DogBone_384

I tie a couple of overhand knots and put a small piece of electrical tape over it on all my reels.

MUSTACHE for the win! Good to see the forum back and running.

I never had one! 😜

I know. I got back into fishing about 2013 or so and fished with @Fishing Rhino quite a bit. As far as stripers, I live 200 yards from the ocean. Thanks for your well wishes and advice. For me the fire is out and I no longer have any interest.

I'm retired.

This will be my last update. I've been out 24 times this year in MA, NH, and currently CT. I've ZEREO'd 20 of the 24 times so far. I fished Candlewood today. Water temps were in the high 50's. I spoke to a guy coming off the water who did well, including multiple 5 # LMB. No matter what I throw, and where I throw it, I come up empty. I'm going to try again down here while I'm here because my hotel is non-refundable. I'm done after this trip, at least for the rest of the year. If anyone local to Boston is interested in a '17 Ranger RT178 with ALL the accessories, drop me a PM. I'll let it go for a fair price. The boat has to go. It's mint, and taken care of the way @A-Jay takes care of his Lund. Thanks for all the good information my BassResource family has given me over the years, and best of luck to my fellow New Englanders. I hope you ALL have a great 2026. And for you old timers, I'm still going to try to get @Fishing Rhino out a couple times this year. I'll likely just pilot his Nitro for him and let him do his thing.

I troll in my kayak. I pedal at roughly 3 - 3 1/2 mph and troll a jerkbait or crankbait across a pond. Boy that sounds familiar ....

I bought a couple Lews Custom Pro's last year to compare their ParaMag braking with my Shimano SLX XT DC's. The Lews' are light as a feather and cast very well. The Lews' braking system is more transparent than Shimano's DC, unless it's set on its maximum setting. I like Lews' "speed knot" spool and oil port. Build quality is pretty equal, but a couple seasons will really tell. I prefer the Lews after using the two brands side by side for a season. The only deterrent is the $299 price tag over the Shimano's $224.

I have two, a first generation Concept A and a Shimano Cardiff. They rarely see action.

I've fished the Lakes Region over the last week. Water temps were in the high 40's in all but one shallow pond that was in the mid-high 50's.

I started fishing with @Fishing Rhino in 2013-ish. He taught me how to hunt bass properly and run a bass boat. I learned a lot from him. He's in his 80s now and can't drive or run a boat by himself. I try to get him out a couple times per year still, whether it's my tin Ranger or his Nitro.

Congratulations! Awesome opening day! I couldn't catch a fish at the supermarket this year. My gear is stowed and I might take the year off. Best of luck to you!

Geeze, my fishing buddy's are @Fishing Rhino, @Mr. Aquarium, and @Saltysmalljaws .... I once had a fawn swim to my kayak and check me out then swim away. Another time a copperhead snake swam towards my kayak. I pedaled away as fast as I could.

That's a wide open question. I own Abu, 1st gen 13 Fishing, Douglas, Fish Extreme and Kistler rods, and use Kistler 97% of the time. I use a 7'3" MH/F and a 7' LMH/F Kistler Helium nearly all the time. I find the LMH (light-medium-heavy) better for medium worms and tubes. Its backbone is very close to the MH, but the tip is just a little softer. Kistlers are high quality and most of their products are still made in Texas. If you're on a budget, Douglas' ERA series is a nice $99 rod. I have their 7'1" MH/F ERA. It's not quite as sensitive as my Heliums, but they're well built and half the price. Best of luck picking out your worm rod.

The're like SPAM ... they NEVER expire!

^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^

DITTO

Good morning, and welcome.

I'm still waiting for the 'click'.

New Hampshire or Vermont. I'm a New Englander and will die a New Englander (just NOT in the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts if I can help it).

I bought a couple 2nd gen C's when TW was closing them out. They were not as good as gen 1 Concept C's. They are worth what they were closed out at, but not retail.

I can tell you Rapala won't sell you reel parts. Their policy is to mail them your reel for service starting with a $40 cleaning/inspection.

I own Shimano (including a Core), Diawa, Abu, Lews, and 13. My first generation 13's are the most comfortable in my hand.

I fished four ponds on the Cape over the last two days. I've skunked 13 of 14 trips this year. It's time to step away from fishing for a while. Water temps were in the low 40's in the ponds I fished. Air pressure the last two days was 30.3 - 30.4. Best of luck to those getting out. Keep this thread going. I'm going to find something else to do for a while. Weren't you about 5 YO then? 😛

Boat-Ed. https://www.boat-ed.com/?lid=h1hc2lo1r91r&utm_id=69c3f4f0f2222bb4bea9fbd55558df8f&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=boat+ed+usa+spring+break+cardholders+1+year&utm_canvas=