coak

Thanks for the information guys. I'm going to be getting some covers in the future for sure! I'm also glad the salt water came up, as I am taking a trip to the gulf in May next year and want to do some in shore fishing as well as freshwater.

Is there really a perceptible, noticeable difference b/w these mag framed reels and say an alum framed reel? I really like the Okuma Helios Air and it is priced nicely for a mag frame, but wonder if it can take the punishment that my alum frames take. I'm not hard on my gear, but I do have to cut through woods to get to some spots because I dont have a boat or yak. I've accidentally tripped a couple of times and once had a reel take a dive on a boulder as I was trying to catch myself. I took most of the impact, but the reel was definitely rashed up afterwards. Would a magnesium based reel just scratch up as well, or could there potentially be more damage? I'm just completely ignorant at the stress levels different alloys can take. Any info on the frames themselves or the Helios reel would be much appreciated. Coak

I use a military medic bag I took when I got out of the Army. I'm also thinking of using an older alice pack without the frame for more storage in the future when I'm fishing out of my buddies boat. The medic bags are designed perfectly for me to wade the river and have my stuff slung over one shoulder for quick access and easy grabbing.

My question now is what application is ideal for this stick? I do a lot of turn and burn fishing w/spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and lipless cranks. Will it be able to ideally handle these techniques?

So I was in a local secondhand store looking for something else, when I notice a black fishing rod that looked new with tags. Upon further inspection it was a 6'6" MH/F Diawa Zillion! It did not have a price tag so I decided to go ask the young guy working how much it was. I was hoping it would be around $100 or $120. I bring the rod to the guy and he says "I'm not a fishing type guy and know nothing about this rod......how does $35 sound. I didn't even hesitate to grab my card, text my wife while the purchase was going through to tell I found a 'gift' that would be from her and promptly walked out after getting the receipt. After the purchase, the guy says, "I'm curious now because you look excited, exactly what do these retail for?" So I give him the ball park figure, even with them being on sale at tw. The guys bottom jaw literally dropped open and he said, "man you got one great deal then". My only response was 'yeah thanks'. I can't believe I was able to get this rod for this cheap, but it just goes to show you never know when and where you might come across some great gear at a great price.

^x2......only time I worry about anything more powerful than a medium is dependent upon heavy vegetation/structure and species if not fishing for smallies

I'm thinking of running a fluke or "shad" soft plastic as a trailer? Will this effect the lure getting up on plane at all or having problems with the retrieve not coming straight in?

I had an older convergence. At 6'6" the ML/F rod was phenomenal at casting 1/8 oz lures. I wish I wouldn't have broken the tip of this rod. I used it to fish anything from baby torpedoes, in-line spinners, spinnerbaits and small cranks and lipless cranks. I was able to land numerous 4 and 5+ lb smallies on it.

Excellent.........guess I didn't search well enough. Thank you. Coak

Hey guys I couldn't find any other threads talking about this lure and was just curious as to how people have fared when using it. I picked a fire tiger colored one at gander tonight for like $2 and am excited at the prospect of throwing this thing near some moss. Again, I 'm just curious as to how people have done using this lure and if there are any "tweaks" to be made out of the package, such as bending the hooks up a little like with some frogs. Thanks, Coak

I was able to piece together a cheaper combo by finding an old Bass Pro ProLite PLS10HA reel and a 6'6" ML/F Bass Pro Crankin' Stick. All in I think I have about $90 wrapped up into it

They are the 'Parent' company that owns a lot of manufacturers I believe such as Abu and others

My go to is the Shyster made by Luhr Jensen. These get on track so fast and in a swift moving river current at that. A really underused/underrated lure with bass fishermen IMO.

Why doesn't Duckett list the specs or range on their rods as far a power rating, lure rating, line rating, etc?

Your best bet may be to take your question over to the tacklemaking forum and see what some of those guys have to say. They may be able to provide you some better insight.

I've heard good things about the fenwick elite tech's. If you could possibly find an older shimano crucial...the ones with the cork grips, they'd be spot on as well. What are you wanting to do with the rod? If you're a bank beater and will cutting through brush/wood you may fancy a solid 2 piece as well.

^x2......need at least what you want to throw and what weights

Length is very subjective. I personally like b/w a 6' and 6'6" rod. The action should be fast at the minimum. A 7.x:1 reel may be fine; however I find that when walking a dog, frog, or chug bug, I really prefer a 6.x:1 reel.

I have a Tour KVD and its smooth. I have no experience with the reel to which you're asking about specifically. However, I will be honest and tell you up front that I own several Quantums, and no dis to the brand at all, but I highly recommend coming into this brand at $150 and up to guard against QC issues. Look around on the interweb, fleabay and some others and you can find good reels. The older Tour Edition goes for $150-160 nib on fleabay, and although it is a heavier reel it is a real workhorse and will do anything you need it to as long as you maintain it.

The problem is more of the many, many options for this price range. At right around $100 you'll find stuff from from just about every manu with a few exceptions like anything made with Gary Loomis' name or Dobyns. You'll just have to get out to a tackle shop, take the reel you plan on using and mount it on the rod in store to see what feels natural and right in YOUR hand. I own frankentackle and have no real preference for one brand over another, and a lot of my rods are right around the $100 mark or less. Comfort is the main thing, especially if you plan on spending lots of time on the water.

As mentioned earlier, I wonder what kind of impact BASS/FLW watching has on the avg angler? I realize that not everything can be attributed to tv and the pros, but how is a kid or novice angler going to know if he sees opposite rules/ways of boating fish. I for one do not like televised BASS or MLF episodes as it promotes an unhealthy way to boat fish.

I use m/f &mh/f rods for them. What type of line do you run with spinners? I use straight mono for the stretch to compensate as I too have experienced this problem.

^^^^^x2........or buy a quality used reel, rod or combo

You want a cheaper, solid, reliable Quantum? Get an older Tour Edition--either the older blue one or the chrome finish. Both can be had for $100 or less and in my humble opinion are a great reel for the dough! A real workhorse of the Quantum reel lineup.

Mine has some......but because of the surburbanites' fascination with running, that's mostly what the stores carry other than other sports parents can blow money on for their kids.