IndianaOutdoors

I have read of some experiences where Fenwick just sent off a new rod to some people. Others say the same as you, that they were replaced no questions asked. The last email I received said that they have changed they're warranty policy and they would only replace my rod if it was deemed a defect and not damage. Just has me nervous that they are cracking down. If I spend $20 to ship it and they won't replace it then I get 45% off another one. That's $60 into a replacement HMG when I could fix the one I have for a few bucks and buy another new HMG for $60-70. Does any of this sound new to you guys? Or should I not worry about it and expect them to take care of me?

They have already told me twice that they don't carry replacement parts. Sounds like they don't do any repairs at all. They told me I don't need a tube to ship it back that I could just wrap it in packing paper. So I guess they just throw away the damaged rods they get back.

Very cool man. Iv been doing the same thing this summer. That first big smallmouth is just so exciting. Congrats

I have an HMG that i bought around the end of July. When I first used it I thought that there was too much resistance from the tip guide but since it was my first casting rod I wasn't sure if it was normal. I only seemed to notice it when the line was at certain angles to the rod. Last weekend I found a strange spot on the line guide. It either has a chip or malformation on the line guide. I don't remember it being there when I got it but I don't recall doing anything to the rod to cause damage to the tip. I contacted Fenwick about warranty and they want me to ship it in so they can inspect it before they decide if they will replace it or not. I think the tip has been messed up since I got it but I'm worried they will just see it is chipped and assume I damaged it. They say that if they determine it was not a defect and won't be replaced under warranty that they will still offer a deep discount on a replacement rod. They don't say how much that discount is. So here is the question. Should I pay for the shipping and take the chance that it might not be replaced under warranty or should I just replace the tip myself? I don't know what it will cost to ship. I don't know what a good replacement tip would cost either. Thoughts?

Most of the smallies I caught on the plopper 90 had all 3 points of the front hook pinned inside the mouth. These were not all large fish either. Makes it difficult to remove the hook when it's pinned the mouth shoot

Care to expand on that? I thought more tackle options allowed you to choose the right bait for speed and depth. Seems like this could be apart of the fishing equation I haven't figured out yet.

Trying to get a fluke to suspend won't work. There is no bill or lip like a rapala to get the bait down in the water column so it takes weight to get it there. The less weight the closer it will be to suspending but the longer time you need to let it sink. Try longer pauses to let the fluke sink a little more. Also since there isn't the added resistance if a lip or bill, it takes just a small twitch to get it moving. Jerking too fast or too hard will bring it right up to the surface. Hard jerkbait and soft jerkbait truly are different baits.

Marked a bunch of suspended bass this weekend. They were hanging at 10-15ft in 20-25 fow. Couldn't get a bite out there so I cranked the bottom in 10-15ft. Picked up a few small fish. Picked up a few more pitching a spinnerbait to weed edges and docks. They wouldn't hit the spinner on the move unless the wind was blowing and it was pretty calm most of the time.

I'm starting to break out of this habit. I have purchased soooo much tackle the last couple years that I feel guilty if I don't use it. When I make it to the water I still start with a confidence bait. If the bite isn't on I'll change up. Sometimes I think I change baits too much. When I reach this point i pick a presentation that should be working based on conditions and start working different areas looking for active fish. This is something I'm still working on to become a better fisherman.

What do y'all crappie fish with down there? Zebco?

Nope. I used to but now I just reverse the line on the spool every other year or when it needs it. Now I only use a backer when I have a partial spool of braid to use up. I don't have any problems using a backer. Just easier for me to flip it and less knots to worry about.

Daiwa tatula ct is top of my list. They can be had for under $100 on eBay. From the research I did I believe it outperforms the Fuego.

I would also recommend a Fenwick HMG. I bought mine for $70 new from an eBay store.

Where?

Yup that's it. After looking at some more pictures I'm pretty sure you're right. I thought the Asian carp had large scales like a common carp. I was wrong. I know the river is full of them. I see them jumping every time I take the boat out but had never seen one up close.

All together it's called a beetle spin. The bottom part with the hook is called a ball head jig. One of my fishing buddies uses beetle spins 90% if the time. He catches everything on them. Largemouth, smallmouth, white bass, crappie, bluegill, musky, perch, drum, catfish. I find they are most effective for crappie and will draw bites from good eating size crappie.

It's sad. That shad is the biggest fish i have caught all year.

There we go. What is that? Guess I'm done with Photobucket.

Fished the river feeding the reservoir on Sunday. Couple white bass and a few crappie. No small or largemouth.

Sorry, can't figure out why Photobucket just cut me off

Is this a big shad?

IV never had mine apart so I don't know what it's supposed to look like. That could be normal. Does it turn now that you removed the line from it? And by line I assume you mean there was fishing line wrapped in the prop shaft? You might contact Minn Kota with your pics. They may at least be able to confirm what the black stuff is and if it's supposed to be there.

I have a dozen or so in a couple sizes. As mentioned above, tight wobble, cold water. Iv had some success in late fall with them. I'll probably busy em out here in about a month.

What rods and reels do you have? Some lures don't work well on some fishing poles. Example:. 1/2 oz jigs won't work well on a medium light rod.