.ghoti.

Pretty good rods for the money. I still have two. A 7' medium and a 6' ML, both spinning rods. I use them every time we take a trip up north, and I know that walleye fishing is part of the game plan. $30 for the Hank Parker version is a good deal. 4 for 90 bucks is a heck of a deal. Cheers, GK

Bassripper, you just got some advice from a couple of guys with rod builing experience. This is a game I've been studying for a while, but not actually playing. So, take my comments with a handful of salt. I've wondered the same thing about using spinning blanks for casting rods. In looking at line weight ratings, it almost looks like a medium-heavy spinning rod is close to a medium casting rod. So, your ML spinning rod would make a light power casting rod. As long as you stay within the line ratings when spooling up, I see no reason it wouldn't work. If that's a moderate action blank, you may end up with a really good rod for small cranks. If it's a fast action, you just might end up the ultimate finesse plastics baitcasting rig. In either case, it sounds like it would be fun to fish with, if you're into light line fishing. Like flechero said, you can make anything you want. I say go for it. Cheers, GK By the way, Alpster, BPS makes 6'9" ML baitcasting rod in their Pro Lite finesse line. I just got one. Paired it up with a JM reel with 8lb test Transition, and have been using it for lightly weighted tubes and unweighted Super Flukes. I like it so far, but I've only got to use it twice. The jury's still out on that one. Not getting in your face, mind you. Just passing it along. I would not dream of trying to start an argument with you. GK

In no particular order; X-Rap, 1/4oz spinnerbait, Super fluke and 4" Senko. I tend to start out with the X-Rap or spinnerbait, and then slow down if necessary. Cheers, GK

I used Gammy's for everything until last year. Tried some Owner cutting edge, and they are easier to set. I still use Gammy's because Owner does not have all the shapes and sizes I want. I also use Sugoi's, Mustad, Daiichi, and some others. If Owner made some light wire hooks, I might not use any other brand. Cheers, GK

HYPE, I've noticed no difference using red hooks. I buy red Gammy EWG's because they're usually a buck or so cheaper than the regular ones, in a 25 pack. If they cost more, I'd never buy them. And, neither red hooks nor red line "disappear" in deep water. They just stop looking red and start looking black. A little demonstration of the power of advertising. Cheers, GK

I use mostly 1/4oz and 3/8oz spinnerbaits. A jig trailer, something that looks like a craw, tends to overpower the bait, keeping it from running true at anything except crawling along the bottom, dead slow. I never use a trailer hook, but always use a trailer. Torn up power worms and flukes are my most used trailer baits. Cheers, GK

Thanks for the tip. I've been looking at those, just haven't bought any yet. I was thinking they looked like good hooks for tubes. Cheers, GK

Weightless plastics are great for weeds or brush. Rigged tex-posed, they are almost impossible to hang up, if you fish them slowly. And, you have to fish them slowly. Weightless straight tailed worms and Super Flukes are a couple of my go-to baits for weeds. Pull them through the tops of the weeds, and let them sink into any holes or pockets, then let them fall along the outside edge. Garnet is right, ( and funny ) you won't catch much up on the bank. But, try thowing one up on the bank and creep it into the water. At times, this is deadly. Did I mention fishing it slowly. Cheers, GK

You'd probably be OK using that 5/8oz bait on the rod rated for up to 1/2oz. You'll run into problems at 1oz and above. You'll have to lob it, and won't be as accurate as you're accustomed to. Going under the lure weight rating will not hurt anything except you. You will wear yourself out trying to throw an 1/8oz bait on a rod rated for 1/4oz and up. Again, your accuracy will also suffer. Cheers, GK

I don't own a Revo, so I can't comment on it. I do own six Quantum PT's, three spinning and three baitcasters. All six have performed flawlessly. I dont' know where the bad rap on Quantum originated. I've had very good experience with their PT series reels. I also have a few old Abu's that still work after twenty years of use. Are they as smooth as my new reels? Of course not, they never were. But they still work. Abu's have a well deserved reputation for longevity. I don't think you'd go wrong with either choice. Cheers, GK

I use two setups for t-rigging. A 7' MH fast action Quantum Tour Edition rod with Energy PT reel, spooled with 14lb test Transition for > 1/4oz weights and larger plastics. And a 6'3" MH fast action Team Daiwa Light & Tough rod, Energy PT reel, spooled with 12lb Transition for lighter weights and smaller plastics. Cheers, GK

I have one those Raul put up; the one on the bottom. I always put my rods in this when travelling. I take the reels off the rods. They don't really fit well in the case. I know it's designed to hold the rods with reels attached, but in reality, it just doesn't work. I also wrap the tips of the rods in a towel before inserting them in the tube. On a long trip, the tips rattling around in the tube drives me crazy. Cheers, GK

The rat's nests are caused by loose loops of line on the spool. Lion twist aggravates the problem. You can't do much about the twist, except what has been already mentioned. You can get rid of the loops. At the end of the cast, just as the bait hits the water, extend your index finger on your rod hand down to touch the spool edge. This will hold the line is place as you raise the rod tip. Close the bail by hand as you raise the rod tip. This will prevent the loop from forming in the spool. With a little practice, this becomes automatic. Did I mention, close the bail by hand. Do not crank the handle to close the bail. Cheers, GK

I have three rods and two reels from BPS. All were on sale, and all have been good performers. For the prices, BPS gear is hard to beat. Cheers, GK

Thta was awesome. Now I'm wondering why I don't fish lizards.

That's an interesting concept. I'd like to hear your results. I'm betting somebody here has experimented, and knows what type of media to use. Cheers, GK

Thanks, Glenn, for the clarification. I've already stated my position on subscription, so I won't repeat it. Cheers, GK

I just noticed the thread at the top of this section of the forum on political/religious topics. I wish I had noticed it a bit earlier. I posted a joke in this section that was both religious and political. It did not poke fun at anybody's religious beliefs, but did hit politically. I checked back to see if anybody else thought it was funny, and found it gone. I realize now I was in violation of the rules, and I'm sorry. I won't do it again. If I offended anyone, I am truly sorry. Gary

GotOne, listen to what the fish were telling you. You went two hours with a tube for one bite, then caught a fish on a crank. That's telling you to put something in the water that they can find. It's hard for fish to find a tube in muddy water. You'd have to hit "em in the head with it. The crank makes some noise and puts out vibrations that the fish can track in on. When you catch a fish, ask yourself, what was I doing. How deep, how fast, what kind of retrieve, where in relation to the bottom or cover. When you get bit, that's the fish telling you he liked what you were doing. Analyze, and repeat. Learn something new every time you go out, and soon you'll be better. Do this consistantly, and soon you'll be better than most. Cheers, GK

Agree with Chris. Sometimes they're hot, some times they're not. Small ones 2 - 2 1/2 inches long are the best. I've never really paid attention to color. Maybe I should, eh? I use a small octopus hook, right though the snoot, and no weight. I also smash the claws with a pair of pliers. I was on a kick a few years ago, just fishing dads, big minnows ( chubs ) and small bluegill, for big bass. The middle of Illinois is not big bass heaven, so I got out of that mode after just a couple of years. Crawdads were my best producer during that time. Cheers, GK

I haven't been to Shelbyville yet this year for crappie, but a lot of guys go up the river arms this time of year. I just talked to a guy this morning. He said the water temps last week were in the low 60's, but are now in the high 40's. There will be warmer water coming in from the creeks, and at this time of the year, that's where to be. I haven't tried this myself, just passing along what I was told. Cheers, GK

Yeah, but is it better than a San Croix?

Glad to hear all's well with you and yours. I've missed your posts. Cheers, GK

Give me a short arm, with a colorado blade for the drop, and a long arm williow blade for fishing through weeds. Cheers, GK

I haven't made any in a long time, but I used to make a lot. I don't think there's any way to make jerky out of ground meat that looks like anything else. Sorry. I always sliced mine as thin as I could get it. I'd remove all the fat that I could, then put it in the freezer for a while. You want it almost, but not quite frozen. After a couple of attempts, you'll know what I'm talking about. Slice it across the grain, as thin as you can. I always used a marinade, not the dry rubs. One of my favorites was the simplest one I found. One bottle red wine, one bottle of worchestershire, one cup brown sugar, half cup salt and 1/4 cup black pepper. If I can find the exact recipe, I'll send it to you. No promises on that, I haven't done this in a while. Heat it just enough to get the sugar to dissolve, cool, and pour just enough over the meat strips to get it good and wet. You can save the rest of the marinade for quite a while in a jar in the frig.Leave the meat in the frig for at least 24 hours, stirring it about every now and then. Wring it out, getting the meat as dry as you can, pepper it to taste, then smoke it or just dehydrate it. Cheers, GK