Alpster

I can't produce the artist pieces like some of you guys, but I'm happy to do what I can. I will be honored to help on the next go round.

EXCELLENT!

I haven't been around a lot since the new software came about, but I am an old hand around here.

How did I get tangled up in this? LOL

Beautiful Gary!

Manasquan Reservoir is a great lake in central Monmouth county. It made Bassmaster magazine's top 100 US Bass lakes a year or so ago.

Seems like just yesterday. LOL What a trip!

Good job young man, never forget where you came from.

Well, my goodness, see what happens when you leave the door unlocked. Great to see you back around Keith! You still wrapping rods?

I have 3 GLX (some years old) that I love. Drop shot, MB783 and a 9wt fly rod. Great rods.

I don't know if its considered 'trolling', but when the wind is up and my aluminum gets hard to control. Rather then fight it and get frustrated, I head to the upwind end of the lake and drift with the wind using a carolina rig. Have caught some decent fish.

Send it to DVT for a good cleaning and lube. Fish with the rest of your life.

Spinning Shimano Stella Baitcasting Shimano Calcutta DC

Not going to mention that he was fishing with a pretty awesome guide when he caught that fish. Also it took 4 people and an extra boat to land it. There is always a good story in the drama that is fishing. LOL

I think it's one of the best reels ever made. You did real good!

I am also a fan of the IMX. I have several rods built on these blanks. LOVE them!

I also fish in dingy water. Culprit's black-shad is a go to for me. Dark black with silver belly & tail.

It doesn't take very long to see if a buzzbait bite is on. By the time your boater gets upset you will either be catching fish or tieing on a new bait. If its dark or at dawn and the water is warming, somebody ought to be throwing it.

I stripped and re-built three expensive, high end rods and two of them turned out fine, the third rod in this process that was destroyed when heating the epoxy to remove guides. About a $200 rod at the time. So, there's that. I could have built a 1/2 a dozen for the same amount of time & energy. Find a good builder and a blank that has the same specs as the one you like and build a new one. JMHO

My flipping/pitching rod is built on an old G-Loomis FS904 blank 7-1/2' heavy fast, for thick cover and grass punching. My jig casting rod for ledges and humps is built on a Lamiglas HMG 50 LMB844. 7' heavy fast. I'm a fan of the Fuji ECSM reel seats. I have used a couple of the ACS (with the finger grips) they become annoying after hours of fishing IMHO.

If I'm swimming a jig across the bottom, I like a ribbon tail worm trailer. If I'm pitching to cover and want a slow fall, I like a Rage lobster or craw. Colors are hit and miss for me. I seem to have the best action with earthy colors.

"Zoom" finesse worm on a "Megastrike Shake2" jig will stand up all day long.

I have always applied finish on the dryer. I love getting done and just walking away. My Renzetti rod lathe would sling finish on the ceiling if I used it. LOL I have an old Flex Coat dryer and it always turns in the same direction. The other dryer is homemade and I'm not sure.

I have some plastics that are more than 30 years old that have been stored in a myriad of containers over the years. Still in good shape.

Arkie jig with a Uncle Josh Black Widow eel trailer.