edfitzvb

I fish my lizards weightless. When my reel is set up well I can cast them a considerable distance and the presentation is very lifelike. The entry into the water, the way they glide through the water.... Great bait for me when I throw soft plastics.

I have not had that experience with Rogues. I have had lips break off with Rapalas and with the old Castaic hard baits with soft bodies. Generally happened when they hit a rock or something. Part of the cost of fishing.

ALMOST happened to me. Luckily I stopped to get gas and saw how the wheel leaned out. I was only 2 hours from home so I got some folks at a motel to let me leave my boat and trailer there. Took my wife home, Came back the next day and repaired my trailer (new hub, bearing buddies and plenty of grease) and brought it on home. Now I always grease bearings before I leave on any extended trip and check the hubs for cool temps EVERY time I stop.

Agreed, The video pan of the lake with all the birds making a racket fed my soul. Most people don't get that the day is still a gift even when you're not catching fish. They can't enjoy it as much as I do because happiness is attached to success. With me, happiness is attached to being there

I haven't used a fiberglass rod in years. I have a couple of blends, but after the last post I am ready to try an E-glass.

I live on the East Coast and have caught numerous pickerel. So far I have not lost any lures to them, although my son found out how sharp their teeth are. They are great for fun but they are rather slimy to handle and are more "aromatic: than most. For me the best baits are minnow imitators, so if I target them, I throw spinnerbaits, spoons, and jerkbaits. Have at it.

It is indeed made by Creek Club. My reference book is packed up right now, but if memory serves that is a Surface Dingbat #5400. Wooden with glass eyes and cup rig hardware.

I have one I bought last year. I like it so far but it has not seen the use that my more expensive rods have. At that price point it is hard to go wrong.

Oops. Timed it wrong. Either way, happy ending. Now get it back together. If you have problems, just send it to me. I'l get it back to you....eventually

Oooh The plot thickens. It would be a nice surprise to find it.

Entered EARLY this morning, was hoping no one else would bother.... Then this thread came along........

Saving my pennies for a Lew's Tournament Pro, or I would be keying in an order for myself.....

It is not sporting. However, I don't know that professional tournament fishermen are sportsmen as much as they are competitors. There is a lot of money here once you add up prize money, sponsorships, endorsement deals.... It is a business just as much as it is a sport. Sport are the small weekend tournamnets staged by local clubs. Wonder how many of those members drop structure at times in the year? The rules say it is legal.... they don't address sporting aesthetics.

Glad to see that he released it. A lot of people would have wanted a skin mount for their wall.

VA does indeed have a free weekend tied to Take A Kid Fishing. Their weekend is usually in the first half of June

Have you called customer support? They were very prompt with my request for a retaining nut for my handle. Most companies will be quick to Email you the schematics. The number is listed on their web site.

I learned on inexpensive reels, and my first nicer reel was an Abu Garcia 5500 that was like a Swiss watch compared to the first couple of reels. I have since bought a number of reels that I would have no problems with having duplicates of. My favorite reel manufacturers are Shimano and Lew's. They just keep working and make me a better fisherman. I would recommend mono for learning. I would get inexpensive/bulk 12 or 14 lb. mono JUST for practicing. Go out in a field with a casting plug and have at it. It won't be long before your confidence is up. Mono will stretch where braid won't. Go to youtube and search for fastest way to clear backlashes. I wish I had known this years ago. I have literally spent HOURS in my life clearing backlashes. Most of all, enjoy yourself. You will come to the realization that baitcasters are the way to go.

A few things to consider: 1.) The overheard cast is the most accurate for most people but it is the easiest to throw backlashes because if you release too late a backlash is pretty much guaranteed, whereas with a sidearm cast the casting accuracy is off line if release is incorrect, but overrun is seldom a problem 2.) Tightening the drag and reeling against the drag while holding the spool to clear tangles works about 90% of the time, although in some cases you have to do it multiple times. A bad overrun could take 8-10 tries to completely clear 3.) Learn the braking systems in your reel. Set them for better control until you have fished for some time with a baitcaster. There is a learning curve involved, but the comfort, accuracy, and power are worth it. Good luck to you, and keep at it. Success will come.

I am partial to cork grips, and I am getting older and more set in my ways by the minute.

I like Medium action rods for jerkbaits and cranks because you don't tear the hooks out of a fish's mouth because the rod is too stiff. Also, the medium loads up better with balsa baits like I prefer. And yes, I have a few 2 section rods just in case I don't have a secure way to bring my single piece rods

I have one-piece and 2-piece rods. What kind of car do you drive? I can fit one-piece rods in my car, so I mostly fish those because they don't ever twist or come apart. However a two-piece rod is insurance against closing a car door on them. Each has its place. Either way you have a rod. Tight lines

I have one that's a couple of years old. Nice rod. I would buy another if anything happened to this one

I have a Garcia Mitchell 300 reel, Shakespeare 2052 and 2062 from the '60's, all on newer rods..... Can't make myself use nthose old fiberglass rods anymore. They are still used from time to time, along with some old DAM Quick reels. For looking at I have old Pflueger Supremes, Heddon Pal reels, numerous old vintage fly reels..... I regularly use an old Lew's BB-INGH from the 20th century. That stuff was made to last

I have never fished a Lew's that I didn't like

Jitterbugs, Pikie jointed minnow, Spooks, spinners, and then the next generation of older lures which include Rapala original floating minnows and Jointed L&S Poppers