The Maestro

Sharing info is one thing. Giving away your hard earned spots to random strangers who are stealthily trying to follow you around is another thing entirely. I have no problem with the former and have taken time out of my day on many occasions to help out people less experienced but I take major exception with the latter.

I don't even fish tournaments but I still do this on my lake. I'm the only serious bass angler that fishes that water as much as I do. Most are just cottagers or casuals. In the last couple of years I've noticed more cottagers watching me when I'm fishing. They've probably seen me catch fish. I've had boats try to scope what I'm doing. I'll just pick up and move to dead water when I see them trying to poach my spots. Most of the time the ruse actually works and they'll go waste their time on these dud spots. I've been beating my brains out for the past 10 years trying to figure out that water. Why should I just give that all away to a bunch of randoms?

I noticed when I put a reel on it and pulled on the line to test the action it does flex quite far down the blank just like you described. I'm hoping I can still use it as a senko rod by using very thin wire hooks. I can already tell it will require a different hook setting technique vs. what I'm used to. I'll also need to back off on the drag with such feeble hooks. I hope it works because I really want to like this rod. Thanks for providing your first hand experience with this stick. There's surprisingly little info on these rods out there. I guess it was just before the current age where EVERYTHING'S on the internet.

I've read nothing but good things about the Shimano Cumulus rods so when I saw one come available I jumped on it. It's a 6'10" MH Fast in brand new condition minus the tags. This will be my new dedicated senko rod. I will say the thing is just stupidly light. I'd like to evenyually make it a super light weight setup (thinking a Shimano Aldebaran) but for this year I'll have to run one of my Curado E7's on it.

A lot of good options already posted but you shouldn't sleep on these. I know guys that use nothing else and they're among the best local tournament anglers. Zoom Big Salty and Super Chunks

Strike King Hack Attack - This hook's just a monster. I run them on 80lb braid VMC Heavy Duty Ike - I would't hesitate to use these in any flipping situation including punching. Don't be put off by the lower price. They're as good as any hook out there.

Strike King Hack Attack on my punch rod. VMC Heavy Duty IKE hooks for most everything else. I have some Mustads that are a bit thinner wire that I'll run on my MH jig rod.

If you're only getting one pair I'd recommend a brown/amber lens. I wear my grey ones the most because it's usually really sunny but they get dark pretty fast when the sun isn't so bright. The quality of the lenses will make a big difference also. I like my Maui Jim's. I have them in 3 colors/levels of light transmission.

I don't blame you. I'm only going to use one of those 7'4's. The other will be getting wrapped up and stored just in case I break the other one. I might actually cry if I ever break my 7'7".

I've been on the hunt for a first gen Cumara for some time now. I've had a 7'7" Heavy which I paid $100 for brand new when they were clearing them out before the red ones were released. It's by far my favorite rod. I've tried a bunch of rods and none really matches the feel and power of that rod when you set hook on a big one buried down in the weeds. I know rods are such a personal thing but for me the first gen Cumaras simply have not been topped at least not by any of the rods I've ever used. I was hoping to land a lightly used one at best. Still a bit in disbelief that I was able to snag 2 brand new 7'4 Heavy flipping sticks which is the rod I was really after most. I also grabbed a Bantam MGL earlier this year and it pairs absolutely beautifully with the Cumara. Only problem is I might need to get another one now.

Has anyone tried both rods? Specifically wondering how the power and actions of the heavy versions of these rods compare.

This puts my poverty fishing meals to shame.

I've never kept bass. I'm not opposed to the idea of keeping a few smaller bass it's just that my livewell is not very good. I could do it but it would be a pain. Too much babysitting and the pump is pretty noisy and could spook fish. I'd really have to bring a cooler and throw them on ice right away. It's just too much hassle. I started another thread about food/snack ideas. After seeing this video a few months ago I was seriously debating buying one if these portable burners and frying the odd one up right on the boat. I doubt it would take much time out of the day and would be an awesome meal of quality protein. Go to 5:00 min. to see what I'm talking about.

Even with all my eating by the end of the fishing season I'll have dropped ~10lbs of mostly fat so it all works out. Wouldn't want to drop anymore than that tbh. I have a naturally skinny frame and have to work hard during the off season for what little muscle I have.

I really like a perfectly ripe mango. Right at the point when I'm starting to feel light headed I'll have it and it's like an energy shot right to the brain.

Just noticed I made a spelling error in the title. Should be "day" not "say". Some good ideas guys. I'm a big believer in keeping myself well fueled with good food when I'm spending long hours on the water. I don't know how some of you guys sustain off barely anything. Fishing makes me HUNGRY.

What do you guys like to pack to sustain yourselves for a day on the water? I usually grab a calorie dense breakfast on the way. I'll pack sandwiches, fruits, granola bars, Gatorade, a Redbull, 3-4 frozen water bottles (double as ice packs + have ice cold water to drink all day) and last year I started bringing 2-3 hard boiled eggs for a quick protein boost throughout the day.

I realize that. It seems like there really isn't any real difference between a JWR and a flipping rod. Probably just a way to rope people into buying more rods.

Is there any differences? Are the jig and worm rods better for casting as opposed to making short flips/pitches?

I think you have to be born with the fishing bug. People like the idea of fishing more than the reality of it. It's a lot of work. It's just that we don't really see it that way. Carrying all your gear, waking up at stupid times, driving for hours, spending all day on a boat in blistering heat or rain etc... You have to REALLY want to go fishing in order to actually do everything that's involved. Non anglers would go insane if I brought them out from sun up to sun down. It makes no difference to me how many fish I'm catching. I'm as into it after 13 hours as I was at the start of the day. I honestly think it takes something of an OCD personality to be a hardcore angler.

Sounds like my worst nightmare.

Bass season doesn't open here until after they've spawned but this debate always seems to come up as to whether it should open sooner to allow fishing during the spawn. My personal feeling is that if the fish have made it to that point, they should be allowed to do their thing free from harrassment from anglers.

Imo you've either got the fishing bug or you don't. It's easy to forget that fishing really doesn't appeal to very many people. At least not on the level that hardcore anglers feel about it. It's been my experience that it's actually a very rare thing to meet other serious anglers in your day to day life. Just about all the ones I know I met through clubs and tournaments etc...

I saw the deal on the Patriarchs. They must be clearing them out for a revamped "new and improved" version. I have one and it's a nice reel. At $90 it's a good snag for sure.

This begs the question. Is sensitivity over rated?