flechero

Great buck, even better with a bow!!

Q, The difference in the different types of blanks basically comes down to the taper, wall thickness and tip diameter. As an example, most mag bass rods have a heavy backbone and a fairly delicate tip. Popping rods are much softer through the mid section and butt than a mag bass, in fact the popping rods are much like a spinning rod in that respect. True Flipping rods (most are mod-fast) are long heavy rods, much of the design is to absorb shock on a close up, eye crossing hookset. And each companies version varies from the other. ...lol A way oversimplified explanation: When a blank is made, they start with a mandrel which is just a metal "form" of the blank and then the graphite material (picture a roll of cloth) is cut out into a trianglular shaped flag and wrapped around the mandrel, tacked in place, debaulked and "cooked." The faster the taper the wider the base of the triangle in relation to the length. They can manipulate the rate of the taper and even have multiple "steps" in the taper to accomplish different things. Add to this a difference in material (modulous) and wall thickness and you have an infinite number of weights, action, tapers and rod types. So the terms mag bass and popping, etc. loosly describe how it's made so we have an idea of what the rods will feel like. Hope this helps more than confuses things. ...lol

You said this will be a dedicated soft plastics rod... There are very few rods that compare to a GLX for that purpose.

Actually with a spinning rod, I might prefer an EF even for surface plugs since the rod is softer than the BC version, which is treble friendly. Bottom line is all of it falls back to personal preference... sometimes you have to buy and use something to figure out if you'll like it.

Alpster gave good suggestions. Let me add to the mix just to give you another option... I am partial to the 4600 Abu's just because they are a little smaller (and still hold plenty of line) as fo rods, I think one of the best deals is an All Star Classic, in the carolina rig model... it's a 7' heavy- fast but it has a pretty soft tip and isn't too fast, which makes it a nice flippin' rod for under $50 and it has an exposed blank reel seat. I think it's everyday price is $49.95 but Academy has them on sale for much less about every other month. So if you catch the rod on sale, you can get out for under $100 and have a really nice outfit.

Yes, that's what we used for many years. Just squeeze out some air & tie them shut. On hint... the kind with the drawstring are really hard to tie because they make a big lump to pull through. ...lol (if you just tie with the drawstrings they don't stay airtight)

Not at all, the additional info will be just as useful to me as to you.

I didn't want to hijack the other PFD thread... Those of you that wear the suspender type pfd's (auto or manual) can you tell me which ones you wear and what you like or dislike about them? I think I'm going to buy one for myself but have no idea what kind or features I "want." Thanks for any input! Keith

I am no SM expert but I had no trouble adapting to them when I moved to my current location. I find that they are more like spots than regular LM. I use the same lures and soft plastics as before, the only real difference for me is that I work some baits faster... especially flukes. Our SM seem to like flukes moving at a high rate of speed and shorter pauses, same with stick and jerkbaits... even do well with faster than normal buzzbaits. As for soft plastics, all the same work but I do catch more SM on craws than other types. Spider jigs and finesse jigs are a big producer of smallies. I hope you transition quickly, they are a lot of fun!!

George, You are correct, for people that keep up with it! I think the boat in question has had this for a long time... which is why he's having such a hard time. (the boat was given to him so I doubt it's been washed and waxed the past couple years) Once he gets it clean, your suggestion is perfect for routine purposes.

I'm not familiar with either of those boats... sorry. Just wanted to welcome you to the forums!! Sit tight, I'm sure you'll get some good info from the gang.

Well, I have been through it once. (1995) All my gear was stolen out of my boat, but since it was in the boathouse when it happened, it fell under the homeowner's policy. Did I mention, EVERYTHING > Keep in mind that a homeowner's policy normally has a high deductible (mine was $500 on theft). Luckily I am good friends with my agent and he let me create an inventory after the fact. A couple pics or a 30 second video is what they suggested for me in the future. I still haven't done it since I have the same agent. edited to add: There are other options for insuring your gear if you want to... I now also have "contents" on my boat policy so if anything happens away from home and also you can get a writer on you homeowner's policy for dirt cheap that covers loss and breakage of covered items. Depending on your investment, these options may be worth looking into... roadwarrior - I'd rather get it replaced and have her mad for a couple days than to lose it all and have her sympathy!!

I think it is a response to consumer demand. Remember that split grips involve extra labor and care to build (which equals $cost$ in the manufacturing world) so I doubt the rod companies are pushing this as a fad.

I should have clarified the deer part... I was almost stopped by the time she hit me and she ran off seemingly unhurt... I know they often run out of sight and then die but It was a very minor impact and i think she will be fine. So the only venison I have came from a buddy's freezer.

What a class act! A good speaker, role model and Godly man! I went to the Legacy Outfitter's meeting and Alton was this month's speaker. He talked for almost an hour about fishing, tournament life and how God has worked in his life. It was an inspiring hour! The neatest story he told was after his first win... he said he was on stage and "it felt gratifying but not satisfying" to win. Since that one, he has remained focused on Christ while "working" and from then on, when he is on stage (as the winner) he feels satisfied. Powerful stuff! He told some great stories, one of which was when he hooked a wild hog on a jig and got spooled... he said he wondered what the hunter must have thought that shot the hog with a jig hooked in the corner of his mouth and 150 yds of braided line attached. ...lol There weren't many fisherman (since we're in deer season) at last night's meeting so when it was done we (a buddy and I) walked over and introduced ourselves and we talked for about 15 or 20 minutes with him. I'm not a big follower of the pro's anymore but this was a special night for me. And to top off the evening, I hit a deer on the way home. ...lol Luckily there was no damage, didn't even fold my license plate under, I almost got the truck stopped and it was literally a tap. She (a doe) came across the highway quartering towards me and I guess really- she hit me! A memorable night, all the way around! ...lol

I do go to Cabela's sometimes... but just north of Austin is a Sportsman's Warehouse and they (that particular store) has a much better than average fishing section so most of my needs are met there. I go to BPS when I'm in Dallas. Sorry Rolo, no hijack intended.

I feel your pain... I also bought a few 50 MG's and don't much like the others anymore. ...lol Here are my thoughts for your situation- (remember all of this is my opinion only) No fuego or viento - only 5 lbs drag, not enough for a frog rod. No cu100d or ci100d for the same reason as the 50MG (line cap., assume you use mono or the 50 MG would work) TD advantage- I know nothing about them. If I were you and you do use mono, I would get another 50 MG and buy a Curado 100 B spare spool and swap the spools out or buy a curado or citica 100DSV. All 3 of these have 10lbs of drag. Or if you have a bigger budget, the TD-Z 100 or 103 or even "big bait special" have the line capacity and are light weight... you have some options, it just depends on your budget.

This is not due to Bass Pro in particular, I've had errors with all of them. I have changed my buying habits over the past year... I no longer order anything that I can pick up in person. There is nothing I hate more than sending stuff back. With a little care in planning and a feel for how often you need/buy staple items, it's pretty easy to keep up with. I've just had such bad luck in mail/on-line orders that it's not worth the hassle to me anymore. Between work and visiting family, I'm in Austin or Dallas at least every few weeks so the need to order is quite rare. (I live in a small town and only have a walmart for tackle or an Academy in the next ctown)

You mentioned being socially uncomfortable several times... think of it this way, if you don't drink, you won't make a fool of yourself around the ladies, you won't get sick, you won't get arrested, and you probably won't kill anyone in a drunk driving accident. Do you need any more incentive to not break the law??? I have a good friend who doesn't drink, never did... he is the life of the party and always the most popular with the ladies... and the added bonus for all his friends is that he is always the designated driver. A friend who doesn't drink is a good friend to have around, your friends will realize that sooner or later. I wish I had been the one who didn't drink when I was younger...

I've always used old buckets (as forms) and concrete... 1 bag for every 2 trees. I figure the concrete holds the trunk better and longer then some rope. Even if they are all upright, it's better than what was there before Christmas.

I guess it's hard to prove if the biosonix actually works... (I'm a total skeptic) it's not like hunting since you can't share the space.... you can't hide in a brushpile and blow a shad bleat or rattle in a bass. ...lol Besides, hunting calls are not replicating feed, they work the social or breeding aspects... although they do have a corn feeder call now! What has the world come to?!?!?!? ;D And to those who say it's expensive, it cost less than many of the good GPS graphs... if it worked, every tournament pro and most weekend tourney anglers (and many rec anglers) would have them.

If it's on the inside of your mouth get Zilactin (at the pharmacy) or Zilactin B as a second choice. If it's on the outside of your mouth, Abreva is the only thing I have ever found to make cold sores go away faster. If it's just a plain old canker sore, stick with the Zilactin. Zilactin will make you cry :'( upon application but if you can get through 30-40 seconds it will skin over and quit hurting. It's good stuff though! ...lol

Congrats! Glad things are working out!

I doubt you'll find a rod rated for 1/8 all the way to 3/4 oz. and since most rods don't really perform great through the whole range, you're probably looking at 2 different rods. Depending on brand, you might need a Med and a MH or a Med and a Hvy to cover your specified range. In a spinnng rod I would not get a mod action for crankbaits... spinning rods are softer through the mid section anyway and pretty treble hook friendly.

Any light that's always on will affect your night vision, regardless of color. (some are just way worse than others) If you do install lighting around the decks, be sure to install a switch on the decks so when you get tired of night blindness, you can turn them off. But it might be nice to have the lights for when you are rigging, etc. ? The best solution I have found is a hat mounted light like the "Cateyes" which are also available in mutliple colors. On when you need them and off when you don't.