=Matt 5.0=

Haven't heard any reports from Mass. yet. I like slim profile baits in the Spring. Hopkins No EQL, Deadly Dicks, Kastmasters, Crippled Herring. I like throwing metal. Anything that imitates a Spearing or Sand Eel right now.

I'm ready

Dan, you just gotta decide to go do it! Be careful tho, you might get "hooked" 8-) Slomoe, I hear ya on the "bigger is better". My Dad had a Lamiglass rod made for him, 11 ft one piece. It's pretty unwieldy for anything other than throwing chunk bait / bunker heads. Even my 10'6" get's tiring, but when the big girls are migrating inthe fall, I would rather be geared for the action. TOTAL DOMINATION! The St. Croix retails for $160 for the 8 footer.

Also, FWIW... my Uncle is a DIE HARD Rhode Island Surfcaster, and he never landed a 50 from the surf. He had to go out on a charter trip trolling a tube and worm in about 70 feet of water to finally get that cow. Two different ways of achieving the same goal I guess That's a fine looking fish you have in that pic. 8-)

LOWWWWW heat on the grille. Until white and flakey. MMMM MMMMMMMM

Yeah, I would like a VS or a Zee Baas, but the $600 -$1200 price range is just a wee bit crazy. In R.I. they need to be 28 inches, so yes, they are legal... but I toss em back. Let em grow up. Our striper stock was decimated a few years back so I allow myself only one a year, usually in the fall. My favorite way to prepare it is to get it home within a few hours, fillet, de-skin and right on the grille with some olive oil and salt and pepper. That's all they need. Best tasting fish in the ocean IMO. LBH probably has some killer recipes, but I like it "straight up"

On second thought... you guys can keep those green fish. I'm having a blast!!!

That's a 704Z that they did for a friend. Mine will have the spool drilled also, and a custom machined handle. It will resemble a Van Staal. PS... another night, some more action. KABOOM part 2! Lost a real quality fish due to a straightened hook on my Kastmaster. I am kicking myself, but I did manage this one on the 5th cast...

For the bay I love this new St. Croix Premier. One piece 8' M. will throw 2oz. Just put a '09 Stradic 4000 on it. With 30lb Stren it throws a mile. I put just over 200 yards of Stren on it, and with a 1oz Hopkins it had about half the spool left! For the ocean front, gnarly surf rock hopping, I LOVE my Loomis 1266. It's 10'6" and will throw about 4oz comfortably. It's paired up with a Daiwa Emblem 6000X and that thing will throw a bucktail to the horizon. I also have a Penn 704Z that is on it way back from being drilled out and powdercoated. Should be sweeeet. If you like that old junk 8-) 8-) 8-) 704Z

I hear ya, surfcasting can be very rewarding, but you have to put in an insane amount of time. Lot's of long nights, lots of miles on the truck running up and down the coast. It helps to have an understanding spouse.

Dan, there is a sand bar that extends off of the point that I'm standing on. the wind was pushing the water over the bar, and the tide was also coming in. It was setting up a nice rip on the point, very rough water on one side of the point, VERY calm water on the other side. I took one look at that, made 3 casts into the rip and got hammered. 8-) Hopkins NO EQL was about the only thing that would cut through the wind. Doesn't seem to matter, a bass is a bass is a bass.

Thanx all. Heading out in a bit to try to hit some more. I am SOOOOOOO sick of spring in New England. Everyday seems to be 60 and overcast. The wind was whipping out of the south at 20-30. Normally thats a WARM wind right???? It's almost June for crying out loud!!!!!

I found some last night... 8-)

It's on! 8-)

Only have two orange rods.

Was trying to get a Daiwa Advantage with the red so they would match. Couldn't find one locally, and the Stradic has more lbs in the drag. 8-)

I've re-tied more leaders of 60lb Big Game then I care to admit. The stuff is a mofo. I use a bench vice to hold the snap, and both hands, some teeth and two pairs of pliers. What a production.

Premier Surf Series. 8-)

I have a problem with #4...

Since you're on a budget, I would recommend the Tsunami Airwave rod. My cousin has one and we spend alot of time "rock hopping" R.I. together. I personally fish an 8' St. Croix Premier and a 10'6" Loomis. But that's just me. The 9' Tsunami can be had for around $100. If you're sold on the idea of slinging bait then yes, I would say something that can handle up to 5, maybe 6 ounces. Not my cup of tea but the longer rod will help for sure. My dad throws a Lamiglass Ron Arra (11' one piece) and the rod is a beast. As far as line, I prefer Power Pro, but others like Ande Back Country and Big Game (both mono) . Depends on how rocky you are fishing. If you go with braid, I would recommend a heavy mono leader. I prefer 60lb big game. I spend alot of time in South County fishing the boulder fields and the braid has a tendency to self destruct around the rocks.

Two words come to mind right off the bat.... "Owned"...and "Fail"

It's May 10th, and all I have to show is two smallies. This time last year I had almost 25 LMB and my PB 7.5.

I hate fishing right now... it's May, and I have yet to catch a LMB. Couldn't catch the swine flu right now.

Duh... Johnny Morris makes them... in China...

Ever see a fat UPS guy? I lost another 5lbs that I couldn't afford. >