Mike L

Thank You all for replying and for all the suggestions and comments. I'll be exchanging the Mojo thats for sure and trying a few of the models you guys posted with the reel attached. Sam, you're exactly right. I have to bring everything I have with me and some of the boaters get a little surly when a co angler brings 6 rods a tackle bag, small sandwhich cooler, rain gear etc. But it's thier boat and they set the rules. Anyway, I'll play with a few of them at Gander Mtn and then try BPS in Ft. Myers which will have a much bigger inventory and closer to home. If the rod is a little off I'll just deal with it but I hoped to find something that is not only as comfortable as possible to use but more importantly a rod that I won't have to fight all day, especially since this will be my first baitcaster. Thanks again Mike

I've been use spinning rods for everything since I was a kid [which is a loooong time ago] It's what I learned on, what I feel comfortable with, it's all I know. Tounament fishing has been on my bucket list for years. Since I joined a club as a co angler, [looking at a Z6 now] a whole new world opened up. Since I found this site and others last year reading everything I can, and talking to other folks in the club it became apparent rather quickly that it was about time even in my old age, to learn as fast as I can to use a baitcasting reel. Our next tourn is on Big O and my boater told me that we will be flipping and pitching all day. I've been doing that now with a spinning rod and doing fair but I know it's not ideal. So today I bought a 7' 6" MH Mod Fast St. Croix Mojo rod that the dept manager at Gander MT reccomended. It really seemed to me like a pool cue, and I thought the tip was little too soft for pitching, but I bought it anyway. I bought a Quantum Accurist PT reel last week because it has a flipping switch and left hand reel. Since I was there on business, (I live 150 miles farther south] I didn't have it with me..BIG MISTAKE!!! Anyway when I got home and matched them up, it is way too tip heavy for my likeing, the balance seems way off. Sooooo, I'm taking a road trip sometime this week, WITH THE REEL!! and find something else. Maybe a 7 footer, [don't want to go any shorter] Seaching the site for opinions that you guys give each other, I think the majority like the Avid, Veritas, Vendetta and Dobyns [they don't have any] and a few others. Also it seems most of you like Heavy or Med Heavy but with a fast action instead of a mod fast like the Mojo. Am I right in all that? Since I'm a co angler and fish a lot of grass lakes in south and central Fla. [big O, Toho, Kissimmeee and Harris chain, Istopoka etc.] I'm limited in the amount of rods to bring. Versatility is key. I know this is a lot to read but I thought I needed to explain why I'm asking a question. Thanks for reading and your thought's Mike

I just got the BPS front loader stalker bag. As a co angler I have to bring everything with me, and this thing can do just that. I love the divided compartment on the top and the external tool holder. The front loader is different but not that big of a deal. The color is kinda funky but what the heck. Only thing tho, this sucker can get heavy. Mike

Thanks Guy's The lakes I fish most Big O, Toho, Kissimmee chain, etc. in Florida all have a mix of heavy and light cover in many areas and flipping and pitching are allmost allways a part of the day. I think I'll pass on the 2 piece, don't want to lose anything. Thanks Mike

Guys I read here someplace that your worm / jig rod should be the most expensive rod in your arsenal. If comfort but more importantly sensitivity, is key to that statement I agree. I never owned a dedicated flipping/piching rod. I've tryed it a few times with a spinning rod and I must say I'm pretty good at it, but obviously useing a baitcaster is the much better way to go. One of the guys in my club has an older 7 ft M/H fast Compre rod that he will sell me but it is a 2 piece. I've been struggling with getting a new 7' 6" Heavy or Med Heavy / fast rod to use. I bought a Quantum PT with a flipping switch that I'm gonna pair it up to. My question... How much feel do you think is lost in a 2 piece vs a 1 piece? Would a heavy action rod vs a med heavy for flipping, [but mostly pitching] be a better choice? The added cost for buying new is not an issue. Thanks Mike

Agreed. I however use floro leader material when tying on. 6 ft leader is plenty. Mike

I just picked up the front loading XPS bag from bps. It's not too wide, not too long, but it is TALL. It holds everything I have which I need as a co angler which makes it VERY heavy. But I do like all the features tho Mike

Double Uni Mike

I was told the same by the staff at bps just yesterday! Mike

I Love the garlic! All us Sicilian's do! ;D

Never used it. Mike

Garlic on the plastics and the pasta! ;D Mike

Skinny Dipper...Hands down! Mike

The video says to wrap about 5 or 6 times.... 10 to 15 is what I've read here more than once. Mike

Been useing spinning since I was kid. I'm learning to throw a bc now, but it's not coming along too well right now. Mike

Thanks Guy's. Good advise, thats what I was looking for. Mike

HiYa. A local shop down here has a Fenwick Techna AV [AVS 70MM] 7ft med/med spinning rod rated at 1/8 -5/8 oz, 4-12 lb line that I'm thinking of getting for cranks and jerk baits. This line was discontinued 2 yrs ago, but at that time it was Fenwick's top of line model. ( I called Fenwick) New it retailed for 225.00, I can get it for 150.00. It feels great with a Smyetre 3000 FJ reel. What do you guy's think? I never owned a Fenwick, and I hardly ever see them mentioned here, but I'm told they make a very good product up there with the St Croix and Dobyns. True? Do you think this rod is worth it. Thanks for any feed back at all Mike

I have the 3000 also. I think its the perfect size to do what ever you want. I have it on a 6 6 MH rod that I've been useing to PITCH with until I get my new baitcaster and figure out how to use it! Mike

Favorite soft plastic? Mike

Without a dought... How to fine tune my equipment for different types of presentations and conditions. [not done yet] Mike

IMHO, Best darn flipping and pitching bait there is. Mike

I'd just be repeating what most everyone else has said. Mike

When I first started to use the Super Flukes I remember thinking "Man these things take a long time to sink, I better weigh it down a little" then BAM!! No weight, just a little patience Mike

I looked at that at the store and it IS very big! As a co-angler I wanted something a little smaller but still hold everything. I ordered the front loader one, but its on back order. Mike

Braid on my spinning gear [which is all I use] with a Floro leader for everything but cranks which I use co poly on. I have will have Floro or braid on my only baitcaster that I'm learning to use that will be on my fipping stick when I get it, [haven't decieded yet what to get] I got pretty good pitching a spinning rod but I need the mussel. Mike