Al Wolbach

Good to see you here.............Tight lines..............Al

I agree with Jim. I like a 6' rod also, but I use a medium action baitcaster with a fast tip and high speed reel. St Croix legend elite 6mf with a Ardent XS 6:1 reel...........AL

I'd like to hear some feedback on that reel also. Hey Roadwarrior, I didn't know there were so many Navy veterans, LOL.............Al

Castaway is probably correct. I make my own jigs using widegap hooks and the weed guards are to long. The jigs you purchase may be ok as sold. As far as length goes I trim mine pretty short because I would rather lose ten jigs than one fish. I make my own so this is a big problem for me.

Gamskatsu and excalibur trebles........Al

Never. Just something else to fool with and I'm not that organized............Al

How I trim mine depends on where I am fishing. I normally trim the lenght by pressing the weed guard until it comes in contact with the hook point. Then trim the lenght on the guard so the guard is about 1/8 inch longer than the contact point on the hook point. Hope this makes sense. I trim the thickness of the weed guard by removing strands if fishing fairly open water such as bluffs of long points. If flipping heavy cover such as laydowns or brush piles I down not normally thin the guard. Hope this helps........................Al

Great pics. Anyone want to discuss braid vs florocarbon? Very clear water........Al

I am getting ready to install a new shoot thru the hull transducer in my Champion. I am upgrading from a Lowrance X85 to an LMS332c. I have the transducer and epoxy, all purchased from Lowrance. I have the directions that were provided with the parts and it appears fairly simple. Does anyone have any tips that may save time or trouble? Any advice would be appreciated............................Al

Welcome, ..................Al

Welcome from another retired sailor......................Al

BPS will honor other BPS stores or internet sales. It will speed up the return if you have the receipt...................Al

I rarely add a trailor , when I add a trailor I use a Zoom swimmin chunk or double tail grub.............Al

Probably the wrong place to post, so mod's feel free to move or delete. Just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and tight lines............Al

OK, RW- I surrender..............Al

I know I will wake up the Shimmano posse with this but here goes. Check out the Ardent XS. At $250 it is a little expensive, but a great reel. 3 year warranty and American made. Right now you can buy last years model for $200..........Al www.ardentreels.com

Kb- I would like to offer another option. About ten years ago I was facing the same decision as you are now. Wearing glasses was always a problem because of weather, rain especially and even sweat caused problems. I considered everything that has been discussed. My eye doctor suggested that I may want to try contacts. At age 50 I didn't think I could had the patience to even try them. He offered to give me a pair to try for free. I'm 60 now and love my contacts, however I only wear them when fishing or hunting. I can purchase any frames or lense color I want. I have never been sorry for that decision. Talk it over with your doctor..............Al

I have worked there part-time for a little over a year. It has cost me a small fortune. Good luck...................Al

I seldom even look at mine. I drive my boat watching the tach and water pressure guages. I can tell where the motor is trimmed by the tach. This topic came up during a discussion after a tournament and several guys said they look at theirs a while driving. I really don't remember their reasoning. Maybe others can explain...............Al

Cast right, reel right. With most rod handles these days I cast with both hands, for most situations, so switching is really not an issue. The older pistol grips were a different story.............Al

I scrub the cork on my handles with Greased Lightning and a soft brush to remove built up oil that has transferred from my hands. I do this every winter and it does help. Can't help with reels.......................................Al

Zoom makes a hook designed for the horny toad that will work pretty well. It has a sprial wire attached to the hook eye that allows you to screw the frog to the hook rather than slide the frog body up the hook shank. They are available in 3, 4 and 5/0 that I know of and probably more sizes as well. They are wide gap and available in black or red. I could not find a link on the BPS web site but I know they carry them. Maybe someone else can provide a link or recommend another hook.................Al

Hale- Do not remove it however you can trim as necessary. And remember all props flex some under load(even SS) so trim more than just clearance while on the trailor. You are first person that I have heard of that has torque steer with hydralic steering. I have it on a 225 Yamaha and never pulls in any direction. I can let go of my steering wheel at any speed and the boat continues straight. Not sure...................AL

Check out the best kept secret in bass fishing, the Ardent XS. The 50 mg is a great reel also...............Al

I have a friend that fishes G Loomis rods exclusively and balances every one and loves it. I fish G Loomis rod exclusively, except one St Croix, and tried the balancing and could not tell the difference in fishability. However I did feel the additional weight. I have spent a great deal of money buying light equipment and it seems a little crazy to me to add the additional weight. As others have said, at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. What works for you...................Al