flechero

You know, the gas alone isn't a killer. (it makes me mad but I can cover it) But the fact that it happened in my own driveway really steams me.

If you are "still relatively new with the baitcaster" you might buy a small spool of Trilene XT in whatever # you like just to work out the bugs, so to speak. The XT is not really susceptible to the kink breaks you have been experiencing. But anything that light on a BC reel will be more problematic, as RW said. If you don't like XT, try Sufix Elite (red package).

Ronnie, Now that you mention it, I've never seen the springs on this particular truck (2002 GMC) and I am the original owner. Hmm.... I have seen similar things on other vehicles though. I'll have to ask about that. Thanks!

I hope they swap the colors!! The blue is much better looking, IMO, and should be the more expensive rod! ..lol I have built personal rods on both blanks (SCV70HF, SCIV70HF) but don't own either in a factory rod. Both are really nice. Tough call on whether it's worth the difference in price... for me it would depend on the intended use.

As if it wasn't bad enough to sustain hail damage and a broken windshield Friday night, my gas tank was siphoned! So after I'll be having to pay for the insurance deductible for body work - $500 and a new windshield -since commercial insurance has no glass coverage- $250 and a tank of gas that was siphoned, thankfully it was only about half full - $50 And last but not least, I had to go buy a new locking gas cap for the truck - $18 What a weekend... I didn't even get to fish. :-/

I'd say it's more likely that you are reeling a snap swivel or tie rings up into the tip than actual line damage from mono. Even today's cheapest, crappiest guides will handle mono for a pretty long while. That "ceramic" tip that you desribed as worst was probably plastic, not ceramic. True ceramic guides are much smoother and harder than other guide materials. If you are using #10 mono line, you should start your search by thinking of other things that have contacted the tips...

Kent, Just having fun! Cypress, You have a bunch of good options in that price range! You may have answered your own question with the STX. I'd also be looking at the Revo (S, SX or STX). I think even the S is a great reel for your purpose. They are bigtime stout, have monster drags and are praised by almost all who own them, me included! I haven't used the STX but it's touted as well worth the cost. They all hold plenty of line, should you be using heavy mono. (I also have a Premier but haven't used it long enough to be able to recommend or not. I like it but some people had mixed reviews initially) 50MG- not one that usually comes to mind in this application but worth discussing... here is why I like it: It's light and small for easy palming while flippin and pitching. It's so smooth, you will love it. 10lbs of drag is more than enough for 99% of the anglers out there. You can buy the CU100B spool (about $35 for the whole assembly) and instantly have a spare spool with more line capacity when using heavy mono. (it's a direct swap) Citica or Curado models might also be worth looking at, but act fast to get rebate eligibility. Everything mentioned can be had for your low end or below the low end of your stated price range. There are other great reels out there in your range, I just don't have any experience with them and can't make any recommendations.

Do any of you remember the Lake Fork "Under" Tournaments they had, it was many years ago? Where you only weighed fish under the slot and the catch was kept as a harvest tool. If memory serves me correctly, the fish were donated to a local Church or charity to be cleaned and distributed to needy families. I'd love to see the pro tournament's "keeper" redefined to something in the preferred harvest range (as defined by biologists) and then have the daily catch, filleted and given to a local homes, shelters, food pantry, etc. That helps rid a lake of the fish it needs to get rid of for balance and also serves the local communities in which the tournaments are held. Perhaps a mix of paper tournaments and meat tournaments, depending on the lake and local charitable needs.?? If the delayed mortality numbers are correct, and I'm a little skeptical of some of them, but for the sake of discussion if they are correct, I think the whole tournament concept needs to be modified/changed. Also if the delayed mortality numbers are really so high, doesn't that suggest the C & R is only effective if the release is done immediately? Which would also be good reason to change formats. just thinking out loud...

I have both and have fished each of them a good bit. While the Core is a great reel.... I honestly can't say it's any better than a 50MG. It looks great but has nothing in practical use that the 50MG doesn't... both are light, super smooth and a joy to fish with. My next reel(s) would be a 50MG over the Core. The MG has an added advantage, you can swap spools with the Curado 100B and get additional line capacity if you are a mono user. (I don't know if the CU100B is the same spool as the CU100DSV, I haven't tried that one yet.)

Well put, Catt. To those that don't get it, go fish a t-rig on a new moon, in the middle of the night, out in the country on a cold front bite and you'll get it soon. ...lol I am not much of a line watcher... sure it can be very helpful, I think mostly for those learning but once you get what Catt wrote, you don't have to sit there and line watch. I seem to draw more than my fair share of windy days and if I relied on line watching, I'd have to avoid several techniques on most days. I see too many people use it (line watching) as a crutch, instead of a means to learn the feel. Take that split second and let your mind register on the feel as that line moved. Being able to fish w/o line watching will pay off in spades whether at night, in the wind or when just talking to your buddy. The bottom line is that you'll consistently catch more fish, IMO, when you feel it. And if you do both, it's a win-win... sometimes you'll see the line move and sometimes you'll feel the bites.

I would, if you don't mind posting them. Thanks

If that happens, I will pull the boat up for some smallie fishing. Deal?

Maybe next year, someone can bring a laptop and have a standing rule that all pics and video to be shared gets downloaded as you pack up to leave. It's hard to hold the excitement this long. Keith, There were several laptops around. The trouble for me was after dinner, clean-up and only a little fellowship each night, it got very late. Digital Video (at least mine) has to be downloaded or captured real time which for my video alone was over an hour. We (Speedbead & I) got to bed each night at around 11:00PM and were at the boat ramp before 7 each morning. It was all I could do to get baits tied on and a cup of coffee in me. Especially on the last day. We spent hours cleaning Carl's boat and packing up to leave. It was very hectic. Not making excuses, but it took me two weeks to recover from the trip. It's great, but it's a whirlwind. LOL Ronnie Shows you what I know about video! ...lol I thought they had dvd disks and SD cards in the videocams these days. (still) Looking forward to seeing it... And hoping to develop more patience! ...lol

We need a price range and I'd like to know if you use braid or mono. (for line capacity reasons) Some of us actually recommend several different brands and models... based on the price range and posted criteria.

Sounds like a good way to start most days!!

Congratulations! I know it's a great feeling to catch one on the self-built rod! Jimzee is right, the rod is sweet... you just have a little touch up to do on the finish!

Maybe next year, someone can bring a laptop and have a standing rule that all pics and video to be shared gets downloaded as you pack up to leave. It's hard to hold the excitement this long.

Cool pics, George! I was thinking the same thing... looks like the only change is his hat.

I like it, you gave it just enough attitude!

I have always liked blue and cobalt blanks the best... I wish all blanks were available in colors. Here is one you've seen before, it's an SCIV with Cobalt nylon (#050) w/o CP.

That would worry me. You have a hook hanger which will be holding any variety of lures and treble hooks right in the meat of the rod... begging it to knick or pop the wall. They would add cost to the rod.

Thanks for the compliments. And Happy B-day, GMAN! David, The blank is cobalt and the thread is actually "dark blue" nylon (Gudebrod #246) w/o CP. In 'real life' it's a two tone blue, but my camera sees it a little darker than the eyes do. It's hard to get enough lighting to show the colors properly but not get a glare. ...lol

We always talk about stealth rods and 99% of the time they are black on black on black... or substitute one black for a gray. ...lol I had a warranty blank that came in cobalt blue and all the components are scrapped off the other rod- so there are a few little marks on guides and the seat and plug- which means it woud never be perfect... so I thought why not try blue stealth just to have a little fun on my "freebie" rod. I like the way it turned out. It's elegant but in an "all business" sort of way. ...lol It's a CTS blank (EBT825 6'10" H, F) I have a new Premier just for this one. It's a super light, but stout combo. The camera played a trick in that the thread color melted much closer to the blank color than you can see in the pics... the macro lens really picked up the difference better than the eyes.

Sorry to hear about the past couple days... I'll continue to pray for all of you guys (and gals). I'm just down the road from Ft. Hood, so I have Soldiers in my heart. Lead times are dependent on the builder. I used to quote 4-6 weeks (build time) from when I got materials delivered, but with a few rods in line it became several months. But I was only building on off time from my real job. I honestly can't say how most guys price but I always do my actual cost on materials & shipping plus $100 labor for a basic split gripped spiral wrap. All the decorative extras are priced extra, sort of a la carte. As you cam imagine, the materials cost are wildly variable. You might consider posting a custom rod thread and see who people recommend, that will give you some people to contact for specifics. Hope that helps.

Congratulations! What a fish! Get the picture posted when you figure it out.