Dave P

AF/ANG 3P071-Security Police/Security Forces 1981-2005

Great. I'd buy another on in a second.

Ditto. Exact same experience and it went all at once.

The lightning rod is the best rod at that price point, IMO. I have three that are still around for backup purposes. No issues with reel seats or broken tips or anything else. I recommend them without hesitation if that's your budget.

X2 on the Diesel

I've got one. Have used the flipping switch maybe twice. No other issues to report other than it loves lube. Continual, every few trips lube. Side note, years ago I had one of the old Daiwa models with the flippin' switch. I took it apart to clean it and never got it back together again where it would work. I eventually pitched it.

Did the same thing this spring on KY lake. Broke on off a 7-8 on a 6XD with 12lb test.

You're gonna laugh, but last year I knocked the hell out of them on these.... http://www.renosky.com/p/508/natural

Once stockers have been in the water for a while they lose their baby fat and rounded fins from scrubbing concrete and become hard. After they've been in there for a year or so, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference aside from the fact that stockers tend to eat a little more readily, IMO.

You'll want at least 14 foot for 3 people. Preferably 16. I have a riveted Jon boat that's 30 years old. I've had to do some maintenance on it (aluma-weld on some of the rivets and I put bottom sealer on it just because) but now if I see water, I know the plug isn't in tight enough.

Welcome!

I don't pay any attention to whether it's a split grip or not. I just pick it up and use it.

It took a year or two. You have to learn that first year.

Yes. I would replace mine in a heartbeat if it ever got broken or lost.

X2 wont wear anything else in the summer

51 and I'm starting to feel it. Usually by about hour 6 my back is killing me...And I agree 100%, if it ceases to be fun, stop doing it. Otherwise it's like work.

OK, one more good one. Couple of years back I went to a local state park one afternoon. There are three lakes. The main one has a two hole ramp, the other two are one holers. So I pull up to the loot of the big lake and undo the straps. About the time I got in the truck and got ready to go put in, up pulls a big suv and a big ole deep v-bottom walk through. He pulls right down in the middle of the ramp, taking both lanes out of action. So, I sit. And sit. And sit. And sit. After about fifteen minutes, I pulled forward to see what the hold up was. Yep. Still "loading up". Straps aren't ever off yet. 4 adult humans, still getting baskets and coolers out. I'm pretty ticked, but I figure screw it, I'll just go to one of the other lakes. It takes a couple of minutes to get there so I put the straps on again. Pull up and take the straps off. There's one truck in the lot. They're in a jon boat on the other side of the lake. That is, until they see me starting to back down the ramp. Here they come flying and heading right in the middle of the one hole ramp. I'm making the universal I don't understand signal. He's making gestures and yelling. She evidently has to pee. Why the couldn't utilize the dock to get her out to pee, I don't know. So, now I'm really ticked. I peel off up the ramp and head back to the original lake. Annnnd, they're still not in the water. I'm absolutely fuming. I consider getting out and helping them get their crap together, but they finally show signs of launching. Another several minutes and finally done. I watch in awe as the son runs the boat into the dock with the trolling motor. Of course he's broadside across the ramp so, still can't launch. Oh, and the dad takes ten minutes to park the truck and get back to the dock. 40-45 minutes after I had originally tried to launch, I got in the water. The fishing sucked and the gnats were horrible. They were on the water for a grand total of 30 minutes, so I gave them plenty of time to get loaded up so my head wouldn't explode. True story.

I use them often (not for smallies, don't have any). I don't catch a lot on them, but when I do, it's a keeper.

I've thrown the 1oz 6XD on mine. No problems at all.

Last weekend during our weigh in there was an enormous 'toon sitting on the ramp and blocking a lane and a half for a good 45 minutes while he: a) tried to start the motor repeatedly. flooded same. c) ran the battery down. d) replaced same with another battery. e) took the plug out and changed it. f) tried to start repeatedly. g) took the cover off. f) dropped some tool in the water. g) replaced cover and finally got it started in an huge blue fog. He put it in a slip and it quit again but at least his wife/gf got to pull the trailer off the ramp.

It has been slow. Glad it's picking up some.

Diesel is my preferred rod. The W&M Clunns are o.k. in the 7 foot model. I really didn't care for the 7'6" model at all.

1. Get a net. 2. Use the net. 3. Lip them out of the net if possible. 4. Buy a pair of good side cuts, just in case. I have cuts all over my fingers every weekend I throw cranks. It's part of the game.

Bill Dance Lure Retriever

One of my favorite methods to use when it gets slow or I just want to do something different. It doesn't catch a bunch for me, but it tends to catch nice ones. Chompers wobble heads are pretty good too.