Loomis13

Gear ratio is pretty much irrelevant in ice fishing, Unless you are going after bigger fish that will go on a run. I would consider looking at in-line ice reels, especially for your lighter panfish set-ups. They offer several advantages: easier to get lighter lures to fall, eliminate line twist which will stop your jig from spinning when in the water (this is the biggest advantage), also, the coils you get from mono will not be there. The eagle claw in line reels are pretty decent for the money.

When I say picked up I mean like messed around with and put reels on. I have not purchased any of them. But, to answer your question, just about all of them. The IMX pro, GLX, and NRX. All of them were the 6'10" mag-light and mag medium. The GLX felt the best too me out of all of them.

One thing to consider might be how much you are going to be fishing grass. If it is a lot, a moderate with a stretchy line like fluoro or mono will be harder to rip through the grass with. Just because of the stretch in the line and the give in the rod. I would be looking a fast rod with a stretchy line or a moderate rod with braid.

I have the same Croix rod paired with a Ci4+, sweet stick. One of the rods I wouldnt give up, but I would be open to having that and a Loomis at the same time. The GLX that I have picked up while at work, seem lighter both in terms of weight and in how lure weight that it could handle. I can't imagine much being more sensitive than the Croix, however Loomis would be able to do it if that could be done.

I never thought I would enjoy hunting game farms like that until I did it. I have to say, it was fun! We don't have a dog or anything, but they provide a guide who does. And to me thats the best part. Those dogs are phenomenal. Hunting behind a good is awesome and sounds like you will be doing that in the near future. Nice work! Kansas is a great state to whitetail hunt, but similar to Iowa, private ground makes it "easier". Just less pressure to deal with and of course the dragging deer out like you mentioned.

No picture but I settled for a doe on Black Friday. I didn't want to carry my bow tag into the late season in Iowa and have to deal with shooting it in the (what I hope will be) frigid weather. Upon checking cameras on Black Friday, our cameras went nuts from Nov. 12 - 18 and even had good action until the 21st. Several nice deer. Nov. 12 was the last morning we hunted until Nov. 23 and of course we were not in the right stands. Lol the season has been interesting this year, with none of the 4 of use filling our tags with a buck and Im the only one to till a tag so far. However, all of us filled our tag with a buck last year, so we are not complaining. That's just the nature of hunting. Im ready for the snow, cold, and the muzzy in hand!

My dad has always said that a Tom/Jake coming in full strut and gobbling is the most excited he has ever been hunting. I can't make myself get up that early with the spring time change. Nice bird!! Coyotes allude me here in Iowa. I have seen them in Iowa when I have a bow in my hand, however when I have the rifle they are nowhere to be found. Nice kills. Sounds like fun!

I figured I would share too because I asked others too.This deer is what I would consider my special deer. My dad, buddy, and I had planned to head down to our farm to hunt on a Thursday night with plans to hunt the rest of the weekend. Well my Dad had to head down early because his father had fallen into poor health. We made it out Friday morning and my dad decided to hunt close to the Vehicle in case he had to leave. I was sitting in a spot where I could see him and not long into the sit, I saw my dad get out of the blind and head out. I knew that bad news was headed my way. His dad and my grandfather had passed away that Friday morning. He trooped out the next morning (I think it was a way for him to get away from it all) and shot a decent little buck. I continued to hunt and Sunday morning I rattled this guy to me. I ended up making a good shot and we found the deer a few hours later. I believe my Grandpa was watching over his farm that weekend, and helped my dad and I out.

Hunting bears seems wild to me. I know its a black bear, but I still don't think I would enjoy encountering one. That is huge! I had no idea they got that big in the Eastern U.S.

He will remember that forever and hopefully you have a new hunting partner! Im sure you can find some time, especially since you have a stand right behind your house! Or Ill cross my fingers that you can find time anyway.

Very nice!! I have the next two weekends planned for a 3 day weekend away from school. Heading back home to try and fill my Iowa bow tag. My fingers are crossed but my mind has its doubts. The last two years have been very good to me so I'm waiting for a slice of humble pie.

Congrats on the newest addition to the family. When was your son born? Any chance on getting out this year? Nice buck!! I want to see the two that are bigger haha

Just curious if anybody would be interested in a thread devoted to peoples recent harvests? Doesn't have to be game specific or anything, just whatever your most recent was, accompanied by a story if you wish. I like seeing what people have taken and reading the story's along with the smiles. So if you want, post those pics here and give me/everybody some reading to do!

Essentially: Extra Heavy, Heavy, Medium Heavy, Medium, Medium Light, Light, Ultra Light are the terms used to describe the power of the rod. Extra Fast, Fast, Moderate Fast, Moderate are terms used to describe the action of the rod, or where the rod blank begins to get into backbone. Some companies will use medium to describe the action of the rod, but normally that is used as a term for describing power. So you end up rods that are labeled Medium Heavy Fast or Medium Moderate.

I have the Legend Elite 610 MLXF and have handled the X at the shop. First of all, the sensitivity is top notch. I walleye fish with mine, but can feel everything I need to and more. The rods are light and responsive and I prefer the FX tip. The X feels very similar in store. Perhaps a little light weight wise, and Im of the perception that they are little lighter power wise. That could just be in my head, or there might actually be something to it, Im not sure. They should theoretically be the same blank, but this is just my observation after messing around with them at work.

Excellent! I love reading about everyones hunts and seeing pictures.

If you do not think you will like the XF action, then that would be a good choice. I personally like the XF actions, but some people do not. A fast action will lend itself to a few more applications. For example, you could get by throwing light crank baits and jerk baits on a fast spinning rod. I would lean toward the medium power, however keep in mind that a XF action could possibly help in casting the lighter lures.

Yeah, Ayton had a very solid first night, as did the suns in general. I think Ariza is a good piece for the team, however they will likely miss the playoffs barring a miracle haha. Booker and Ayton is a good core to build around, I just think it will have to be done through the draft as free agents aren't lining up to play in Phoenix.

Excited for the season to start! Some very interesting story lines surroundings the season, including the OP's sixers. My story line is how does Deandre Ayton do in his first year. As a suns fan I am worried about all the hype surrounding him and am crossing my fingers this isn't gonna be a Greg Oden scenario. Of course the Lakers are a story line too: They could be a very good team, but at the same time be an average team in the west. Unfortunately, I think we are all waiting on the inevitable...and that is GS winning the title. If Boogie is 3/4 of what he has been in the past, an injury to one of GS's stars suddenly becomes less of a big deal. Those are my quick thoughts as the season gets started. One more thing. I am very excited to see how Jason Tatum develops this year. I think he is budding super-star, like one of the eventual top 3 players in the league.

Im a hoyt guy, but Bowtech is making awesome boys too. I would get on archerytalk and find a carbon defiant if it were me. I like the turbo aspect too, but I have a shorter draw length. The draw cycle can be little stiffer in the turbo models.

I use to use this exact rod until I broke it. DOH!! worked really well. I prefer the reel seat on the avid x though.

I use a 6'4" rod because Im short and I dont smack the water when fishing tip down this way. Thats the only reason for me.

I guess it depends just how sensitive you want it. I know most people say sensitivity isnt important because its cranking but I like to be able to feel what my crank is doing. My dad has the avid and loves it. Also a lifetime vs 5 year warranty.

Depends on the jerkbait would be my opinion. The pro g is going to cast the lighter baits better, but the BB1 will be better for spinner baits. I have BB1 and older tourney pro and like both. However, the pro g casts lighter baits easier and is more fine tuned it seems. With that said, I also use my BB1 one for moving baits like cranks and spinner baits.

Right, which is why I was so confused! I wasnt giving the reel a means of getting line back on the spool...DOH