gulfcaptain

If you're looking to find a dedicated "punch" rod, go with one that's made for it. The rod I use is discontinued, but if I had to buy a replacement I'd probably go with the IROD as I like the minima guides for this application over full size or micro. Just my opinion though.

$50 will get you premium components and a lifetime warranty. Don't see any warranty listed on the Fiber Series nor is there a taper listed so it's hard to say if it's going to be the same action or blank between the two. But I would bet they aren't the same.

Have to agree with Hootie on exact recomendations. If you had success last year expand on those. It's hard to give ideas without knowng your equipment as well. If you're fishing a ML spinning rod, then you're not gonna be fishing frogs in the slop but a dropshot is always a good bet, roostertail's, and a floating rapala are 3 areas you can fish on spinning rods and catch almost anything. But then if you're fishing MH baitcasting set-up those are a bit light for that set-up. The more you fish, the more you will learn. Try each year to pick up a new set-up with a technique or two in mind that that gear will work for and read as many articles on here as you can and try to apply that to areas you fish.

I would look into the IROD Genesis II "Bubs Punch Rod". Or you could look into the OKUMA TCS 7'11" H or XH. Both right around the $150 mark. One developed and made with the CA Delta in mind, other developed by Scott Martin to fish in the heavy mats.

Can't catch fish on them unless you throw them. I wouldn't throw them in water cooler the 59 where I'm located, but then above that temp the fish start moving up and getting shallow. My biggest fish so far this year was caught on a popper in the middle of Febuary on a bright sunny cloudless day. Like stated above, there are no hard rules when it comes to fishing, just guidelines. So when the water gets warm enough for those fish around you to move up, try one out and see what happens.

I'm in agreement with Choporoz, but I have fished mine hard for several years. Keep them cleaned, a drop of oil once a month or when needed, and proper maint. Everyone has their own preferences, and cheaper models don't save you money when you have to replace them with something more. Most reels in the $100-200 range are going to perform well and meet most needs. Quantum got a bad rap from older, cheaper models. You keep it in the "PT" models, they will perform. Accurist's I believe are the base level PT reels from Quantum. The Kinetic's retailed for $159 new not to long ago and you can find them on sale for 50% or more off depending on where you look. The older Smoke's are great reels retailing for $200, now available if you look for under a $100 or right around that. Yes they are the older models, but they are exceptional reels and for someone that is looking for a good baitcaster you will get more bang for your buck and way over what you were looking for with a Hellcat. I fish 3 brands, Quantum, ***, and BPS Extreme's and Carbonlites (older versions).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quantum-PT-Kinectic-8BB-6-3-1-Bait-Casting-Reel-KT100SPTA-/321680064877?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae5a0416d There's a good deal on a Quantum Reel.

An Extra Fast taper means you have a softer tip on the top 18-20" of the rod before it shuts off. This softer tip will let you cast a frog with a heavier action rod since you have a lighter tip. Now the tip also lets you set the hook and the softer tip section will help you more then hender you. It doesn't matter what the taper and action of the rod is if you pull the bait out of the fishes mouth instead of waiting for pressure weather you are using a fast action or an XF action. If you swing the minute you see a strike and don't wait to feel pressure your frog is coming back at you anyways from your action, regardless of the rod action.

I am a Quantum fan, but stay away from anything under the Accurist. If you wanted to shop Ebay you could probably find an older Smoke 100 model, or find an Accurist or Kinetic for under or around a $100. I have fished both the Accurist and Kinetic for over 2 seasons without any issues and both are still smooth and perform excellent as well as upgrading and having quite a few Smoke 150's, EXO, and the newer 100MG. The less expensive models look good, but be careful.

Most frog rods have an XF taper. They are light in the tip but then shut off so you have the power to pull. Think a 7'HXF would probably work well for what you are wanting. That's just my opinion though.

Have a fishery by my house I would love to harvest.....but the size needed to remove isn't legal. But they are stunted. But the herons like them so they can go to good use. Have to remove a few to keep the whole healthy.

The ones at BPS aren't that bad. Picked some up to try and actually really impressed. Def helps keep the tangles down when storing them.

Agreed......but I'll leave one for both of us. Let's hope spring comes soon for all those who are snowed and froze in who really need to get outside soon before we start discussing articles in Good Housekeeping or Cosmo.

I can't count how many waterfowl I have unwrapped fishing line off of, untangled lures that were accidently tangled and lost, or happened to be tangled with another bird. Smiling and helping out the best I can the younger kids who fish the ponds I do that ask a million questions and even after answering those have a million more. I try to remember how I was growing up and the older fisherman that had the patience to answer all my questions, take time out of what they were doing to show and teach me new things. I try to pass those kind jestures on to the youth of today who show the same passion I did at their age. Probably one I forget about but most notable good deed, saving a man's life you had a heart attack on a charterboat I worked on. The professionalizm of all the crew I worked with that day made a big difference in one mans life which could have ended had we not acted.

I would look into getting a rod in the 7'3" to 7'6" MH/H. Find something with a IPT of about 30-32" and give yourself a good pitching/jig set up. Rod and reel brand up to you. I fish a lot of 13 Fishings reels and the Black Omens as well as the Falcon Bucco's and Quantum's. (EXO, Kenitic, Smoke 150s, TourMG). But a good jig/pitching rod would be a good addition to your arsenal.

I use quite a few "slower" geared reels and I wouldn't get too worried. One positive about the lower gears, you can wind faster, not feel worn out at the end of the day and honestly it can keep you from working your baits too fast. I use the 5:1 on my umbrella rigs, medium swimbaits, and some squarebills and vibrating jigs. Lets me fish a bit faster without having to worry about overworking the bait since turning the handle faster may speed it up some but you're still not overpowering the bait and worried about slowing your retrieve speed down. Give it a try before you decide you don't like it and want to swap everything out.

I never cut it shorter then it is. I may take a few pieces of it out and thin it some, but I don't trim it shorter.

My last post came after fishing an event paying that $500 fee. I had a blast with my two pro's I fished with and they welcomed me to fish with them any time and had great day on the water even with fishing being tough. The points I made are valid. If you're fishing a tournament you are along for the ride as a co-angler. If they are struggling then of course you may suggest some ideas to improve the conditions for both. You have to think about how YOU would want to be treated if you had someone in your boat. If I agreed to meet someone at a certain time I would expect you to be there. I would expect you to be helpful, organized, have your own equipment, treat my boat with respect. IF you could back my trailer up great, one less thing I have to worry about that morning or afternoon when everyone is trying to launch or pull their boats out. And the statement about they need us to fish, um....no, they need the boaters first. Without the boaters there is no tournament. Be respectful and if you fish with one boater one day who's on fish and the next with one who is having trouble, keep your mouth shut about where you were the day before. Those weren't your spots and they aren't yours to share. I was nervous about fishing these but after doing so I have more respect for the pros/boaters. But my attitude and respectfulness also lead me to the ability to fish with the same guys prior to the next tournament.

No, if I was wrong about him being the first, then it was a mistake if someone else had one the Classic on their home lake. But I am in agreement about this "brushgate"....that's what I'm calling it. No congrat's post about how he fished hard to win, just "hey did you know he dropped 50+ brush piles in Lake Heartwell". Then all the posts with the feel that he has done something wrong even though he lives there. Maybe he fishes the lake when he's home!!! Maybe that's why he planted them there over the many years of living there for his enjoyment when he's home fishing. If he planted 50 brush piles at Grand Lake or 50 at Lake of the Ozarks months before a Classic then I could see someone making these statements. When the lake is in your backyard almost literally then what's the big deal. He lives there and he planted structure on his home lake. Again, Congrats to Casey for winning a tough Classic in some very tough conditions.

okay, my mistake. Must have read it wrong. But he still lives there which is my main point of that post.

I wouldn't worry too much unless you're fishing a cheap rod and cheap coarse braid. Have SS guides on an older Lighting Rod and never had a issue with Power Pro, or 832. If you use a good braid you shouldn't have any issues.

Wow, really don't care. He lives there. If he plants structure on the lake he LIVES ON why is that a big deal. If he lived on the lake and had a boat dock, would we be discussing that he fished around it. Come on, this isn't really that big of a deal. Honestly it's not. And he is the first person to EVER win a Classic on his home lake. And that the OP didn't state the timeline or when he planted these brush piles. If I lived on a lake I'd plant brush piles in it too. And if I got lucky enough to fish at that level and had a tournament on my home waters, then it is what it is. Congrats to Casey Ashley for his win in some tough fishing conditions.

The great thing about the A-rig, it's up to you to put the pieces together and find what works for you. Everyone fishes it a bit different and has their own way of rigging it to their preference. Go get some grubs, swimbaits, etc and see what the fish want and adjust. Once you have it dialed it may work a few days, weeks, but then they will decide they want something else and it starts over. Just go fish it and have fun with it.

The timing is normally prespawn. Think if the weather had been what it had been on the west coast the prior month before this. Temps in the 80's water temps pushing into the high 50's. There would have been more limits, bigger fish and thus more what more excitement. Enter Mother Nature to throw Artic Cold Front, freezing temps, low water temps. The dates are set to fish but weather is never certain. The last few years the weather has been a bit cooler then normal but they still catch fish and make it exciting in closer weights. The Classic used to be held in the summer way back when but was moved. I enjoy watching these guys catch fish in conditions most of us scratch our heads, stay inside and decide to wait till it's nicer outside yet they still put together limits of fish, and some nice bags of fish as well. The end of Febuary is a crap shoot when it comes to weather, but it's one factor that plays into the tournament and must be overcome when you're competing on that stage.

I've got two boxes full and have had no issues. Some have sat in that box for over a year. My biggest issue is trying to pull one out of the middle and the skirts get hung up or pinched by the bait next to it. But still stores them nicely.