Tackleholic

There is definitely a lucrative business opportunity in reel service where I live; non exist that I am aware of, and I learned many years ago not to try it myself. If any Forum Members in my area know of a nearby specialist I would appreciate a PM.

Likewise in Northern Arkansas.

I keep moving with the trolling motor set very, very slow, working the bank and shallows; cast and crank, repeat. Most others are dropping on shad balls 30-50 feet deep which is my least favorite method. They are catching mostly spots and largemouth, while I catch mostly smallmouth who are crawdad hunting and not showing on FFS. Interesting fact is that even when there are no shad around, those crawdad hunting smallmouth will not hesitate to grab a baitfish imitation that passes by.

North Central Arkansas has a carbon copy forecast of yours. Went fishing yesterday, but I'm retired and no longer sadistic; will wait a few days for the cold flash to move somewhere else. I usually keep at it until sometime in December.

Coincidence; I just sold a Stradic 1000 I bought in 2001. $30 to a friend; looked to be in better shape than yours, but I hadn't used it in 17 years. I also have a size 2000 from 2001 which still sees occasional use. I wonder what I paid for those reels back then compared to today's market. Would one of you Reel Service guys comment on the quality of old vs. new?

Well worth it; Siebert swim jigs are the absolute best.

About 60 years ago, I still have the belt buckle (and a rusty can of Brasso).

Me too. I have two of them; one for 3/8 oz. shallow jerkbaits with 10# fluorocarbon, one for 3/8 oz. poppers with 10# mono.. Lifgtweight and smooth.

I bought 4 rods and 2 reels from them this year, along with line and a few baits; sorry to see them go. Sometimes in situations like this, former employees will find a way to purchase the business; that takes time.

Be first in line at garage and estate sales; the good ones are gone in a hurry. Otherwise, Walmart.

I was wet wading once, just shoes and shorts; stepped on the tail of a Cottonmouth and it climbed up my leg, nearly to my shorts. He took off without biting me when I took the next step. Whew!

My "2nd" scariest event happened Walleye fishing alone at night in Wisconsin's Flambeau Flowage. A bear, smelling my fish, swam out and tried to climb in the boat with me. The night was so dark I did not know what was happening until my spotlight shined in his eyes; I was lucky he let go when the motor started on the first pull. My scariest event of all time happened one night when I was fishing on a gravel bar and fell asleep. Two racoons began fighting about 30 feet from me; that was 60-65 years ago, and to this day I have never heard such blood curdling screams, not even in Nam.

I use the old Bill Dance signature lures, even though I have hundreds of others; IMO they still produce as well as most, better than many.

I got one for my Trout boat about 15 years ago, it definitely helps; think it came from Cabela's.

I still have a graphite 7 ft casting rod P84L, T40 with blue wraps, full 1 piece cork handle. I keep putting it away only to bring it back. Light as a feather and I've never had another rod with a cork grip that fits my hand so well. Made in the USA!

Wow, thankyou everyone. I have used a very few of these methods, but never imagined so many more exist. I will be trying several new ones in the near future, and have copied down your suggestions. I hope other Forum Members will benefit as well.

Welcome from Arkansas, where are you from?

I was raised in the catch-em, scale-em, fry-em era; today I'm 100% catch and release, regardless of species. It takes a long time to grow a big one, especially smallmouth, my most adored fish. Sometimes I may catch a Walleye and think about dinner, but back in the water it will go. When I come in for the day I'm usually pretty beat-up anyway, and the thought of carving fillets does not appeal to me.

I'd like to have a dollar for each red and white Bass Oreno that was sold.

Seems like I lose a couple of Megabass 110 jerkbaits each year. This past spring a friend kicked a $400 Loomis spinning rod of mine overboard with a $250 Daiwa reel attached. The lake then proceeded to rise 30 feet. I persisted, and found them when the water receded, 6 months later. The reel could not be salvaged, but I restored the rod as good as new.

Sending the reels to a pro for cleaning and repair would seem like a less complicated and possibly less costly choice; definitely safer.

I have 26 left hand Daiwa baitcasters and have never "noticed" a problem with the clutch. However, this discussion has stirred my OCD; going forward I will suspiciously be looking for a reason to blame the clutch each time I backlash.

I've tried multiple methods, but none work really well. I'm curious how others do it.

Dawn soap and water on a washcloth for the blank and guides; rinse off with a clean washcloth. When dry, wipe down with Real Magic. Mr Clean Magic Eraser Pad on the cork, rinse off with a clean washcloth. When dry, brush on U-40 if needed.

With you on the Egg, a genuine surprise.