Shockwave

Define "high quality setup". Just because the rod or reel costs a bunch of money, doesn't mean that you're guaranteed a difference in experience due to any significant higher quality of the product. Take Big Baller Brand shoes for example. They are a high dollar product but the level of quality definitely doesn't match the price point. With JDM gear, you're also paying a decent chunk due to what it costs to get that piece of equipment into your hands straight from Japan. I definitely am not passing judgement on anyone that buys high dollar equipment. I wouldn't even think of calling someone ridiculous for it. It's a choice they made and I'll never begrudge anyone for making that choice. I'm just interested in what makes someone choose that equipment.

This one is inspired by the post in the tackle section regarding $100+ swimbaits. How do you guys feel about super high dollar rods and reels? I was looking at some JDM stuff and came across these which made my jaw drop: Megabass Monoblock KALEIDO INSPIRARE TKIC-611XMH-BK USED!!!!! We're basically talking about $1000 gear here. The rod is almost a grand USED! Would you spend that kinda cash on gear? What's your limit? I set a hard limit at $200. I'll drop $200 on a rod and another $200 on a reel. I can tell the difference between a $100 rod/reel and a $200 rod/reel. I'm pretty hard on gear so knowing that, I can't justify spending more on gear that I'm gonna be rough on. Your thoughts?

Some people (I'm one of them) retie after catching a few fish on one knot. Once I started doing that, I'm breaking off less.

I'm in Wisconsin and I use braid on everything except my cranking setups. I'll use braid with a flouro leader because the sensitivity is better. I feel EVERYTHING with braid.

Anyone know of a reputable person I can take some reels to have them serviced and cleaned for the season? I know I probably shoulda done this at the end of last season but deer season snuck up on me QUICKLY! Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

I just found this on a musky forum: Immediate shipping notice for Vexan and Tackle Industries Rods: If you live in the Midwest SpeeDees shipping territory (IA, NE, SD, ND, MN, WI, IL) this will not affect you for any rod shipments. If you DO NOT live in this area, all rods OVER 8' shipping length (not affected are telescopic 9' and 9'6" rods) all major shipping companies like FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc have changed their definition of "Oversized" shipments from 9' down to 8' (96"). Any oversized shipment in these extended FedEx, UPS, DHL areas will now cost an additional $120/shipment. Don't forget, if you do live in the affected areas you can still enjoy the Tackle Industries 9'6" and 9' telescopic rods with ZERO shipping issues no matter where you live... We are making all of our new Vexan Big Game 9' rods in 2pc rods going forward too so everyone will still be able to get the new Vexan spinning rods in 9' lengths--Coming soon! See below for our official information on http://www.vexan.com and http://www.tackleindustries.com NOTE: Important Shipping Notice for rods over 8’ Effective Immediately If you are located outside of the following states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, oversized shipping rates changed to anything over 8 feet in actual shipping length. This adds approximately $120 on to our shipping expense. As a result, we are no longer able to offer flat rate shipping on rods that are longer than 8 feet in actual shipping length. * Does not affect 9' and 9’6? telescoping rods as they reduce to 8’ and below for shipping so they are not affected and will still ship for the flat rate in all areas of the United States and Canada. * Two-piece rods are not affected and will still ship for flat rate in all areas of the United States and Canada. Should you be outside of the flat rate shipping zone (WI, IL, IA, MN, NE, SD, ND) and would still like to purchase a longer rod at these higher shipping rates, we will contact when we receive your order to confirm that you are willing to pay the additional $120. Canada rates are affected in the same way that the above shipping update effects shipments within the United States. However, the additional cost to Canada on the longer rods will be $160.

I was just talking to a buddy yesterday who was telling me that shipping rates on fishing rods have skyrocketed with all shipping services except for Speedee. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced this too.

I don't just use braid as mainline on all my spinning rods, I use braid as mainline on ALL my rods. Of course I use mono backing on my casting setups but I absolutely LOVE the sensitivity increase. The only rods that have all flouro are my casting rods set up for crankbaits. I didn't want braid affecting my cranking depth on those setups.

EDC is a Springfield XD Mod 2 9MM in a N82 IWB holster. Can't carry at work but anywhere else I go, I'm carrying.

I'll probably head out there in the next couple weeks. I'll update with how I do for sure!

I haven't fished Fowler before. I've done very well on Lac La Belle but never really thought about fishing Fowler.

Similar day here. A buddy and I were out from 3:30pm - 8:30ish and I got one bass in the boat over on the northwest side of the lake. The wind definitely made it a rough evening. I watched the wind wreak havoc on a sailboat out there. Tore one of the sails right off. We mainly stuck to the bays that were out of the wind. Everyone I talked to on the lake was having similar luck.

Good luck!! I'll be hitting Pewaukee in a couple hours. Update us on how you do and I'll do the same.

How'd everyone do during the bass opener? I'll be on Pewaukee this Thursday for my first time getting out for bass this year. What kinda temps are you guys seeing arouns SE Wi so far? I got up to Sturgeon Bay a few weeks ago and had an absolute blast. We got several 26-28 inch walleye and a couple smaller eaters. I have a couple of new walleye spots to add to the GPS now!

I agree, the 28 inchers are definitely too big for the dinner table. We did keep a couple that would normally be just a big larger than keeper size just because the water is still in the 48-53 degree range so the meat hadn't yellowed at all like it would in warmer waters. The really big ones were all pre-spawn females that we want to be able to reproduce and definitely did not want to keep. I think i've found something to fish for in the early spring time that'll scratch the itch till bass opener!

Since I still have to wait two more weeks for bad opener, walleye and pike will have to hold me over. Caught a few walleyes in Sturgeon Bay today using a Lucky Craft Pointer. The largest was this 28 incher. I never used a LC to catch walleyes before. First time for everything!

Honestly, I love catching em. They taste d**n good too!! Pain in the arse to clean but friggen delicious! As stated, any bass lure will work. I personally do very well with lipless cranks, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits. DEFINITELY have a good leader tied on!

I'm in SE WI. Specifically the Oak Creek area. I've been checking this site out for a couple years now. I'm here pretty hard during the fishing season. When bowhunting season comes around, I tend to move towards the hunting forums so my attendance is definitely more sporadic in late fall. I make up north to Minoqua, Tomahawk and Boulder Junction areas several times a year to fish and it's a blast every time. I've learn a buttload from this site and from watching Glenn's videos!

I don't ice fish so I never got any gear to prepare for that. I've always associated fishing with flip flops and cut off t-shirts so ice fishing never really interested me. I have some Columbia base layers that I wear for cold weather hunting so I'll take a look at their rain gear too! Thanks for the heads up there!

I'll be heading up to Door County. I went up with some buddies last year and SLAYED some ginormous pike and some tasty walleye. I dont mind mind dropping some extra coin on good rain gear as long as I won't have to drop more coin to replace it in a couple years because the quality wasn't up to par. I'm leaning towards the Cabelas Guidewear. Unfortunately I can't find any decent coupon codes right now so I may just ending paying full price.

I've heard a lot of good things about Cabela's Guide Wear. I have a Cabelas near me so I'll have to take a trip out there and check it out. I agree with the not buying online thing. Good rain gear needs to fit properly and you can't guarantee that fit buying online.

I have a trip coming up in a month or so up to northern Wisconsin. This is an annual trip for some friends and I. Last year, I made the trip without picking up sufficient rain gear and will NOT make that mistake again. I've been looking at the latest and greatest rain gear and have been eyeing up the Frabill F3 bibs and jacket. What are your opinions of this combo? I've seen reviews on Amazon from people saying the suit leaks. I don't wanna deal with a leaky suit if possible. I'd love to see some suggestions on worthwhile rain gear.

Im looking for a decent, durable paddle tail to use as a trailer on spinnerbaits. The key word is DURABLE!! I want something that will last more than a couple fish. I figure the elaztech ones would be a sure bet but I'm wondering a couple of things. How would this swimbait affect depth since elaztech floats? I'm also wondering how the action of the tail is compared to other swimbaits. Any advice? TIA!

Snarky Jig (sneaky arky)

Interesting mix of opinions and I can definitely understand the different views. Someone mentioned how they don't buy expensive lures because of the pike. I FEEL YA THERE!!! I don't buy expensive lures either because pike will break them off at the drop of a dime. They destroyed a couple spinnerbaits during that last outing. I didn't pay too much for them so the sacrifice was worth it!