Josh Smith

Hi Folks, I have a reel handle that I really like. Looks like it's off a Johnny Morris: The reel handle is on my 5500c3 (modified). I took the reel handle apart and it has plastic bushings instead of bearings. I'd like to replace these bushings with bearings, but reel handles are one place I'm simply not educated. Growing up the good reel handles were Gator Grips and Power Speed handles. Any help, guys? Thank you, Josh

Hi Folks, I have a Lew's Speed Stick, 5'6", MH fiberglass rod. It's actually Dad's, but mine if I want it. I guess maybe it's joint ownership at this point. It was Dad's first casting rod, and his Ambassadeur 5000 modified with 5500 gears sat atop it. It looks like this: Not mine, but same. Very nice reels in that pic! I'd like to put it back into service. I have an older 5500 setting around doing nothing and have some ideas for it. Thing is, I'm not sure what the fiberglass Lew's rod is good for these days. It seems much more whippy than any hybrid or pure graphite rod I've seen, so I'm thinking moving baits. I'd employ it for still fishing for catfish or whatever, but I don't catfish much and I'd rather have a longer setup for throwing bait, anyway, and maybe a longer handle for fighting cats in. Anyone still use these? Where do you find them to excel? Regards, Josh

I like 'em. Mine's not quite so short on the Daiwa Jupiter rod, but it's still much shorter than I'm used to. Palming the reel is a must. Josh

I think you will be happy with a Japanese-made Shimano or Swedish-made Abu Garcia. I suggest these because it's hard to find junk from either place. How fast do you prefer your retrieve? Do you prefer round or low-profile? Josh

I guess I'll toss in. I know for a fact that "Big Pharm" is indeed out to get you, monetarily. The best example I have of this is that I sometimes need an inhaler due to allergies. This certain inhaler, albuterol, was generic years back. Cost like $5. Albuterol is an older medicine and the patent is expired. When the government banned CFCs, they were going to make an exception for medications. Know what? The pharmaceutical companies lobbied against this exemption. Why? Well, they could patent the delivery systems that no longer use CFCs. The albuterol is the very same inexpensive stuff it always was. The delivery system is the $55 item! Likewise, the one OTC rescue inhaler on which many folks relied is gone due to the inability (or simple lack of desire) to develop a CFC-free inhaler. For folks like me, well, the $60 is friggin' annoying because I know how it came about. For the less-fortunate, this is a real hit on the chin. As far as vaccines go, it really depends. Of course, polio, small pox, measles, mumps, rubella, and any number of other things that probably will kill or seriously injure for life the victim should be vaccinated against. On the other hand, I have serious doubts about the chicken pox and flu vaccines for the average healthy person. It's possible to become dependent upon vaccines instead of building immune systems. I believe that vaccines are not particularly damaging (or, not so far as is known) because the government and pharmaceutical companies have vested interests in keeping their meal tickets alive and healthy enough to work. Yes, I'm jaded like that. Regards, Josh

You know, before I go getting too awful excited, this is a pic of my thumb on a modified 5000: Fat fingers, you know? Reckon a 1500, 2500, 3500/3600, or even a 4500/4600 would fit me? Regards, Josh

The BM2 isn't bad, I agree. It's just not a reel that works with my style of fishing. I grew up on centrifugal brakes and just can't seem to like magnetic brakes only. Goose, been considering the 1500 and 2500 sizes, too. I had heard good things about the round Black Max, and thought I might add it to my list of "wants". Regards, Josh

No, that'd be the Corsair, which is junk (by all accounts). I've been looking at different Shimano reels to pick up, but I'm still doing my research. I have this thing for Abu Garcia and have a small collection which I fish. I'd like to add something smaller than a 5000 size to my collection and am exploring possibilities. I've never found a reel yet I like so much as a round Abu Garcia. Regards, Josh

Cherrywood HD, Daiwa Jupiter ($90 rod iirc, got mine for $30 discontinued), or Lightning Shock. Josh

Hi Folks, I'm researching the Black Max reels. I had a Black Max 2. I hated it and traded it to someone on here for a 5000c (which I love!) Looking around, it looks like there were two other reels of the Black Max name. One is a round reel, looks like a 3500 or so size..? The next one, the Black Max "1", appears to be a standard low-profile of the late '90s or so. Some pics I'm seeing say "made in the USA." Can anyone tell me about these first two reels? Thanks, Josh

I ordered something called "So-Slo" jigs off eBay, but I guess they maybe aren't made any longer, and mine aren't here yet at any rate. Josh

Yep; wondering if there's a skirt and trailer designed like a parachute. Thanks, Josh

Hi Folks, I'm wondering what the slowest-falling jig out there is? Total weight 3/8oz or more. Thank you, Josh

Kinda' wondering if this is the problem. Cutting down into the line, you know?

I agree, 5.56, simply because that's the round the platform was designed for, and because of ammo availability. I have heard of 7.62x39 ARs having reliability problems. If you're building an AR10, go with the .308/7.62x51. Never heard of .300 problems, but the 5.56 will be around when the .300 isn't. Josh

Pic of my last one of this type:

I've been watching this guy, Dave Mercer, on YouTube. I've never heard of him as I really don't follow sports (would rather be out participating.) Was just looking for a new fishing show, and came across him. I like him. His techniques are what I've been refining to this past year or so, too, coming from an older-style presentation background. Less is more in a lot of things. Interesting guy. Very personable. Good show; I recommend it. Josh

PM replied to!

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By all means, get a Medium/Fast Action of your choice. Spend time practicing. Train your thumb on that Quantum! I don't know that real well and don't therefore know how it would handle lures lighter than 3/8 even with a ML rod. (I prefer Ambassadeur reels in the 5000/5500 size range). It depends a lot on the bearings, lube, and spool mass. I'm in the general neighborhood -- you're talking Warsaw IN, right? It's been years since I fished there. Josh

When a bass throws a hood on me, I figure I ran into a fish that's too big for Mr. Garcia and generally shuck iron. That's only happened once, though. It was on Mississinewa Lake right over the old, flooded graveyard. I hooked into something and next thing I know, I had a canvas bag thrown over my head. The bass was so big it took three .45 slugs before it decided not to eat me, and every scale I had with me maxed out. This is why I left my PB on my profile blank. Josh

Cam, You're not all that far from me. Come spring, I have a number of rods of different lengths I'd be willing to let you try. None are in the St Croix class, but you might get an idea of what you want. I personally prefer 3/8oz and heavier lures, but have been known to throw lighter with a medium rod, and much lighter with an ultralight spinning setup. Josh

A-Jay, I'm not sure if you're addressing me, or just in general. I usually hook T-rigs through the fish's upper mouth. Cranks and other plugs usually hook 'em in the lower jaw. I mean, this isn't hard and fast and thus, my answer above. Josh

Hi Cam, I've not been up that way in a while. Been concentrating on Salamonie and Mississinewa. We have shorter growing seasons in Indiana. We do have big bass, but finding them takes a bit more work. In Florida and Texas, they catch 3-5lb bass regularly. We have 1-2lb bass the same age. I'm finding that the bigger ones are usually in farm and other private ponds, and are just plain hard to fool in the reservoirs. I'll try to remember to ask around. Josh

As long as you keep the line tight, it shouldn't be a problem. I like to hook in the beak as well, but I've not found fish hooked elsewhere to be lost with a decent hook set. It's only when I fail to set the hook well that I lose 'em, and I've learned to set the hook a couple or three times with my ultralight rig. Regards, Josh