Alpster

I like the Arkie's too. Very reliable and affordable. Ronnie

No offense, but this guy is not all there. He says that the Palomar knot is no good and great swimbait fishermen don't use braid. The facts are that the palomar knot maintains line strength as well as any other knot and our own "Fish Chris" is a renowned swimbait fisherman and you can look at the pics of the monster bass he has caught on his website and here if you search. He uses Tuff line (BRAID). Just my observation. Ronnie

Want to sell the Mgs?? Send me a PM. Ronnie

Hey Mook, I am proud of you! Keep on keeping on! I too, am thankful for God's grace in your life. God bless you, Ronnie

I have had 1 IMX and 2 GLX rods replaced via the "Expiditor service" and did not produce a receipt for any of them. You must however return the broken rod. Ronnie

I fish rather slowly and methodically also. I only use my TM to get from one spot to another (elec. only here) and to occasionally position the boat. I tend to stop & tie off or drop anchor and fish likely spots thoroughly. I recently fished with a few friends that I don't see very often and was amazed at how they fished soft plastics. For hours they would throw & retrieve and never stopped the trolling motor. Being a back seater I just fished along and kept my mouth shut, but I couldn't for the life of me, understand how you can fish effectively without ever stopping the boat. I'm not talking about firing up the outboard and flying to a new spot. I'm trying to describe fishing along banks and docks etc. without ever stopping the trolling motor. Do others fish this fast? Or am I just so old and slow that I just can't keep up. I was not surprised by the lack of fish caught on these excursions. Any thoughts? Ronnie

If all I had to do was get in the water to catch big bass, I would always fish in my swim trunks. ;D Ronnie

Although I have been to Americade and enjoyed it a lot, the last few years I have been attending a more intimate gathering in the Catskills. About 300 bikes and you know most everyone's name. It's a group from another message board (kind of like this one, only about Goldwings). A lot of these folks will be heading on to Americade. BTW The Sportster is sweet, I'm sorry you don't still have it. Ronnie

I ride a touring motorcycle. 2003 GL1800cc Goldwing. My daughter & I are going to a Rally in upstate NY in two weeks. I love touring with the wing. Ronnie

switz, The $50 with the Loomis warranty is for the "Expiditor Service". No questions asked and they ship your new rod to you same day and it includes a tube and return postage for your broken rod. Expiditor is an OPTION. You can return your broken loomis rod in your own tube and pay the postage and they will fix or replace your rod for FREE. You just have to pay for the postage. Since the postage on a 6 foot + rod is $20-30 one way it just makes sense to use the "Expiditor". Rest assured that Shimano (I am a proud Shimano customer and deputy in the posse) will charge you for shipping the rod under their (very good) warranty. Sorry for the long reply, but I just wanted you to compare apples to apples. I think the Loomis Expiditor service is a cut above the rest. I hope this info is helpful. Although I have a couple of GLX rods and I think they are great, I find myself looking at IMX blanks when building new rods. Worth $100 more than an IMX? I only buy GLX if I'm getting a great deal. They are all amazing rods, it's all about how much $ you have to spend. JMHO Ronnie Ronnie

Boat doesn't leak, rods or reels don't break, I don't drop anything overboard. Catch a few fish. Great Day! Ronnie

I also use the Yo Zuri Ultra Soft, and i use the palomar knot 100% of the time. Never ever have a problem of line breaking anywhere, let alone at the knot. Jason I also use the Palomar knot exclusively. I have snagged the YoZuri US and straightened out hooks pulling it loose. I can't make this knot fail or break the line. It's good stuff. Matt, you could have a defective spool or you maybe scratching the line on rocks or something. JMHE Ronnie

7 1/2" Black Shad Culprit worm. Ronnie

Opposing nails knots. Especially when two lines are different diameter. They are easy to tie with a "Knottyer" tool. If tied properly, it has a small profile and will travel smoothly through the guides. I have broken the line on both sides of this knot and have never seen it fail. JMHE Ronnie

I leave them buried in soft rubber worms and tex-posed in heavy salt sticks. I fish in thick cover most of the time. I love the *** that Brett gave to me at Fork. They have a small slot molded into the worm for the point of the hook to rest in. This is a great idea and it seems to work like a charm. No buried hook and very few snags. The "Grandebass" worms have the same slot. I Like them! Ronnie

I ride 10,000+ miles a year and I wear a helmet, even in states where it's legal to ride without. I don't agree with helmet laws, seatbelt laws, can't eat french fries laws, etc.. I think the government should stay out of people's personal business. I can't let anything happen to this particularly shiney head, so I wear a helmet. JMHO Ronnie

Avid, I have this reel and have used it on my flippin stick. It's a dandy for about $100. ABU 6600D5. Ronnie

I have a G-Loomis FS904X Flippin stick 7' 6" very light and strong. Mine is spiral wrapped with eva grips. I love it! Ronnie

Avid, I have used the expiditor service 3 different times. It's amazingly painless and quick. I hope you are as pleased with it as I am. I love the Loomis waranty. The zillion should work OK, but a Shimano 50Mg would work better. Ronnie

I don't think your thumb would be in any danger. The DC is not like a spin caster, it can be backlashed easily. I think maybe the hype has led people to belive that it's backlash proof and that is not the case. It's a superior free spool control and I like it, but it is very capable of backlash. I cast it with the same care and technique as I do all my other baitcasters. If you can afford it, I would definitely recommend it. It's a joy to fish with. JMHO Ronnie

Everything about my Calcutta TE200DC is perfect. This reel is an engineering work of art. Never held a reel as smooth sturdy and well built. Of all the things I love about this reel, casting distance is way down on the list. I don't think it's that much longer than my 50 Mgs. It will cast a 1/8 oz crankbait into the wind and when you hook a nice fish, it's like having power steering with a drag as smooth as butter. I only wish it came in a model with a faster retrieve. I am saving up for a Calais DC. JMHO Ronnie

Yep, that is handy. Thanks Keith! I would have missed it. Ronnie

Cut the top of the thread wraps and epoxy with a single edge razor blade or xacto knife right on top of the guide feet. Heat the wraps with a blow dryer, one at a time until the epoxy releases and remove the guides. I would send the reel seat back with the blank and get a new reel seat. JMHO Ronnie

Yes I have suffered with BBCD for many years. There is no known cure and you can only get temporary relief from spending $ at a large tackle venue. I got a package in the mail today from BPS. Some Terminator Jigs and some drop shot weights & hooks. I don't have to have it! It's just really nice! I can quit anytime I want! Ronnie

I launch alone all the time. I have a 16' aluminum with trolling motors only. I was a musician until arthritis disabled my hands and I learned years ago how to coil a mike cable so it will un-coil without tangling. I use this coiling technique with my bow line and tie the tag end to my Van back door handle. I lay the coiled bow rope on the tounge of the trailer and back the boat off the trailer. This works every time and is very easy. I'm in the water very quickly. Ronnie