SeanW

Good place to start.

My Orvis three layer fleece fingerless gloves have arrived. They are very nice and will serve well here in Nor Cal. Usually if its raining temps are in the 50's. If its clear it can be a bit colder and the gloves will work great.

Two main things Id suggest for starters, first is become very versatile. You need to be good at many techniques for catching fish. Second is finding fish and good fish. This will require electronics and the skills to read and understand em. Spend as much time on the water as possible, even if its walking a local pond. I see no need to be intimidated as I dont see it as shocking at all. Personally Ive fished several tournaments that were well over 200 boats, I find it alot of fun. That said I guess I should add that you need to not only find alot of good fish, but ya gotta know how to manage em. I excel at multi day events, others are 1 day wonders. Bradley Roy? Age is not the issue. Most people can catch fish, but locating em is a different story. Personally I think you need a bit more tournament experience. However if you are a natural it will come easy for you.

Just found it, the HMX is IM7.

State-of-the-art Carbon Veil technology in the world's original graphite rod. The classic, comfortable rods Fenwick® is famous for. When designing the HMG® series, we took a unique approach. Instead of building it action-specific, it's application-specific. The correct action for the proper application. With more than 30 models, you'll find everything from slow to fast actions tailored to their proper use. Exclusive Carbon Veil technology produces a 100 percent high-modulus graphite blank that's lightweight and sensitive. Includes Fuji Hardloy® guides and Fuji reel seats. That comes from the site. I cant find any specifics on their web site. However Ive fished fenwick for many years. I never fished an Elite Tech, but I do have the previous version of the rod. Ive always found them to be of good quality, very durable and dependable rods. They are easy to deal with on warranty issues. Id assume they are comparable to the other Pure Fishing lines of rods. All Star, Abu Garcia, Pflueger.

I just picked up a bunch of Dirty Jigs, very nice jig. Cant wait to head back up to Berryessa and give em a go.

I been there myself. I think it can easily creep in and we dont even realize it. The good news is you can tone it back by learning to relax a bit. Ive found that I am actually fishing better and enjoying it more now that Ive curbed the obsession. Balance is close by. My wife used to get ticked because all I would talk about was fishing. Now we talk little about it, but when we do she is interested. Doesnt mean Im not still obsessed, just that there is more balance now. I found getting back to some of the other things I used to enjoy helped.

I been there myself. I think it can easily creep in and we dont even realize it. The good news is you can tone it back by learning to relax a bit. Ive found that I am actually fishing better and enjoying it more now that Ive curbed the obsession. Balance is close by. My wife used to get ticked because all I would talk about was fishing. Now we talk little about it, but when we do she is interested. Doesnt mean Im not still obsessed, just that there is more balance now. I found getting back to some of the other things I used to enjoy helped.

I been there myself. I think it can easily creep in and we dont even realize it. The good news is you can tone it back by learning to relax a bit. Ive found that I am actually fishing better and enjoying it more now that Ive curbed the obsession. Balance is close by. My wife used to get ticked because all I would talk about was fishing. Now we talk little about it, but when we do she is interested. Doesnt mean Im not still obsessed, just that there is more balance now. I found getting back to some of the other things I used to enjoy helped.

I own both. I do like the Stradic better, but I cant say it fish's any better. It is much lighter. I think the longevity is the real difference. Over years of use the Stradic is holding up better. That said I have switched over to the Abu Garcia Soron and Revo's.

There is a article on ice jigs in Bassmaster magazine in the current or new issue. I have not seen it yet but I heard about it because its by 2 California anglers.

I know this is likely to be based on what part of the country you are in. So lets have it. Since Im usually doing this on the California Delta I have 2. For flipping the tules and wood my favorite is a green pumpkin brush hog. For punching I use a RI Double Wide Beaver in either California 420 or Sprayed Grass. I almost always use a Punch Skirt with the rig, the winter time is the exception.

Im a fan of the Powell but the Dobyns is also a great rod in the 702 spinning. Ive caught numerous fish over 8lbs on this rod.

Im sure it is. I have no need for another frog rod since I love the Powell and find it to be perfect. But from the construction of the punch rod Id have to assume that all the rods are gonna be good. Boom Boom knows froggin so Id feel confident with it.

First off Ill let you know that I have only fished one model. The model I fished is the Bub Tosh Punch Rod. First lets talk about the build of the rod. Its built tough, as Im sure its use has alot to do with it. Its a punch rod, meant to handle heavy 2oz weights, and pulling fish out of the thickest nastiest stuff. Its designed for fishing with 65 to 85lb braid. The rod is built tough and it is a tough rod. Im pushing that fact because it is not the lightest rod, not even close. Second Ill talk about the action. Bub knows punching very well. He has used many different rods over the years, and this is what he has come up with. The action is perfect! There is no other rod with better action for punching then the iRod, period. I have no ties with iRod, matter of fact I have a rod sponsor and iRod is not it. When pitching and flipping a 2oz weight, this rod is awesome(its great with a 1.5 oz also). Very accurate and easy to control that heavy weight. The rod bends a long ways down the rod, its referred to as a slow medium, it is not whippy at all. The rod is meant to contol the big bait, and control big fish in heavy cover, without ripping the bait out of the fish. It does all of this very well. The action also gives you a bit more time to react to the bites, as it will bend some. Sensitivity? Id say its fine here to. Its not the most sensitive rod, its a rod meant for throwing big baits. Typically fish crush the bait when punching, and leave little doubt. However I was able to feel the few subtle bites very easily. So Id have to say its a great rod, and the best Punch rod Ive fished. (yes Ive fished most all of em, not the Kistler though). If you can get over the weight of the rod its a real benefit to have in ones arsenal. Just remember the iRods are technique specific, and this is a extreme heavy duty rod. I decided to keep this rod as my heavy punch rod. I use a Powell 7105 for my other punching and heavy flipping. Neither of my rod making sponsors make a Punch rod for this heavy stuff. I have yet to fish any of the other iRods as Im by the Cal Delta and I punch and flip alot. I am curious about them, thats just how I am. I try alot of different rods just to satisfy my curiosity. I also know that they have great customer service. Every technique specific rod was designed by a "Stick". If their other rods are as well designed Id have to say they have a great line up. Hope this helps.

I have one, Ill write it up when Im off the phone.

Martens live wells quit working. Here in California we have 6 hr tournaments in the summer, from june 15th to sept 15th. Its greatly reduced fish care problems as we are off the water by 1pm. Kinda sucks from an angler stand point, but its better for the fish I use Catch and Release. That said Id hope that if Rejuvinade was harmful it would not be on the market. Its in my partners boat and Ive never seen our fish with pink gills.

I found a Zara Spook in great condition hanging on a tree limb a few weeks ago. I'll give it a go next spring - hope I can "walk-the-dog" and nab a few fish! I love value, and a bait that cost me $0, and catches a fish, is the ultimate value ... ;D A Zara Spook and Spook Jr are my go to top water baits. Summer 2009 I had a 38lb sack in 28 minutes all on a Spook Jr. I was fishing it fast enough that it would pop out of the water about 3 inchs.

I use Megastrike and Hot Sauce.

my circulation is great due to riding a bicycle alot, but the arthritis is a killer.

Mono does not float. It simply does not sink at the rate of fluorocarbon. I throw some top water with mono and can tell you it does sink.

I cant, or atleast I dont really care that much about the weight that much. Most quality reels are light enough. Ive used some Diawa Excelor's 4000 series in the past. I care more about line capacity and castability. However drag system has become important because of lost fish in the past. Hence the Abu and Pflueger reels with the carbon matrix drags.

Actually the Revo and Ci4 are lighter then the Steez. According to Cabelas anyway. 7.0 7.0 and 7.1

Its all about the hook set. Maybe that why I love Big Game line. I have a vicious hook set on casting gear. When I use braid(which I do) it tends to injure my shoulder. Everybody is different when it comes to hook sets so ya gotta fish what works for you. For me I use braid for punching(but not always), frogs and other top waters. The Yozuri is great line.

dependable drag system(Abu Garcia)