Jimzee

Thinking about pulling the trigger on one are you? 8-)

It is my experience that braid is significantly more sensitive than Fluorocarbon and that F/C has alot of stretch whereas braid has virtually none. This was the main reason I switched to braid. My shoulder issues weakened my hook sets. This was nicely overcome by switching to braid. That is why I said it is just about as sensitive at least IMHO. Yeah, there is a little stretch on a hookset, but I'm not snapping it either. Maybe it would be less confusing if I explained the type of braid I was using. :-? I was using Sufix 20 lb. / 6 lb. diam. I found that this line is better suited for spinning tackle and not heavy cover fishing. It ended up having lots of nicks and rough places which is the reason for the snapping on hooksets. (At least this is the only logical reason I can come up with.) I still fish with braid on my flippin' rod, it's not 20 lb. though. I now use 50 lb. and I think the larger line diam. resists abrasions and cuts better. I have never used fluoro until recently and was blown away how resistant it is to abrasion. Fluoro will have a place on my jigging rod from now on.

Good thing they aren't swordfish. :-?

Couldn't have said it better myself!!! Don't skimp on the rod, you will regret it in the future....I promise.

Gonna be throwing them LVR's and Flat CB's huh? Might also be a good spinnerbait rod too. I don't think I would want a crankbait rod unless it was 7'. I think you made a good choice going with the 7 footer. You might wanna work on that species of reel though. ........... ;D

Reel Mech....Nice work!! 8-)

I have one telescopic rod that I use for flippin'. The disadvantage would have to be for me, breaking it down to put it in my rod locker. It is 7'8" and my rod locker only holds 7' max length. :-[ I feel there may be a little sensitivity lost but not enough to matter because I use 50# braid on this rod. As you know braid is very sensitive. I really like a longer rod for flippin' and may in the near future upgrade to an 8' rod. I feel that if it is a quality stick, very little sensitivity will be lost. Rod makers have came a long way in the past 10 years or so.

If I were you I would hold on to that reel for another 20 years or so. You will be talking serious money then.

I'm pretty sure I've never bought an expensive crankbait to boost my ego - but it's alright if you want to generalize. JMHO.... Fishing is an art. Luremaking is an art. Reel making is an art. Rodmaking.... Boat building..... etc.etc.etc. Some people would like to elevate one art form over the another, or dismiss one, or devalue any form of the sport that doesn't interest them. So you don't think that expensive crankbait is worth $20? Well, for you, it isn't.......but I know that behind that crankbait is an artisan who has likely spent years developing his skills, thousands of hours testing, and takes his passion for design seriously (visit tackleunderground.com some time). I appreciate the art - - and I don't mind supporting it. It's just another part of fishing that I get a kick out of. You do not NEED to have expensive gear. Here's a news flash - NEED HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. You don't even NEED to fish - - but the sport, and the gear involved (for many) are all just part of the enjoyment of the activity. There's no need to put down somebody because they like high-end equipment, or vice versa. I'm glad there are enough people who are interested in the high-end market to keep it going.......because even though I may not be able to afford, or even want it - I'm glad that artists are given an opportunity to push the level of design and precision forward. Excellent! Dan +1 8-) +2

I like the way this guy thinks!!! ;D

Am I a tackle snob? I would say that better than half of the baits I use classify as snob baits. (above the $10.00 mark) Do I think I'm better than most because I use them? No way, not even the slightest. People who know me know that I am very humble. Why use snob baits? I like nice stuff. That's all folks. 8-)

Nice fish in my book. I could catch that size all day long and be happy. I have noticed that northern largemouth in the New England areas look more green and have a more defined lateral line than the largemouth below the Mason Dixon line. Anyone else notice this? Beautiful fish!!!

Too Nice!!! I want one..... :'( BTW, Nice reels. They are the right species.

Gas for the pickup on opening morning of deer season.......$65.00 Gore-Tex hunting clothes to stay warm and dry.................$500.00 New Browning A-Bolt with scope.......................................$1250.00 The look on your face when you see a male African lion walk by in the woods...................Priceless!! For everthing else there's Mastercard.

I thought about that one but, from reading the reviews, it sounds like you have to remove a side plate to adjust it. Give Fivebasslimit a PM and see what he thinks about it. I think he has one or two.

My thoughts exactly slomoe, I know where this is going. Edit to add: You might want to take Raul up on his suggestion, that reel would be hard to beat for the price.

Ditto on that Lubina!!! Olebiker, here is another reel in your price range and it will not break the bank. It is on sale right now. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90570_100001001_100000000_100001000_100-1-1

It's funny you said that you started catching more fish on Fluoro. About 1.5 - 2 months ago I was having lots of problems with my favorite braid (Sufix) breaking on hooksets when using jigs in HEAVY cover. RW suggested I use the Yozuri Hybrid 12 lb. I took his suggestion one step further and used Fluoro for the first time. I picked up a pack on sale at Gander Mountain of 12 lb. P-line 100% flurocarbon. Right away I noticed it is just about as sensitive as braid, doesn't stretch that much on hooksets, and has a really high tolerance to abraison. :-? Guess what, I started getting more hits, catching more fish, and have yet to snap another jig off on hookset. I know Fluoro has been around a while and this is really old news to some of you, but if you haven't tried it, give it a shot. No matter what brand name you prefer, and I realize some are better than others, this stuff is great.

Welcome Aboard Bassbum!! Kind of has a ring to it... don't ya think? ;D

The only way you can beat somebody like you is bidding the exact amount the reel is worth. I usually go after the buy it now ones...alot of them do offer good deals.

What is it, anti butt chaffing powder? You know what, on second thought don't answer this question. I don't want to know! ;D ;D

Welcome Aboard neighbor!!

Look like good jig trailers to me on those Rock Vader jigs I finally found. Like Raul said, no limits.

Here at home we really appreciate the sacrifices you guys go through to keep our country safe. From the bottom of my heart, "Thank You Sir!" Cool news about what Bill sent ya. He always seemed like a genuine person to me.

Most of the reels I buy are from Japanese Tackle shops. A good bit of them speak English very well. The Alphas Ito and the Steez came from eBay and I got smoking deals on both. Sometimes you got to watch for auctions ending at 4-5 in the morning. These are the one's that are easy pickings. I use a bid sniper tool and it bids in the last 2 sec of the auction, giving no time for someone to react. This makes some people mad bidding on the auctions but the way I see it, if they wanted it that bad they should have a higher bid price placed on the item. I have gotten quite a few hate mails from other bidders. I think it's funny. ;D