haggard

Sadly, harder than anything else I hooked all day, excepting one smallie that threw the hook when I reached for the net. At least I landed the clam ?

Hi neighbor @jbmaine - I'm now 99% certain I'm ordering the same rod when it becomes available (supposedly less than a month away) so you're welcome to try it out before you buy one. If it comes in before the temps get too cold, take it on the water for a day. I won't be ordering a reel right away so you'd need to use yours.

Congrats on your new boat. If you're interested in a Lowrance Hook 4 GPS/finder with HDI transducer, I have an unused spare which meets your budget. I'll post to the for-sale section this evening. I bought a pair of them last year, one for the yak and one for the boat, but the boat got killed before I even installed it, so it's literally unused. I really enjoy the one I have on the yak.

Slow and steady wins the race. ? ?

I'll vouch for St. Croix Avid blanks but will warn you I'm biased to StC and have only one year of fishing experience and have never handled the E6X or Tatula. That said, based on my experience (5 Premieres and 2 Avids) if I was picking an all purpose bass rod (which I hope to do next month) it will be an Avid. Specifically, a medium power, fast action Avid spinning rod. I feel Avid is a "better" blank without breaking the bank. I have no doubt the other manufacturers have equally great rods. I'm just not familiar with them. Keep in mind, rumor has it that in terms of power rating, St. Croix generally runs a little stiffer than others. A medium power rod might be closer to a medium-heavy from other manufacturers. At least that's what the internets say. You'll probably get a lot of replies like "we need to know more about what type of species you're after" or "what sort of water are you fishing" etc. Taking your post at face value though, knowing nothing about your intended uses, just literally an "all purpose rod", I vouch for an Avid series M/F spinning rod in 6'6 to 7'0. One good thing about the rods you mention: we're probably splitting hairs talking about the differences among them. At this level there's probably no wrong choice.

Hi Gary - I had one (it was a 2016 Grizzly 1448MVX), absolutely loved it (it died in a crash after only a couple months). Bought it because I needed a better fishing platform than my '66 Starcraft. The 1448 is solid good thick aluminum, very sturdy built-in casting deck. I wanted something manageable (I'm 50) and found 14' to be just that, and still not uncomfortable. I bought it new with the trailer for $3,500 and built it up the way I wanted, just as you said. Added a bimini top, side rails, a homebrew steering console, used 15hp 2-stroke, 2 seats, lights, trolling motor and GPS/finder. With no deck rails I wouldn't recommend standing on the deck to cast - I tried it but don't find it very comfortable or safe - I found the pedestal seat on the casting deck was plenty high for casting from a sitting position, and felt much more secure. From there you can brace your feet on the sides (they're slightly raised from the deck) for stability in waves. It sits very low in the water so I wouldn't take it into much chop. I found it very stable, well made, comfortable. It has a max hp rating of 25. I used a 15 2-stroke because that's what I had on hand, but the boat would go only 8 mph. I'd go with the max rating for sure on this boat. It will not be over powered. Your $8K estimate seems right on. That's basically what mine came to after it was done (not counting all the sweat equity!) I think the one if the ad looks great, assuming no cracked welds or big dents (which could indicate cracks). Price seems fair, and if it's posted at 3,900 maybe that's an indicator it would go for 3,500 cash Great boat. Highly recommended.

Higher gear ratio = horsepower = speed (gears: more teeth but smaller teeth) Lower gear ratio = torque ("staying power") (gears: fewer teeth but beefier teeth) For low resistance lures & environments (ex: topwater) higher gear ratio may do well. For high resistance lures & environments (ex: swim, crank, pads, weeds) lower gear ratio may do well.

Simply awesome.

Infuriating. And I thought arguing with Comcast on the phone was annoying. This takes it to a new level. 1. Their written letter stating they were sorry and they made a mistake? That's gold. Keep that one up your sleeve. Remind them that your Mom's well being is dependent on you as POA and in turn on the insurance company fixing its own mistakes which they've already admitted to, and that time is critical. Not just on the phone, but in a written letter AND email. I've noticed that sometimes putting things in writing and email puts the fear of Dog in the higher-ups... they know that stuff is now sitting out there on a server somewhere for eternity, ready to be recalled when needed 2. Fishing. Thanks for all your doing for your Mom. They're worth it.

I'm not a Walmart frequent flyer but have to say the packs of 2-inch curl tail grub lures I bought there for dirt cheap may be the most productive panfish lures I have. Now if only I could get the same for bass...

Being respectful doesn't necessarily make one a lib if that's where you're headed In the great state of Maine a two way street is paved with respect. One way: "Get the * away from my dock" One way: "I'll fish anywhere I * well please" Two way: "Mind if I fish your dock?" "Sure, just watch the boat." "Thanks." Two way: "Mind if I fish your dock?" "Not here, move on." "Ok" (comes back on a weekday and fishes it when they're not home )

I get both sides but when it comes down to it, I give the property owners the right of way, even if fishing under their dock is technically legal. They pay premium for their waterfront property, boats and docks, and even if 99% of fishers don't whack their boat, all it takes is that 1% who hit the boat or snag on the dock to sour the relationship. From a property/boat owner's point of view, I can see it seems invasive. If I had my truck/trailer/boat parked in a public lot and someone started poking around it or getting too close, while technically legal, I'd probably start to notice and get a little edgy. When I come upon a dock where the owners are present (on the dock or in the water), if I really want to fish near it I wave and cast a little ways off the dock, and find the bass often still come out and strike, without the owners feeling crowded. A friendly wave while approaching the area (before the first cast) goes a long way.

Yes! Correctly stated... $1995 to $3500 gets you a real nice Hobie

I built out a jon boat last winter. New 2016 Tracker 1448MVX Grizzly (all welded aluminum, 14 ft, with casting deck, includes trailer) was $3,500 (typically $4000 but had a couple dings on it). $645 trolling motor w/foot control (55 lb thrust, single 12 V battery, moved the boat along just great), $425 bimini top, $100 accessory rails, $??? used motor and steering system from older boat. Yak and jon are such different boating/fishing experiences you might consider getting the jon AND a couple cheap yaks (got my Sundolphin Journey 10SS for $185 new. Tippy but gets you on the water.) Or if you want a full blown purpose built high quality fishing yak, $2500-$3500 gets you real nice Hobie... you may not even miss the jon. Downside is limited room and it can't cross the lake very fast. Figure in a little more $ for paddle, PFD, throw ring, anchor, cooler etc. 20 to 25 hp should be good for a 14-16' jon. I had a 14' and its max rating was 25. I used a 15hp on it which wasn't quite enough.

Be careful to not go so cheap that you get a setup that puts you off fishing (due to the gear not actual fishing). You may not need to spend as much as $200, but if you can, you'll have a great starter setup which will also serve you well as you advance. For general purpose, fresh water bass fishing I'd get a 6'6" to 7'0" rod, medium power, fast action (M/F). A spinning style rod/reel will be more forgiving in terms of mistakes, but nothing wrong with starting on a baitcaster style either. My first combo was $40 rod paired with a $30 reel because I wasn't sure I'd like this whole fishing thing (I was so wrong). I hardly ever use that combo and when I do it's just not very exciting, which is a polite way of saying I really don't like it. Within a week of getting it, I bought another combo, this time deliberately deciding to spend up to $100 on a reel and $100 on a rod so I knew I'd get something decent without going way overboard. It worked out well; the combo did great for learning and still using and loving it today. I happened to get a St. Croix PC66MF2 rod and a Shimano Caenan 151 (150 for righty version) reel, but don't get hung up on the manufacturers/brands; that just happens to be what I have. For line, 10 or 12 lb. mono test should work, just try to stay within the line ratings of your rod. As long as you stay within the major brands, I'd focus more on price point ($100 rod, $100 reel) than manufacturer's name. Among all the major manufacturers out there, I'd bet $100 would buy you a rod or reel that is more than good enough for stating out, while at the same time you won't outgrow it any time soon. Check out youtube videos to get a feel for which (spinner or baitcaster) suits you, then start shopping.

I'm brand loyal, but only because when I find a brand I like, I tend to stick with it. I think it's driven by a desire for simplicity and having fewer decisions to make. With the exception of one combo, all my rods are from the same manufacturer. Same goes for the reels (a different mfr, but all reels from the same one). The downside is it keeps me from trying many of the other great brands. I'm sure I'm missing out on some great products that I'd fall in love with.

I can't comment on combo balance (seems like something you can never really figure out until you actually mount it and handle the combo) but as far as the models go, I have an Ultegra and a Stradic CI4+ both in 1000 size. Hardly ever use the Ultegra because it's on a travel rod and I haven't traveled much but I use the CI4+ almost every weekend and each time I do I'm glad I bought it. Feels solid, smooth, light in the hand and well balanced (balanced, I mean the reel itself.. not heavy or wobbly while cranking). Not cheap but no regrets.

Yes lack of weight spec is highly annoying. What I'd really like to see though is weight spec stamped on the lure. Once the packaging is gone and the lure is in the tackle box, I often can't remember what lures weigh and which rods are suitable for them. If weight is not on the packaging, check the retailer's price tag which often contains the retailer's SKU which sometimes gives a clue about the weight - "xxxx18xx" for 1/8 oz, "xxxx14xx" for 1/4 oz. In the photo below the lure is a 1/4 oz. It may be sitting at the bottom of Square Pond right now, but it's still 1/4 oz.

Always have backups. There's no worse feeling than feeling you're empty handed and as a result harmed or killed a fish. It happens though and you're not alone. Best thing you can do is 1) hope that fish will be good for something higher up the food chain, and 2) you'll use this experience to bring the tools (and backups) next time. Last weekend I deep hooked a smallie and despite eventually removing the hook and all, I don't think it survived. It sucked and I still hate myself for it. Tough lesson but an effective one.

I favor the horizontal storage on the wall. I find that anything close the ground (such as reels) tends to attract more dust and filth and is more at risk of getting bumped or bruised especially if you live with others. Pets are also a consideration: Rods stored vertically might have lures with hooks attached to the keeper. Pets like to play with lures. Until they get hooked. For any storage solution I recommend a rod sock/sleeve. Cheap insurance. How on Earth did I just respond to a thread posted in 2006?

It's all in the details :D

What he said.

A very good day. How fitting it seems that on the final weekend of summer the old boat got an afternoon of attention it deserved and is ready for fall fishing. Got the motor mount shimmed in, flooring installed, tiller handle installed, cables dressed, sun top installed. It's a hideous looking mess put together with whatever I could find in the basement or the yard, plus $100 in new stuff at Home Depot. This 1966 Starcraft was my first boat and there's just something I really love about it. I didn't want to step on the bare aluminum hull so laid down three 2x4 ft PCV sheets with fake grass carpet stapled onto it - gets wet and won't rot, no slip grip and dampens the sound, smallies will never know I'm coming The motor is a 1975 Evinrude 15hp 2-stroke electric start bought off Craigslist from a salt water sailboat, originally used as a spare/donor for my (now deceased) 1976 Evinrude. Start/stop switches and starter solenoid are mounted to the gunnel because, well, the gunnel was there. It fires up but needs some finessing of the choke and throttle until it's warmed up; after that it seems to stabilize. Mostly. Sun top (critical!) is PVC pipe mounted on galvanized steel flanges and pipes, with canvas on top. Gas tank and battery will be mounted (okay, just placed) as far forward as possible to balance things out while I sit at the stern. Throttle control mounted on the gunnel. Milk crate seat. Tiller handle is a steel floor flange with 12 in. pipe threaded in. Motor mount screws are seized so I just wedged in some composite shims. Trailer could use some love. Intended purpose is for this outfit to get me through end of season. Next year hope to have a new boat. It ain't pretty. Viewer discretion is advised

4 smallies today with 9 hours on the yak. They're not making this easy. Awesome day.