tholmes

This is the most important factor.^. You can buy the best equipment in the world, but if you don't become intimately familiar with it, you won't achieve the desired results. Tom

7.5" culprit Original worm, Tequila Shad. For hard baits, it's a toss-up between a black Jitterbug and a SK Red-eye Shad, sexy shad color. Tom

Rod: Lew's Speed Stick 5-1/2' pistol grip. Reel: Ambassadeur 5000 Line: 12 lb. Stren, flourescent blue Bait: Purple Mann's Jelly Worm 9lbs.10 oz. October of 1970, Clark's Hill Res. in Georgia. Tom

I do a deep clean/re-lube at least once a year, more often on reels that are used heavily. Oil the levelwind ~ once a month. Tom

I'll agree with what's been said. ABEC 5 stainless steel bearings are more than enough for fishing reels. They just don't run fast enough, under enough load or for long enough periods of time to take advantage of higher rated bearings. Besides, if you run ceramic hybrid bearings dry, the noise will drive you bonkers, at least it would me. Put oil in 'em and they will quiet down, but they will slow down to the point that you might as well use SS bearings to begin with. Tom

You smoke avocadoes? i'll bet it's kinda hard to keep 'em lit. Tom

All Stainless, no rust, ever. I've been carrying these for 15 years, and I don't know how I got along without them before. Tom

I had an osprey grab a Zara Spook but never got hooked. A couple of months ago, I had a cormorant dive after a spinnerbait. I just barely got it back before he grabbed it. Tom

Yep! Big rains in late spring/early summer raised the water level in my local lake by about 5 feet. It's been VERY tough to find and catch bass since then. No boat and limited shoreline access have made it even tougher. I keep going fishing, though. I catch just enough to keep me hoping. Tom

Same here. Maybe not 99%, but the vast majority of my fishing is done with baitcasters. I'm pretty happy with my mid-priced Shimano and Okuma spinners for smaller, lighter baits and fish. Tom

Very nice, Clayton! I'd love to have a shop building that size. Enjoy! Tom

Made in Ohio, USA Tom

The Cozy Inn in Salina, Kansas. Their burgers are what White Castle and Krystal dream about being. http://www.cozyburger.com/index.shtml Tom

Wait a minute! You mean I have to have a rod for every reel that I own?!?! The spousal unit is NOT going to be happy with that. Tom

Gerber 400 Compact Sport multi-tool. It does 90% of what I need to do when I'm fishing. The other 10% is handled by a pair of long forceps. Tom

I have rods that have both split and full grips in EVA and cork. While I prefer full cork grips. split grips and/or EVA grips aren't a deal breaker. Tom

That's no joke^! I've got the scars to prove it. Tom

If I'm not mistaken (a strong possibility) that foot number indicates that the reel was manufactured in 1981, the third month, and is the original design (no revisions). II've done these upgrades on a couple of Abu round reels. They're easy to work on and parts are readily available. get in touch with Jerry Foran at http://www.hookless.com/ . He can steer you in the right direction and provide the patrs you'll need at a very good price. Tom

I use a 7' M Abu Vendetta with 10lb. Big Game mono. It's been working just fine. It's the same set-up that I use for shallow to medium cranks and spinnerbaits. Tom

Mono: Berkley Big Game Co-poly: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Flouro: I hate 'em all. Braid: Nanofil

That's pretty funny! A couple of months ago, I was fishing a white spinnerbait, running it pretty fast and about a foot under the surface, when a cormorant dove after it. i cranked it back at near light speed and just barely got it out of the water before he grabbed it. I don't know what I would have done if I would have hooked him! Tom

If you're concerned about using your good stuff, pick up a used Abu 4600C (~$40 on ebay) and get a Berkely Lightning rod. It's a sturdy combo that, with a little care, will probably outlast you. Tom

I prefer a full cork grip on both casting and spinning rods, but I use several split-grip, both cork and EVA, and have no difficulties with either. It's not a deal-breaker for me. Tom

I keep several spincast rigs around for the grandkids. Mostly old Zebco 33s that I've picked up at yard sales and overhauled. I'll use one when I take them fishing, but that's it. My wife uses an ABU spincast reel that I bought her to replace the Popiel Pocket Fisherman that she had when we got married. Tom

Here's my old BTX 100 Mag and it's cousin, a B100 Mag Hangers-on from my Shimano days. They are both still fully functional, and were very solid, reliable reels. Tom