flechero

The same graphite materials and technology used in rods goes into lots of military applications. Loomis rod prices have risen slower than the US inflation rate for the 15 years I have been watching them. So if you want to be really honest about it, the IMX and GLX rods are actually cheaper now than they used to be... feel better? ;D

Man there hasn't been a rodbuilding thread in a while. Where are all the people who said they were building this winter? Lets have some updates or progress reports or at least some questions. I have one drying as I type this... I didn't take pics because it's another stealth rod. The good news is it's a personal rod! ...lol It will be my new workhorse, the t-rig rod. charcoal finished blank- CTS EBT825 (6' 10" H, F) exotic burl split grip / no foregrip black Alconites charcoal thread - no CP Spiral wrapped I forgot how much I dislike gloss finished blanks compared to matte. Wrapping is different and the wet finish blends in so well I needed a drop light over each guide. ...lol I have built almost all matte blanks since back in the spring so this was an adjustment. Who's got a new rod in process or in planning?

Me too... I'll throw it on the bank (on purpose) and crawl it back in sometimes... when the fish are up hunting craws there are no rules. ...lol Also on banks that have a nice little drop or ledge up tight, or even stairsteps I won't shy away. Also when fish are skiddish and don't like the t-rig, I'll pitch the c-rig up to and sometimes under docks. The bulk of the time I'm c-rigging deeper. I just wanted to say that sometimes it pays to c-rig shallow. A light leader can also do wonders at times.

I think the natural drift with the tide is a good thing... the fish are certainly used to things easing along at that pace.

They look unique, have a modified Tharp style seat, custom butt caps and split grips. I give them 2 thumbs up for innovation and good marketing. But... they should be reasonably priced, they use very inexpensive guides and EVA grips on a new and relatively unproven blank material. However, I do think it's great that new materials are being used for rods... the price of the graphites have gone through the roof because it's used in so many military applications. I hope other companies follow suit and experiment with new and different materials- as that will be a win-win for fisherman in the long run. Considering that they all come with Pac Bay guides and most have slow to mod-fast actions, they don't fit my wants or needs but I'm only one guy.

Of your current set ups I would say the med/fast spinning is ideal for the water you described but any of them will do it pretty well. The faster the action of the rod the easier to get small tight movement on the baits with less effort. (which is why almost all "dropshot rods" are X-fast) I don't fish the creeks but in lakes I use anything from a med spinning rod with #8 up to a hvy BC with #17 XT depending on how thick the cover and size of the bait & weight. Be open to experimenting with a couple rods- nothing worse than getting caught in a stereotype.

I like the scum frogs. Rarely miss a fish on them. I've also used the others mentioned above with no trouble.

I actually got a new Red Ryder for Christmas! ;D (and it's one of my favorite gifts) I wore out my other one chasing cats out of the yard/flowerbeds. Anything more powerful and it will penetrate... I just hit them in the hind quarters... the RR just stings and sends them running. They stay away for a few days and then come back.... short memory. ...lol

Raul, What a great reply. I learned a few things there.

Stand up and be over them. ...lol I don't think your weight stays on the bottom, regardless of your technique.... unless you have a HUGE weight. The whole sideways sweep makes up for the leader which can be coming back towards you when a fish has it. Picture this, on a t-rig hookset the rod tip may go (for me) 4-6 feet on the snap. (give or take) Plenty to load the rod, take up any bow in the line plus drive the hook through plastic and fish. I can get 1.5 times (or more) the rod tip distance on a sweep. Now if you had a 2-3 foot leader on a c-rig you could need to move the weight 2-3 feet towards you before the "setting" portion of the hookset even started, if the fish were moving towards you. And if the fish had moved some line through the weight you may need even more than the original leader's length. I'm not great at the sweep so my crutch is to c-rig with shorter leaders than most and that kind of evens things up for me. Hope all that made sense.

We started off that way, I put one of the "old faithful" black 4600 CI's on a rod and gave him a 2 minute tutorial on baitcasting. He has good instincts and was backlash free within about 5 minutes. (or the reel was dialed in perfectly ) The reeling in with his right hand was entertaining enough that even I think he needs to go ahead and get a LH ret. reel. ...lol No sense in having to switch later when you can start off without switching hands to cast and retrieve.

Properly setting up a bow isn't like setting up a new reel... I'd pay the $20-$30 in labor and go to a good archery shop. That fee will include set up, draw length adjustment and installation of sight, rest, etc. Not to mention they will help you get comfortable and if needed teach yuo to shoot it. Those Bowtech's are supposed to be the bomb!!

I have a buddy that's never used a BC and since he wants a left hand retrieve reel, I can't give him one. His budget is $75 which needs to include tax or shipping. Seriously, that's the top dollar, I tried to talk it up but that isn't an option. So which BC reels, under $75, should I be steering him towards? I looked at a few that seemed ok but have no experience with any of them. looked at the Daiwa Exceler 100HL and it actually seemed too nice for $65. There were a couple quantum and pflueger options in there as well. Help?

SteveF, I was an XT guy before modern braid was introduced. I tried braid for a while and found that it caused me more problems than it solved. I do carry a spare spool of braid with me these days, in case i need it... but I haven't used it yet. (2.5 years and counting) When I speak of "precautions", I speak from first hand experience of broken rods and damaged reels. For me and my style of fishing, XT is perfect and braid is actually the compromise. I don't have any trouble frogging with XT. It handles pretty well (except in extreme cold) is very abrasion resistant, very strong, if i have to break it I can, I don't carry tools to cut it or glue to ensure knots hold, it doesn't look like ski rope in clear water. No it won't cut weeds like braid but once the hookset is over there isn't much cutting going on... the weeds that break during the fight are still broken with XT the only difference is in the initial moment... which I have found to be of no consequence.

Both are pretty small and easy to palm... unless you have very small hands, I don't think either of them will present a challenge.

I use XT for frogs... and everything else. Don't let stereotypes fool you. There are a bunch of us that have fished frogs (and everything else) on mono for 20 years or more, with great results. Braid is just one of several answers. Braid can be very hard on equipment if the USER doesn't compensate but your LE rods will be ok with braid, if you take the precautions that need to be taken with ANY rod/reel and braid.

ReelMech, You are exactly right. I have become an "in store" buyer when possible. (this reel was a surprise that my wife ordered) As you remember I had a few issues with ordering stuff so now I only order what I have to and will drive a good ways to do business in person. Sportsman's Warehouse is an hour drive for me. The quality and service, coupled with good prices makes that drive (and Austin traffic ) a non issue for me. If Sportsman's Warehouse would start accepting bps gift cards, I would be really hooked up!! ;D Best to all....

Catt- The vertical drag is a natural thing for us T-riggers. ...lol It's the way we are used to feeling and is our comfort zone. (and "in-line" with our hooksets) The reason they say to sweep sideways with the c-rig is to keep the line "in-line" with how it is during your hookset. That will reduce a little of the slack or bow in your line at the set point and keep you in position until you need to set.

I'm pleased to report a happy ending to this... I was at Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday (a monthly restocking run) and told one of the guys about my experience and he said, bring it in to us, you are a valued customer here, I'll gladly exchange it for you and send yours in for store credit. I went home got the reel and went back for a "new" one. Just goes to show you that some places really appreciate their customers more than others!! I have been a Sportsman's Warehouse fan and customer for a long time but this really was going above and beyond as far as I'm concerned!

IMX is without question worth the extra few bucks.

It depends on you and your thumb. The Revo non drilled spools are a little heavier so I use 0 or 2 depending on which rod it's on. Just be sure to use 2 (or 2 pairs of) opposing brake weights, or alternate them for 3. Use only 0, 2, 3, 4 or 6. Using 1 or 5 of them will throw it out of balance.

the 50 MG is clearly my favorite. I have several more expensive reels- but NONE I like better. (I might have to edit this post later if I buy a Revo Premier today) ...lol

I've bought a few reels from simmons in the past 2 years, all of them have been perfect. They are great to deal with. This is only an inconvenience that will cost me the return shipping... like I said, it's small potatoes. I just needed to "vent" this morning and wasn't able to express that to the wife since she worked really hard to but me such a reel. I feel much worse for her, since that was my big gift she's bummed that it isn't right. Merry Christmas to all!

Thanks guys, it is definitely still a very merry Christmas around here... My only disappointment is a damaged gift- that's pretty tiny in the grand scheme of things!! Been through this before... and there lies the rub. I argued (politely) until I spent nearly the shipping amount in long distance phone charges and got nowhere. It's not about the money, it's principal. They each say the other is at fault, and neither seem to want to fix it for the customer. It's a case study in how not to run your customer service departments. ...lol

First of all- Merry Christmas!! I hope all of you (that exchange gifts) had a new, working, undamaged goody to open this morning! Well, Mrs. flechero went over budget - and I opened a Core 100 MG this morning... to my horror, it was already jacked!! :'( > > This was either hit by a truck and backed over again or a return that was sent out again. (but the box is perfect and has not even a scuff) The "shimano" is worn off the body (only the "s" remains) and all the internal packing is torn up. Here's a thought,shimano, spend $0.01 and (do like ABU) put a piece of foam over the reel, or better yet- put the reel in the stupid little felt bag you supply! I thought well, it's cosmetic so I can live with it... then I decide to spin the spool. Spinning the spool sounds like a few rocks are caught in the inside of the spool body!! I can't even explain how dissappointed I am. This isn't the first time this has happened with a "brand new" shimano and bps/cabelas. I had sworn off of mail ordering anything from them but Mrs. didn't know all that. This actually makes reel #4 (in 12 months- it all started with a Christmas gift last year) that gets sent back and once again, I have to pay the return shipping charges. > Keep in mind, we already paid $16 shipping/insurance to get it here... now it's about same returned and another $16 if they ship a the new reel out. Talk about being penalized for thier mistakes! They will have made more profit off shipping to me than they can off the reel. Unless they will pay all the shipping, I am done for good this time. Last time bps and shimano pointed fingers at each other and left the me out in the cold. I'll probably be buying a Revo Premier now instead. (in person from a different retailer) the old thread- http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1179951547/0