northern basser

Definitely a normal one that goes to the trailer. The pvc pipe deal( if I understand you correctly) would not really relieve the stress on the transom.

Cabelas XML when their on sale.

Core 50mg7/ Kistler LTX II med. hvy./ fast. 7' The core wouldn't change, but I would like to try a Loomis nrx. Currently, the LTX is the best rod I've used. I've had a Dobyns champion and would also like to try a ch. extreme.

The only complaint I have w/ the cabelas XML rods is the lack of selection. The XMLti's weren't quite as bad. The reg. ones didn't have much of a 7' 1pc. selections. Without having a BPS near me, what is their top rod and has anyone used both (XML and BPS's top rod)?

Personally, I don't care for a moderate action on any of my rods, even crankbait rod. I'm kind of partial to a fast act. for almost everything (jigs included). However, I'm starting to find some benefits to Ex. Fast actions in certain situations. Worms and jigs need a quick reaction by the fisherman therefore a faster act. would seem appropriate in my mind.

I've used a sedona, symetre, and a stradic over the years. Didn't actually use a sahara, but everything aroud it. That being said, I think the symetre gets the "bang for buck award". $ aside, the stradic is better. The sedona has loosened up on me quite a bit in a short time, but was a good reel for me at $59. I'm itching to pull the trigger on a CI4.

I haven't used the regular patriarch, but I'm thinking about trying one. I have the new pat. xt and I REALLY like this reel!!!

I'm about 2 miles away from a Cabelas and heard that they are coming out with a new XML or one with a different name. I have 2 XML spinning rods and 2 casting( not the titanium w/ recoil guides) that normally retail for $139. I picked all of them up when they've been on sale. IMHO, even at $139 these are great rods! They will hold their own w/ rods that cost up to $100 more. It will be interesting to see what the new rod will be like.

There is a person on this site (frogginstein) that I fish w/ a lot that owns a one person pontoon. Maybe shoot him a pm to get his opinion. They are sturdier than a yak and sit up higher, which I would like better for bass fishing. He said his 50# TM pushes him around quit well.

If $ wasn't an object I would probably buy a welded one. However, I've had a riveted Alumacraft jon boat for 25 years that has been used mostly for duck hunting. I have beat the crap out of it and it has stood up to the test of time well!!

Just wondering if anyone has one and what they think of it. Also, if you could give some comparisons to go by. I've mostly used shimano spinning reels.

I've done a lot of duck hunting in smaller aluminum v's and jon's. A 2.5 will push you better than a TM, but if you add weight(decoys, dogs....) your not going to be breaking any speed records. A 4 or 5 horse isn't that much bigger and will do a much better job. Personally, I wouldn't even consider anything less than a 4 in any situation.

I have it on over half my reels. I'm starting to get addicted to it though. No memory, no stretch, strength, and sensitivy. I even started using it on my crankbait rod at the end of the season. It took me a little while to get used to the no stretch aspect. You have to keep it in mind when setting the hook.

I love hot food too! I can't eat it like I used to though. I've never had that ghost chili, but I've watched Adam Rich on MAN vs. FOOD get his butt kicked by that stuff! It would probably be safe to say that this pepper is out of the question for me.

I got myself an early Christmas present too. A new rod should be showing up soon! It will be awhile before it gets any use though because the lakes around here are solidified.

It would definitely be cool just to drive one for a day. Cost of ownership is a little rich for my blood. It claims to launch 12' out of the water! On crowded waters that could be dangerous.

Shimanos on average seem to have less bearings than the competition. That doesn't mean that it is any less of a reel.

I also like others opinions (who have used it). Lately I've also preferred to stay under 8oz. Oh, and that its a shimano (unless its a pat. xt!!) ;D ;D ;D

Up here I think the DNR would call in a S.W.A.T. team if they saw you driving aroud one of those.

Years ago my dad gave me a topwater lure that I had never seen before and still haven't saw anywhere else. It has a soft body w/ a flat hard tail. Were the line attaches it is connected to a "rip cord" or drawstring like a kids toy. When you cast it the string pulls out and the tail flutters on the water for about 10 seconds. In calm water it looks pretty cool and makes a wake sitting still. Every once and while I'll pull it out to show someone and cast it a handfull of times. Not even a boil, ever!

kistler ltx II 7' MH casting, fast act. Last years model brand new on ebay $199. 1/8-3/4oz. lures.

I used braid on probably half my reels this summer for the first time. IMHO everything (mono, flou., and hybrid lines) feels like a rubberband when compared to braid. I also used 12# hybrid this summer and it has crazy break strength for that size of line. That being said, I will continue using other lines in conjuction w/ braid. There are some situations were I don't care for braid. One thing would be casting distance.

SWEET! I used to own a 17' alumacraft river runner w/ a 65hp yamaha jet. When the economy went bad it had to go. I REALLY miss it though. W/out a normal lower unit fin, you have to be carefull at high speeds not to turn too quick or they will actually slide. It used to freak me out at first till I got used to it. They are really cool setups though, enjoy!!!!

This reminds me of something I encountered a few years back that is even more alarming. Some friends and I went on a duck hunting trip to Arkansas to hunt the flooded timbers. While there we were visiting with some local hunters that were maybe 20 something years old. The permanent blinds in a lot these places were passed down through generations we were told by them. Then they proceeded to comment about how tough the laws were these days. They said they used to use a defoiliating chemical like agent orange to clear out the spots where the blinds would be built. They "couldn't understand what was wrong" with this practice?

I used a 6'6" MH casting LTX II for most of the year and really liked it. Very light and very sensitive. The MH power seemed a little lighter than other MH rods I've used so for jigging I think the HVY would be great. I sold the rod on ebay because I'm going to replace it w/ a 7 footer that has a cork handle. The one I had was the old "shark skin" grip and I didn't care for how thick it was. The feel of the handle was ok, but it had a larger diameter than the cork handled Kistler I own.