Steve1357

The copolymer Sufix Tritanium works for me. Was using some 14lb worming and discovered it's hell to break compared to 14 lb mono. I use 10lb now, doesn't get chewed up like mono does... fwiw

The Abu handles are 2.5mm thick. What I have experienced is most if not all after market replacement handles are 3.0mm thick. (Such as BPS) Edit: I have a 5000D that is 2.3mm and a newer 5000 that is 3.0mm. If you try to use a 3mm handle, you'll discover there just isn't a whole lot of threads left for the nut. And with the drive shaft being brass, it's easy to ruin it. I've been getting by with using a dremel and adding some relief to the bottom of the handle opening so it will allow at least the same amount of threads available for screwing the nut on. On some models may even have to remove a drag washer to allow some leeway for the drag adjustment since the handle is lower and closer to the star drag. I thought I'd ask here hoping there are more ideas about how to do this without blowing 30 or 40 bucks for a new old stock genuine OEM handle. Thanks everyone! Steve

Not to start another endless thread, but if interested, please do some research, including the patents issued. Start with Guy Eaker and putting blades in front of jigs. Eagle Claw had shaker blades you could add to jigs and many other lures. Oh, we could post all day about attaching the blade directly to the jig or using a snap, but in summary I believe someone at the patent office gave away patents for a concept they shouldn't have. As someone mentioned, maybe I should see how lazy the patent office is and try getting patents on a plastic worm, a crankbait, or even using three hooks and forming a "treble" hook?

I have a Rhino RKC561M dual trigger pistol grip rod (5' 6" casting) I enjoy more than anything. I use an older Abu 5000/5500 on it, a pleasure to cast with, and no feeling you might throw it in the river while chunking huge jigs or spinnerbaits. I bought it years ago on clearance at an old Kmart, haven't seen one since. Btw, I still cast with one hand, I'm right handed but bat/golf left handed, a combination that I haven't figure out yet in using these two handed rods. Any pictures of the new Skeet Reese rod?

Update, still have received zero money. And Berkley has never responded. I would have to guess not fulfilling rebates is a source of revenue for some companies.... Buyer beware.....

Sounds about right. I reread my copy and it doesn't spell it out for me.... Never heard back from Berkley, so that tells me not to invest too much money in their products if they won't answer..... I finally calmed down, the rebate contractor in ElPaso has an "online chat" available. The operator I conversed with found my paperwork, apologized, and said they are sending out the $20. We'll see...... Edit: Just got the notification for the Powerbait rebate, they got that one correct so there is hope.....

You got that right. Bought four Berkley big game spools on sale with the $5 rebate. Form said limit four rebates per household. Just got the email notification from the contractor in El Paso handling Berkley's rebate, they are sending me a check for $5. I contacted BassPro, got the expected response of - that's Berkley's problem, not ours... Nice to have Academy Sports and Walmarts in town that appreciate the customer....

Just looked at Academy sale here, and they put the BigBites plastics on sale for 30% off again for this week. I got enough already!

Academy has BigBites plastics for 30% off this week here. Grabbed me some of the new 6" sticks and colors I didn't already have.

What do you use now? As in I don't like to mix reels too much across manufacturers, brakes, etc...

Did you try online? http://www.culpritstore.com/catalog2/ They also have specials from time to time.

Call Southwestern Monday. http://www.southwesternparts.com/index.php They've helped me many times before.

Hank Parker is currently giving away his Spinnerbait video for shipping and handling. He covers spinnerbaits thoroughly, including weights and why. http://www.hankparker.com/ultimate-guide-to-spinnerbaits

I know what you mean, diminished and much much higher prices. Here they want $3 for Spots I can get from the manufacturer for $2.

I give up on newer reels, returning to Abu round reels. I believe the trick is to clean them yourself with attention being paid to oil and grease in the right spots. I throw 1/8 jigs with them. Some reels used bushings instead of bearings, bearings are cheap, change them yourself. vxb.com has bearings very inexpensive. And mine are mostly lower speed 4.7:1 cranks.

Stopped by Walmart this week, they had a new Vicious Fishing cardboard display in the midway just out from the sporting goods register. Lots of lures, spinnerbaits, hard baits, soft baits, hooks, crappie jigs, etc. Everything 1.97 each. I grabbed some spinnerbaits, they appear to have ball bearing swivels, lots of sizes and colors, and blade combinations. fwiw

x2 Trilene knot. (old clinch knot, but two passes through eye) Go outside and try different knots on a tree limb and see what you like)

<was a 900 yd. spool of Big Game> What do you need 15# mono for? Then again, I use 20# from time to time, it's not that supple, but isn't twisted if put on properly. With that said, I hate putting line on spinning reels, I use a drill now and chuck up the reel spool and manually install the line the same way you do on a baitcaster.

Try the Trilene knot. Use your improved clinch knot but go through the eye of the lure twice. I've notice how much more difficult it is to get loose when you're hung up. Yes the Palomar knot is the best, but is a bother sometimes on lures.

Get you some Berkley BigGame, 10# or 12#. Change it before each trip. Learn how to tie better knots. Try the Trliene knot, same as a clinch, just add an extra pass through the eye. A 6# fish flopping generates more than 6# of leverage. I use to break rods picking fish out of the water, you're lucky it was only your line. Have fun. http://www.animatedknots.com/trilene/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

Then there is always the black drum who picks up your plastic worm you're crawling in the heat of the day.....

It's hell getting crankbait hooks out of catfish isn't it? I fish in the mornings now, water is about 85. It hits 90 by nine. Water temp is 95 by noon and lake is glass. Been catching a few large crappie on an old red Big-O crank. Catch any mussels yet? I caught one this morning that closed on a crawdad crankbait.

Checked another Academy store today, no clearance stickers. But they were marked down, you just had to check each one by hand with a scanner in the store...urgghhh!

http://www.lurenet.com/catalog.aspx?catid=PRADCOFishingSpecials Lurenet now is Bomber and BooYah and a few other tackle companies, check out their specials and also some weekend specials. They have a few Bomber cranks for 1.99- 2.29. Free shipping over $35.

Stopped by same store this morning, they've added some Strike King crank baits and a few BooYah spinnerbaits.