Eric 26

Wow what a second half so far?

I’m happy to see a good game so far without any referee intervention ?

This was my father’s favorite saying when I was growing up ?

I live in a subdivision that has been established for at least 20 years (prior farm fields) and still there are people who are astonished and upset there are coyotes picking off their cats when they let them out at night or their pocket sized pooches when it’s too cold for them to step outside and watch them. My 16 year old son found it both frightening and fascinating when he recently seen a coyote in our backyard while he was cleaning our dog pen at night. I grew up in a suburban setting being blessed to vacation in the once unmolested north woods of Minnesota seeing bobcats, black bear and every sized native mammal (moose are freaking huge?) you can name and it drives me nuts hearing people complain about wildlife in the neighborhoods we continue to develop without leaving a space for the animals who were here long before we were a place to call their own and balance out as they see fit. As a side note it was one of my favorite things when we would take the trash to the dump site and sit back and watch the black bears rummage through it. As a young boy I would take my 2 family dogs (Dobermans) for walks in the local farm field no leashes btw and although I seen coyotes they didn’t want anything to do with me or maybe it was the dogs. My in laws former house was in a subdivision that had a beautiful red fox pair that I’m sure was the last of them 30 years ago ? loved spotting them.

@NorcalBassin I don’t know how he acts in the boat but if I had a boat and seen that face I would be like awww heck let’s go??

If it were me I’d take @Woody B up on his generous offer in the 6.3:1 ratio reel and if you’re close enough head to the St.Croix factory and purchase a blemished rod of your choosing after receiving the reel. If you’re not close enough to the factory it sounds like you may have a quality local shop which will be able to help guide you in your rod purchase also with Mr B’s generous reel offer in hand. I may be in the minority here but I feel the 6 speed reel is perfect for your first bait cast reel. Lastly although I’m right handed I prefer reeling all of my reels left handed. Best of luck and I do hope you keep us updated on your decisions.

That is one awesome friend ???

Absolutely beautiful fish ? I’m going to get the Ned rig ready.

Regardless of what you choose if you can wait until the bps spring sale and have an older or newer reel your willing to let go you can trade in the old one and get money off your new purchase. For instance you will get $30.00 off a Shimano Miravel bringing it to $100.00 or $40.00 off a Shimano Stradic bringing it to $160.00. I’ve taken advantage every year for the past several years and if they don’t have it in stock they can order it and honor the trade in. For what it’s worth I’m in no way affiliated with BPS but hate to see anyone pay shipping for something you can handle in store and walk out with. FWIW the reels are supposedly refurbished and given to a charitable cause.

@Friggs Those bps branded rods are nice for the money. If for some reason this one breaks I recommend upgrading to the bps panfish elite, I have 2 and think they’re a steal at the $80.00 price. Also if you’re at bps check out their house brand bladed jig (shudderlicious) not available in Fire craw color but a good bladed jig with good action. Lastly you mentioned a tight budget so if you’re at Wal Mart check out their house brand (Ozark Trail) crank baits, they have a bluegill pattern that produced well for me in my local retention ponds. Also they carry strike king finesse swim jigs that are an absolute must buy every time I’m in Wal Mart along with the $1.00 spinner baits.

Although I don’t target them often and I don’t eat them I’ve had success using eagle claw khale hooks. They almost always hook them right in the corner of the mouth which is what I’m after as I said I’m not keeping them. Bonus is the eagle claw hooks are relatively cheap and available just about everywhere.

I nearly choked on my drink reading this ?? The way the photo is taken it looks like a guide is missing on top of it being a $2.00 rod?.

That is one bad a** man??, I can only hope and pray I’m that agile at 70 year’s young. I know you said “boss” but does that mean company owner? In my previous line of work as a carpenter I worked for 2 brothers who strapped on the tool pouches every day and I really appreciated them for that, although I have the same appreciation for my current boss who stays in the office. I’m no longer swinging a hammer either.

I’m going to offer up “13 fishing” rods in whichever line you’re comfortable paying. I have a 7’-1” med light spinning rod in the fate black series at $79.99 that I use for Ned rigs and have nothing bad to say about it. Others who are far more experienced than myself use some of their higher end rods with the same happiness and although I’ve yet to use it their customer service is supposed to be great. Lastly although it’s about $5.00 more than your top of budget they offer several sizes in both full cork and split grip cork in the Omen Black 3 spinning lines. I’m assuming you’re looking for a spinning rod.

I think for me it comes down to although I love checking out new reels and I have many different brands the variety and differences in rods not only from manufacturers but within the same manufacturer the differences are quite varied. Being a budget minded fisherman I realize there’s only a handful of cheaper reel brands/models that will hold up yet there are numerous budget rods/brands that fish and hold up quite nicely imho. For instance I have looked long and hard at a field & stream spinning reel but never did purchase it and although I’ve never purchased one I’ve really looked at and more than once thought the field & stream rods are coming home with me.

I love shopping for both equally but for some reason I never tire of looking at new fishing rods even when I have no need for a new one. This tends to be problematic as I also can’t stand having rods without reels ?

I have 10 pound Suffix Advance Monofilament/Copolymer on a 2000 size spinning reel and have no issues whatsoever.

I’m hitching my horse to this wagon?

I’m not sure which I’m looking forward to seeing more, the fish or the gear photos ?

Heck Katie I’m not leaving until I learn all of Alex’s secrets which means he ain’t leaving either ?. The only thing that might be better is getting a shot at hanging out with @Blue Raider Bob on his kick a** pond or hanging out with @TnRiver46 catching a variety of fish in his beautiful home state(just keep the skunks to yourself ?) or maybe seeing @bulldog1935 ‘s vintage rod/reel collection in person. ? If I’m going to wish I’m going to wish big?

As of last year my daughter who was a high school senior still said it I believe ?

I don’t think there’s going to be a better response than this? I don’t even like to eat fish and my first thought was “Oh He** Yeah” I’m tagging along??

I appreciate the quick response??. As of now I don’t really need another rod although I’ve got my sites set on another light powered rod ?. I have a fate black medium light and I love it. I know there are a few guys including @bulldog1935 who speak highly of the blanks so I thought I’d take a look. Now I’m having FOMO?. Thanks again ?

@AlabamaSpothunter I’m with @ol'crickety & @Blue Raider Bob on this one, seeing all the dang fish you’re catching on the mini chatter bait has me setting my sites on getting ahold of quite a few of those along with several bags of trailers for my favorite retention pond come this spring. All I can say is thank goodness I’m smart enough to know I can’t afford a Daiwa Zillion as there are enough of you guys talking those up as well.

Is it ice fishing gear only?