Eric 26

I handled a couple different Daiwa Tatula XT rods as I was interested in the BFS rod at a fishing show and man they are sweet rods at that price point. The only thing I wasn’t liking is the reel seat which is a Daiwa design I believe, but that was without a reel attached so I just may try them out at my local shop later on and bring a reel with me.

I’m not sure how much you want to spend but you can get a BPS Carbonlite technique specific rod in 6’-9” in both medium light or medium, I’m planning on picking up the casting version in the same length marked finesse and I’m sure it’s the same blank as the spinning rod. Also I’m not sure what your local BPS carries brand wise but I’m planning on picking up a 13 fishing Oath spinning rod in med light extra fast this season and my local BPS is carrying select 13 fishing products so I may be asking them to order one in while still being able to use my trade in which I’ve done in the past by speaking to the manager of the fishing department. I spoke with mine a handful of weeks ago about this same scenario and he said it shouldn’t be a problem as they are currently carrying 13 fishing products, just something to think about.

Although I can’t remember the name of the gentleman who suggested the following on here, he and others highly suggested the “Alpha Angler” “Chatterbound” rod. It’s a bit over $250.00 but it received some praise and if you search it up on here you’ll see what I’m talking about.

@Swamp Girl Way back when I started my carpentry apprenticeship my first teacher was a true Journeyman carpenter who shared how he built his cabin on a Michigan island completely by hand with zero power tools. Keep in mind this man was in his late 60’s and built the cabin in his late 50’s with the only help being other teachers who volunteered their time and skills as they too enjoyed the challenge and experience, he/they built all the cabinets and hand milled all the trim and doors in the training center and hauled it to Michigan then ferried it to his cabin site. He was by far the true definition of a manly man yet the most gentle of gentleman I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and his stories had the majority of us eating lunch in the classroom so we could listen to his stories every day for the 3 month pre apprenticeship program. One such story was about him going on a yearly visit to an actual Indian reservation as he was 1/2 Cherokee and participating in a “vision quest” which involved being hung by your chest skin in a “sweat lodge” for 2-3 days. He also had a push-up challenge that would allow us to get out of our daily physical activity for the day and needless to say not one of us ever got out of our daily physical activities. The photos of Robert immediately made my mind flash back to him and those days bringing with it memories that were forgotten but never to be erased. Thank you for that.

Those are some tough SOB’s.

If you can find them take a look at 13 fishing rods. The newest series of theirs in the $99.99 price point is the Oath series available in both casting and spinning versions. You can get them through Tackle Warehouse and the reviews are positive overall.

@MN Fisher You’re selling yourself and your work short my friend. It was a great thread to follow and the end result is nothing short of beautiful.

Given your skill set which I don’t know I’m thinking it could be the sky’s the limit within your budget constraints. Another really cool kayak option to check out is @FryDog62’s kayak that he shared the story on also. Here’s the title of his thread and I’m sorry I couldn’t find @MN Fisher’s thread title.

I’m not sure if you’ve already seen it but check out @MN Fisher’s Jon Boat conversion he christened Bass Treker, it will give you some really cool ideas especially given your skill set as a diesel mechanic which I know involves cutting torches and welding equipment from my job.

I’m still waiting on my flyer.

Saturday afternoon our hawk visited and wound up picking off another dove.

If memory serves me correctly the flyer should be hitting the mailbox’s this upcoming week or at least it’s usually when I get mine. I too have gift cards to spend and I’ve done a few pop in trips to scout out what I’m planning to get in advance as well as having my trade in rod/reel ready to go.

I will add a ps to this in that I was just thinking I have 3 “heavy” rods that I really don’t need and unfortunately I don’t fish the reels as I’m a set and don’t move kind of guy but this thread has me rethinking my needs and that it’s ok to have a few rods that I can move some reels around on. I’m also thinking buying some spare spools that I can swap line types/pound test on will help my wallet a lot more than adding more rods/reels that I’ll probably not fish during the season as well. I know I’ll be shamed from a few members as well as the bait monkey for this but I’m willing to take it🤣😂

I for one couldn’t agree more with this. I’m sure like a lot of us on here it was a Zebco or other push button reel. I still remember catching panfish, bullheads and northern pike on my one rod throwing everything from a bobber and worm to a daredevil spoon.

@Micro Module Police Do you mind sharing where.

@Harold H Now I’m going down a rabbit hole to google “European Night Crawlers” as I’ve never heard of them thank you very much 😆🤣😂 Man I wish I could even find a pond nearby that had a 10 pound bass in it, the best I’ve ever done was my pb that I believe weighed 5 or close to it that I caught out of a retention pond that received almost zero pressure back in the day as it was relatively new but has since turned into a graveyard sadly enough. I used to hit it in the spring for crappie right after ice out as well.

I bought a 4 pack of the 3.5” ones on clearance at the end of last season. Although I didn’t use them I’m going to try rigging them flat on a wide gap hook which is the way Doug Stange suggested and he seems to like rigging quite a few paddle tail baits that way as well. Not sure how they’ll do but the ponds I fish bluegills are the main source of food for the bass.

I couldn’t agree more. They are really fun to watch and seemingly have zero fear when we’re outside.

My wife and I have been feeding finches and doves along with cardinals as the main visitors along with the dreaded squirrels for more years than I can remember. We used to put out shelled peanuts on the ground but our backyard neighbor complained rightfully so even though it’s their pine trees planted right on the property line the squirrels hang out in. We do have a hawk that visits occasionally but he seems to prefer the doves and not the squirrels unfortunately and he/she is definitely hanging out when the baby rabbits come due. I will agree the feeders become a mess but the rabbit who lives under my shed does a pretty fair job cleaning up at night and my mower keeps most of the mess clean during lawn maintenance season. My absolute favorites hands down are the hummingbirds who visit during the season as my wife absolutely loves planting flower pots and hibiscus are one of our favorite plants along with the hummingbirds.

Why not buy a Tatula 80 and get a bfs spool for it?

I just sat in on a seminar given by Violetta Talley at the Tinley Park Fishing show where she spoke of and showed underwater footage of the NedBomb. It definitely made me feel like I need to try them this upcoming season.

@webertime If you’re ok with it don’t forget to share a photo in the rod reel monkey thread when it all comes together.

They were talking about the situation yesterday as far as skipping school not being an excused absence. It turns out a whole lot of teachers skipped school as well as the students.