PhishLI

Normally I'd never ever do this without having tried one of my friend's first, etc, but as it turns out I'm afflicted with a condition which makes me vulnerable to particular subliminal messages. This was recently revealed to me through deep psycho-therapy sessions. Where most folk would click on a random post about chatterbaits by @T-Billy in order to get his take on blade color, trailers, etc, all that registered in my subconscious was "Buy ARK Rods", " Buy ARK Rods". Enslaved by this sneaky low level signal I no idea I'd even ordered the rod until it was too late. I'm pretty sure he got @Mike L with this too.

The torture continues unabated.

The State of NC Department of Fish and Wildlife sends a letter to a home/landowner asking for permission to access a creek on his property to document the decline in a certain species of unheard of frogs. The property owners' response in the second letter is EPIC. Letter from NC Dept. Of Fish & Wildlife: Dear Landowner: NCWRC Staff will be conducting surveys for foothill yellow-legged frogs & other amphibians over the next few months. As part of this research we would like to survey the creek on your property. I am writing this letter to request your permission to access your property. Recent research indicates that foothill yellow-legged frogs have declined significantly in recent years and are no longer found at half their historic sites. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated and will help contribute to the conservation of this important species. Please fill out the attached postage-paid postcard and let us know if you are willing to let us cross your property or not. If you have any concerns about this project please give us a call. We would love to talk with you about our research. Sincerely Steve Niemela Conservation Strategy Implementation Biologist RESPONSE FROM LANDOWNERS: Dear Mr. Niemela: Thank you for your inquiry regarding accessing our property to survey for the yellow-legged frog. We may be able to help you out with this matter. We have divided our 2.26 acres into 75 equal survey units with a draw tag for each unit. Application fees are only $8.00 per unit after you purchase the "Frog Survey License" ($120.00 resident / $180.00 Non-Resident). You will also need to obtain a "Frog Habitat" parking permit ($10.00 per vehicle). You will also need an "Invasive Species" stamp ($15.00 for the first vehicle and $5.00 for each add'l vehicle) You will also want to register at the Check Station to have your vehicle inspected for Non-native plant life prior to entering our property. There is also a Day Use fee, $5.00 per vehicle. If you are successful in the Draw you will be notified two weeks in advance so you can make necessary plans and purchase your "Creek Habitat" stamp. ($18.00 Resident / $140.00 Non-Resident). Survey units open between 8 am. And 3 PM. But you cannot commence survey until 9 am. And must cease all survey activity by 1 PM. Survey Gear can only include a net with a 2" diameter made of 100% organic cotton netting with no longer than an 18 in handle, non-weighted and no deeper than 6' from net frame to bottom of net. Handles can only be made of BPA-free plastics or wooden handles. After 1 PM. You can use a net with a 3" diameter if you purchase the "Frog Net Endorsement" ($75.00 Resident / $250 Non-Resident). Any frogs captured that are released will need to be released with an approved release device back into the environment unharmed. As of June 1, we are offering draw tags for our "Premium Survey" units and application is again only $8.00 per application. However, all fees can be waived if you can verify "Native Indian Tribal rights and status". You will also need to provide evidence of successful completion of "Frog Surveys and Your" comprehensive course on frog identification, safe handling practices, and self-defense strategies for frog attacks. This course is offered on-line through an accredited program for a nominal fee of $750.00. Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you. Otherwise, we decline your access to our property but appreciate your inquiry. Sincerely, Larry & Amanda Anderson.

First of all, there's nothing you can find in my history here where I've complained about incidental nonsense. I'm not that bored. Normally I wouldn't argue your point. However, when verbal confirmation of my specific wishes being granted not once but twice with 10 minutes turns out to be nothing less than smoke being blown up my posterior...yeah I'm going to complain. I might even ask publically if I'm the only one whose received this type of treatment. It's a sincere way to gauge whether my upset is warranted, or if this type of thing is isolated. Turns out that it's not. Perhaps a high profile bass fishing centric retailer who sees negative feedback from more than one complainant on the largest bass fishing forum on earth will endeavor to plug some holes. Maybe not. Personally I've avoided upsetting my customers from day one. I haven't had to apologize for anything, ever. That's not easy, trust me, but it's possible, and my business is far more complex than retailing merchandise.

Thanks for that. I just crossed off catfish from the menu for eternity.

This is a good discussion that could easily continue for several pages I'm sure, but that would be way more about our reel geek-dom. That's quite detached from the OP's request. Re-read the OP's second post in this thread. He said he's not a serious fisherman. Just a way to pass time. He doesn't have a bait monkey. Nobody's throwing a 1/6 Ned on an all-around utility rod (Dobyns 735?) with 17lb test, which is what I'm assuming this dude is aiming for. The point is that without several specific setups it's highly unlikely he'll escape needing to adjust brake blocks if he's throwing a very wide range of baits on a rod like that. BTW, a 12-ish gram MGL spool doesn't assume supernatural qualities because it's in a Met or Chronarch frame instead of a Curado frame. Click the thumbar, cast, and the platform is out of the equation for the most part. What minor differences found thereafter, like line guide orientation and shape, are minor for most practical purposes. This is reel geek stuff, not guy passing time until deer hunting season stuff. At the end of the day he shouldn't opt for any of the reels we've lobbied for here and should probably wait for the new SLX DC XT. It'll probably be a near headache-free solution that's far better suited to the serious hunter who's an unserious fisherman.

It's interesting that you've brought this up. I've been thinking lately that it would be a cool thing to award something like prize money or points for the best 5 fish limit within the gross-weight MLF rules. Just something to spice things up for the players and the fans. Accumulated points might be the best option not just for AOY, but could possibly push a player just outside that cut line high up enough to qualify for Redcrest.

I spent some time with a Curado 150 MGL zipping out a 4.2" Hazedong Shad with a 3/32oz Owner hook. There was nothing quirky about it. It casted great, and it's a smoooooth cranker. Casting this bait with the K is a chore, especially with fluoro/mono/copoly. Even the SLX MGL is way better than the K here. The OP is an occasional fisherman. If, and this is a big if, the Chronarch MGL has slightly better casting performance, what are we talking about really? If he needs a one-rod all around setup where switching baits requires brake block adjustments on the water does he want a reel with a detachable side plate? Doubtful.

^^^X2

...or as well as the 150 MGL.

If you wish to understand comparisons between the two then the question becomes which Curado. There are several models. Personally I'd pick most anything Shimano over the Curado K, so I'd pick the Chronarch over the K. If I were starting from zero I'd pick the Curado 150 MGL over the Chronarch. There aren't any real upsides to the Chronarch over the 150 except for the Chronarch's plastic frame. Most wouldn't consider that an upside, but if you fish in very cold weather a plastic frame is a plus. Besides that, the Curado 150 MGL will do what the Chronarch does at a lower price and it has an aluminum frame.

That's it in a nutshell. No picture and it's just another "fish story". P.S. The Fishing Reports sub-forum would be a real snoozer without 'em.

The fish will tell you where the bait needs to be. Sometimes they'll rocket out of deep water and smash your bait, sometimes they'll slowly follow. Other times you''ll need to get it down and leave it right in front of them. There are no hard-fast rules. Here's an example: One day I was fishing a small glide. Following each cast I was working it slowly, twitching it, making it stop and turn, a nice ballet. After a some time where I tried several versions of this finess-ee type of retrieve I got frustrated. I knew the fish were there, but I couldn't get things going. Finally, I whipped the bait out and angrily burned it in as fast as I could reel, and bam. I knocked off several more from that general area over the next half hour. This was the last thing I'd expected, but it taught me something. Mix things up until something happens. That's my best advice.

Well, at least it's not a Sabine river dinkfest.

Perhaps, but they're just about one more "leaving a bad taste" away from me shopping elsewhere permanently. After I'd sent them the pictures of my first busted rod tube, and cleanly broken in two rod, I expected to see a credit on my CC eventually, but nothing. Once I'd gotten around to following up with them on the matter I found they made the executive decision to keep my funds as a store credit minus the $15 fast shipping charge I'd payed. I've been in business for a long time and I've never pulled cheesy stuff like that, ever. At the time I just chalked it up as an innocent error, but now that I feel like I've been blatantly disregarded, or simply lied to, maybe the store credit situation actually stinks more than I thought at the time. California has nothing to do with this. I was assured, twice in two phone calls, that all the items in my order were in stock at their east coast warehouse and would ship from there.

Has this been a thing lately for anyone? I placed an order for a rod on Friday. I spoke to a rep about my order and asked whether it would be shipped from the east or west coast. The rep said they had plenty in stock of this item in both locations, and since I'm on the east coast it would be shipped from that facility. Standard ground shipping to me would take the same time as if I paid the upcharge to get it shipped from the west coast, 2 days, so I opted for standard UPS ground. If stock was limited to the west coast I would've happily paid for fast shipping like I always do if that's the situation. I don't want my rods going through multiple facilities, conveyers, and extra handling. This has ended badly in the past from them with another rod of mine and 2 for my brother. I actually followed up, per the phone rep's suggestion, gave them my order number, and reiterated my preference for the rod to come from the east coast branch. He said "no problem". He made a note. Perhaps he was "air" typing? I finally received my shipping confirmation and tracking # tonight, now 5 days later. 5 Days to process and ship(!), and of course it was shipped from California via ups ground. The arse backwards opposite of what I wanted and what they said they would absolutely do, "no problem". I won't have it for this weekend as planned, and I won't be surprised if it shows up bashed. What a waste of energy. I've had nothing but good dealings and smooth sailing with other fishing retailers, and they live and operate in the same world as TW. I don't get it, and I really don't need this aggravation.

And another would be that larger spinning reels like the BG 4000 pick up 40" per crank. This fact added to the overall weight issue you mentioned makes it all quite ponderous.

No, except for it kinda sucks doing it. My brother tried several reels up to a Daiwa BG 4000, which is massive for the size class, and various inshore rods rated for the baits he wished to use. But if you're not comfortable using a baitcaster you'll make it work I suppose.

No, but.... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Bacca_Burrito_Swimbait/descpage-MBBUR.html This in 5" and Threadfin if you're looking to imitate Alewife in a lighter bait https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Triton_Mike_Bucca_Bull_Shad_Slow_Sinking_Swimbait/descpage-TMBBS.html

I asked a fisheries biologist from around here about this issue. He claimed that 2lbs was the average for mature males, and that 3lbs was rare. He added that 4 lbs was exceedingly rare for our area, but hey, you never know. I avoid trouble by refraining from using any personal pronouns when speaking to bass. I just say "swim off nice fishie" and nobody's feelings get hurt.

It's looking good.

I'll reserve judgment until I see a drawing. There was no mention made of an extended pinion and corresponding handle-side-plate bearing for it when the Tat 300 was announced, but it has one. If @Bass_Fishing_Socal is successful in tricking his wife into letting him get one maybe he'll post the schematic for us to peruse.?

Sounds like he needs his dosage adjusted.

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