MskSlyr

I don't know if anyone else uses any of their musky rods but I know in 2008 the avid series is going away totally. The cost to use the knew IPC technologies in the avid is not cost effective so they will only offer the legend tournament and the avid is being replaced by those all together. This info came straight from St.Croix sales when I asked them specifically when the new avids would come out. Curious about the new bass rods though because the avid was always a great rod and should be even better this year coming up.

Reelmechanic thank you very much for the specific details. I broke out the schematic yesterday, tore it completely down and lubed the exact points you recommended. Went back to together just fine and it is working like a new reel. Thanks again for the great info it really helped.

Thanks to both for the response. Reelmechanic I had a suspicion that is was a lube issue and I have torn them down as far as the manufacturer recommends but I am nervous about going any farther. How difficult is it to tear the abu's down completely to do this? You know these products inside and out would it be better for me to have someone service the reel? Thanks in advance

For some of the larger species that I fish for I have a few Abu-Garcia's Ex:6500, 7000. I keep them maintained according to the manual but on two of them after I cast they do not engage quickly. It is not everytime but quite frequently you have to turn the handle a significant distance to get the reel to engage. Any suggestions on what could be causing this?

I have always done well in MD, NY on the musky size buzzbaits. BlueFox, Grim Reaper make larger bucktail style buzzbaits that really draw some good stripers up to surface.

I am still envious with those sturgeon Fish Chris. After I had asked you about them a couple months ago I had to cancel the trip I had scheduled for Oregon. One of these days hopefully I can land them like you do and I don't know how I would turn them away for another species.

Great setup and hopefully it will serve you well for many years. I have several similar to that and have caught many species with them with no problems (including musky).

I have heard tell that the Triumph is not the same quality but was hoping it was not the case. All of the other lines from the premier to the legend elite have served me well for years of service so I hope this is not a preview of things to come. Overseas manufacturing now explains why they can sell them so much more reasonably priced.

You gotta watch Basser89 there speedbead, the way he finds big muskies on the potomac he can demoralize even the most seasoned musky guy. :

Very nice Chain Pickerel when they get to be that size or better they fight fairly well.

Not one specifically but bucktails have always been a great producer for me. You could include inline and safety pin style (spinnerbait) in this group. If I had to pick a couple of brands and or styles in the spinnerbait category the Marv's Vipers are productive. For inline's Musky Safari's of all types as well as the Grim Reaper bulger's are very productive.

In the short time I have posted on this board I have come to expect this from you. Absolutely inspiring to see someone so well versed in his craft. Great pics.

Hey Matt, In years past I have done quite a bit of shark fishing for many different species. My uncle was a Captain out of Montauk many moons ago and we primarily set chum slicks and used cut bait when I went. The cut bait varies depending on other variables (time of year, migrating species, etc) but once everything is set it is typically just a waiting game. Thresher used to be common going out of OC in MD with quite a few to several hundred pounds and the state record at 613lbs. My largest thresher to date was 387 pounds. Good luck and watch the tail if you get a thresher. Take basser89 along to use for bait

Hey Tux, You know the mentality of a musky fishermen he can't divulge trade secrets. He would tell you but then we would have to kill you. I don't know about basser89 but I will give you a hint: It is in Washington County (LOL). I will have to touch base with you sometime and ask you a couple questions about some PA musky spots, Basser89 does not want to let me play in the reindeer games up there. :'(

Rocknfish that is a monster. The biggest we have seen was 29 3/4 inches and it did not break ten pounds. I think another pic does Basser89's fish more justice. Here is a good pic from a horizontal hold. Walleye over ten pounds in MD has only happened as far as I know from my biologis contacts 6 times.

Nice work basser89. You must have been fishing with a real river genius to find walleyes like that. (LOL) 8-) You were those shades because your future is so bright right? 7 citations and next thing you know you will bust my record.

Hey Basser89, You are absolutely correct they are 65lb Climax hardmono with a 330lb rated swivel. I don't like any challenges with my gear when it comes to these nasties.

Hey Ceph, Great musky battle you don't see that every day. Being the ultralite guru you are true to your roots Tuxdad. I would have to add my two sense and say that when it comes to a 40lb plus Gnarly river muskie I want success. Basser89 on the other hand noodles them but I prefer heavy gear and to beat them into submission quick. 8-)

Amazing all the way around Fish Chris. Those smallies are some of the biggest and most unique in pattern I have ever seen. You definitely will have peaked a lot of people's curiosity about these monster California smallies.

Hey Matt, All of these bass anyway you look at it are quite amazing. I give anybody who tries for a record a lot of credit and I can only imagine what they are put through. I myself have broken state records in Maryland and I was put through the ringer so a World Record is hard to comprehend. It seems thay anybody can dispute anything and everyone has a different opinion so to me it might not even be worth it. Of course bass is a little different when it comes to monetary gains so to each his own.

Beautiful bass and great pic.

Have not done so well recently with the walleyes but in quite a few years I could have made a living off of plastics and river walleyes. What always seemed to work well near deep edges during the winter months were 3/8 oz jigheads with either small reaper tails or a type of leech imitation. I as well will be heading after them soon so hopefully the old bag of tricks still work with the clear conditions.

There is three of us hopefully that will be going and we will be using a local Portland guide. The guide has a great rep and all the equipment needed for this freshwater battle. I have slated for the first trip in May and see how things go, we just have to convince our senior citizen with said back problems. The shear size seems to make him nervous.

This board has a tremendous amount of experience in many different species so I will throw this out there for some info. For the past couple of years I have toyed with going to the Columbia river for some White Sturgeon. Does anyone have any experience in this species and what can I expect as far as battle abilitiy on the sturgeon's part? I hear it is unlike anything else you can experience in freshwater.