The Maestro

The money's gone but I still expect a product that works and is free from manufacturing defects just like anything else I buy. Back on the topic. I have several 110's and they've held up well except for the hooks.

Don't the Mag Bass tapers have a softer tip? I've never used one but from my research in trying to understand what "Mag Bass" means I've come to understand that it's a rod with a softer action, especially in the tip section.

I've heard it's one of the worst industries when it comes to markups. It makes sense when you really look at this stuff objectively though. How much ACTUAL difference is there between a $100 reel or rod vs. a $700 rod or reel? From a materials and manufacturing perspective, there's very little cost difference. They're smart though. They'll make the $700 rod or reel "feel" much better just by using a few upgraded parts and processes that barely cost them anything but do make a noticeable difference in performance. The real magic is in the promotion and marketing. Technical sounding buzzwords ("rigidity" seems to be one of the current hype words) and names that involve numbers and letters. Men love this stuff. Think cars. Porsche 911 Turbo S, Audi R8 etc... Rods/reels GLX 894c, 100sv, 50E, 200K XG etc...

Any "general purpose" reel that the average casual angler might buy would be made to hold enough line to be able to use it for trolling. I guess the manufacturers err on the safe side and just make most of their reels like this. When you get into the high-end/specialized reels is when you start to see shallow/smaller spools. A simple solution is to use cheap backing, effectively reducing the spool capacity.

I'll either reel it onto another reel or if I want to flip it onto the same reel I'll hand wind it from the reel onto a spool of line (the spools that line comes on when you buy it) and then hand wind it from that spool onto another spool and then finally reel it onto the reel from this spool. It sounds like more work than it actually is.

Here, Shell V-Power does not contain ethanol. Once I made the switch I never looked back. My snowblower which used to give me problems with starting, runs smoother than ever and starts on the first pull after 6 months sitting idle. Boat and car run way better too. As for additives, I'm a bit skeptical. The only thing I'll use is a stabilizer when it's going to sit for long periods.

I do this as well. Sometimes I'll even add extra backing to make up for the braid that's already been used up so the spool is still full. There's just something satisfying about knowing I wasted as little line as possible. Plus the stuff ain't cheap.

Are those all flourocarbon and mono. Why no braid?

Braid becomes especially susceptible to breakage when it gets frayed even just a little. Heavier braided line provides a buffer against abrasion. I run 80 lb on my punch rig and 65lb on my other flipping rods. On rods that don't involve such high impact hookset I'll go lighter

I discovered this because I was too lazy to change hooks one time.

I didn't read all the replies so this might have already been mentioned. One of the biggest advantages of a baitcaster is your ability to thumb the spool allowing for a much greater degree of control during a cast. I don't doubt that some guys have become very accurate with spinning gear but a baitcaster just makes it much easier especially when trying to make a soft entry where you need the bait to slow down right at the end of your cast/pitch.

Anyone try these yet? I've heard they stay on better with these.

Curious to see this "apparatus" that you've jury-riggged.

Do you bring them all with you when you go fishing? I guess I didn't really make it clear in the OP. I was really referring to how many you take when you go fishing. I will probably add a combo here and there but I'll either sell or retire my older ones. I don't think I'll take more than what I do now unless I step it up to a boat with more storage.

It's all luck. *not srs*

Is there even such a thing? For me I usually bring 10-12 rods. 6 of them are jig/flipping rods. I really feel like this is pretty much my limit in terms of practicality. Mind you I don't have a full on bass rig with massive rod storage but I feel like even adding another jig rod would be overkill and cause more headaches than anything else.

The hardest thing to explain is that it can be (and usually is) physically and mentally exhausting. The majority of non-anglers picture fishing to be sitting in a lawn chair with a beer in one hand and a fishing "pole" in the other so they look at you like you have 2 heads when you say you're tired from fishing. There's really no point in trying to explain the difference between what fishing is in their mind and what a full day on the water of bass fishing really entails.

I prefer it from a spectator's standpoint. I wouldn't want to see too many of these big events on my home lake though. About the only aspect of MLF I like better than the traditional format is the quick weigh and release for the health of the fish and the fishery.

I think the older guys would be on a more even playing field if there was no pre-fishing allowed before the event (say for the 1 or 2 weeks prior). They might even be at an advantage with all of their experience coming into play. Where the younger guys really have an advantage is their ability to log mega hours figuring out the bite during practice

I'd say to offer the full amount and don't be offended if he accepts it. When I was in a club it blew my mind that some people would try to be cheap with the boaters. Without them the non-boaters would be stuck fishing from shore.

Those exercises aren't worth the risks. I don't think they ever were if your goal is hypertrophy. I completely ditched them and never looked back as well. I'm really careful when it comes to any type of spinal loading or lifts that put your shoulders in a compromised position. You look great for any age. For 59.....mind=shattered! Do you still sleep well? I've found my sleep to be a bit hit or miss without much rhyme or reason to why it's better some nights vs. others. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

2 giant largemouth and a giant smallmouth the likes of which I may never see again.

Question for A-Jay. I hope you don't take this the wrong way or get offended. Are you on TRT? I''ve been back at the weights for 4+ years after a long hiatus. The gym pretty much dominated my life during my 20's. It doesn't get any easier as we get older but I see you're still going hard and that's pretty rare to see at your age and I've spent quite a bit of time in a lot of gyms. I'm not hating or judging if you are just wondering what I can realistically expect when I get to your age. I'm 44 now.

I started using this stuff in 13lb. It's extremely thin diameter and flexible. It will prevent bite offs and line nick's without affecting the baits action.

Yamamoto Flappin' Hog is a fantastic bait whether rigged Texas or as a trailer. There's something about this bait, I think it's the profile, that bass really like. I've thrown them in the exact same spot where I just threw a Senko and it was taken instantly when the Senko was rejected.