FlipnLimits

Forum members With all of the Technique Specific (TS) rods on the market now, it appears many people are even more confused with what action is meant for what. I searched for a thread that spoke to this but didn't find one within the last half dozen pages, so I apologize if it's been covered already. On one thread a poster has said they are gimmicky, a marketing ploy.. what have ya. (I agree to a some degree) Another thread poster said he bought a froggin' rod and it's too stiff and someone replied he should try the TS spinnerbait rod from the same manufacturer, for frogging. Of course these are seemingly appropriate responses to their respected questions and threads. It just seems, understandably, that manufacturers are designing rods to get close to what the average fisherman thinks is perfect for the desired bait/action they are trying to achieve. And that's fine, but there's a cost to that (covered later) And I see it as a move forward for fishing in general, but...... But!!! A big But!!! In the process, what I see has happened is this......TS rods have ousted the "older" series of rods, right? Nobody can disagree here. TS rods have doubled the amount of rods in their new series, right? Again, we agree. But the biggest change I've seen is the poorer quality of rod in the TS lines compared to the series of rods they are replacing. As a long time user of Fenwick, Shimano, Falcon, St. Croix, and a couple other well known makers, I see the new series of TS rods are not as light as the predecessor, have different actions, went to foam in some cases (or the fancy name for it), and the overall quality seems to be lacking. I used Avids and Legends for 20 years and they were the top of the line in the company's lineup, now the TS LTB has replaced the Avid series and they are heavier, have flacid actions, and cost quite a bit more. Maybe it costs more to make them, I cannot say, but they aren't as nice as the Avids were. I bought the Slop N Frog and all I got was the Slop. lol Maybe most people fish frogs with rods having slow tips but that's probably why many people have a hard time hookin' up. I fish with a fast action and a longer rod, for more leverage. Regarless of my fishing styles, this company lost a 20 year die-hard fan due to TS rods. Shimano's Crucial line did the same thing. I just bought the TS Flipping rod (2 of them) and it's dummied-down. The original Crucial Rod is a beast! This one's a bust, in comparison. I'll keep 1 for pitching light plastics but nothing heavier. I understand some rods fit the actions people want but we're paying the price in losing some quality, in my opinion. This brings me to the Rick Clunn part. Rick Clunn, a master of our sport! I thinks so, anyways. Rick Clunn, the man who seemingly passed the crown to a well deserving KVD? Without question! But do you remember when RC announced he will fish with nothing more than ALL 7' rods that are exactly the same and with the same reels? If not, look it up Google generation. Some may remember him saying that and it seems he quickly disappeared from stardom (debatable) after this announcement. Why did RC go to "all rods the same" mentality? Because every rod and reel he picks up will feel the same to him, every time. Because he will not have to adjust his hands and casting for each rod and reel. Interesting that the All Time Leading Bassmaster Classic winner would have a system like this but the market goes in the opposite direction to TS lines. So, my question to you is, do you use TS rods because that's what's available, or because they have helped your fishing, or do you stay with "old" wiseguys like RC and use one rod for many different applications? I'm in the middle with a few TS rods that work as anything but what it says on the rod, lol, and rods that aren't TS. I also have micro guide rods and a medium guide rod. I'm not knocking the new stuff, but don't tell me it's better and costs more if it just costs more but isn't better. If the rods were super quality, fine, but they just cost more, in other words. I guess being in my 40's just makes me old and question things. If this is a controversial topic, it wasn't intended to be, just delete it, I can take it. I just feel that the market is taking advantage of us, at the moment, with all this new TS. FL

Raider That was a compliment I hope it was received that way. FL

Then surely there's hope. If it was the 10th month of 93, you'd have technique-specific rods to go with the fancy cutters. Speaking of, tried my 1st ever tech specific rod today, around the yard, seems to have a fair action, I'll admit.

Raider, You must be from the 80's also FL

The lake is tough on me also. I go one time per year, if I go, and have had good days but the last few times I went it was terrible. The lake was really good before a die-off, or whatever happened there, and I've read it's been getting stocked since the die-off. I've fished it from boat before and done well along riprap castable from shore, so I've hiked it the last few times and it's been horrible. it's an odd lake to fish, I've looked for spawners, topwater bites, deeper water structure, and with the strange temperatures It's been tough to figure out. It's also tougher when you go 1 time (maybe) per year. I'll go just to be outdoors and to cast a couple new reels around. I don't expect to do well from shore, so anything will be a bonus. Of course I'm referring to bass, not catfish, which is easy to catch it seems.

Obviously you like spiders, lol.

I used nail clippers, it cuts less at a time but does the job well. Also, I used to cut the gaurds but now just flare every strand out. It makes it more WOODless and you can't get that if they're cut. Now I never cut a strand. I trim my skirt in a W pattern. FL

Thank you for your reply. The fog on that lake is something else, isn't it? I imagine all cooling lakes are like this. I've fished Powerton before but it was warmer so no fog. Anyways, I have fished the south shore before and it has been hit-n-miss. It was better years ago before the lake crashed and 2 years ago was my last visit. My last visit was horrible but it was great to get out this early in the season, so might do the same this year just to get outside.

I also find that hard to believe. Maybe the lake has made a full comeback but it just sucked for a while Also, with all that riprap, there should be some bass taken from shore also. I may go this week, walking, my rig isn't ready to go anywhere yet. Thanks for your reply, Slone. FL

I fish bass only and in my area, a 5# 'er is a wallhanger. So, I don't throw large swimbaits at all, and that's where much of the money seems to go. Pointers are excellent lures and cost a bit but when fishing where I need to throw it, I throw it. I like buying in bulk whenever possible and get some savings there. I'll spend the money on certain baits. FL

LOL, that answers the Braidwood question. Give us the Braidwood report, stk. Thanks FL

Have fished plenty below McHenry Dam to Algonquin (or whatever the spillway South is) but during the Summer. This year's Spring may be a consideration with all the ice. Was thinking to go to Braidwood even. With all the salt on the roads, I'll keep the rig at home and won't pull in it anyways. Any reports from Braidwood? From boat or shore? FL

ouch! I stepped on a nest in the ground, ran like heck!!! On a similar note. It's been a while but I like some small ponds around my area where boat access isn't allowed so a hike is mandatory. One such pond is in a field with tall grass around it and while walking and casting, I found a large Banana Spider staring me in the face at chest height. Being not particularly scared of spiders I continued to fish in the tall grass pond. Saw another spider then another, I look around and realize I'm in a field where they must make their colony a home. One or two spiders, fine, but a field full? I left the pond that day. Haven't walked around a lake or pond in a couple years now but I'll only return to this one in Spring when the grass is short. Incidentally, one can learn aplenty from walking the shore.

I hope you whack'em! Few more weeks here, not Monday Unless I leave now for LA, and there should be some paczki left too.

Good lookin' bait, Catt. Their paddle tail will find it's way into the boat for sure. FL

I didn't think something like this would appeal to me, but must admit, it looks really great! FL

In short, my wife's sister worked for me 20 years ago. She introduced us. Sold the business, gained a woman that's perfect for me. Been together 18 years now. She always has and does push me to further my fishing, but pipedreams are what they are. When you have kids, gotta do what's right for the family first. I thank God for her, my angel. FL

Yes, it is pretty nice stuff. I didn't get the insulation for the parka but fleece does the same job for much less. FL

Admitting it is the first step! I see no problem Keep up the good work! FL

Jigs are pretty versatile and tempting to bass most of the day (that's my belief and I'm sticking to it You surely will catch 'em morning and afternoon. Maybe some of the other guys who fish nights can speak to that. What you'll find with jigs is the learning curve of where, how, and why to use them, moreso than what time of day. It's fun to learn and well worth the effort. I try to learn something new ever single time I head out, even if it's a new twig in the waters I often fish. There are different types of skirted bass jigs for grass, wood, swimming, etc, to consider. Choose your jigs by your cover and water clarity, for starters. Most of my lakes are shallow, murky, and have laydowns, so I fish dark colored jigs that will pull through wood, as an example. Ok, I'll quit rambling now, let others do some talking.

LOL, brother! Loomis on its way. Glad to see another tourney angler!

Funny thing is, I have also tried to find the poem several times, no luck. I read it in 5-7 grades. Thanks for the recommendation, will have to locate it.

Nicely written These are all the things to love about fishing. Spring Peepers signaling Spring, tormenting Blue Jays, Great Blue Heron eating my next catch, and others. If you'd care to write on, I'd be more than happy to read it. It's writing like this that got me hooked many years ago. Have you read a poem named, Muskellunge? I read it as a very young boy and it was the first time I got the jitters from fishing. With all these things happening on the water, and it's magical, sometimes I look around me and wonder why I'm the only boat out there.

There are many good baits to try on windy days. I believe the windblown side of the lake (not at all times of the season) will be more productive than the calm side but the wind can be brutal to fish in. The solution for me is to fish the windy side until I get frustrated with the wind and then run to the calm side for some time. Cranks and spinnerbaits can be tried on the windy side and jigs/worms/top water on the calmer side. I may fish the calmer side longer but always keep an eye on the windy side because that's where I want to be more. I understand you can anchor or use Power Poles, etc, but the wind is still brutal to endure. Of course this is all relative to how windy it actually is. FL

Maybe an old wives tale? I had horrible days and great days with east winds. A cold front from the North is what kills it for a while, imo. FL