BasserJim

What the heck do you need an excuse for? My excuse for buying new tackle is that I want it.

I snorted and giggled at this..... Don't ever pick up a Stella then, you won't be able to throw that CI4 in the garbage fast enough. Count me with the others in that there's no way that I would consider the majority of the suggested reels here high end. As others have said, Daiwa Steez, Certate, Exist, Shimano Excense, Stella. As S Hovanec said, you don't need them, and they won't catch you any more fish, but they will certainly elevate your experience.

So far this week I’m good for 6 Realis Spinbait 80GFix and a new rod and reel.

I mean you don’t have to do it that way. You can jump right into the Costas if you think you’re a good enough stick

That would be the very one. First day I had it out too wasn't it?

This wouldn't be the most tragic man overboard instance in if Scotts rods has ever had. I'm pretty sure I know the guy that honor goes to.

You say that like straightest axis isn't a valid building technique. Spine isn't everything in today's blanks.

What Scott said

I love a Tennessee grip. All my current spinning rods are TN grip except the surf rod Scott built me, I have one more in the works that won't be - it's a tube rod, and going to be killer when it's done... Other than that, I say TN all the way.

But here's the thing, it's not just the half dozen rods that Scott has documented here. Go to BPS, or Cabelas, or Academy, or Dicks, or Gander, or whatever you have locally, and examine some of the rods. Almost all, if not all of them are built shoddily. Gaps in wraps, wraps that are too long, too much epoxy, not enough epoxy, guide missing inserts right off the shelf, guides that don't line up with the reel seat, guides that don't line up with the other guides, too many guides, too few guides, etc etc. And it's not just off the shelf rods. I've seen many custom rod guys with crap work. It's usually the custom rod assemblers, not the builders though. Now, on the topic you brought up, could someone buy one of these rods and have it perform to expectations? Sure. Could you purchase one of these rods and be completely satisfied, absolutely. But they are obviously not being built by individuals who take any pride in their work. Maybe I just have high expectations because my friend S Hovanec is a true craftsman who has incredible attention to detail and his rods are incredible, I don't know. All I do know, is every time I see a rod built by someone other than Scott, I'm thankful Scott builds my rods.

Dwight, Dwight, Dwight...... How can I be Scott's close friend, Pro Staff manager, and confidential sounding board for grip ideas if his grip ideas don't remain confidential?????

I know, I know!

You guys only think this looks good in the photos, I don't think I've ever grinned that much picking up a rod from Scott. Thanks buddy, this thing is the cat's meow!

For those of you who don't know, Scott's work is incredibly good. He's highly talented. So much so that every time I see a rod built by someone else, I am so thankful that he builds my rods . This is number 8! Can't wait to see this thing all assembled with the bad ass Alps seat we picked out. Looking forward to trying it out later this month!

I haven't felt this at all. I was surprised at the lack of "free spool", but what does that equate to? - NOTHING. A spool can turn for a month but if the reel fishes crappy what does it achieve?

For those that are saying they sold theirs because it felt cheap, what are you comparing it to????? And I know of a Tackle store that has both gear ratio 51s in stock - $336 shipped.

As he said, it is a custom crankbait rod... You can read about it in the "Tacklemaking" forum Duly noted First I have heard that one! I like it though!

My new rod!

Someone is keeping his mind on just how much he loves him and keeping him excited about it. He went so far as to curse me out the other day because I had him so fired up about building he didn't want to go to work!

Here she is, nestled all snug in her bed, with my new birthday gift - Aldebaran 50

I have to ask. Why spend the money on the Winn grip if you were just going to tape it up? Why not just put the cheapest thing you could find in there?

All I have to add is this: Steve, you have good taste in jerkbait colors. That is all.

So far this month, the monkey has gotten me for 2 Shimano Aldebarans, a bunch of Realis Spinbaits, 4 Megabass 110s, and a spool of Daiwa Samurai.

Hey, it's just a Loomis!