rmcguirk

Having watched those videos, I'm glad I sent mine to Mike at DVT. There is little doubt but that I'd end up with extra parts...

I have a Fenwick Elite Tech 6'10" BC rod. The reel seat is broken. The seat is one of those that screws down from the top to lock in the reel. The part that screws down is a cork piece, with a "female" threaded part inside. The "male" threaded part that it screws down onto is loose and it slides up and down on the rod. It is clear that it used to be locked in with some type of glue or epoxy, as there is still some residue on the rod. Any suggestions on the type of epoxy or glue I should use to reseat that threaded piece? Thanks in advance. Rick

For me, email response has been prompt and professional.

This. The 7 m/f Avid is a wonderful stick. Love it. But it is not a primary jig rod. Stick with the mh for jigs.

I'll add my two cents: I don't think that simply writing fishing articles is going to pay all the bills. You'll probably have to combine it with other, perhaps related, pursuits. Just think, even if they paid you $5,000 per article and you generated one article per quarter, that would only be $20,000. I know that sounds like an enormous amount of money to you now (I checked your bio and it says that you're 16), but believe me, that is not a lot of money, particularly if you have a family and like an expensive hobby, like fishing. And, I'd be pretty shocked if you made $5,000 per article, especially just starting out. A suggestion: reach out to some of the fishing journalists/writers you've read and shoot them an email about how they got started. I would think that they'd be flattered and would be willing to discuss the industry with you, particularly after a few emails demonstrated that you were sincere. Instead of thinking narrowly, like being a fishing journalist, perhaps you should consider being a journalist or even a sports journalist who also writes on fishing? Another idea: think about some related fields and how you could generate some income and still be in the fishing industry. Some random ideas: perhaps you could work for an organization like BASS or FLW; perhaps you could work in marketing for one of the fishing or boating equipment manufacturers; perhaps you could work at a BassPro or similar. There are a ton or possibilities out there, you just have to be creative. In fact, you could work in just about any job and still be a contributor to a fishing publication as a side business.

So, I bought a couple of tubes of Megastrike for use next year, and some of the soft plastics, and some of the specialized shaky heads. A couple of questions: First, for the soft plastics that already have the scent added to them and feel pretty slimy (in a good way) right out of the bag, do you add more? After a couple of casts? Second, I fish pleny of other plastics that come non-scented. Should I add a squeeze of Megastrike to the bag and let them marinate? Or should I just apply immediately before fishing each individual bait; or both? Thanks.

Nice. About 15 years ago I was playing around with a fly rod at one of those Florida retention ponds. I hooked a tiny sunfish on a small fly and as I was playing him in, a 4lb bass smashed it almost right at the bank. Somehow, the tiny fly hook held and I was able to grab him. Always something new when fishing.

If only it just some new lures/tackle. Got plenty of that, too, but also picked up two casting rods (one new and the other new to me), one new to me casting reel (still need one more) and one new spinning set up. All prices were outstanding and I got great deals, but... Good thing the wife loves me.

I gotta tell ya 'Monkey, you're killing me. Between the sales at retailers and sponsors and the deals in the flea market, I'm spending money like a drunken sailor. What's really killing me is that my season is over, so I can't really do much more than dream about using my new toys.

Love this topic. In the market myself for my first higher-end reel, in the $200 range, and the three at the top of the list are the Chronarch, the Lews and the Revo. Looking forward to the results

Got mine too. I also got a nice, personal note. Thought I was special, but I guess not.

I got an email this morning saying that my order had shipped.

By myself or with other people who fish, I'm always trying to catch the biggest fish in the lake. If all I was looking for was numbers, I'd hook a nightcrawler (or part of one) under a bobber and fish along the weedline. And that's what I do when I take kids out for some fun. In most of the lakes I fish, you'd get bit all day long. No doubt, many would be some type of sunfish, but you'd have non-stop action. But, if you're asking me if I'd rather get skunked or catch a dink, I'll take the dink every day. Like most have said, I'm out there to enjoy the day. Fishing, alone, is a enjoyable; catching is the cherry on top, even if it is a dink.

Thanks for the heads up. Just placed a healthy order myself, with a fat discount... Thanks. Rick

This is a great time to be a fisherman and the worst time to be a northern fisherman (who doesn't like ice fishing). Kind of the best of times and the worst of times. In the last couple of weeks I picked up two new rods at great prices -- a St. Croix LTB casting rod (6'6" MHF) and a St. Croix Avid (6'9" MLXF). Also got a good deal on a Shimano Sahara reel to pair with the Avid. Thus, the best of times. Both fill solid spots in my rod line up, and I'm really excited to give them a full workout. But, alas, the season is pretty much over here -- the worst of times. The boat has been winterized and is in storage. I was out in my 'yak today. The water temp started at 43 and rose to a balmy 45. (As a fishing report, I got a solid hit on a jig on the new LTB, set the hook, but it broke me off pdq. Gotta think it was a pike.) Given that this weekend the weather here is going into the 30s for daytime highs with scattered snow showers, I think the season is just about over. Anyway, the sales are great, if you look around and know what you want. But, I'm jealous of you all that are going to get to use your new gear now, and not have to wait until next season. Enjoy!

You haven't had any response in a couple of days, so here's my two cents. I put a depth finder on my 'yak two years ago. Other than buying the kayak, it was the best thing I ever did for fishing enjoyment. Knowing what the bottom looks like is, as you know, invaluable. I ended up going with a Garmin Echo 500. A bit over you price range, and probably more than you need. I've been happy with the Garmin, and actually my boat came with another Garmin, a lower end one that I swapped out and put on my 'yak. Are you going to install it yourself? I'm not particularly handy, so I paid BPS to do it for me. Price was reasonable, maybe $50 to do the install. If you're handy, there are several DIY videos on the net that you can find with a Google search. Do it, it will absolutely make your fishing, and catching, experience better. Rick

I bought this rod from the bargain room. Very, very nice. I've only used it a few times (weather is really going downhill here in upstate NY), but I like it very much. And you simply can't beat the price.

If you're looking for a MH/Fast, the St. Croix bargain room has an 6'6" LTB for $120. I know it is above your budget, but it is a great deal. WW2, can you comment specifically on that rod?

Personally, I don't think it handles heavier lures well. That's why I use it for ligher-weight presentations. How has it worked for you with 5/8 oz jigs? In my experience, heavier lures put quite a bend in the rod when working them, making it harder to detect the bite, And when the lures are in some weeds, which is pretty standard in the waters I fish, it as much trouble working them out as anything. And yes, in my experience, certain other MF rods have more backbone.

Thanks for all the great responses. I really love the practical, hands on that this board provides. The 702C sounds like a great rod, but it is too close to my Fenwick. As I said, I'm looking for more of a dedicated jigging set up. Staying with the bargain theme, St. Croix has a 6'6" MH Fast Legent Tournament Bass for sale at $120 (discounted from $240). Thoughts on that as a primary jigging stick? New2BC: I wasn't bad mouthing the Fenwick. I love it. It's just that it seems to me a bit lighter in weight (power) than my other MF rod (a BPS "Extreme") and other rods that I've played with at BPS, DSG, etc. I thought it was a pretty non-controversial point that there is no "standardization" among rod manufacturers regarding power ratings.

So, I'm looking for a new BC set up. I'm looking for something primarily for bottom contact. The most I'm looking to spend on the rod is about $185 (the cost of a St. Croix Avid 6'6" MF), but of course I'd like to spend less if I can get a good quality rod on sale (looking new). Also, it is just about the end of the year here (Western NY), so I'm really looking for something I can start out next year with rather than something I need today, so I'm flexible in waiting for sales, close outs, etc. Currently, Cabela's has a Dobins Champion 702C for sale at $149.99. Sounds like a great deal. Anyone have the rod and can provide a review, particularly as to how it is for jigs (primarily 3/8 ounce), t-rigged plastics and carolina rigs? Does it have enough back bone? (Obviously, each manufacture has a different view of "medium". My 6'10 Fenwick Elitetech Smallmouth MF is not really; my BPS Extreme 6'6" MF has far more backbone; and St. Croix are reputed to be "heavier" than listed.) Or should I wait? Will there be Black Friday (Cyber Monday) sales that will be better? I've got a BPS close enough. Should I wait for their Spring sale when I can trade in some used equipment for a deal on new? I appreciate your input. Rick

I've got the PQ. Don't have the others. But, if the question is can it handle light baits, the answer is yes. I have it on a Fenwick Elite Tech 6'10" MF (which is really much more like a MLF), and it handles unweighted senkos, flukes, etc. with ease. Obviously, your light weight set up depends as much on the ability of the rod to load up for casting.

If the pike are on, they are pretty voracious -- they'll eat anything. I have caught a number of them on wacky rigged plastics. I never use wire -- just too lazy and I'm primarily targeting bass.

Great review! Amazing follow through. I just bought a PQ and, so far, I'm liking it a lot. I can't compare it to higher-end reels, but it is better than my BPS Extreme. A thought: do you think that you can reduce the wear on the brakes themselves by rotating which brakes are active?

So, I ended up getting a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" M-F rod. It arrived last night. Very light and feels and looks great. Ordered it through Amazon for under $100 (before tax and delivery). Thanks for the suggestion, Smalljaw. I also ordered a BPS Pro Qualifier reel. That should arrive today. I'll spool it up tonight and be ready to hit the water tomorrow. Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions.