Josh Smith

Thanks Raider. Let me expound on this: I've been to college a couple times for a couple things. First time was a cluster because I got involved with a chic and some other things, but it was for the best. My major was law enforcement and I was getting jaded with the "us vs them" mentality they were forcing on us. That is the number one thing that separates the civil servants from private citizens (not civilians; police are civilians as well. They're not military.) Second time around was a double major in industrial electrician and industrial maintenance. Sometime in there I got my CNA certificate. Homes, from what I saw in both clinicals and OTJ treat their "residents" like hell. I won't be doing that again and didn't pursue the field. Through all that, there was the interest in guns and gunsmithing. At this point in time, I'm expanding the line of things I make and in about two years I'll be getting my FFL07 so that I can work on and modify (vs simply repair) the firearms that interest me, like the 1911. Degrees are excellent for some things. However, my dad, who is an electrical engineer, could not wire a house with the same legality as an electrician. There are just subtle differences there, and if a tradesman can do something that cannot be done by someone with a degree, well, hell, that tradesman has a degree as far as I'm concerned. Regards, Josh

Mike, the fiberglass Lew's isn't even fished anymore. It is Dad's and though I can use it, I don't want to. That thing is sensitive for fiberglass! I'm finding I like rods a step or two down in stiffness from the most modern high-graphite rods. The first BPS rod I had snapped when it shouldn't have, and though the new one feels a lot better, making me think that there was something wrong with the other one, it still feels... interesting. I think I might actually prefer these hybrid rods if the Cherrywood is any indication. If that's the case, I might modify my future order a bit from what we discussed. Let me do some more research and I'll PM you. Regards, Josh

Thanks, guys, I'm having to look up some terms here so I'm slow to respond! Josh

Raider, while not technically a degree, I count skilled trades the same as having a degree. Maybe I shouldn't, but there's not enough difference these days. I was trained by an old-timey retired gunsmith who had a bunch of old 1911 frames and slides and rimfire parts. It's not bragging but rather fact when I say I'm better than most my chosen specialty, and this includes new gunsmiths with these "gunsmithing degrees". On the other hand, I really bite at things like the AR platform. They just don't interest me. I know what you're saying about the trades. They should count as degrees in my opinion. Josh

Hello, I've mentioned before that I have debated fishing a local tournament if I can find one. Co-anglers are not something I was aware of. How does one choose a co-angler? Does one have to have a co-angler? I'm thinking that if I do this thing next year, I'll look for someone who is better with, say, spinnerbaits than I am. Someone who will make up for weaknesses I have in fishing. I seem to be good with crankbaits, creature baits like jigs and Texas rigs, and topwater like the Zara Spook. I am not all that great with spinnerbaits or buzzbaits. No idea why, but they don't work well for me. I don't believe I'll look at the person's rod/reel/tackle. If he is comfortable with what he has -- even if it's a Zebco 33 combo! -- I'm not one to judge that. If it's evident he's not comfortable with whatever he's using, then I might pass. Making money doing this isn't important to me. Fun factor is. Heck, if I thought he could stand it, I'd let my 6-year-old be co-angler, but I think I'd need someone with a bit more patience. I'm just trying to figure out how all this works. Thank you, Josh

I wondered. That belt he has -- it doesn't fit with what the Mennonites here would wear. I love the straw hats ya'll have (or, they have around here, anyway) but it's been no joy finding one as they're made within the church here. Anabaptists (Amish, Mennonite, Brethren) have my tremendous respect. The Amish saved our butts when I was only a couple months old during the Blizzard of '78. We had an all-electric house in the country, the power went, and the Amish came and got Mom, Dad, and me using a sleigh after the snows let up. The Brethren are some folks we're involved with, especially my wife. They help out women in need; the ones who are on drugs, on parole, etc. We were married in the Brethren Church. You Mennonites... never had much dealings with you all except to know that most of you are upstanding, humble, and respectful people. I'm afraid I embarrassed at least one of your faith when I asked where to get the hat. Ah, well. Such talk is likely not allowed here so I'll leave off. I only wanted to share my positive opinions here. Regards, Josh

Probably not on this vehicle. It looks too new, 2000 or newer. There's a VSS (vehicle speed sensor) which tells the computer what the speedo should read. Ditto the tach -- I believe those signals come solely from the computer now. If these readings were correct, the check engine light would trip and the engine probably wouldn't run. I'm saying there's a common ground for the oil pressure and tach that's shorted. That's my best guess knowing GM stuff but not knowing the particulars of this vehicle. Josh

Dad was an engineer before he retired and was making six figures. He went to college while working full-time as maintenance. Mom was a stay-at-home with three kids. Yes, go to college. We need a middle class. Josh

Men think primarily with logic. Women think primarily with emotion. If you're going to have a successful relationship, you have to have a strong friendship foundation. I made it simple. I married my best friend's sister. Josh

Just a word of caution: you will feel sort of wrong liking rods that inexpensive! It's just weird if you're used to being around higher-dollar stuff! Josh

I don't know that I've ever had bass. I probably have but didn't know it. Mine's a fishing family. When dad and I wanted food, we'd specifically target bluegill, crappie, or walleye. Dad said he didn't like bass. It tasted too strong for him, so if I have had bass, it was at an extended family campout. (The Smith side used to reserve several campsites and spend the week camping.) I don't have anything against anyone who eats bass. I would if I felt like cleaning them. I don't doubt that some taste like grass. I've killed deer that taste like shagbark hickory and acorns, especially in the fatty areas. If you get a squirrel with some fat on it, chances are that fat will taste like acorns or hickory nuts. Just trim the fat and it tastes decent. If you take bass out of a lake that has a lot of grass, you might let the fillets soak overnight in a bath of salt water and ice cubes. That should leach out the worst of the taste. Josh

I know a guy named Scott who is in law enforcement. He's not in SC, though.

I have heard this. CCI and Federal are both owned by the same parent company, but their ammo is markedly different. In the end, though, it's all Made in China. There are a few I'm looking at that are not. Josh

Hello, I like the Cherrywood HD. I left off serious fishing in around 1998, and came back to it in 2013. There has been a lot of progression, and I don't like a lot of it. Some of it's awesome. I have a newer 7' Lightening Rod. It's a good rod, but long for what I like. The Cherrywood HD I bought is 5'6" and more of what I think of when I think "Medium Heavy, Fast". Today's fast rods are more along the lines of what I think of when I think "super fast tip." The Cherrywood is a hybrid design like the Ugly Stick, I believe. Still, it's super sensitive. To answer your question, my MH/F Lightening Rod is a good rod. It's not the best nor is it the best for my needs, but it does fill a certain niche role. The ones I fish regularly are a '90s Daiwa MH/F graphite, the Cherrywood HD MH/F, a modern Daiwa M/F 6'6", a BPS 5'6" MH/F, and a Berkely 4'6" graphite ultralight rod. All have Ambassadeur models on them except for the ultralight, which is a spinning outfit using a Pflueger reel. Regards, Josh

The boat is nearing completion. I do not know if I'll get it out on the water this year, but it will be ready next year if not. Last time I went out fishing on the weekend, I saw some kids (teens) fishing. One was throwing a topwater frog while the others were bait fishing. I am a substitute teacher, or am when time allows. I would be a teacher full-time if it weren't for all the idiotic regulations getting in the way these days. I would be fired. Subs can get away with more stuff. Hell, I was sparring in class once with a kid who was in taekwondo. Probably not the brightest thing I've ever done, but it was fun. I come from a family of educators and this is probably where my "how-to" articles come from. At any rate, I felt for those teens. It looked like they were trying, but just weren't catching anything. (That was the only day this year I got "skunked" as well.) I would likely invite them to pile in. No drugs, no cigs, booze. Why no cigs? 'Cause I won't card you and don't want to be busted. I have a real problem with folks trying to invite themselves, though. Canoes and kayaks are not overly expensive, and if it's important to you you'll find one cheap. Heck, even inflatables work. Josh

In the beginning, Kentucky watch makers created the modern baitcasting reel, and the reel was good. The Makers intended the rod to be cast with the reel on top but retrieved with the reel underneath. And lo, the fishermen disobeyed the law set forth by the Makers. For their disobedience, they were condemned to switch hands after the cast for a period of four generations. At the end of four generations, the fishermen were freed by the bass prophets Abu Garcia, Daiwa, and Shimano. Only the chosen ones, the Lefties, were spared this plight. And the Lefties, for the favors bestowed upon them, were thus persecuted by those whose handedness necessitated the shifting of hands after the cast. - The Book of Joshua, 19:77

Man, I don't think I could be a collector. I'd want to start swapping parts around to see what fits! 65, though? I have four actively working (5000, 5000c, 5500c3, and a 5600 Mag). I just retired one '70s that was/is Dad's; it's back on the Lew's pole. I have a 5500 non-c that I want to find a place for, but that's it. A $10 Morrum would be right handy. I used to believe things like that didn't happen until I walked out of a gun shop with a Gewehr 88/05. (This was Germany's first smokeless military rifle.) Built in 1892, the gun shop owner didn't know what it was and let me have it for $37.50 OTD. I'm a believer. I'm sure you'll find that Morrum, now! Just make sure you talk 'em down to $7.50 Josh

Thank you sir. I'm sure if you bought enough bargain-basement abused reels from eBay like I have, you'd find trends too. Dad and I always maintained our reels, and so a lot of these negligence issues were foreign. Heck, after toothpaste, the first thing I recall seeing in a tube was Abu Garcia reel grease! Still, the resilience of the Ambassadeur line shows in that one damaged part rarely effects other parts to the degree of destroying the reel. Chances are the caps and shims can be replaced and that Ambassadeur will chug on ahead like nothing's happened! Josh

Yes. That's all any of them have seen except for the older Daiwa. Keep in mind that I only started fishing again seriously in early 2013, so the Daiwa has seen about two years of braid. Prior, it was mono as braid in the '90s ran about $50. I would be more concerned with fluorocarbon. It's pretty hard stuff. Josh

Hello, The red reel is a late '70s to early '80s 5000. It has 3.8:1 gears unless they've been changed out, and if they've been changed out, it's a 4.7:1. These are not as as slow as they sound. In that size reel, a 5.3:1 ratio would give you a 26IPT retrieve, so you're looking at around 23IPT if the faster gears are installed. The 5500c reel is an excellent reel, and was made about the same time as the 5000. It does have the faster retrieve of 4.7:1, and it uses bearings instead of bushings. This is only really an issue if you plan to throw light lures. Bearings help light lures go further. Otherwise, it's the same reel as the 5000. The 5500c3 has 5.3:1 gearing for a 26IPT retrieve. It's the newer design wherein the spool rotates around the axle, while the older designs had the axle rotating with the spool. It uses three bearings: The spool rides on two, and there is one on the right side of the worm gear. It may or may not have one on the driveshaft. In my opinion it's not worth $80 as there are some places where you can buy these lightly used for that amount, and I've even seen some new old stock versions for $90 and $95. I would probably offer $45 for one in that shape. They all look relatively well cared for but used heavily. There's some wear on the 5000's right hand knob where the axle might be trying to come through. This would happen if the shims it's supposed to ride on are gone or worn through. Any one of those you buy, you're going to want to have gone through and fixed. DVT is the site supporting vendor who does this and his prices seem very reasonable. If you decide to do it yourself, there are a number of us who can help you. The Fenwick rod is worth buying. I have one over in the corner of this room. Unfortunately, the tip snapped off this one and so I don't use it for much. I much prefer pistol grips and I think you will, too, if you give it a chance! I hope some of this helped. Regards, Josh

Hi Folks, I have both newer and older rods here. I think the oldest bass rod is a fiberglass job from the '70s; it's a Lew's Tournament Grade. It's a nice rod, and it's labeled as "medium heavy, fast action." Now, it's pretty whippy. It's not what I'd consider fast action. Medium, maybe, or medium-fast, but not fast. In the early '90s I picked up a Daiwa MH Fast action graphite. It's pretty stiff but not so stiff as these ones I'm seeing now. I was given a couple rods by Dad. One was a Berkely Lightening Rod from several years back. It's 7' and pretty stiff, but lists as a MH Fast action. I bought a BPS 5'6" MH Fast Action to go with the 5500c3 I ordered from them. That thing was STIFF and reminded me of the graphite we used in mechanical pencils. The first one broke. The replacement arrived and is just fine. When that first BPS broke, I bought a Berkely Cherrywood HD as a stopgap. It, too, lists as being MH Fast Action, but feels more like my '90s Daiwa. It is advertised as being a hybrid rod, an it puts me in mind of a mixture of the old Lew's rod combined with the '90s Daiwa, but with a nod towards the Daiwa. Sometime in here, I picked up a modern 6'6" Daiwa MEDIUM rod with a fast action. Know what? This bloody thing is about a MH fast action according to my frame of reference!!! Argh! I doubt there's an industry standard, but can someone clear this up? I've noticed a trend toward these "medium" rods for bass fishing and am starting to wonder if this is because the general definition of what constitutes a MH/F rod has shifted. Help? Thank you, Josh

Well, I'll tell ya'... All blanks used to be spliced to the handles. That's the way they were built. In fact, I have a couple laying around here. Further in fact, when I get the money up, I have a couple old Abu Garcia handles that are not blank-through that DVT will be building into complete rods for me. There's nothing wrong with spliced handles. There might be slightly less sensitivity in the type I'm talking about, but in the Abu Garcia up there, I don't know. My old Daiwa Bill Dance rod that the modified '60s 5000 sets on has metal guides. I never gave it much thought beyond that I thought it was cool to feel the line come up the guides. The guides are in excellent shape and I've had that rod since around 1994. It was my only MH rod for the longest time and only one of two rods I actively used (the other being an ultralight), so you might guess how much work it's done. The Cherrywood HD that I bought not too long ago is too new to be judged yet beyond my feeling not-quite-right that I really like a rod that's as inexpensive as it was. Friggin' $20 rod feels better to me than a couple $100 rods I have laying around. Something's wrong there! The BPS 5'6" MH rod also has stainless guides. From what I can tell, it's going to work just fine. I might end up wrong, but I don't think so. I'm not defending Abu Garcia. I love their old stuff and their Made In Sweden reels. I hate all long-handled modern rods equally so I have no special love for that one that seems to have failed. I'm only relating that I've seen no issues wit all-metal guides. Josh

Thank you! I changed the frame to stainless, swapped the gears to something slightly more modern so it's as quiet as my 2014 5500c3, and put some newer line on it as that other stuff was a couple years old. I did swap the brake plate out while I was at it, just because. Prettier? What's more, there's just nothing that modern reels can do that this one can't. It's as smooth as most modern reels, has more bearings than most of them, and I just can't think of anything that I need that this won't provide. Lessee: Retrieve is 23IPT or so. Test casts at 40+ yards. Practical casts on the lake are 20-30+ yards depending on lure. I can palm it. I do have large hands, but whatever. There's plenty of blacklash control. Two small brakes and my thumb do just fine. On modern reels, if I can't use my thumb, I fix 'em until I can, dangit! I've never been spooled. There's like 125 or 150 yards of braid on there to play with before it hits the rather substantial (25lb mono) backing. Sure, I have modern stuff. None of it beats this reel. I bought the modern stuff so I had a couple more retrieve rates, so I have retrieves of 23IPT, 26IPT, and 30IPT (4.7:1, 5.3:1, and 6.3:1 on round reels of the 5000 size). My retrieve rate doesn't drop that much with these wide spools, either, if I am fishing long distance. This rod and reel have taken many, many bass, a huge buffalo fish, bunches of catfish, and quite a few other fish that I caught while "seeing what was out there" that would have torn many newer bass rigs up... badly. I'm playing with the idea of putting another dog on the anti-reverse, too. While I don't mind the delay before the dog catches, a second one would provide some redundancy that I appreciate, and it would also provide a faster catch. Instant anti-reverse still feels kinda' funny to me. It's an idea have that I'll play with if I can find the time to do so. Regards, Josh

Surely you're not serious..?

Here's some fun stuff: This is on my 5500c3. It's a bearing idler that I lightened. I find that these things have way too much inertia. I never liked that little plastic bushing in there. Too much slop. A $10 bearing and a couple small skateboard wheel washers work as an excellent replacement. The red circles indicate bearing locations. I've considered doing these mods on old 5000 and 5500 reels for money; not much, but enough to pay, say, DVT for a couple rods I want built. I even looked into advertising here, but I wouldn't have anything left since the work is so specialized and I'd limit the number of reels to one per week, anyway. I just have too much else going on. I might write up a tutorial on how to do this, though. Reels are not overly hard to work on and lend themselves well to gunsmithing techniques. My biggest problem was figuring out part numbers or modern equivalents. For example, back when I was a kid tinkering with this stuff, one could still find faster gears in kits (basically just 5500 gears) for the 5000 to speed up its pokey retrieve. I take a few (well, about 20) years off from serious fishing, and I come to find out they discontinued the pinion gear, and the kits are going for like $45 apiece as collectors' items on eBay! It was quite irritating. I think I have everything figured out again, though. That old red 5000, by the way, might just get a stainless frame today. I have one setting here and it's tempting. Should make it more comfortable, too, as it will convert it from a four-screw (that fourth screw really chafes!) to a three-screw. Yeah, I think I'll get that stainless reel soaking in some Dawn. Are these reels worth it? Definitely. Regards, Josh