USA-Retired

JDM Zillion on a Gan Craft "Junk" use it for flipping plastic in slop, also big spinnerbaits and frogs. Combo is very versatile.

Anyone have any experience with this prop in the field? They say it's supposed to allow the hydrill to roll off the blades rather than tangle. For $44, I'd like to know if it really works or not.....the prop on my motor guide winds up hydrill like spaghetti on a spinning fork. :-/ Cheers

Yeah, it's heavy but for $70, what can you expect. I think it's interesting that they put a twitching bar on it and would like to see how it operates. If it does the same job as on the Viento or the Smak, it's worth looking at for the angler than can't pop $200 for a Baitcasting reel with that option. Some make call it a gimick, but I actually like using it whe I fish Senkos or other finese baits. It does impart a unique twitch to the bait that is very difficult to recreate without using the twitching bar. It's also very consistent in it's retreive each time you hit the bar. The down side..... with the twitching bar on a heavy reel, you'll probably get tired of holding it in just one hand ;D

I use spincast when fishing for panfish with my wife. Easy, no hassle bobber fishing. I have a Zebco 33 and a couple of old 909's. Also a few under the rod (spinning rod) trigger models can't recall the models now.

I would like to get my grimy little mitts on one to see how it balances and feels. From the pictures and what I've read about them, I think Shimano has hit a home run with this rod line. The carbon content appears to be high enough that they should be very sensitive. I betting these rods will be hot sellers if they handle as good as they look.

Beautimous Man....Beautimous

I will be staying in touch with him now that we finally hooked up after a 15 year MIA session. He was my old CSM when I was a Bn 1SG....we've been friends and comrades in arms for over 25 years. Lost track after he retired and then I retired out shortly there after. We spent many day fishing together while in the service and I know and trust the guy. I'm putting together a little "Care" package for him with some of my favorite Florida baits for him to try in Illinois and will mail it off in a week or so. I'm thinking that we can arrive at some kind of agreement on the boat, price wise...and if not..well, I'll still have found my old friend. This time, we won't lose track of each other again. In the grand scheme of things....I win on this deal either way.

My buddy (who is selling the boat) told me that everything in the boat works...trim and tilt..both from the console and the front deck..batteries are good..livewells pump, re-circulate and drain..bilge pump works..light, horn, speedo, tach all operate (said when he clocked the speed with the GPS..the speedo matched)....not sure if he said it had a hot foot or not.... etc, etc. Boat has a cover...it was in a garage most of the time he's had it (two car garage = two boat garage)..he just moved to a smaller place (one car garage) so the boat now sits next to the garage covered while his Ranger 361 is parked inside. He mentioned that part of the trailer fenders are starting to dull up a bit due to the sun...but could be buffed out. Other than that...that's the only faults. It's the Silver and red flake color that was popular that year. Still debating this issue....On one hand, here is a boat that I'll have the complete history..know the one and only owner and have all the original paperwork w/ maintenance records.....any other used one one I buy, would be a absolute crap shoot with a stranger....you could get a gem or a lump of coal..."Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances". Where the hell is my crystal ball when I need it?

I'm kinda figuring that to be the case...he's asking $6500 for the rig. I'm sure it's in very good conditon..but that price does seem to be on the high side about $2100 from NADA. I suppose it's like auto prices too..you figure what an item would look like after 18 years of use and price it accordingly...then there are those items that are well cared for, have little wear and tear and should garner more money on a re-sale. It's th e old saying...What's the price? Well.....are you buying or selling? I found one website that had a calculator where you could enter boat.make, and year..than they would give you the high and low prices with a median pice that the particular boats sold for. I ran 1989 Rangers...all models and the low was $3900 (fisherman model), High was $8950 for a 391....7 boats sold...median price was $6400. GUess it's like a Corvette...you can pay thousands of dollars difference for the same year car...just depends on which one was a Sunday driver and which one was used to haul hay. Whay can't anything in life be easy :-)

Anyone care to give an opinion what a one owner garage kept..everything works on it Ranger Comanche 364V w/ Rangertrail Trailer chrome wheels...1993 Merc 115 HP oil Injected motor...very good condition should sell for. Motor runs good..clocks at 48MPH (GPS & speedo). I know it has trolling motor, in dash flasher and graph at the bow..trim and tilt (probably more options..nut not sure). Cannot find others of the same year to compare prices on the net. I do know the seller and he is honest as the day is long,,he would not sell a lemon..that's a pretty much stake my live on it for sure belief on my part. Have known the guy for nearly 30 years. We were in the service together intil we both retired and lost touch for the last 15 years. His reason for selling.....he has another 1989 Ranger 361 with a 150 Merc..and likes the floor plan better on the 361..plus the 150HP runs faster. He used to guide so he had two boats...now one has to go. What do you think a boat like that is worth? Price rane? $6000?-$6500?-$7000?-higher I'm looking for some guidance from guys who are into boat prices and values. Thanks to all who answer.

Funny you guys are talking about pistol grip rods. I have four Berkley 5'6" Lightening Rods (Radial Graphite) that I bought 20+ years ago (they were the hot item back then $59.95 a piece when I got them). Pulled them out of storage and tried one at my local pond. I forgot how accurate you can cast with these things. I fish from shore so distance really took a hit..but talk about accuracy and ease of use....like handling a rapier. As strange as it seems, I've always used two hands when casting with a pistol grip rod. I can put a bit more "ummph" into my casts and it also improves my accuracy (mine). I hold the handle and place my other hand over the hand holding the rod..a little flick of the wrists, from my left, right under-hand all are dead on target. I've been buying new rods lately and getting super light ones..when I put my Alphas-Ito on the 5'6" Berkley, it was like holding a feather. I forgot how light these rods were when they came out...the handle material is a hypalon material..don't think it's EVA. If I was fishing from a boat, I cannot imagine NOT having a couple of these in my possession at all times. Fishing from the shore, I find that the short rod limits what I can do compared to a longer one. Now, if I go to a pond where I have heavy brush and overhangs and cramped casting areas..the 5'6" Berkley comes with me over my 6'7" or 6"9" rods for sure.

Avid without a doubt. It's a rod you'll only buy once. Lifetime warranty and pretty much available for sale everywhere. I've heard nothing but good about Powell..but have not tried one. Factor in shipping, vs. tax vs. return policy and make your choice. Cheers

Beautiful reels...both are keepers for sure. Love the TD-Z......ya done good!

UR correct...that's the bait..never saw the lop..but that's the puppy...many thanks..I can sleep tonight

nope..had no lip...almost looked like a rattle-trap with a single joint. He said he uses it for "burning" the bait. Also mentioned that in came in a shiner color...was waiting for him to say who makes it..but never did. This is driving me crazy......................

Okay...how many of you guys saw "Bass Pros" on TV this "Mother's Day" Sunday? What crank/Swim bait was Van Dam using in his segment? I looked though every catalog I have could not find anything that matched it. Looked like a jointed Rattle-trap. Figured Bass Pro shops would carry it...but was not in their master catalog. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posting this trying and get an education in rod components. 1. Guides ringed with Copper Zirconica (Kistler LTX) fall somewhere below Sic rings, are they the same as Zirconia PVD or another animal all together? 2. Handle material..cork, EVA, hypalon. How do these material compare to each other as far as weight and durability? 3. Rod blanks- Any Idea what blank is used on the Kistler LTX Rods? Apparently one of the very lightest blanks available based on overall rod weight of 3 oz.. Anyone care to weigh in on the rod blanks? Lightest and most sensitive- ranked top 3 (basic use for plastics..where sensitivity most critical)

Thank You Munkin...at least I'm not hallunicating............ yet

It has to be old age. > I know I read a thread here that was about how you could convert a full cork handle rod into a split handle rod. Someone asked the quesiton and then some responded to it with a link to the article and the "how to" pictures. I did a search and came up with nothing....hope someone can help me through this "senior moment". Cheers

They have amazing shipping. I ordered it on Friday and got it on Wednesday the following week.....from JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't get that kind of service when I mail a first class letter to someone in the same state..much less the same country. I sent Jun and thank you and will be buying from them again....a first class operation.

Take a look at the Bass Pro Prolite Finesse line of rods. Quite a nice rod for the money. Fuji SiC guides and nice little appointments on the rod. Hope this helps....Oh yeah $99.99, too. cheers

I'm researching rods and blanks, to either have a rod built or buy off the shelf (in the 7' range). Question # 1. GLX vs. IMX...about $100 price difference in rod price. Worth the extra $100? I'm sure whatever the consensus is on the rod would apply to the blanks also. Question # 2. What is the difference between the MBR and BCR series of rods aside from the obvious 7' vs. 7'1"? Both are priced close to the same..the BCR offers a wider range of rods than the MBR series. I can read that the line and lure weights are slightly different but have a hard time believing these slight differences are in anyway meaningful when compared to each other (MBR843 1/4-3/4...BCR853 3/16-5/8 or BCR854 5/16-3/4). I know from looking at various websites that the MBR blanks are available while the BCR blanks are not (at least I couldn't find any). So that limits purchasing a BCR blank for a custom build...but for a straight purchase of either rod...what's the reason to choose one over the other except for the length? Don't want to beat this topic to death, but I really want to make the right choice for the right reasons whether I buy a rod or have one built.

Quantum Hot Sauce okay to use? I read that some of the imports come with their own special oil.

Now ya tell me :'( Thanks for the oiling tips...will do it as soon as I get it. Cheers

Bought a Daiwa Alphas. Raul explained the differences bewteen the Sol and the Alphas and based on that I went with the Alphas. CRBB, lighter..was an easy choice. Can't wait to get my hands on it.