Josh Smith

I find shaking the hell out of a Texas rig using an ultralight rod really gets bass going. Watching the rig on the bottom I can see why, too. Bloody thing looks alive. But yes, there are times I'll go with a slow, steady retrieve. Josh

BlackMax135, I'm a business owner. If I may: 1. Have an online presence as well as a brick and mortar shop. I only have the online presence; any local business comes to me or I go to them. Demonstrating products at a gun range or at a local pond is an excellent way to build rep. Writing articles is another. I picked up a lot in Think Like A Fish by Tom Mann. 2. Carry products that appeal to all price ranges and skill levels. Were I to carry lures, I might even consider ordering some of those eBay direct-from-China lures. They're trash but might catch fish, and you can sell them for pennies or give them away. Customer loyalty is a must. In a small town, return customers are priceless. 3. Know what you're talking about but always be willing to learn. Just because you own a business does not mean you know everything. 4. Consider everything your customers tell you. Even if you don't implement it right away, keep it in your mind. You might be surprised what comes in handy. 5. If you have the ability, offer hand-made lures. Maybe even offer to build from designs. I have some sound designs that I flat don't have time to build. 6. Most small businesses fail the first year. If you make it after that, you'll probably keep it. 7. Never be afraid to evolve. 8. You really need to read Tom Mann's book. 9. Consider a few business classes at your community college. 10. Get your LLC. Very important when dealing with all things explosive, pointy, or likely to be handled by a person who drinks beer. Were I to open a tackle shop, I think I'd do it with the simple stuff first, meaning jigs and worms and such. Do you cast bullets? If not, I would be happy to cast a few jig heads next time I cast bullets if you want to send me a few molds of the ones you want cast. Shouldn't take much lead, so I'll throw that in. I just need molds and hooks. I'll let you paint them as I flat don't have time for that. A pet peeve of mine when it comes to jig heads is the fact that they lose paint. I don't know if this has been tried, but you might play with Durakote or Cerakote gun finishes on jig heads. Don't be afraid to buy kits for assembling spinnerbaits. The more work you do yourself, the less it will cost you. Feel free to write me. PM me and I'll give you my email address. Regards, Josh

Well, guys, I never had any luck in the rain. Never tried much, but I'll do so next time it rains using some tips here. Thanks! Josh

Whoa! I missed this! Rock Island has my respect. Their (Armscor's) frames and slides are used by STI in some of their builds. My carry 1911 is a gutted and modified Rock Island. Pretty much all makers make extensive use of MIM in their base pistols, though I believe Colt is down to only three MIM parts. This is why I gut 1911s, though. I want to put guts in that I know are not MIM. The 1911 is very magazine dependent, so use seven-round GI, Checkmate, Metalform, and Wilson. There are other good ones out there, but I consider those like Chip McCormick and the like to be second to the ones I listed. I do have examples from most magazine makers out there, and the only designs I have personally found to be 100% reliable are the Wilson #47 7-round and the GI-style that retain the dimpled follower. Regards, Josh

So Cokely, You're 14? What have your parents said? Josh

Hello, I wasn't sure if those were the actual serial numbers on Abu's website, or if they were dates/serial numbers indicative of changes in the model. The bearings will work, but I'll have to fit them. I went all over that reel with a dial calipers. I actually have two. The one that will be worked on will become a bearing model, while the other will retain is bushings. I love the feel of casting with the spool riding on a fluid film like oil between an engine's crankshaft and rod bearings. On the other hand, I really like the feel of bearings when reeling. I have another idea that I might use down the line as far as a hybrid goes. Both reels will be 4.7:1, up from 3.6:1. I'd really like to go 5.3:1 on one of these, but I'm already getting 22IPT and the 4.7:1 fits my style. My biggest problem has been a lack of measurements. I finally found a website that posts the measurements of most parts, anyway, but not the diameters of the ring and pinion sets. I have an idea about that, using 6000 gears. I doubt I'll have the room but I might just make it. I got doing what I do for a living because I'm part mad scientist. These two reels I'll keep, but I do think I'll modify others to help folks start fishing. For example, I won an Abu Garcia 3000 from eBay. I went through it and cleaned it up. It's a cheaper version of the 5000 with a few expedient design changes, looks like, but besides faded plastic sideplates it's a solid reel. It might be one to modify a bit to help a new fisherman. I'm just sort of putting my ideas down here. I do appreciate your response. Regards, Josh

Hi Folks, I can replace the bearings in the '60s and '75 Ambassadeur 5000s I have. I only need to grab a couple spools and turn the axles down, which is not a big deal at all, and fit Black Max bearings. The measurements needed are 10mm in diameter and 4mm in thickness. I end up in trouble with the axle diameter as it's right at 3.15mm. Anyway, I was looking at spare parts, here: http://www.ereplacementparts.com/search_result.php?q=ambassadeur%205000 See all those numbers in parentheses? Are those foot dates/serial numbers in which there was a change? That's my guess but I'd like to be sure. Thanks! Josh

Now guys, let's not go jumping to conclusions. While I'm not saying it's not bored teenagers, let's exhaust the Yeti angle before we get crazy about the whole thing. Josh

That's the thing though, Maxximus, there needs to be some middle ground there. I'm sitting here looking at an Omega One box. I got it from Grandpa. If I recall, the Zebco 33 was in it. The Omega One went to a cousin. Those old Made in USA Zebcos were nice middle ground. Now, if they'd do that on an older Quantum design like the 1310, I think it would make a lot of folks happy. The 1310 has a lot going for it, including simplicity, and I think would appeal to a lot of beginners. Regards, Josh

Huh?

Do you have a picture of the knob and reel handle? Josh

Hi Folks, I've taken up a new way of choosing lures. I have no idea if it's common. I live in a smallish town that has one Walmart. I go in, see what lures they carry, what's selling best, then leave. I go home and order lures they don't have. The way I figure it is most folks here get their fishing stuff at Walmart, and if it's selling well, the fish have probably been exposed to it too much and need something different. Is there anything to this mode of thought? Josh

Go get a Mosin-Nagant, a Mauser, or a M1903, add a shotgun, and you'll be better prepared for dang near any wild critters than the majority of Americans. There are newer, better choices out there, but all that's gravy. Josh

Do any of you all tie directly to the braid, or do you always used leaders? For those who tie directly to the braid, is there any time or lure for which you'll use a leader? Josh

Well dang, I'm 36! I figured there'd be a lot of older folks here, but I'm only seeing five over 60. I guess all the old guys are out on the lakes most of the time. Owning my own business and having a family I'm finding that I'm freer to go fishing at the times I want, but the actual time fishing is vastly less than I want and far less than I'd have if I got a 'normal' job. Right now, I have to pick like two quality hours for fishing per week. I can't wait 'til I retire. Or heck, maybe I'll stop doing what I do and go into reel repair. That way I can test 'em before sending them back to the customer! Josh

I would welcome facts to back up the opinion, Sir. In fact, I would invite you to do so. For me, dissenting points-of-view are only learning opportunities, but I feel let down when the statement isn't backed up. Josh

But you can't make a good reel just anywhere. Look, I take things apart. A lot. I have to see how they work. When I rebuilt the 5600 after it was damaged in a move, I was amazed at how well the guts were made. I looked on the sideplate and it said "Made in Sweden". It was a nice surprise for me. Likewise, the Ambassadeur 5000s. Both of them are all-metal except for one nylon gear that drives the levelwind. It appears they used nylon for this gear for a specific reason. The one truth I've found with all things made in America, Japan, and China: 1. America: It's a matter of pride. 2. Japan: It's a matter of honor. 3. China: It's a matter of making things as cheaply as possible without bathroom breaks. I might try to get some "made for Japan" models if they're not made in China. I'd like to see them. What I've found to be the differences in reels made in Sweden, the U.S., Japan, and China, is this: Sweden, Japan, and the U.S. use plastic parts if it's the best part for the job. China uses plastic parts if they can get away with it, then often paint these parts (if they can be viewed externally) to look like metal. The first time I used the Black Max thumb bar I wondered how long the thumb bar would last. The thumb bar on the 5600, on the other hand, is gray plastic, makes no pretense of being plastic, and is made very sturdy. No way it'll break. I would have nothing against stuff made in China if they would only use better parts. I would question the politics, but this is not a political forum and I'm only mentioning this because I have the same thoughts that were voiced previously. I just deleted a rant below the numbers about trade relations and wars. I'd ask that we stick to quality of reels in this discussion, though, and preferences with regard to where reels are made. So, my findings are that, taken as a group, inferior products, whatever they are, come from China. This does include fishing reels. I don't know if I've ever examined a Korean-made reel. I'd like to. The few items I've had that were made in Korea in the past were pretty acceptable to good quality. Kia started out junk, but they've been getting more impressive of late, for example. Just some thoughts. Josh

Hello, Thank you. What about these? http://www.abugarcia.com/products/import-products The Revos are made in Japan. I was looking at U.S. Reels, and brother, they're made in China now, darnit! I had high hopes. Josh

That's disappointing. I trust South Korean manufacturing. I've had bad things happen with Chinese-made stuff. I'm also "that guy" who will buy a 1911 pistol, gut it of MIM parts, and replace everything with forged, milled, or even cast stuff by EGW, Brown, Wilson, etc. I need to go to one of the bigger cities with a pro shop and take a look at the reels there. Just an FYI: http://www.abugarcia.com/forlife and ... so not all are Korean or Chinese, and I really like the round reels. My 5600 is stamped "Made in Sweden". Not sure how old it is, but Dad had it a while. He told me when he bought it once, but I flat don't remember. Josh

I haven't, but not necessarily. Some are made in China, but others are not. They'll say "Made in Sweden". This is why they have to be stamped one way or the other. Josh

Heh, OLD, man. I'd have to look to be certain. One is a Bronson baitcasting. One is a Zebco 33. The two Abu Garcia 5000s and the one 5600MAG I have are Swedish. There's one green spincast that I think is a Bronson as well, but I'll have to look. It's in the other room and I'm lazy. The Bronson baitcaster feels more solid than a modern Quantum baitcaster. The USA-made 33 is definitely better made than Chinese-made 33s that I have handled and/or bought for others. The 5600 and 5000s are about as solid as one another, but make the Black Max 2 I own feel cheap. I enjoy getting my hands dirty and rebuilding reels, just like I do with guns and used to do with car engines. Still, having new reels sometimes feels good, and the 5600 is the newest non-Chinese reel I own. Josh

I have an old Quantum 1310. It's older, I rebuilt it, and it's a sold reel. There's just nothing that makes it stand out among its contemporaries, and the same can be said for the current crop, too. I was browsing the fishing stuff in Walmart this evening as I had to go grab some dog food anyway, and there just wasn't much difference between the Quantum and the other reels except that it was priced higher. Actually, there wasn't much difference between the Abu Garcias, the Lews, the Pfluegers, and anything else, either. They all seemed to be made from a single design with the differences being the names. Honestly, I was just looking for one that didn't say "Made in China." Didn't happen. I'll consider a new Quantum, for sure, if it feels good and isn't made in China. I like Zebco's stuff. Josh

Hi Folks, I'd like to know if there's a list of these anywhere. I prefer to buy fishing items that are made in the country the company's in. I prefer my Abu Garcia reels, for example, to be made in Sweden. Rapala knives and lures must be made in Finland or I'm not buying 'em. The list goes on. I have several American and Swedish made reels, and the Chinese reels just don't compare in quality and feel. Function might be similar, but I'm wiling to pay more for better quality. I'd like to know which reels, especially baitcasting, are made in places OTHER THAN CHINA. Regards, Josh

Hi Folks, I ran to Walmart to grab dog food. I usually avoid Walmart but the wife forgot to get some today. I figured I'd look at the fishing stuff while I was there, and noticed a Pflueger lineup. One Plueger baitcasting reel was magnetic, but one had centrifugal brakes. I believe it was called a Templar. What is the current school of thought on Pflueger baitcasting reels? Are any NOT made in China? I really like my ultralight spinning reel they designed, though I was leery of buying it due to its Chinese manufacture. I only went with it because it was the smallest I could find made in any country. Thoughts? Thank you, Josh

Hi Folks, I'm curious as to how old ya'll are. I get the feeling that there are a lot of younger people and some older people here, but not many my age. Voters are NOT public. Thanks, Josh