5dollarsplash

I thin mine out and spread them if I find them to be too tough. A lot of guards are designed for heavier cover and I tend not to have as much of that around me.

Welcome aboard. Nice to see more people on from my neck of the woods! I'm in NW Wisconsin.

16 is what the local bass clubs require around here, so my next one will be a 16-18' boat. That said my 14' smoker does great on most bodies of water around me except for the 1,800 acre lake in the area.

Partial side view. I agree with the 1/8 of a lip left showing. It helps with backlash.

Wrong angle, I'd say your good from what I can see though

Out of those I'd go Clarus, I have 2 Vendettas, and I think with that nice of a reel I'd be disappointed in the rod. Not sensitive enough IMO for the plastics. I use mine for frogging.

That stinks.....I really like the house brand, the GSX I think its called? They might be on sale, worth a look since your there.

Update 2.0 Went into another local dealer today and found a St. Croix Legend Tournament, medium xf 6'9" for half price!!! I had to jump on that, so the Okuma EVX will move to other things. It seems this is the year I upgrade rods!

The OCD in me would make me sort them all after getting it I've used their baits plenty, and they make some very cost effective options. If you think you'll use most of what you get, I think they are a good deal. I'd be ready with my ziploc bags to sort through them all

Happens all the time with golf. You get paid to have "x" many clubs by a brand and put their name on your bag, if you use another companies product you down play it-but you use what it takes to get the win. Whether its playing a Titleist ball when your sponsored by Taylormade, or throwing a Strike King when your sponsored by Net Bait. But I do agree you don't directly lie either. Give the generic answer, act like a politican when asked about the lure. "It was a grub worm", instead of "it was a Rage Tail Thumper."

With the size of my jeep and the cruddy "ramps" I launch from, there's no way I'd be without 4wheel drive

Great advice from the duck and rhino above. I'd take everything out that isn't attached, I do this every winter up here and everything works next season when I need it to. Make sure to have a good cover in place, not so much for weather but any varmints that may get in the garage. I stored in a enclosed shed one year to come back to a family of mice munching my wires...never again. I've also heard of snakes, lizards, etc. which would be more common for your area. And I'll second this wholeheartedly: Take care, and stay safe during your deployment. Thank you for your service.

Bouncing a jig on a rock river bottom.....BOOM goes the smallie. The fight was great too, 15" of fury.

I was gonna go with "what are dancers" for my answer. I think I still prefer mine, but a gators cool too.

What test of braid? On a baitcaster my minimum is 30, if you go lighter your asking for issues. Braid avoids memory which can cause a backlash in a hurry.

30 minutes is about where I cut the radius. My current set up with my patriot and 14' limits me some on landings and my trailer isn't great for long hauls. I'm hoping to upgrade in the fall when people don't want to winterize their boats.

Hopefully it helps, I use that method whenever I respool. You'll still end up with a bit of bleeding like Darren said, but it cuts down on it a bunch. As far as red vs. other colors of power pro, I haven't seen much difference. I do like to use the different colors to give me some reference to what lines on which reel, and red seems to catch as many as green for me.

When you spool up, just use a damp paper towel and hold it a foot above your reel. It'll remove a lot of that, you can use a line conditioner if you want too, although I don't see as much benefit with power pro as some other lines.

.44 Magnum S&W model 29. After watching Dirty Harry movies as much as I have, I needed one. Beretta 92fs is there too, but for stopping power around the home? .44

Well I'd like to thank you all for the input. Here's how I came to my decision: I walked into the family ran sporting goods store and told them what I was looking to do. The guy apologizes that he doesn't have a ton in stock (understandable, stocking rods is pricey). He show's me a few St. Croixs and Shimano's, all of which have a whole grip handle, which I found I'm not a fan of if its not a rod for musky. He show's me a Okuma EVX split grip, rated to 20lb line, its somewhere between a medium and a medium-heavy. I love the tip on it, very sensitive. I told him I'd take it, he said since it isn't what you came in looking for let me see what we can do. He gave me a very nice price on it. I've only had it out bank fishing so far, but I really like it, fishes like a rod that'd cost $50-$75 more than what they list at. As always, the fishing bait monkey will keep me looking, but so far I'm pretty sure the EVX will stay in the line up, if not with the 50e then with another quality bc.

I agree with Snook. I try to set to the line I'm using. I like a good fight, but, I always try to land fish fairly quick. In the land of musky I've learned the toll a fight can put on a fish and a quick catch and release puts less stress on them.

I've never gotten a pike on just the line, but I've had through the top of the lip, in the gills on the outside, and skin hooked between the eyes. Not sure but I think they hang around baits for a bit before striking, so a jerk or tug can foul hook easy.

Very nice! Bet that was a fun catch, I always think the fights more intense after or around sunset. In the dark thrashing and splashing are so intense!!!

Anyone have any experience with Okuma rods? Small local family shop carries them and I like to support the little guy whenever I can. They also carry St. Croix so I'll probably head up there with my reel to try out the balance on them.

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