Josh Smith

Thank you. I think I may have to modify that 5500c3 a bit more. Need to find a shallow wiffle spool, or a V-spool. Both are somewhat rare. I don't want to slap a 4600 on it because, at the distances I want to throw -- which are the same as yours, by the way -- I like to maintain a relatively even IPT from start to finish. This means I need a wide, shallow spool as opposed to a deep, narrower spool. Sure, the 4600c3 is much easier to start up, but it doesn't have that wide spool I want. Heck, with certain lures on certain days and using 30lb braid, I strip an appreciable amount off that spool. That's OK for jerkbaits, but not for moving lures. I'll see what I can find spool-wise, and go from there. Regards, Josh

What reel do you have? And how far do you expect it to throw? I don't know what 1.5 and 1.0 squarebills are. Growing up we went by weight, not series. Can you help out? Thanks, Josh

Sam, Line is something like 17lb fluoro. It's some stuff I wanted to use up. Maybe a bit heavy? SmallJaw, It may be that the 5500 is a bit heavy. I really like them for crankbaits, though, for consistent ipt at distance. Thanks! Josh

Hello, I bought a Quantum KVD crankbait rod for this year. It's rated as a MH, but the lure weight range is stated as 1/4 to 1/2 ounce. I mounted an Ambassadeur 5500c3 (modified). 1/4 oz isn't going to start it up well, but 3/8 up should. When I tried it this evening, I found that it struggled below 1/2 oz and didn't seem to load with less than that. The rod feels, to me, to be a 1/2 to 1 oz rod. Any idea why this is? Thanks, Josh

PennBass, You may have your man card back upon the purchase of your first pocket knife. A belt knife earns extra points. Josh

+1 I personally like the XT or XL if I'm using mono, depending on where I'm fishing. Haven't tried Big Game, though. Josh

What cover, if any? Water clarity? Lure types? Josh

So, guys, my wife and I just finished up Season 4. The one thing that's really bugging me is this: Friggin' Daryl is using a crossbow, and that's cool -- but it has a rail and no sight! The sight was on there at the beginning, I'm sure. Did he lose it at some point that I missed? Or did the prop guys just forget it? I have a hard time believing he wouldn't run across some BUIS at least given all the ARs laying around. Also, during the final shootout at the prison, it looks like at least one guy was using a flat top AR without any sort of sights, but that was a quick scene and I could be wrong. Still, if I'm right, those rifles had been stored and maintained. I'm a gun guy and this stuff bugs me. Josh

Get an Abu Garcia and install the stainless gears... Josh

My wife says nobody else's husband does this. At the end of the day, I'll sometimes lay in bed and crank a fishing reel, or might change a handle laying down, or maybe arrange the tackle box. She says this isn't normal. Not in bed. She crochets in bed and I don't see the difference. Any of you all find tackle or reels or whatever relaxing bedtime fare? Josh

ETT would have limited value with bass, I think. Posture is likely more significant. A bass's pupils cannot dilate, and pupil dilation indicates adrenaline etc. Josh

The wife and I are working on The Walking Dead. When we're caught up we're starting on Fear. Josh

This rain is killing my river smallie action!

Over on Amazon there's some feller named "RAIDER" trash talking the Kalex. Josh

It's OK, Glenn. SnoopaVision messes with me, too. A little off topic, what are you using that's keeping that boat so stable? Josh

Thank you, gents. I lost my most effective smallie lure out there -- a Rapala square bill painted like a chartreuse crawdad with red belly. It was high floatation and did really well. When I replace it I want to make sure of similar characteristics, better if I can get it. Thanks again! Josh

Hello, I caught a Fisherman's Handbook with Wade Middleton and Spro's Rock Crawler designer. I was watching it because it was late winter/early spring strategies, but they were definitely selling it as a specialized rock lure. Here's the episode: It looks to me like they're promoting it as a specialized rock lure, so I'm wondering if there's really any real difference that makes it perform better on rocks. Regards, Josh

Hello, The section of river I fish has a lot of rocks. I am wondering if there's anything appreciably different about the Spro Rock Crawler (and any others that may be dedicated to rock fishing) and other, regular crankbaits? I lose a lot of them, so if I'm going to spend the coin it needs to be worth it. Is it a gimmick? Thank you, Josh

Very good. I am not into swimbaits, but I will keep Mr. Hinkle in mind for any business he might help me with. One of those lures would look nice artwork on the wall of a man cave. Josh

Warranty?

Many years ago and many miles south I caught a largish 9lb, 13oz largemouth. There is probably no way I'd ever beat that in Northern Indiana, so I count the largest I've caught here from public waters. Do you do anything similar? Josh

I have the opposite problem. When I switch to spinning I have to consciously retime my cast. Don't try for distance at first. Josh

Yes! 4.7:1, 21ipt, bushings. I have one, not as nice, on my new crankbait rod. Mine had mismatched side plates (I think the left side went to a 4000) so I put 5000 side plates on it. Mine also has levelwind bearings and a bearing on the crankshaft, but I left the spool bushings in place. Josh

Last trip to the river I lost a nice smallie, then two jerkbaits and three crankbaits trying to catch it again. Josh

Thank you, gents. I had some 17lb fluoro laying around, so I spooled it up since I generally throw cranks in the river. Lots of rocks. I'll try it, and go from there. Josh