Jimzee

Let me be the first to welcome you back. I think everyone here has been wondering where you've been. Good to hear from you again.

Take this for what it's worth, I got two rods replaced last year under the warranty. The first one was nearly three years old and I busted it putting it in the rod locker. I called Ryan and told him what happened, sent the rod back with $50, and had a new one in a week. The second one was the same rod that was replaced only a month prior. It got broke on a seat in a SUV that was pulled back against it. Once again, I called Ryan, told him what happened, sent the $50 in, had a new rod in a week.

They will deliver a pound or two extra of drag force, they also prevent the drag from stuttering when under load if lubricated properly. I have used Cal's drag grease in the past but I am trying Shimano drag grease this year. Both seem pretty consistent so I would say it really doesn't matter which one of those you use. A light coating on the Carbontex and drag washers is all you need. You can use the Carbontex without lubrication, they will deliver more drag force that way but are prone to the stutter under heavy pulls. The start up drag is not as consistent without the grease either. Carbontex will put a mark on your drag washers over a period of time. This is not nearly as significant if you use the drag grease, more of swirl marks than the grooves you get without the grease. I have them in every reel I own except for the spinning reels.

I have had one for just about three years now. The reel has its place. I have used it when throwing worms and other plastics, slowly bumping and twitching it along the bottom. I have also used it when throwing flukes and topwater baits, This is my favorite way to use the twitching bar. That subtle twitch makes your line jump, usually resulting in a blow up. They are decent reels. Shop around a little before you pay full price. They can be had right now for as little as $130.00 on the auction site.

;D

Taking out an extra insurance policy on your tackle is a good sign you have reached that level.

I know where that is located. I was just looking at it on Google Earth the other night.

I don't see why not. My clothes have came off a time or two when alcohol was involved. That is, when high octane alcohol was involved, never with beer. ;D

Correction. Burley had crabs.

Crazy story man!!! I like how you ended the story with the fish pic. ;D

d**n dude, looks like some mighty fine places to fish. I'm definitely jealous. Great looking fish too.

That thing has an enormous head, great looking fish Daniel.

Man, what a great looking place to fish!!! Daddy like!!

Good to see you posting large ladies again.

I wondered if anyone would notice that. The lip on that fish had a two inch chunk missing from it. Must have been done last year, looked like it healed over fairly well too. We nicknamed that one marble mouth. ;D

I wasn't crazy about it either. It started out good but then fell on it's face.

Been getting pounded by rain showers here just about every day with the exception of today. The lake I fish on is 25 years old, I have been fishing it for 23 of those years. I have never seen it this high until this past week. Boat ramp and docks on Thursday (Six feet above summer pool) The same boat ramp and docks on Saturday (Seven feet above summer pool) In the summer, you can get out of your boat on those furthest set of yellow poles you see submerged under the water. The fishing was tough considering how much new cover they had and all the bait fish were holding inside or to the backs of this new cover. This is normally a four foot high rip rap wall, great for banging cranks against. Now....jig fest 2009!!! Here are a few more pics of the lake and a few fish pics as well. Just about in the main road here. Rage Tail Anaconda 5 lbs. 6 oz. spawned out. Four inch white Senko 4 lbs. spawned out.

I take care of all my stuff. Sometimes it borders on OCD, putting on the reel covers and rod sleeves, wiping off the spinnerbait blades and hooks on cranks. It bugs me when I get a little debris on the frame of my reels after a day of fishing. I will come home and wipe off the reel, if need be, I will take it apart and clean it that way. I do get a rush out of tackle purchases. It makes me feel good to have nice stuff to fish with but my mind does all the fishing instead of the gear on the lake.

I will tomorrow. I thought about it today but it will be even higher tomorrow with the heavy rains we are getting tonight. I knew you would be wanting to see some pictures. All those big yellow signs on the lake that say WARNING : Shallow Water and Falling Debris are halfway under the water. The main marina is almost level with the grass line on the hill behind it.

Are you at Hatteras? Nice pic!! Where's the bikinis??? ;D

You should have seen Stonewall Jackson today, water is about seven feet above summer pool. Two of the boat docks have been ripped apart due to the fast rising water. The boat dock at the lodge is down on the bridge next to the golf course. AJ and I had to squat down just to take the boat under the main bridge on the lake. None of the rip rap on the lake is visible, most of it is under two feet of water or more. It's the highest I have ever seen the lake. It is also the very hard to fish now due to so many places for the fish to go. Ever catch a bass out of the boat trailer parking lot, we will be able to by tomorrow. ;D

I have mine for fishing and hunting. I also have the lifetime trout license.

Nice photos!!

It hurts to look.