Fishin' Fool

What are you all using to clean your rods? Soapy water or do you have a specific product? Thanks.

Since you currently own the Zodias rods you probably are going to be taking a step backwards buying $100 rods. Personally I would keep the $100 rods to reaction bite rods and save a little extra for your rods that need sensitivity. Saying this I own 2 Dobyns Fury for reaction bites but I have 2 NRX'S and a GLX for my bottom techniques.

Impulse purchased a Shimano Expride 7'2" Heavy frog rod last night off of an Ebay supplier. Gets great reviews. I was just curious if any of you owned one and your thoughts (doesn't have to be the frog rod). Thanks.

Bummer dude. But it gives you a chance to change your mind and pick the right NRX spinning rod the 872s

You can drop shot with a medium fast spinning rod. If that helps you decide.

They are a bit on the bigger side. I did throw one for the first time last weekend. No bites though.

Yes go on their website and click on shop.

I got an email from St Croix that Triumph X spinning and casting rods are on sale for $60 with free shipping. I've personally never owned one but it seems like a decent price.

Fish tend to roam more when it's cloudy and/or rainy. They seem to hang tight on structure when it's sunny.

I have 4 Tatulas myself. Super smooth reels. They were pretty easy to teach my brother in law and my wife how to fish a casting reel.

I'm not sure what the life is on the President reels but I have a Stradic FH going for 10 years plus now working like new.

I have the Stradic FJ 2500 and was fishing with a buddy of mine last weekend who has the Revo. He was having problems with the Revo and he had already sent it back to have it replaced once. I love my Stradics.

If their teeth are sharp it means you caught a pike, musky or walleye

I'm assuming a dot of super glue on the top of your senko would help keep the worm from sliding down the hook shank too? It just seems when it gets hot the senko will tear just from casting.

I haven't researched it yet but I assume from what you're saying there is only one product line for Mend-it?

Okay guys I'm a slow leaner but I'm on board now with the Loc-tite gel control to glue the Keitech swimbaits to the head. Fished a tournament on St Clair on Saturday without the glue and went through 4 or 5 swimbaits. Got the glue Saturday night and used the SAME swimbait all Sunday. Now I've heard you all mention this product called Mend-it for fixing torn soft plastics. Is there more than one type? What do I need to know about Mend-it for my soft plastics? It sounds like I could be saving myself hundreds of dollars in Keitechs and Yamamotos. Thanks in advance. Btw- I had 5 fish for 14.5 pounds on Lake St Clair on Saturday which was 8th/18th. What an awesome fishery we have up here for those that like to chase the smallies.

I had almost 15 pounds for 5 fish and finished middle of the pack. What an awesome fishery St Clair is!

Yep Ardent cull tags. Tag all fish upon catching and weigh them when the bite slows. Put all weights on the tags and get a balance for fish that are close in weights. On tip I learned Cheetah is use the green tag next to be culled. Red means stop, don't even think about culling

Michigan man checking in too. I live in Macomb. I have a tournament out on St Clair tomorrow so I can hardly focus at work today. I did pretty well in my first tournament on Union Lk would have taken 1st but had a fish die and the penalty moved me to 3rd. Tight lines Michigan fisherman!

Agree with the have a back up bait ready comment. The fish have given away where they're hiding. Even if you don't catch them on the frog you've narrowed down their location. Now drop a worm or creature bait on their heads and boom!

On the St Croix website you can get a Triumph rod and a Daiwa reel for $100. That's a pretty solid starting beginning set up. http://stcroixrods.com/shop/freshwater/triumph-x-spinning-rod-combo/

Lucky Craft Sammy or Gunfish

I don't fish alot of topwater so that's helpful

For the best action should I tie my bait direct or are snaps (not snap swivels) okay as a way to change quickly?

Yah you keep them apart with a barrel swivel about 18" above the bottom bait. Another barrel swivel is placed on the line and freely floats above the 2nd swivel.