Pete-K

Been busy but here's a Picture of the 49 lb flat head caught on this rod. Now its not a good Picture and does not do justice to the fish. But its the best I could get with my Cell Phone. Also I had both hands in this ones mouth that is how wide the fish was. And both hands did not fill its mouth up, when I grabbed it to brag it into the boat.

Sure feel for who ever gets stuck in the back of the boat. LOL 2 Power poles or the Talon's and the 360. Sure take up the whole back of the boat.

Nice fish, I went to buy minnows, But the guy in front of me has cleaned them out of the bigger size minnows. so I got some smaller ones and went to the lake. Pete

You buy this at MSRP $1,999.00 and download the update for the older units and your set. Not sure where these guys are going to put this. That has a power poles on the back LOL

But they did tell this guy, it woudl have to be tested to make sure it was not a Fl bass. Heres the rules for Tn. http://www.tn.gov/twra/fish/FishRec_PDF/FishApplication.pdf Also if the from TWRA was in nashville its 2.5 hours one way. Thus this guy was not going to take a chance on killing the fish just for a record.

$200 per scale is not that bad to have them certified. My wife has 9 sets that get it each year. They should have one set in each county . But then again it does not matter, as they were going to have to do a DNA test fin cliping and scale. Wonder who did all this on the World Record fish? Thinking about getting mine certified and have them in the boat inside a good water proof case. Just for that new Record I will have within the next year.

Ken I agree, Plus the bad part is. A good mount is not going to hold up as good as a Fiberglass is. If it's a state record or World record I have not made my mind up if Its going back or be certified. But you can bet if it's not plenty of pictures and weight along with measurements is all its getting. In one day around 1987 I had the pleasure of catching a 8 lb 2 oz largemouth and a 7 lb small mouth both were released. No pictures just there weights and memory. Year ago Jan my wife caught a TN River Blue catfish it was around 100 lbs it was released without a weight. But was not going to take a chance of killing it to find new battery's and get a weight. Forgot to say, this guy also fishes Tournaments. Would have thought he would not have killed that fish. Yes I know one of them that was in the boat when that record fish was caught. This is 4 over 10 lbs within the last 3 weeks. Man there on fire

Local guy caught a 13+ lb Large Mouth on the 3 arm rig, Bad part is hes getting it mounted. But then again not many going to catch a bass that big. He works at one of the plants my wife works at one day per week. She told me this am about it, I will try to get a picture of it also. I fear were going to be seeing many big fish falling for these rigs. But also its going to take someone that knows the lake to start with along with where to fish it. Talked with a guy yesterday he had 8 fish the best 5 were 28 Lbs plus off the rig and that was by lunch... Sure wish I had not run out of 100XD in the ETec as I was going to a favorite spot yesterday. But did not get out on the main lake when the buzzer went off. Pete

Wish all my rods were Tn handle rods. I have way better feel also, as the reel is touching the blank. Pete

I plan on being below the dam or above it not sure yet. But will be bass fishing one of those Monday. If you need a ride let me know. Pete

Have one on my phone. Will try to get it to my Email where I can post it. Not my biggest catfish and sure not the biggest put in my boat. a year ago we got this one Wish I had someone in the boat on this one. But without my Video camara could not take a pictuer of the Flat head with my phone. Pete

Took a New Rod to do a review on, Berkley Lighting Rod Shock 7ft Med Action SHS701M Line weigh of 4lb to 12 lb and weights of 1/4 oz to 3/4 oz. Spinning rod. Thoughts was after seeing so much about $300 dollar rods, To test this one out and see how well it does. So put an extra reel I had on hand Okuma STG-15 and STG 20. Started out with the 15, the foot on this reel is not big enough for this rod. So reached back and dug out he ST20. Loaded with 8 lb test line and a 3/4 oz flat head Sauger jig Using a Long John minnow on these for a trailer. Caught a few Sauger(Limit of 10), Rod did great at feeling all that was going on down 40ft deep and in current. Allowing me to feel each fish with ease, even those bites that feel more like a leaf then a hit. After 7 Sauger I have a hit I know is not a Sauger, Its that old Head shake of a Big Flat head Catfish. Get this big boy to the surface then its back to the bottom in 40ft of water, This goes on 3 times. Each time this cheap $40.00 Rod and $18. Reel did there job with ease, drag worked well with the bend of the rod each time this brute wanted to run and head to the depths again and again. After about 7 minutes of this fight I get him coming up again, so I slip on a cotton glove to grab this fish by the jaw and drag it into the Lund. Get the fish back to the surface this time and I hate to say it but i had to take a breather knowing the fish was also getting one. Now if I had only done as well as the rod at handling this 49 lb fish I would have been a good day. So long story short put this rod to a test way more then it was ever designed to work with. Did it pass the test? Yes with flying colors it did the job and more. A limit of Sauger that did not hit hard but this rod allowed me to feel each hit with ease. Pro's---- Under $40 dollar price tag for a rod that feels great in the hand, whipped fish in shape with ease. Good looks and made for Both Braid and mono lines. Good backbone, and runs about 1/3 ways up the rod. Tip has a well formed curve when loaded up with a good fish, but it does the job its deigned to do. Fight the fish for you and help land that fish. Con's--- Could use a better reel seat for a wider use of smaller reels with small feet. Why put a chrome tip on this rod? Don't know but it does make you see the tip but don't like it. I will be useign this one also for Drop shotting along with Split shotting live minnow for small mouth. Plans are to test as many rods as I can afford to buy this year, using them for Pickwick Small Mouth bass, White bass, Crappie and what ever I can hook up with them. Then report the Good bad and ugly of each one of them. Pete PS. I will say I'm not getting anything of of doing this other then finding out the info for my self. No one is paying me for this in anyway . Paided for the rod with my own Cash. So if it works I tell you if not I will also tell you.

Is that with a Tournament Load? With a limit of fish and water in the wells? This one was in a Tournament, and still hit 80 GPS. Also if and when I do get one, It will sure have the SHO hanging off the back. That or nuclear powered LOL But then again I don't care for the fast speed, If it will run 60 MPH I would be more then happy. Plus for the most part run it 45 or so 95% of the time. There is times you need speed but most time I'm happy with my 40 MPH Lund now.

I bought the 987 SI not long after they came out, I will tell you these units open up a new world of fishing for the owners. I have the 987C-Si on back and a Matrix 97 up frount. Now the only issue I have with the Humminbirds is you have to be moving .7 MPH for the GPS to show you moving. Makes it hard when trying to stay over a spot and fish, Like with Drop Shoting. Not sure how the other units do on this. Plus if you run 2 units they each have to have the SI they will not share the SI like the other unit does. Still not sure if I will go with a HDS-7 and HDS-8 next round or not. Pete

Guess I need to go after them. I made up a rig like this back around 1987. Fished a few local tournaments using it, caught fish and won 2 with it. But it was a hassle to fish, so as with a few other ideals I had. Never did anything with it, But guess i can tell them being I has it first they need to pay me so much for each they sold LOL HAHAH HEHEE

Part of my issues is, 7 stents and a bad back plus cancer. So been rode hard and put up wet. Last Round of Med-Dose pack or Steoilds put 20 lbs on me in 2 weeks. I hate these things but they do get me back to moving. I had been down foro 5 months. Even to the point I did not driver for 3 months. Just not getting back to where I can walk again 4 times per day. Meds for my heart also add weight. So I'm fighting a battle that is hard to beat. But I will get below 200 again or die fat. Pete

Don't test ride in one. I mean DO NOT..... If you do, Your hooked . I don't own one yet. But went last spring and took the plant tour, and even got to see one yesterday in town. There nice and so far I have not heard anyone that does not like there rough water ride. Plus the local Pro here that has New 2012 721 told me yesterday his hit 80 MPH and had a pic of the GPS with it doing it. I think my wife may kill me, but within the next 3 years or so, I will have one of these. Pete

TWRA also Shocked up a 16 lb 15 oz Large mouth a while back also. Less than two weeks ago one lake in particular was verified as the site of a lunker tipping the scales at 16-pounds, 15-ounces. And where is this fertile fishery located where the big hog sleeps? Tn has plenty of big fish. I know one lake that there is double digit fish caught all winter long.

Anywhere within 50 miles of Pickwick Dam. Best of both worlds.. New State Record large Mouth turned back a couple of weeks ago above Pickwick Dam. And the World Record Small Mouth bass is near the dam also. Pete

Shoot I'm building up for hard times. Figure I can go a month without food. I was 185 lbs and 6ft 2 for years. Then after they cut on my back I dropped down to 6ft 1" and up to 220. After way to many years of not being able to walk to help burn off the food. I jumped to 260. Right now down to 252 and still working on it. Last trip to my heart doctor, His words were if you don't get down under 200 lbs your not going to live many more years... So I have way to much to live for, Like seeing the grand kids growing up. Plus way to many days on the water left. Pete

If I can't feel everything the bait is hitting, I sure can't feel the fish. Now those Fish in West Va may kill the bait all the time. But here our Small Mouth bass most time, you do not feel a hit. Its just pressure. Same with my other fishing, I out fish most people evey trip if there using those old broom sticks that only allow them to cast and reel. Not feeling everthing that bait is doing. But that is what is great about our sport and country. You have the right to use what you want, thus I have the right to use what I want and If I out fish you with a better rod. Well it just may be I'm a better fisherman then you . Or the rod did it. As long as we both love what were doing, It does not matter about how much our tackle cost.

Guys what can we do, when we do catch that record fish. Other then release it and forgo the record? Just like the new State Record that was caught at Pickwick the end of Jan. When TWRA offcers told him there was a good chance the fish would not make it. He would not kill the 14.58 lb largemough for the record. They got a TWRA biologist on the line and he informed them that to certify the catch as a state record they would need blood samples, certified scales, 2 witnesses, dorsal fin clippings, and more to document the catch. In short, they felt the fish would have to die to provide the evidence of the catch being a state record. There has to be a better way of doing this, Rather then killing a big fish. I know a guy that had the new World Record Blue Catfish a few years back. But he would not kill it to get it weighed and then certified for the record. Anyone that has been thorough this process? That can help out with what is best to do in keeping the fish alive? Pete

For me I use the SI on my Humminbird to find the beds. Then also see the fish in the beds. last year i found fish on beds you would never see with any glasses or anything else. As they were bedding up in 7 ft of water and lots of them. You can bet I will be keeping an eye on these spots. Pete

Man I'm blessed, Never had to put my boat up for the winter. Fished 3 days last week and 1 so far this week. And 4 next week, and waters still 47 degrees..

Your going to wear that fishes mouth out LOL Looks about like the same bass from the 17th. But they keep on feeding and with a good bait they will keep eating it.