DogBone_384

I have a couple of 1st generation Vanfords and Tatula LT's that are 3 or 4 years old. All four get a lot of use and still feel new. I'm sure you'll be more than happy either way.

What brand/model casting setup do you own, and what weight lures are you throwing with it?

I have a Ghost on my RT178. It’s got more power than I need and has had a couple electronic module failures just outside warranty. I run two 27 series batteries in series and have never run them down to nothing.

I have a 13 Fishing 1st generation Concept A in 5.3:1 (21" per turn). It casts great and overall quality is good. My higher gear Concepts have been workhorses over the years. Perhaps you can find one used, cheap. I also have a couple current generation Concept C's whose quality isn't as good under Rapala ownership.

When I was still working I bought what I wanted based on how many OT/detail hours I worked. I have everything and then some now, and only replace what’s used up, now that I’m retired.

I've kept records since May 2014, so out of curiosity I added up all the bass I've caught. 690 LMB and 525 SMB, for a grand total of 1215 bass in over 11 years. YEAH .... I'm moving to Maine. My budget is $800K to $1M max (as long as I can convince my wife the winter's aren't so bad up there). Will that get me something on a pond/lake up there @Swamp Girl ?

BOO! Keep one of those covers loose. Cape Cod is nearby and has only frozen over once in the last six years. Keep your blade baits, hair jigs, and small paddle tails ready to go.

Congratulations and welcome to the family.

I use Kistler's KLX line for crankbaits. They're made in Texas, light, and have a nice mod-fast action. I have M and MH rods for small/medium crankbaits. I also have a 7'3" heavy KLX that's rated 3/8 - 1 1/2 ounce baits I use for frogs & medium swimbaits. I own St. Croix, G. Loomis, Abu, Douglas, and Diawa crankbait rods. Second on the favorites list are my older Veritas Winch rods. They're much more moderate than the KLX, but are sensitive, load nicely, and feel very comfortable in my hand. Good luck picking out your crankbait rod.

I have first gen Concepts, lots of Shimano and Diawa, Lews, and Abu reels. I have 150 and 200 Curados and find them the sturdiest/most powerful (plus one Zillion, but that's not on your list) of my stock. For heavy applications, my Curados just feel like the best tool for the job.

I don’t make my own lures, but here’s ‘my work’. I’m kneeling. My station is half a block away. The building was under construction. A cabbie rang the station’s door bell and let us know the building behind us was on fire. It went from one to five alarms in 10-15 minutes. That was the third fire in that building. The second during my career. The picture below is before my time, somewhere in the ‘80’s.

10 - 15%.

I found a Tackle Warehouse box on my front steps tonight. Does that count?

Dobyns Kaden 7'1" Heavy/Fast + Daiwa Tatula X TW 100 - 8.1:1 Daiwa Tatula 2025 Bass 6'8" Medium/Fast + Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103 - 7.1:1 St. Croix Victory 7'4" Heavy/Fast + Shimano Curado MGL 150 - 7.4:1

20 bass per month going forward is going to be tough. I recommend sticking to shallow waters. Good luck getting there.

Welcome to the club. I’ve been using Kistler for about 10 years now. I use a 6’9” medium KLX for a jerkbait rod (over an Expride A that a popular YT’ber says is the best available). Wait until you get your hands on a MH Helium for a jig rod. ADD: Get some cork seal for it.

I bought two about a year ago. They’re light, and cast very well. Build quality is typical Shimano. I bought a Lews Custom Pro earlier this year that also has a backlash control system. I fished them side by side for six months. The Lews’ system works better in the wind, sacrificing some distance compared to the Shimano. If the Lews weren’t $300, I’d pick it over the Shimano, but for roughly 1/3 less money. The Shimano is the better choice.

My last cast was yesterday at dusk. Low light is one determining factor. The other comes when the fish aren’t playing nice and I finally figure out they’re not going to play, no matter what I throw.

Drew a ZERO today in Plymouth. Water temps were 48.x. Air pressure was 29.9.

That's a tough pill to swallow knowing how much today's cars cost. I've driven Japanese cars/trucks since '91 and in that time I've had only two minor repairs, both covered under warranty.

I’ve worked on almost everything since the late ‘80’s. Today’s cars have too much technology and not enough reliability. I drive a base ‘17 Tundra. I’m keeping it until further notice ….

Cork handles feel better to me.

Typical. Good luck with that.

Got you covered. My ‘68 GS400 convertible is just such an animal. It’s even a 3-pedal car! You know the points window on Buick distributors is an inch or two from the radiator fan, right? 😝 As far as what I think car manufacturers should get rid of … CAN bus, sensors in every part of the car, and most of what the membership’s already listed. Cars were best in the late ‘90’s to mid 2K’s. Can you get to the lens and put some tape over it?

I throw tubes on a Kistler LMH (light medium heavy) Helium with whatever 7.x:1 reel I’m in the mood for. I’ll use the same Helium spinning rod in really cold or windy weather too.