.ghoti.

I think that Rusty Craw looks like a clear water smallmouth killer!

Expressing sarcasm via the printed word is a dicey proposition, at best. At least we now know you're a wise guy, and NOT an arsehole. LOL Welcome aboard.

Nice way to start post. "you suck....." That was uncalled for. Remind me to ignore everything you post from this point forward

Another vote for Pfleuger. I have a Supreme XT 30, an XT 25, and a Supreme 30. Any of those would be perfect for you. If you're really thinking about 12lb test line don't get the 25. But in reality, if you need 12lb test line, go with a casting reel.

Very Nice, Scott. Love to see it. Or, maybe not. I've already spent more on my little shop than I originally thought I would. Seeing yours could very well lead to a spending spree. LOL

If I encountered that thin out in the woods, I'd have to change out my skivvies.

I've never been to one of these events, but I'm hoping to be at the 2016 show. It's on my short list of things to do after retirement.

The original was around $270, if memory serves. All the variants were priced higher, so $300 for the new and improved version is not bad. If it is indeed new and improved. Speculate all you want, but the jury is still out on that one. I have four Zillions; three different versions, and all are great reels. Looking forward to handling one of the new ones.

I have more St Croix (7) than any other, so I guess they are my favorite. Next is Daiwa and Setyr(6ea). Everything else is a one of; Kistler, Airrus, Fenwick, Pinnacle and Dobyns. I like them all, except that Dobyns Champion. Don't like it at all. It's good for swatting snakes, and that's about it.

NFC blanks are for the most part out of my price range. Doesn't mean I wouldn't build one for somebody else, just not for myself. I'm very happy with the rods I've built on Immortal blanks, and will be building more of those for sure. Based on my experiences with them, I'd really like to try an Etermity blank, but NOT a blue one. HINT!

My best wishes for a speedy and successful recovery. I guess I don't have to tell YOU to take it slow and easy.

I wish you could have been there when we first started fishing it. It truly was trophy country.

Very nice. Me want one too.

My first three rods were built on "yard sale" blanks. Pre-shaped cork and EVA grips, and the cheapest reel seats and guides I could find. I stripped and re-wrapped all of them twice and one a third time. I spent almost nothing until I got most of the bugs worked out of my technique. Those "rods" are stashed away, never to see the light of day. Then I built a workbench, bought an Alps power wrapper, and got some "real" blanks and good components. Then another workbench, Rikon lathe, two Nova chucks for the headstock, two live centers and a phillips chuck for the tailstock, drill bits, turning tools, cork slicing jigs, mandrels and threaded rods. Now I can make my own grips. I salvaged a dehumidifier and got it put in place and running; bought a hepa filter and got it in place and running; and am now building a dust collection system. I need to get it finished before turning any more cork. And thinking about another workbench. I need to get this all done before I retire. Got a month.

I take two rods out when I'm using my yak. it has two rod holders; one behind the seat and one between my legs. I use the front holder when I'm unhooking a fish or rigging a bait. The rod I'm not using rests in the holder behind me. I could add more rod holders, but I like to keep it simple and down to a minimum when in the yak. Terminal tackle is is a small plano box which will fit in a shirt pocket. Soft plastics, in ziplok bags, go in a small maxpedition pack about the size of a side by side CD wallet. I typically take four or five of each of four or five soft plastic baits. A couple of jigs and a couple of spinnerbaits, a tube of megastrike, and the bag is full. line nipper on a lanyard around my neck and pliers on a lanyard attached to the front rod holder. That's it; a quick load in and launch, and a quick get out of dodge end to the trip. Which two combos and which baits are questions with day specific answers.

The matte version is why I'm interested. I really like the LTB rods I have, except the color. I like raw graphite best. Second best is the Rainshadow Immortal with the titanium chrome finish. I like those blanks enough I'd be willing to pay the extra for their Eternity line if I could get raw blanks. Really do not like that blue finish. The only reason I have several LTB rods is I got all them for about half price.

Congrats dude. And he!! yeah, that's way cooler than any tux.

I'd like to know that myself. I like my LTB rods.

Now that's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that? I have a bunch of those rigs I made up, but none anywhere near that heavy.

Do it all the time. I figure I'm talkin to the smartest guy around.

Scott makes some totally awesome grips. Take a peak at some of the threads he's started. Top shelf work!!

Scott, you're now going to be like the woman who has just bought a new "little black dress". It's time to accessorize. You ain't done spending money yet amigo.

Gotta agree with you Chop, it's a toss up between drop shot and c-rig for the most boring way to fish. The only thing worse than either is trolling, or not fishing at all.

Sweet! I'm gonna end up with one sometime in the near future.