flechero

Just splitting a grip will lighten it slightly but actually affect balance in a negative way... removing weight behind the reel seat makes a rod more tip heavy. Certain rod designs or grip materials can be used to accomplish certain things. For example, use of "Exotic burl cork" which is much denser and heavier than natural cork almost requires a split grip for weight reasons, and tailoring of the size and profile can be used to balance a rod and accomodate very large or small hands without looking to strange. A split grip usually aids in casting accuracy since hand placement is said to be more consistent.

Speed and action measure different things.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1197685135/0 You'll have to wade through some junk but there was some decent responses in that thread.

I don't know who's making them... I've read some conflicting reports. I read a lot on them at first and am thankfull that technology is evolving but I don't think this is the answer. For $250 they can spend $15 on some alconites... I have some unsubstantiated opinions based on different articles written on the technology. Try a quick search on RBO for e21 or carrot sticks. There are several guys there with truely salty credentials that have posted on them. I haven't heard anything great about them that didn't come from the marketing department or paid/sponsored people. They have gotten some good press around here lately but mostly spinning rods and northern fisherman... no offense meant, it's just different on T-bend and Fork than most places up north. I hope people can read that as it was intended.

Speed and power measure two different things. An X-fast in a med is still a med power. Worried about trebles? I don't have any trouble with trebles and heavy, fast action rods. Loosen your drag and don't try to horse the fish. 99% of the time it's the Indian, not the arrow.

I don't have a dog in this hunt BUT for that kind of money- IMX or Legend Tourney, NO question about it.

Catt, What a horrific event.... one that will change lives forever. I will pray for the child and all involved...

Amen, brothaaa!! I usually go tip higher and pull harder to help them catch a little extra air!! Those are some of the most memerable and special moments! Back when tourney fishing, I was a little more careful but I don't think I lose any more fish this way... but I rarely fish crankbaits.

You guys need to consider a few things when making these mods to rods... sanding, scraping and cutting away cork and epoxy will scratch and scar up the blank. Although it is the thick part of the blank, you are still compromising the intergrity of the blank and asking it to fail. And for most brands, likely killing any warranty. He's been lucky so far... any chemical that's strong enough to eat cured epoxy can also eat what's holding your rod's graphite fibers together! The safest way is to get through the cork and down to the epoxy and only smooth the high spots in the epoxy with a fine grit paper. Then finish it with a tinted or marbled finish to hide the old epoxy. Or use a light leveling coat and then thread wrap a pattern or color scheme over the area to hide the uglyness underneath. The new finish will level it all out if applied properly.

Most true flippin' rods are hvy and mod-fast.... but most people don't do a lot of true flippin'. The important question is- are you going to actually flip very much?

Are you looking for a cranking/trap rod or one rod for everything? Title says one thing and post suggests another. If you are using braid for traps and cranks, I doubt you'll like a fast rod for that purpose. You'll be apt to pull a lot of hooks out. Look for a mod or mod-fast to crank with. Just my $0.02

If you do much more than a few casts, it allows you to keep a cadence. Some like it because the reduced effort to dive bigger baits. I'm one who has trouble slow rolling for any length of time... a few casts, sure- no problem but some guys crank and swimbait all day.

If I could have my office phone in my rodbuilding and fly tying space, I would look forward to work everyday!! ;D

Roger, you are right on, except for the last line... most of us don't forget about braid, we just don't use it. The fact that many of us don't use braid is the very reason a good/well designed blank is so desirable. If braided line was the perfect solution, we would all use it exclusively... regular guys, tournament guys, pros, guides, etc. While braid has some great qualities, it's not the answer for all of us. ____________________________________________________ and to stay on topic, I also think rod sensitivity is overrated for most of the moving bait techniques.

You should tandem hunt. We take turns running the video camera. It's a blast and you have 2 guys to split the work load, both pre and post hunt. I think it's more fun than solo, it's certainly safer and easier with a buddy.

Hood rat is great for those that make the connection... otherwise, I like bullet bug (since it also has the Belton reference!!) you'll probably get sued if you use "spook"

Our price jumped 14 cents today... >

And you can find them for next to nothing.

Great post, Matt, thanks. on a less serious note... "Sudden-expertism"

Most of us fight that battle to some degree... my fly tying set up is also portable, for just that reason. However, I'm not as organized or as tidy as Ronnie!!

A new truck payment of $400 - $600 mo. goes a LONG way for maintenance and tires. Not to mention higher insurance rates of a new truck or boat. If you put that payment amount away each month, you could buy a nice truck or boat in short order and have no payments. (no payments feels real good!! ) I'm a low risk guy, so having any payments scares me. If I were in your shoes, I'd either trade up slightly and get a newer, but still used truck and pay cash for it... or fix what you have. (Yes, I'm a believer in Dave Ramsey's plan.)

Spool up the spare and keep it with your tackle... it only takes one fish to wrap you and scar a full cast's worth of line and then you are using weak abraded line. If it happens 2 or 3 times, you'll be out of line. Where we fish, we carry spare spools even for our BC reels and a spool of line to boot. If for example, I'm t-rigging all morning, I often need to change line out over a sandwich at lunch time. Even if you never use it, a spool's worth of spare line is a couple dollars of well needed insurance, IMO.

I wish I had a free connection for you guys... If enough people will respond, I'll throw in the first $25 towards a used motor purchase... and you can sell it or raffle it to a mamber after the trip. I remember all too well what happened with rickey- >

I always figured some were lazy and didn't read the responses and some were backing up what the other said. It's new so I doubt he'll like it- but since it's not purely a lazy shortcut I'm guessing he might let it slide by. ;D

Sportsman's Warehouse for me. I live in a small town- 20 minutes to Academy and 40 minutes to Sportsman's. My 'local' Sportsman's Warehouse has a great fishing section and are almost never out of stuff I want/need. Except for minor odds and ends, I don't have to buy from another source. I do get stuff at Academy since they are close but I like to get to SW regularly enough to buy most of my stuff at one big stop.