.ghoti.

Good answers DVT. Here's another take on it. You say your rod is tip heavy when you mount the reel and hold the combo parallel to the ground. The tip wants to drop, right? If you're using this combo to fish moving baits, it's a moot point. The rod can't be balanced to counteract the pulling resistance of a crankbait or a spinnerbait, so there's no point in discussing that. It could be a problem if you hold the rod parallel to the ground when fishing contact baits. ( jigs, plastics, etc ) Most people hold the rod with the tip up when fishing contact baits. With the tip perfectly straight up, there is NO TORQUE forcing the rod tip down. Most of us do not hold the rod perfectly perpendicular to the ground, but it's not far from it. I've never tried to measure the torque exerted at the fulcrum point with the rod positioned 10 or 15 degrees from perpendicular, and don't intend to do so. I'm not sure I have an instrument in my lab that would even measure a force that low. Some of the recent changes in design have resulted in rods that are indeed more tip heavy. The split grip concept reduces weight from the area behind the reel seat, producing a rod that, all other factors being equal, is more tip heavy. I really enjoyed reading St Croix's description of their redesigned Legend Tournament series rods after they adopted the split grip. They claimed that they had reset the fulcrum point for more efficient casting. What they did was make the rods more tip heavy, but it sounds much better phrased their way. Another factor is rod length. It wasn't that long ago that 6' rods were normal, and our "long" rods were 6'6". Now, 7' rods are the minimum length many people will consider. I'm in that camp. Most of my rods are 7', or longer. The more rod in front of the reel makes it more tip heavy. Another factor is power ratings. Again, it wasn't that long ago that most rods were medium power, with everyone having a couple of MH rods. These days? I know guys who won't even look at a rod unless it's at least a heavy power. The heavier the power rating, the thicker the walls, the more tip heavy. The only real solution for a factory built rod, if you after that "perfect" balance, or what some consider perfect balance, is to add weight to the butt. I did that. Once. I removed the butt cap, glued in enough lead to balanced the rod "perfectly", and glued the butt cap back on. I had to add 2 3/4oz of lead. It now balanced exactly at the middle of the reel. With that much weight at the butt end it was very hard to control during casting. I could not hit the broad side of a barn with it. Never did it again. And never will.

I'll be ordering some of Ike's baits. I saw them in the pool at Nashville. Out of the water they look like a cross between a Stingray grub and a beaver. In the water, they are something special. That commercial, on the other hand, well and truly belongs in the "what the heck were you smoking" category.

Your 41 day total beats my 2011 bass total. By 41. great trip guys.

That is my tactic as well.

J Francho hinted at the right answer for this question. It gets asked a lot, and always has every knot mentioned in the replies. Tie the knot YOU tie best. And, cut it off and do it again if it doesn't look or feel right.

All right, that's it. Next time I buy a reel from you, I'm deducting the price of the shirt I'm wearing today. Two sets of coffee stains in one afternoon.

I just had coffee come out of my nose. Bounce-worthy.

I use one of these. http://www.knivesplus.com/smithsharpenerssm-50008.html

A buddy metioned a new Daiwa rod series named Black Label. After some searching found them on a Japanese sight. This is how Google translated the description. For some reason this just cracked me up this morning. 6011ULXS SSS is highly sensitive Raitorigusupesharu bottom fishing to complete the attack. 1/16[ch65359][ch65370][ch65294] No sinkers, jig heads, Sumoraba, Jiguheddowakki, Nekorigu, 1/16oz. To control the rig around bottom structure in response to general and ultra-light rig following Daunshotto, insisted on inviting the size of the operation. The tip that passed through the nerves and pin it in action stand out in sharpness, reportedly on hand, as the sensor state of the structure of water and bottom, giving the shake a fine swing, while understanding the state of the rig was hung Hanguofu truth of the rod to freely this rig extremely high operability. Thus, while licking the bottom trace to "I'm here," given the on-target actions of the rigs in place, tied with Bytes, the initiative against the pass times ... just "Raitorigu aggressive" you can feel the rod the finished.

I know it was Miles. I couldn't tell you which one.

Rooster, you've hit the nail on the head. This upgrade thing gives us a constantly moving target.

Don't use sandpaper. Felt wheel, fine polishing compound, and about two minutes per side will do the trick. Get "em shiny, and use a good drag grease. I use Shimano drag grease, and will recommend it. In the mean time, keep an eye on the flea market. A great deal pops up fairly often. I've bought several rods and reels from guys here, and have been happy every time. The upgrade bug is in all of us. I've been on a roll myself the last couple of years. My line-up is not where I want it to be, but it's closer than it was last year, and a lot closer than it was three years ago. A little patience will make your hard earned cash go a lot further.

deep slow noon

No question about the it. The Supreme is a much better reel than the Symetre. I have both. You heard this from a Daiwa fan. All 15 casting reels in my starting line-up are Daiwa. My two spinning reels are a Supreme and a Supreme XT. In their price range, neither Daiwa nor Shimano can compare.

If you haven't seen the Deadwood series, you're missing out. It is definitely NOT for the easily offended. Also, Tombstone should be on the list.

One of my standard, always have ready to go, baits. Evo Shake2 jighead and 5" GYCB hula grub.

I'm almost as old as Old Mike. I meant Long Mike. ;D ;D ;D

I have one reel with a CF handle; an Alphas R Edition. I also have an Alphas 103F; basically the same reel, except for the handle. While fishing, I can't tell the difference between them. The carbon handle makes no difference that I can tell. It doesn't feel weaker, or stronger. I doesn't feel any lighter. The swept design also makes no difference. It is supposed to improve the center of gravity and eliminate wobble while cranking. HUH? How do spell hype? I spell it bulls%#@. I do like the compressed cork knobs. I'd put those on all my reels if they didn't cost so much.

mine was the VW ad with the midget Darth Vader. laughed my arse off. What's yers?

It may not stop for you, but here in the middle of Illinois, when the water temp gets below 55, it slows down drastically. Not sure at what temp it dies, because I don't try to find out. When the spinnerbait bite starts to disappear, the jerkbait bite gets into high gear. When the jerkbait bite starts to go, I can usually get a few fish with slow plastics. Soon after that the baits start bouncing off the water.

Wayne, this year it will be more beer and sandwiches than wine and cheese. last year more than half the folks who showed up had been on the water all day, and were looking for a bit more than finger food. So, this year we'll have a sandwich bar, with salads and whatever. I'll still bring a selection of wines and cheeses. I may be able to talk my sweetie into making some dessert. Everybody is welcome. Saturday night; 7 & 7 7:00 PM at cabin #7

AJ, we'll be arriving Saturday, and leaving Tuesday. That's all the time off I can get. I do not have vacation time. I get two personal days per academic year. I use those for Monday and Tuesday of the RoadTrip. If you're there Saturday make sure you show up for the Saturday Night Wine & Cheese Soiree.

Ill pay for everything, but you have to strangle at least 2 kittens with your bare hands on video tape. AJ, you are one sick puppy. :D

I've never noticed a bent fluke being any less effective than a straight one. Sometime it seems a little bend helps more than hinders.

Gevalia beans, burr grinder, 185 degree water and a french press. No need to mess with perfection.