gulfcaptain

Looks like the glue they used didn't hold very well. Now if that's the only issue is the glue and you need to attach the two pieces back together, then you could get it repaired pretty cheap. If it's beyond that my want to send it back. Had trim ring on a different brand rod come undone....I just superglued it back in place. That is going to need epoxy if it's just re-attaching the two. Honestly if that's it, it will cost more to ship your rod back to Shimano then most will charge to fix it.

I would look at IPT opposed to gear ratio. I fish a *** with a 8:1 which is about 30" per turn. Now my frog rod is a Smoke 200 7.3:1 which has an 34" IPT. Flipping/pitching,my opinion you want to be able to move that fish quickly away from cover and bring your bait in quickly. But either of the two reels would work for flipping. I just prefer a smaller reel flipping since I don't need to cast as far as I do with the frog.

Being I work down in the Gulf, inshore fishing your looking at catching redfish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum. Depending on the time of the year ofcourse. Now, although mainly in Louisiana, I fished a lot with just a 7'H casting rod and standard sized bass reel with 30kb braid and 20lb topshot. Summer, topwater baits like spooks are deadly and a blast. Other main bait, 1/4oz jighead with a 4inch curly tail grub will catch all of the above. If you choose to baitfish, well you will likely encounter numourous "hardhead" catfish which are extremely annoying and well some eat them, most do not. Stick with a standard baitcasting rig and attificals you will have a blast. Almost all of the above fish stay in really shallow water with current and deep water close by. Look for flats with grass, any rock used for errosion control, docks, etc. Topwater normally works great between April to October.

I fish 10lb pp. Now I do fish a longer topshot, 8-10ft as opposed to 18". So you get the best of both with a longer topshot/leader.

I think we got off the original topic just a bit though. But it's def more entertaining.

Wow you put some thought in those names. Timmy "the hitman" Horton Ish AKA "Big Pappa" Monroe Dean "the frog" Rojas Kieth "the Killer" Combs

Lets just hope they use lock masters that look like the UFC ring girls. And if we get more then 2 in the locks, it can be an over the side of the boat battle royal. Just have to watch for low blows when they are in the water. Gotta keep it clean....and no using of outboards or trolling motors. Flipping sticks are okay though.

Hey, just a new part of an unoffical rule in tournaments with locks.......when the gate closes, it's UBF (Ultimate Bassmasster Fighter) winner gets to exit the locks first.

That bidding website did it again.Got another ***.....but I got $20 off and 3 rapala clackin minnow jerkbaits for $18. I'll let ya know how much I'm out after the two other reels I'm looking at time out. Looks like 2015 I'll be fishing with quite a few new reels (4 so far since the 1st of the year) and be selling off a few of my older ones. Or.....I could just buy more rods to put the new ones on.

I have come to really enjoy MLF though. All the two minute penalties, the new guys that haven't quite grasped the actual penalty until they get one and have to sit patiently doing nothing until that two minutes or more is up. Saw a newbie have a short fish drop in the boat, then picked it up and tossed it out. Fish didn't even count and he had to sit for 4 min. Now that format is entertaining.

You could open up a fox hunting club.

My mistake. With that in mind, not at all, but I would shop around and see what you can find. I use them as a reference when I'm looking for deals other places to compare and see.

Couple more Black Omens, the Black *** Crankenstein, maybe one of the Phinex glass crankbait rods, and possibly a custom frog rod.

I don't think anyone said they were against you making your own jigs. So I don't know what gripes anyone on here would have if you choose to do so. You asked if it would be cost effective....hence would it save you money. You want to do it as a hobby and make some cool custom jigs for yourself. Please do, but please post pictures after so we can see them and admire what none of us have the patience to do.

I would choose to eat the one with no hooks attached.

Only if you plan on like making a thousand of them. If you want to make like 10 or 20, well you found a new hobby, but it won't be cost effective.

It's light and comfortable. Next question please.

I choose to really not target spawning fish. If I happen upon one that is agressive and catch it within say 3 min then cool. But where I fish I see people who never fish those places except when the spawn is on. Why, because they can't catch them any other time of the year. Good thing about fish, the beds you see are a fraction of the fish spawning. There are always beds deeper then we can see and those stay unmolested for the most part. I would rather fish pre and post spawn fish that are available during that time then be that guy that catches the same fish 4 days in a row and brags how good he is when he can't catch fish any other time of the year. Those people really irritate me. Or the guy that happens to see you catch a fish and when you put it back he runs over to try and catch it again. I don't understand, REALLY? Those are the times it's hard to be a peaceful fisherman.

Yes I know, seeing all the gear and most under retail price you could def get yourself introuble. Good thing I have a good job and no wife. Then I'd be buying her shoes instead of me fishing gear.

I started tying the Berkley Braid knot. It's pretty simple too.

Anything heavier you're going to want something a bit more in a heavy action or heavier MH action. I prefer something 7'3" or a bit longer and a little faster retrieve to move the fish perferably over 7:1 ratio.

I would probably fish the Diesel combo. Little longer rod, and the XF action should help you move those fish out of the pads.

We have shad in city park lakes as small as 2-3acres. Some have glass minnows. But regardless back to your point about trying to find the forage. #1 if you have a depth sounder, where are most of the marks on the meter.(depth) If you find the depth where most of the lakes population of fish (reguardless of type) is primarily located you can start at that depth and then look for other key area's that have points of interest in that depth. If the main body of fish is in say 10ft, well I would look for areas of interest that are near or close to that (could be a rock pile, brush pile, edge of the old weed line, creekbed, hump, etc). Knowing the depth of the main body of fish will give you an idea of where to start.

The one I use I can't even get anymore or find. Quantum Tour Tactical "Hack Attack 7'11"H Mod action with a *** *** 8.1:1. But then depending on the thickness I also have a 7'11" HXF Black *** with a EXO 100 7.3:1. Different action and works for baits up to 3/4oz. If heavier I'll switch to the other.

I'm in real trouble I found the bidding website....yeah and got a bonus check. 1st purchase TW for $350 (assorted items, FC, life jacket, culling system) 2nd Ca@elas for $200 (couple hair jigs and anouther *** 8.1:1) 3rd puchase on that bidding place $159 (another new *** 6.6:1) and then another $150 (New Smoke 150 7.3:1). But most of it was all on sale or discounted so by spending the money above I saved money.