roadwarrior

You are right, no doubt, but I didn't mean to act like I was bragging. This was just a nice fish... Maybe we'll cath something "picture worthy" at Pickwick this week.

Old School

Playing in the yard and getting rigged for the RoadTrip, I made an AMAZING discovery. I found the PERFECT leader length. This is soooooooo obvious, but something that never occurred to me. I hate feeling the knot and sometimes it can interfer with casting. So, I "discovered" a new (to me) trick: Tie the leader to the main line between the reel and first guide with just enough leader sticking out 4"-6" beyond the tip of your rod. Duh.... Man, it's like the light just came on!

I don't know anything about Okuma reels, but like you, Fish Chris uses spinning tackle exclusively and this is the brand he has fished for years. Some of his big stripers and dinosaurs (sturgeon) probably compare with most any inshore species.

For 30lb braid or heavier, I like Seaguar AbrazX #17. On lighter line, 20lb Tatsu.

Excellent summary Mr. Swim Jig! Izorline is a sleeper, but may be the most managable of the lines mentioned. I am a big fan of Yo-Zuri Hybrid and recommend #6 for spinning tackle. As far as P-Line goes, it retains a lot of memory and is better suited for baitcasting.

Great turn-around. Nice pics, too!

Great post & pics!

Nice fish, great pic!

Welcome aboard!

I don't feel sad, George Jones had a great run and will remain a legend in Country Music. Always know to his millions of fans as simply, Jones. His legacy has been an inspiration for generations in the music business.

Thanks! Time for a re-do...

I understand, but the title is "Ratty Old Outdated Equipment You Refuse To Update". Last year I inherited all of my dad's gear. Some is on display in my cave and I gave two lots to a couple of friends who I assisted in creating driftwood displays for their offices. None of us will actually fish anything. Everything is featured "as is" and it really turned out to be impressive! Here is a list of some of the stuff: The first Abadabbadoo Ambassador, Zebco 33, Flooger Level Wind, Johnson Spinning Reels, Original (50 year old) Floating Rapala, Lucky 13, Jitterbugs, Lazy Ike, Bombers, Devil's Horse, Creme Purple Worms, Mann's 12" Worms, and a number of "fishing poles".

Well, as far as I'm concerned "old junk" belongs on the wall or in a display cabinet in your man cave, not on your boat.

Okay.. Thanks, I will give that a try.

It's all about casting distance which is particulary important from the bank. Ideally I would like to be able to utilize the full potential of my gear, but I feel like I am giving some up.

The Core thread and supertuning got me to thinking... I'm using two brakes on both my Core (50 & 100). I had my Curado 50E and 200E supertuned with ceramic bearings, but they were too fast dry! After adding a drop of oil, I still need two brakes on both of these reels. On some reels I need three and sometimes four. I like the cast control all the way open, just a 1/2 turn before the spool wiggles. This makes the retrieve as smooth as it can be. However, without a couple of centrifugal brakes on, I cannot keep from backlashing. I understand a trained thumb at the end of a cast, but how do you control the reel at the beginning when it is wide open?

Woo-Hoo! And if you spend $50, is shipping still free?

Well now, some of our sponsors offer the #1 bait/ lure in a number of categories. I have been fishing these with good success this spring. However, I will suggest a few others (not sponsors) that have always been great producers for me: MegaBass PopMax and LC Sammy LC Pointer and MegaBass ITO Vision 110 GYCB Senko and Fat Ika XCalibur Xr50 (Blue Chrome) Norman Fat Boy LC 2.5 & 3.5 Hollow Belly, Keitech Swing Impact Fat and Shadalicious Sworming Hornet/ LFT Live Magic Shad Me

When I have fished with Tom he threw NOTHING but a 5" Senko wacky rigged.

MegaStrike StrikeBack, double willow blades with a white skirt.

Most of the year a Blue Chrome Red Eye Shad outperforms any other color for me. However, in the spring Red rules!

NorthStar Original Swim Jig (bluegill)/ RageTail Menace Red Eye Shad Smithwick Rogue

I have been having some luck with a swim jig, specifically NorthStar Custom Baits Original Swim Jig (Bluegill)/ Rage Tail Menace.

Warm the tip with a lighter, but be VERY careful not to get the flame on the blank. GENTLY grasp the tip with pliers and remove.