Choporoz

Does it have to be two piece? Is the handle length the problem, or overall length? What is range of lure weights that you expect her to be able to throw? FFO often has the 2 pc Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth spinning rods avail, though I don't see any at the moment. I'd check there frequently. They do have a 6'3" Aetos in your budget, but it is one piece - I've only had mine for a few days, but I am thrilled with it.

Spent about 14 hours with my new rod in the kayak this weekend. I absolutely love it. It is exactly what I was looking for. Was able to sling a 1/16oz head a good distance -- maneuver the bait through the jungle and then manage to work this guy out from lily pads and hydrilla without too much trouble.....firm finesse...

Good luck. Take a chatterbait...or two. I went out at Pohick today and that was muddy, but they found the chatterbait. Not like the Rez is ever very clear anyway. I'm debating where to go, too. Prob Fountainhead or BRM. Let us know how you do.

Perfectly.

I'd say that it varies pretty greatly. When wind is right, I've dialed in right, line is right, and lure is right...for the rod I'm using...I can go all day without a backlash. When its windy and I'm trying to push it using lighter lure than optimal; I forgot to condition the line....it might be a few times a day...some days are just maddening and it is too many....I'd say that the ratio gets worse when I'm distracted...or for some reason, just not in a groove...I can just about guarantee a backlash...or perhaps a tree, when I see a nice bass blow up on the surface towards the outer 2/3 of my casting range...buck fever

Not sure - I have 6'10" Medium / Fast. Never handled their MH power. I'll say that I do like Fenwick's F tip - but I use it exclusively for single hook applications. BTW, I also fish from a kayak and the handle on mine is perfect. I don't know if they all have same handle length, but I love it. Longer handled rods in the yak mean problems for me.

I won't comment as to what the best model rod is for you. I will say, however, that if you buy a Fenwick ET Smallmouth rod, you will not be disappointed. I have one spinning and one BC and they are phenomenal. As sensitive as my rods costing 2 to 5 times what I paid for the ET's (from FFO.)

informative...and funny

I'm guessing that a 'new' bass fisherman with a six pounder in the memory livewell isn't going to get a lot of sympathy here....:) just kidding...sorry....we've all had dry spells and challenging weeks...or months...read and study...and get time on the water....not trying to be flip or make it sound easy...it isn't....but there isn't anybody on here who hasn't had bad weeks

I take great comfort in knowing that the pros often struggle....not fair, maybe, but that's me. I love the monthly Bassmaster feature, Day on the Lake, when the pros have challenging days. I learn a LOT about how to approach waters, but I also learn, all too often, that it is also hard to be an 'every day angler'.

HBO, I thought. Didn't like Magnum, nor McGiver when they were on the first time...makes little difference to me if they reboot them so I can not-watch them again. So very little of interest to me on network TV, that I don't notice one way or another. I don't usually find out that something was actually good until 3 or 5 seasons in...and then I just stream it. Been a while since I looked forward to a weekly tv show....probably NBC Sunday Mystery (McCloud, Columbo, McMillan and Wife...)

When this thread began, I only used improved clinch....my father called it the Fisherman's Knot. Now, I don't use it at all. Palomar for braid and (now Gliss); San Diego Jam for everything else. I had some issues with Improved Clinch early this year - breaking and slipping on lighter test. Spent an evening or two tying and retying SDJ while watching TV. Now, it's as easy for me as improved clinch.

Thanks for the report. I went down from BRM on Saturday at dawn. Fish were scattered to say the least. Got a few up to 3, but nothing worth measuring/weighing/photo-ing. I did get taken for a ride again by a big 'ol flathead....only about a third as big as last one, but always exciting in a kayak.

I've tried small zip ties - worked, but...I need to get 'better' zips....I had to be really careful when tightening, as I broke as many as I finished. I still do this during the season for quick repairs. I got some .24 ga copper wire, and a pair of dykes from Home Depot and over the winter, I wire tie replacements.

I ordered the same one the other day. I can't wait. I needed it this weekend. I was throwing 1/16 slider heads with 4 and 5 inch finesse worms. The only rod that could put them out more than 15 feet was just too whippy to set the hook. I missed fish all day long.

Found a spool of 12 lb Gliss in my 'line drawer'. Lol, I have no idea how long it was there...didn't know I had it. Maybe came in LTB or MTB last year and I didnt know what it was. Anyway, spooled it up on ML spinning rod with YZ leader and had a hell of a time with it this morning. Nasty wind knot early forced me to cut some out and didn't replace the leader. Proceeded to break off 4 times, twice on fish, twice on snags. Was throwing trick worm with 1/16 lead trig. Maybe the lead was cutting it fast...IDK...One more wind knot and I was done.. if that wasn't enough, the 12lb is SO thin, like fine thread, that it was hard to run through sinkers and challenge to tie. It is thin enough to slip through the hook eye gap while trying to tie....didn't know that was even possible. Maybe the worst thing was that this green Gliss is nearly invisible...some might appreciate that, but not this line watcher. Will replace leader and try one more time, but I'm not hopeful that it'll work for me...not 12lb, anyway....was pretty maddening.

I'm guessing he's not Haysoos...been a while since I lived in sconnie, but that wasn't the most common moniker...maybe Al...or Fred...Vince....or even Bart....probably a few Brett's in the last few years, but I knew very few Haysooses

Good thread here...but the gem is Glenn's post down the page that lists a bunch of other threads and articles

About six weeks ago, I gathered up all the tubes I have...2 inch to some 5 inch monsters...probably a dozen packs or so....and hid them all in the back of the closet so I wouldn't be tempted to take them out again. I've watched and read and watched and read some more..but I cannot get bit on them. Even on a river yielding dozens of smallies a day...nothing. Trig, tube jig heads, weedless tube jig heads, weightless....doesn't matter. I'm sure its largely a confidence thing now and I have little patience when I try them, but unless you count fat Ikas, I've caught exactly one bass on a tube....someday, I'll try them again, but not this year; I just get impatient and frustrated.

BD, how many times have you had to replace the '?' key on your computer? JK!

I've never really considered having anything mounted. However, if I did, I think I'd have trouble going with a replica. I fully understand and agree with the arguments: durability; releasing the fish; cost; ease; etc. But, I think that every time I'm sitting in my (future) cabin on the lake looking up at it, I'll have a certain unease, knowing that it's 'fake'; that it isn't 'the fish'. Sorta like getting your fiance a CZ engagement ring - even if she's OK with it...it'd always be in the back of your mind that you aren't really 'authentic'. IDK...perhaps I'll feel different when I land that DD and have to decide...we'll see.......soon, I hope

Very personal decision. Only you can weigh cost, pride, decor, etc....decisions. Nothing says you can't put that one on a wall....and then next to it each succeeding bigger one.

I don't follow professional fishing of any sort. I can name maybe a dozen pro anglers...mostly from Bassmaster mag articles. But, I have watched many videos of Swindle - both to learn and to be entertained... and have a great deal of respect for him. Seems like a great guy and I'm happy for him.

I found one at a winter clearance sale and bought it before I'd paddled anything other than rental sit-in. If willing to wait a bit, you may get a great deal Nov-Jan. I bought a Wilderness Tarpon 100 and as others above have said, it isn't near as fast or roomy as my friends' big Jacksons, Wildys and Hobies. However, I don't regret getting a 10 footer for a second. I've got a lot of hours in it - couple times a week for two years. I do all day floats with a single short stand break and it is more than comfortable enough. It tracks fine and has more than enough room for day trips. But the biggest thing I like about my 10 footer is that I can carry it a good distance, if need be; and I have NO trouble getting it on and off my Durango. I would not want anything heavier. It is perfect for ponds and rivers; and does very well on big waters like Potomac and Chesapeake Bay. I can't keep up with the 14 footers when they are really motoring, but I hold my own most of the time. I also, respectfully, take issue with recommendations on paddles. I have NO WHERE near J Francho's experience, but I have found I have little need for a better paddle. I got a Harmony free with my yak - one that retails for about $70. Having wondered what I was missing, I've used friends' $500 Werners and $300 Bending Branches and while, they are better....the margin of 'betterness' is nowhere near worth the premium price to me.....take that for what its worth from a relative newbie

BD, I don't mean any offense...really...but for someone trying to live on a limited fishing budget...you sure seem to gravitate towards expensive stuff....