Alpster

His name also makes me think of Justtrying, he is a rodbuilder and senior member. He hasn't been around in quite a while either. He had some health issues that made it hard to fish sometimes. I hope he is OK too! Didn't mean to hijack, it just made me think. Ronnie

Water Gremlin sinker stopper. They are a tiny split bullet sinker and you just pinch it on in front of your bullet weight and its pegged. Ronnie

The current world record striper is 78lbs 8oz, caught off Atlantic City, NJ. http://www.stripers247.com/NewJerseyworldrecord.htm Ronnie

It's a shame too... I would have been way proud of them bass, no matter when I caught em. Ronnie

Here in NJ the spawn will happen from about mid April to Mid June. I am convinced that although water temps and weather fronts, etc. are mild factors, that the biggest factor that prompts fish to spawning areas is plain old instinct. Most (even cold blooded) species have measurable gestation periods & seasonal cycles and some you can almost set your watch by them (see the red crabs of Christmas Island). It's obvious that the spawn happens later here than in warmer Southern climes, but I believe the 'instinct' cycles are still the same. Water temps, lunar phases, etc. are just the measuring sticks we use to get in sync with what nature is doing. If I can find water temps of 55-60 degrees in less than 15' of water on any kind of structure during the 1st week in May, I will stop and fish a while. I did the same thing in LA when I lived there, just 6 or 7 weeks earlier. It's no accident that we will tackle Guntersville and Fork during the last week in March. The weather can push the cycles around a little, but they are still there and are somewhat predictable. Ronnie

Yea, I'm glad I don't have one of those.... Ronnie

You want to fill the spool up to about an 1/8" from the edge. Ronnie

T-rig 3/16 oz bullet un-pegged with a Gammy 3/0 straight offset hook. It looks like this and it is a killer bait. Dead stick it, drag it very slowly along the bottom, pull it gently off the edge of a lilly pad or laydown log and be alert when it falls. JMHO Ronnie

OK, money is no object here.... Fly fishing for tarpon in Belize with a Sage 1291 Xi2 blank wrapped by me, a Billy Pate Tarpon fly reel with a jazzy shrimp fly, tied by me. 60 feet of intermediate sinking tip line coiled between my feet and twice the leader length hanging off my rod tip, waiting for anyone to point to a silver king. One false cast to get 80' of line out right on his nose. I led him a little too much, but he lunges at the fly and the fight is on. The alarm goes off and I wake up and realize that the mortgage payment is due today! @$#%!&^. One of these days........... Ronnie

X2 Try em, you will like em! Ronnie

I am not an expert and I can't answer for Jay, but I think the prevailing wisdom is that when the barometer is falling at a frantic pace, that bass will respond by getting excited about feeding. Fish are very sensitive to the barometric pressure, not so much the rain itself. I hope I answered your question correctly. Ronnie

Although I really appreciate the recommendations I get, I just don't have the resources and time to build rods commercially. I build a few rods a year for close friends and my own use. It's a hobby for me and it takes me months to get one done. I own my own business (not fishing related) and I can't get parts any cheaper than you can, etc.. You are much better off dealing with David Green (Reelmech) who is also D&G custom rods. He makes awesome rods at a reasonable price and will get them to you much quicker than I could. He does this for a living and I can't compete with him on any level. If I build you a rod, it's because I love ya. If I charged for my time it would cost $10,000 for a rod and it still wouldn't be as nice as one of D&G's. Stick with the pros and you won't be disappointed. JMHO Ronnie

I have a 1000FB and can't imagine anything sweeter. Ronnie

I disagree that it's overkill for everything. Get yourself a light glass crankin rod and strap that DC on it and you will see it works just fine for deep divers and light shallow runners. If I didn't have mine, I wouldn't fish cranks at all. JMHO. Ronnie

X2 -- The deeper the water the more braid will help you. JMHO Ronnie

Oh Man! You are gonna love that DC. I have a TE200DC and it's righteous. Casts a feather into a stiff wind. Congrats! Ronnie

Avid, That would be "LowMudRoadBizz" I think. Ronnie

No matter what rod/reel you use, don't let it sink on the cast. With a little practice, you can begin your retrieve as soon as the buzzbait touches the water. If it doesn't sink, you don't have to 'get it back up'. End your cast with the rod tip pointed at the bait and engaging the reel bring the rod tip up while reeling the slack, the bait shouldn't sink more than an inch if at all. Try it. Ronnie

I am a Land Surveyor with my own business. The name of my company is Associated Land ProfessionalS with the last S capitalized. In my logo which includes a mountain range the A.L.P.S. stands out hence Alpster. Also, it was the only screen name on the internet that wasn't already taken over 10 years ago. LOL Ronnie

According to my english teacher friend there is no correct pronunciation for a proper noun. Example I used to work for guy in New Orleans whose last name was "RICHARD" (Rich ard) he would kill you. He was a proud cajun (french canadian) it's pronounced (Reee shard) or he would kill you. He really wasn't violent. JM 2 cents. Ronnie

It was a bear to get the casting seat to expose the blank properly and make it look right. I probably won't use it again. The new ACS casting seats from Fuji are interesting. I like the way they feel in my hand, it lets you wrap two fingers around the handle while palming the reel. My next one will use that seat. I bought a couple of these to fit the blanks I bought. We'll see. Ronnie

Dinner sounds good. I am definitely there! I may be a few minutes late, 2:15 or so because I have to travel a couple of hours and can't leave till noon. I will be the handsome, bald guy with the charming presence. 8-) Ronnie

I don't really need to buy any new fishing stuff. I have been collecting fishing gear for 35 years and I'm not addicted yet! I can quit any time I want! I don't have to have it, I don't really need it, it's just really nice......you know what I mean....... ;D Ronnie

Buckeye, You just got opinions from a couple of legends on this board. If you fish swimbaits, just get the Mattlures. JMHO Ronnie

Hey Keith, I recently finished a rod for 'TheRedtorpedo' 6' MH Shikari blank with Burl split grip, fuji alconite guides and Mudholes Zebra wood reel seat, silver underwraps with black over wraps. I now have a rod on the lathe for a special buddy. On a Shikari SB683 blank. Zebra wood reel seat with Fuji alconites, Burnt Burl with natural rings for grips. This one will have gold underwraps with black or dark brown overwraps. That's what I have going at the moment. Ronnie