flippin and pitchin

Nope. Most of us have either, what we can afford, or what we like because we can afford it. High end stuff is like owning a Corvette. Any car can get you from point A to point B, some just do it in style. Rule #1: Fish what you got...but fish ! Rule #2, Be grateful you have what you got.

Look at that idiot on his cell phone in direct line with the other guy's back cast. That's just too close.

Missing re-runs of Soul Train. Come on man ! What's to hate. Embrace the moment.....or not.

You have yet to learn about the medicinal qualities of pizza.

If there was one thing i've learned over the last three years, it's how much impact the weight and design of a spool has on the reel's ability to cast specific weights. No wonder guys were asking about where to get an after market spool for their reels. Match the right reel design ( notice I did not say brand ) with the right rod design and casting/presenting very light lures is very attainable with baitcasting gear.

Any fish I catch when i'm with mu buddy Tom is automatically relegated to the rating of being a dink. When I caught my PB smallmouth a year and a half ago, a 5-15, he didn't even look back and said, " Dink...wouldn't waste time on a picture...throw it back." No egos in our boats.

Depth Rate of fall Type and density of cover Wind or current Size of lure These all factor into what weight you choose to best meet the situation. Simple, isn't it ?

Some things are meant to remain a mystery.

I won't comment on line, that is a personal preference issue. Here's something to consider when choosing any reel. How much line do I need to accommodate the line diameter and the length of the expected casts you will make. If you run a 50 series reel and need the line capacity, your out. If you run a 100 series and don't need all the line, your are safe. Reels are generally rated at 12 pound test. Make it 20 and your capacity is reduced dramatically. Something to think about.

Active: Larry Nixon Semi retired: Gary Dobyns Retired: Harold Allen, Dee Thomas and Tommy Martin Up and Coming: Brandon Palaniuk and Paul Mueller The Lindner brothers are just a kick and, " It's super important to remember dat ! "

A Rago swimbait, but then that would require me to live the rest of my life at Clear Lake.

Watch the next episode of Hoarders and find out.

I would add the Normans Deep Little N to Catt's list. The Luhr Jensen Hot Lips is a sleeper too.

I hope you don't think I am calling you out. I respect your opinion and my response is not meant to challenge you personally. I question the concept as Dudley presents it in his video. Having OWNED the model he recommends, it was even more absurd to me. I have always been a proponent of, fish what you got but fish. I hate to see anyone spend money on something that is an immediate disappoint to them and they have to start all over. Been there and done that too many times. I'm glad to hear you are not buying into the concept as presented. You stated the video changed the way you think about deep cranking. I can tell from your post you are looking to be effective in deep cranking. That's awesome. The right gear will help you achieve that. A Lamiglas Excel 7116 is not just fishing a heavier rod. It's action is for punching. Dudely is just over the top on this one. Doug

Dudley is an accomplished, successful pro BUT I don't buy it one bit. First, I owned a Lamiglas Excel 7116 and it's good for flippin heavy jigs and shooting pool. It's STIFF. Stiff rods do not translate to long casts. VanDam's launcher rod is moderate. Dobyns 805CB and 806CB's are moderate. Heavy does not mean stiff. To load a rod with any lure there has to be flex and reflex. The 7116 ? Not. Moderate rods can still have power and not become over powered by the resistance of the bait. Crankbaits are treble hook lures with smaller diameter wire and baits are not always enclosed in the fishes mouth like a T rig plastic or jig and some forgiveness is a benefit. That is where moderate actions come into play. Dudley doesn't like noodle rods that double over. I don't either and I don't see many other anglers who do unless they are fishing 4 pound test. Dudley's take is so far out of the norm it doesn't fit. Even Rick Clunn made the transition to composite/glass rods for cranking. Look at David Fritts and what he uses. Evidence demands a verdict. If Dudley likes this set up, good for him. I think it's ill advised to follow his lead. If you want to experiment, go ahead and throw a DD with your flippin stick. It won't last long I bet.

My home lake is super shallow. I've been flippin and pitchin since 1980/81. I still have my original Fenwick Dee Thomas Flippin Stik. My buddies got to the point that when I caught a few fish, they didn't even bother to ask how I caught them and said, it was probably flippin and pitchin. I actually had sticker made for the back window of my truck that said, yup, Flippin & Pitchin. The guys in the club thought it was funny and it stuck. The ironic part is I would rather crank structure for small mouth.

Vinny, 734 buddy. I agree with Grantman, it's the most versatile rod I have. It's the only Dobyns casting I have two of. Good tip and great power. It fishes like a 7 footer too. The shut off point in the 734 Savvy is a few inches further into the blank but the power is there. PM me if you have any other questions. Doug

Paul Mueller is a member of this forum boys. Signed up November of last year. Send him a PM and congratulate him. Randy Howell is a class act and will be an absolute gentleman and use this win to benefit the entire sport. This classic was a win win in my book.

Congrats to Randy Howell. He's a class act. Did you know the runner up, Paul Mueller is a member of this forum? He's a great guy himself.

Picking out any rod is subject to the tastes, demands and expectations of the angler and no other technique specific rod is more subjective than a cranking rod. I do not want to come across as some expert on the subject, i'm not. I will offer this, after fishing bass for 40 plus years and having the opportunity to fish about 400 models of rods and build my own, I found what I want in a rod and that includes a crankbait rod and why. The one primary characteristic that is critical is a moderate action. The exception might be a squarebill rod. Some people refer to it as parabolic. You can achieve this action by employing several different materials or combinations of materials. You can go glass, like the mentioned Lamiglas and St Croix, composite like the Quantum or Dobyns "glass" and or go with an all graphite model with a moderate or parabolic design. Iv'e fished Lamiglas, Loomis, Fenwick, Quantum, BPS, Dobyns, St Croix, Pinnacle and a host of others and found some models that perform the way I want. Here is where it gets complicated but very simple. The material in glass is SLOWER to react than graphite materials. You can have a 7 foot moderate action rod with the same bend and flex in glass that a graphite blank may have. The glass is slower to react or reflex than the graphite comparable. I know this this because I fish both. When you decide what reflex you want, it will streamline your search significantly. If you want moderate actions, that's easy, there's a bunch of offerings. If you want moderate and a quicker reflex or reaction, then look at all graphite. If you want the slower reflex then glass is your material and composites can provide the best of both characteristics for you. I have four rods designated for cranking in three different materials and two different lengths. Fishing rods are frustrating. Just when you think you are dialed in, something new makes you question what your are using now. Ask yourself the right questions, you will make the better choice. Once I understood this, selection was pretty easy and I think I am a more effective crankbait angler than I used to be as a result. If things continue to improve at home, I just might get to use my rods this year. Doug

If someone would have told me I wouldn't be fishing for a year or more two years ago, I would have been uptight. After that coming to pass to deal with my son's brain tumor and my wife's cancer, fishing just doesn't seem so important. My buddy doesn't quite seem to fully understand. I would rather spend a day with my wife, my children and my grandchildren than fish. If the opportunity presents itself.....I'm going but I've never had a bass tell me " I love you " or kissed one good night.

It's Christmas Day obviously. All's quiet and my wife's sleeping. My grand-kids wore us out last night. It gave me time to reflect and I wanted to drop a line to some of you who know our situation. I have jumped on the forum a few times the last 6 months, read a few posts and even PM'd a couple of you. I really enjoyed that. My wife of 40 years plus has gone through quite a trial. She has fought cancer for 16 years now. This last situation has been exceptionally difficult because it came only two weeks after my son finished his issues with a brain tumor, surgery and a long recovery. When my kids and their kids were opening presents and just having a super time, I looked on between taking pictures and thought, this is my gift. Seeing my bald wife hugging the babies, showing them how a toy works or asking me where the batteries are is special. When you face the reality of your wife not being there next Christmas, it makes you appreciate what you have in front of you that much more. Seeing her in the kitchen with the energy to make cookies or wrap gifts is special. We take each day one at a time and each day is special. Today is a good day. It's Christmas every day in my house. Peace, Love and Joy to every single one of you knuckleheads. Doug

My wife's illness and life's demands have changed some things for me. I put the boat up for sale and expect the vast majority of my gear will follow. I don't foresee being on the forum in the future. I appreciate you folks and Glenn for what has been a lot of fun. Not saying thank you just didn't seem right. Doug

It would seem your reel suffered PTDD...post traumatic drop disorder.

Sunline Super Natural for me. I fished it quite a bit last year and like it alot.