SirSnookalot

If the complaint with GM was that you weren't able to put your reel on the rod, buying direct you're in the same boat. Having questions about various rods can be answered by a SC rep on the phone before a decision is made. I'd buy from GM, not only would I have a SC return policy but the store return policy would be quicker and smoother if something went awry. SC most likely doesn't care if you buy direct or not, without the retailers they would sell far less rods, reorders from retailers generally mean more volume sales to them anyway.

I did see a swimming moc in the ICW last year, I read saltwater isn't a deterrent for them. We have had reports of saltwater crocs in the ICW between Delray and Lake Worth, haven't seen one but have always made sure not to fish scrub areas, only sea walls. I still think it's a lot safer fishing saltwater.

Not from actual use, but I handled both the lexa and lews at the same time the other day in a store, no comparison in my mind which reel I preferred or would buy.

I don't know about any $20, but I do know my bill is the same even after my contract has expired and continue month to month service. If I purchase a phone before my contract expires I'm going to pay somewhere near the retail price, most of these phones are upwards of $500. As far as I'm concerned I pay a fee plus taxes for my service, the phone is free or cheap. Phone service is the old Gillette razor philosophy, free razor but the blades that fit that razor cost money, what good is the razor without the blades and what good is your phone without the service.

I don't find pike to be a deterrent, bigger fish and a bigger fight, which is my preference. No pike or musky here in Florida, but I was weened on them in Michigan. As far as a spinning rod, no problem as long as the rod handles the lure. Didn't use b/c much in Michigan and in Florida it's all spinning for 40-50" toothy critters.

Cabin fever is in full effect.

One nice thing about Michigan, 1 non aggressive, timid, non fatal poisonous snake. Had one on the golf course sitting between my ball and the cup, moved it with my putter..........nothing stands between me and a birdie.

You may want to fish saltwater., that's where 25 pound fish are called dinks.

Choice is real easy for me, braid ! I'm not overly fussy on who makes it, I do buy a lot of PP because I can buy it at 4 am. 10-15-& 20# is just about all I use for everything, bass, peacocks, snook, jacks, permit, tarpon. Whatever kind of line is used it's all about the drag, even 40# braid on a spinning reel is fine if the drag is set to the mono equivalent. Overthinking is probably the worst enemy you can have.

No kidding............. If one can have a combo that will handle a 10#+ bass out of cover than go catch a 40# tarpon with the same rod and reel, not a bad outfit to own. I don't have to dream, I already own it. 7'6 med redbone 40 soron with 15# braid, that said I could accomplish the same things with a number of other combos I have........only the fish matters.

I got this fear of snakes real bad..........Went out to a place yesterday in hopes of catching peacocks, lots of rocks there. Reptiles like to warm up on a cool day from the heat of rocks, I saw 4 or 5 iguanas and water moc basking, no more no way am I going to do that again. I'm sticking to my hi banked canals, much safer up there.

Planned obsolescence...... Some of them seem to go wacky after a year or 2. How much can these phones really cost to make when we can get 1 for free or next to nothing just by signing a new 2 year contract. I knew a guy that was in R & D at BF Goodrich, told me they can make tires lasting 200k or more, but how would we sell new tires. Same goes for phones, it's all about getting the latest technology.

Your assuming I didn't fall asleep........................lol. IMO more than often the game itself does not live up to the hype, the playoffs are more fun to watch, but I'm going to watch anyway. I did prefer when the playoffs were televised starting Saturday at 12:00 instead of the later times as it's done now.

I might use a b/c with 65# braid for 120 mil, not a penny less though.

It isn't real likely anyone will get that 120 million. The daughter is happy, let her be. The old man only wants what's best for himself not for his daughter.

I've seen every one too, I may have fallen asleep in a few but I saw the kickoff.......lol. Before the Superbowl I saw many NFL championships on TV. My Lions were at home in 57' 59-14 against the Browns, last good team we had.................hahaha.

Took the words out of my mouth. There is no better teacher than trial and error, nothing better than making wrong decisions and losing fish, great way to learn to be a better fisherman.

Once again I'm not a fisherman, I have no idea of when I caught my personal best and don't even know what the size was, remember most details from my wedding day.

^Exactly^..........A one time a year event compared to something I do every day, no contest.

I neglected to mention that in addition 2 those 2 sores third very similar sore was also on the body.

Caught this fish yesterday, about 2" sore on the side of it's lip, had a matching one in the same spot on the other jaw.

I'm only fishing 340+ days a year.............guess I'm not a fisherman yet.

For some that are still employed a smartphone in many occupations is not a luxury but an essential. Even for some of use seniors no longer working, I find them to be very valuable to me. I use but a small percentage of all the various options available, just use what you need. When I need a tutorial I ask my 12 year old grand daughter, lol.

Unless someone is affiliated with a manufacturing co in a capacity such as a purchasing agent or higher up in the chain, how would one know where raw materials are made. For an item to be designated " made in the USA", only a percentage of the materials have to come from the States, don't know the exact number but it's no where near 100%. 60-61 aluminium is a very common alloy, it's used for many different things, airplanes, marine, reels, windows, structural extrusions, etc. Most aluminum companies through out the world manufacture it, it's highly competitive. I've been on the shop floor of hundreds of plants, bought millions of pounds of various metals, have seen the tags on new stock, it don't all come for the Good Ole USA. I have not been on the floor of any American reel company and have never seen the tags on their new stock, couldn't say where the materials originate from. Ya gotta be there to really know. The scrap that is generated from machining of products, don't think for a second only US companies buy it, so much of goes overseas, China, Turkey, Brazil, India and Russia.

My own personal take, save the spoons for saltwater. Sure I catch bass on spoons, but not near as well as other baits, spoons are just a little variety and more of a challenge IMO. I'm not a jig or senko fisherman, but I fished a senko for the first time this year the other day, caught 2 at about 25" each, didn't fish for more than 30 minutes. I'll use up the pack, then it's back to the lures I have more fun with.