Chad L

I learned that the fisherman that make it to that level and to fish the Classic have absolutely earned it. I really like the time frame that they have gone to as it really separates those that have earned being there from those that have not. The willingness to refine your tactics to the temperature and climate, utilize new skills and tactics, catch fish when a majority of the fishermen and woman would struggle tremendously. Removing most of the comfort level makes for a much more exciting venue. The average fisherperson can catch fish when the temps/environment is good and I would rather see adverse conditions that cause the fishers to "work" for it. Excitement is what brings most of us to this sport.

Put a little mold release agent on the wire or drill bit and it will come out easily once the lead has cooled. I use some made by Frankford Arsenal in the spray can. I use it on all my molds as well and it works much better than smoking the mold with a candle. I get nice smooth pours even when I do 15# downrigger balls.

1. Base coat white on entire bait 2. Transparent Gold about half way down the body 3. Light black about 1/3 down the back and on the centerline of the back 4. take an old scrubby thing from the shower, preferably not your wifes, and cut into usable squares 3-4" long and a couple inches wide. Drape it over the entire bait and hold in place with alligator clips. Paint over the black area with Olive green, fairly light coat no need to over do-it. Let it set up before removing the netting or you will pull the paint off. (I normally heat soak each color with a hair dryer, being careful because the netting will shrink if it get too hot) remove netting. 5. Using an old toothbrush, again not your wife's or GF's. add some black paint and flick it on the sides until you get the desired effect. 6. Little burnt umber of orange on the tail for the back fin effect. 7. Add eyes either a sticker type or paint using a q-tip. Clear coat it with your favorite clear coat and let cure a couple days, add hooks and go fishing!

Ling Cod= Fish and Chips and Fish Tacos, not to mention fishing live bait is a blast and they are like a smallmouth on steroids once they realize they are hooked. Sturgeon when I get the chance

sarcazmo, About as close as one can get as far as numbers are concerned. Batson Eternity2 ETES68ML-CB 1.4 oz ETES72ML-CB 1.5 oz or cut 4" off the butt section to be 6'10 and probably drop the weight down to the 1.4 oz area

Or just go buy some Florida Screw in weights and call it good.

craww covered most of it, but also on the Abu reels they are non-disengaging levelwind meaning the levelwind moves when casting, reeling, drag is going out ect. Stick with just oil as to not cause the reel to slow down too much. But I am also with craww, if it needs lube/oil it is due for a complete cleaning and it isn't that hard to do if you pay attention and keep a schematic close by. I completely flush bearings and remove all old grease and overhaul drags ect. Then add 1 drop of oil to each bearing and reassemble.

Like others have stated 7-7'6 heavy action with a used Abugarcia 6500 c3, should easily be able to find throughout all the classifieds.

Couple questions first then I will answer. 1. Is he experienced in cutting a blank down? 2. Are you willing to lose the warranty of the rod manufacturer by doing so? If you need to "tell" an experienced rod builder how to build the rod I would look elsewhere. As far as that blank uncut with a 9" rear grip, here is the reel seat I would go with. GTB16C-13.5-TC, it will need to be reamed to fit snug, which give better contact top the area underneath. Chad

We have Perch in our local lakes and I have painted a few Perch on the reverse pattern. Createx flourescent yellow on the whole bait, then hit it with orange scale on top about half way down the sides then added a few black stripes and added glitter to the epoxy top coat. The colors have hammered the Smallmouth Bass in Brownlee Reservoir in Idaho. I can send a picture, tried to download here but the file is too big to get the quality of the photo. Chad

Easier way would be to add some pigment that enhances the rods color scheme to rod finish and apply that directly over the portion that shows the name. Or even a simple wrap around the area then add finish.