that I use for t- rigs, spinnerbaits, jigs, pretty much all around except crankbaits. I also have a TD flippin stick that virtually never gets used, occasionally as a c-rig rod. So I have three reels for three baitcasting set-ups, currently only using two since I don't use the flippin stick very much. My question, finally, is this, I have about $250 to spend, should I get one really good rod, ie, Loomis IMX, to use for jigs and t-rigs, and then use my Quantum as my primary spinnerbait rod? Or should I get two rods, say a St Croix Avid for jigs/t-rigs and a St Croix Premier for spinnerbaits?

I am pretty confident in my t-rig skills and fishing, even on my less than average rods, but my jig fishing is almost zero on a scale of 1-10.

Thanks guys, I don't know what made the light bulb finally come on today. I guess it was finally realizing that if I really want to get serious about fishing jigs, I really should think about getting better a quality rod to be able to feel the really subtle bites. I guess the shiney new reels always got my attention at Cabela's, so now I need to figure out what rods to get. I want to get 6-6 MH primarily because I fish out of a personal pontoon and longer rods than that are just harder to handle being so close to the water.

I/the baitmonkey have been wanting a new reel since I saw the TD Zillion's, but the more I think about it, I am wondering if that money would be better spent on new rods. I currently have 2 Curados (2005 versions) and a Quantum Accurist CX. One Curado is on a 7' St Croix Premier MF, the second Curado is on a Quantum Tour classic, one that the accurist came on in a combo, it is 6-6 MH, and the Accurist is on a TD Advantage 7-6 Flippin stick that hardly ever gets used. I was thinking that instead of a new reel, I should take the $$$ and buy some quality rods to go with the St. Croix, I would really like a rod that I can always have a jig tied to, or if not a jig a topwater rod, and one that can be used for t-rigs and spinnerbaits. I currently use the St Croix as a crankbait rod as well as an all around rod. So would the money be better spent on some St. Croix Avids or other high quality rods, or on the new reel?

You could always go with Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft. I has a breaking point much higher than the "pound" test. I think the 4# is something like 6 or 7 lb breaking point. You could PM Roadwarrior and he would be able to get you much more accurate information on Yo-Zuri. I use 6# on one of my reels and have never really had much problem with breakoffs with it.

I definately wouldn't get a 6 footer in a rod that I may be pitching jigs with, not enough leverage. Thanks for the input on the rods.

They are currently on sale, that is what caught my eye.

Would these rods be sensitive enough for fishing jigs and t-rigs. I plan on using it with a Quantum accurist with 50pound Power Pro. I would probably also use it for fishing topwater frogs and such. I am looking at other rods but since I don't fish jigs that much, hopefully more next year, I was looking at these rods because of the price.

I am really infatuated with the Daiwas and really want to get one, but my one concern is this. I was at Cabelas caressing the Sol, Fuego, and Zillion the other day, and it seemed that my hand rested on the brake control knob on the left side. I am worried about inadvertantly changing the setting when I set the hook, and I don't really want a reel that I have to keep checking the settings every other fish or so. Is this a problem or am I just being to nit-picky?

I have a gift card from BPS that is burning a hole in my pocket. I need help spending it. Here is what is on my list so far, reel grips, replacement spinnerbait blades, split ring pliers, Suffix Braid, some more rattle traps. Now I know all of this is way more than $25 but that is where you come in, any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I don't have a tube but I do fish out of a personal pontoon, and yes they are a great way to get to secluded areas and small water. A few things to keep in mind, I didn't look to see where you are at, but if you are in Florida, then they are a BAD BAD idea, think floating gator bait. Waders are up to you in the summer, but obviously in the colder months they are a requirement, hypothermia is not good. Fins in a tube are a must in my opinion, your only source or propulsion is your feet and the fins will only make that eaiser. It will take you a few outings to get the hang of the fins though, they do require some coordination and getting used, but once you have them down, you can get to some really good spots very quietly.

GMAN, I feel your pain. I am the same way, after hearing McCaskill/Talent ads for the last month and half for Missouri and the Kline/Morrison ones for Kansas, I am pretty much in shut down mode. I really couldn't vote for either in good faith because all I have heard is mudslinging. As un_American as it may be, I am sitting out this election and not casting my vote. I very well understand that by not voting, I have no right to complain about who or what is getting done, but that is a decision that I am willing to live with.

Hey Vyron, I am looking for somthing to do this winter when it is too cold to actually fish and I plan on building some jigs, and may do some spinnerbaits as well. Couple of questions for you, do you pour your own heads or buy them with the wire already in them, if you buy them where do you get them. Cabelas used to have them in the store but the store here in KC has severly cut back on the tackle making supplies and I don't want to pour my own heads. Secondly, what tool do you use to make the bend at the end of the wire to hold the blade on? Do you just use needle nose pliers or do I need to invest in a specialized tool? I saw one at Cableas this weekend but I didn't want to spend $20 on a split ring pliers and another $20 on the wire bending pliers. Here are the pliers I was looking at to make the loop at the end of the wire. http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20362&id=0001626314024a&navCount=1&podId=0001626&parentId=cat20362&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20362&hasJS=true

Mortgage Loan Specialist.

one of the main reasons I want to raise the seat is for spring fishing, sitting a little higher on the water will allow me to see bedding fish eaiser. The other reason is that I can keep my feet out of the water eaiser in the spring, fall and winter when the water is not quite as comfortable.

Here is my boat although mine is yellow. I am thinking about putting a piece of wood where the seat is now and mounting a swivel seat on a 10-12" pedistal, as well as the motor. I am not as small as you, I am about 250 so I am a little more concened with the additional weight.

Those pics are perfect, exactly what i was looking for. I am trying to decide on a front mount or rear mount for the motor. I guess my concerns it the rear mount is out of the way, but more difficult to steer with, and the front mount is easier to steer, but i am concerned with it being in the way if I am pitching or flipping. I did know about the registration, which is a reason that I haven't done it yet. I have a small battery that I run my D/F off of so I guess I would have to get another battery. I Love this boat, I don't have a truck or SUV but I can easily transport it on top of my Mitz Galant with no problems. How much weight is added with the motor and battery?

Its not really that I want to get into high level graphics and such, I am looking for something to turn video recordings and pictures of the kiddos into DVD to send to grandma and grandpa in Phoenix and Iowa City.

Hey Unabasser, If you ever get some pics of how you built your motor mount and the "toon wheel" I would love to see them. I am going to build a motor mount this winter and was going to spend $40 on a wheel, but if i can build it cheaper, I will definitely go that route.

Thanks, I have used the free downloads and haven't found one that I like, besides I kinda want to get one package that does it all instead of having one for each.

Does anyone have any suggestions for an all in one package to manage and edit photos and music, and edit and create DVD's. I like the looks of Roxio Easy Media 9 so if anyone has any input on this subject that would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

You could also get the small 1/4 oz spinnerbait and add either a small split shot to the hook shank or even use lead tape and wrap it around the hook shank. Either way you increase the weight of the spinnerbait but not the profile.

Mine doesn't have a mount built on to it but they are not hard to rig one up, there is a club in California, Senoma County Belly boat club, they have a website that you can see how they have rigged motors, depth finders, live wells, and rod holders.

I have one of the Cabela's backpacker models, and I love it. I don't use it on moving water though, I only use it on small lakes and ponds but for those places it is perfect. I have a depth finder mounted to it and will probably put a small trolling motor on next spring. It is very stable and light enough to haul it very easily.

He never did tell him who he was, but he had his tour shirt on loaded with sponsors and VANDAM in big letter on his back. :