Randy Price

When I was 10-12 years old I went to a garage sale with my Mom. I found a tackle box that was loaded and bought it for a couple of bucks. That was 46 years ago and I still have a couple items that I've kept from that box just for nostalgia.

Back in the day I used to stop at St. Croix's factory and buy what they called C-Stock rods. C-Stock rods had the tips broken off and SC put a new tip on. IF you could find one with less than 1" missing I was told by their staff that it didn't hurt the action too bad, however, most had 3-6" missing. I bought a couple and was never happy with them. Gave them away to kids to use. Now SC doesn't even bother repairing them.

I'm a Blatz man. Been drinking it for a long time.

Not daily & I do not possess a CCL but sometimes I'll carry my Glock 26.

I was fishing with a buddy on Lake Winnebago on a scorcher of a day when we drifted by a boat with a man and woman in it. The guy was still fishing but the lady had stretched out to even her tan and had removed her top (she had a great rack). Since we were drifting we didn't make any noise and the guy just looked at us and smiled. We both gave him "two thumbs up" and continued our drift. I guess they thought they were far enough out who would see them??

Shimano fanboy.

I'm a SC fan but I also loved my old Berkley Lightning rod that I bought back in the early 90's.

I prefer cork but I tend to be a traditional guy.

Now we can't say that as Asian's are being targeted all over. Haven't you heard?

I can't comment on the JDM Ballistic but I "briefly" owned the Ballistic LT and was not impressed. I returned it after one week of fishing and exchanged it for a Stradic which I have been very happy with. The Ballistic I purchased had line lay issues and it felt VERY cheap compared to the other Stradic's I had been used to.

Three years ago I got a very nice bonus and spend a several thousands of dollars at St. Croix on many of their top end rods. I grew up a somewhat poor kid and only had one rod and reel until my 20's. I have a hard time enjoying using my high end stuff being worried about "hurting" it. Stupid I know but I can't help it. I find myself grabbing my trusty Avid vs one of my Legend series rods. I'm the same way with my binoculars. Bought a pair of Swarovski's several years ago but when I go hunting will usually grab the Vortex's instead. I try to tell myself use and enjoy all of it as life is too short (just buried my Dad back in February) but I've got some mental hang up. Am I the only one?

I've fished with AVIDS for over 20 years and gave been very pleased with them. They are the rod I always recommend to people wanting to get into the sport w/o spending an arm and leg. I've always thought the AVID line was the best "bang for the buck".

Here in N. IL my buddy says when the lilac's start blooming that crappies are biting.

I have (I think 14) SC rods. I have only had to use SC CS one time and they were stellar in the way I was handled. I'm a lifelong SC guy.

I have the Legend X in 6'10" MLXF and I have the Legend Xtreme in 7'0" MF. I like the ML for walleye fishing but for some reason prefer the M for bass.

I was going to post a thread about "Anyone occasionally like to fish with vintage gear?" and saw your thread.

Thanks @detroit1.

Thanks @Jigfishn10 for the kind words. My Dad was 75. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer back in September of 2020. He was given 5-6 months to live. The cancer metastasized to his bones and so he started breaking bones in his arm and leg doing basic things. The bone cancer was very painful and at the end (thankfully to hospice) we were able to keep him comfortable with drugs but they basically turned him into a zombie. It's hard seeing your Dad/or anybody in that shape. My Mom's still alive. She married my Dad when she was 16 and he was 18 (pretty normal in AR). They were married over 57 years. The hard thing for me now is still processing that he's gone. We were very close (spoke every day). He was a good Christian man and I know he's in a better place but I still miss him and probably always will.

With the exception of my musky rods all of my spinning and baitcasting rods are from 6'6" - 7'2". If I'm shore fishing I like 6'6"-6'10". In a boat it doesn't really matter. For transportation purposes (I drive a GMC Terrain) anything over 6'10" has to go in the front seat. My favorite "all around" length is 6'6"-6'10".

Thanks @Jigfishn10. It's been tough.

Lake Namakagon, Cable, WI A picture of my Dad who just passed away February 9th. We loved fishing Lost Lake in St. Germain, WI. I miss him very much.

I use spinning reels for most of my fishing. Almost all of my spinning reels are Shimano. I do have a couple of Daiwa spinning reels on my lower end "borrow" rods (Revos and Fuego). I have used some model of a Stradic for the last 20+ years and they have never let me down. I did try the Ballistic a couple of years ago and it just wasn't for me. I have friends that use Pflueger spinning reels and they have been happy with them. The nice thing about Shimano or Daiwa is parts availability.

I too have been using SC rods for a long times and have never been disappointed in their quality and CS.

I agree with other posters either the Stradic or Vanford. Had the Ballistic for one weekend and returned it. Just my experience and I'm not bashing Daiwa as I line the Revros and Fuego.

I agree with @Bluebasser86. I have the MB 6'8" M/XF "Wacky Style" rod and it is excellent for throwing senkos!