PondBoss

Just got my AMP and it's super cool. I'm really impressed at how light it is and the way it feels in my hand. Took it to a local pond to test it out for a few casts and caught fish on my first 2 casts. (Hopefully a sign of things to come) Also was really impressed how the rod loads up for casting, and noticed extra distance with less effort. If they just had a 7' heavy I think I'd have everything I needed. Good job Berkley on a pseudo high end rod at a low price.

Those things are sweet! The XT really has the name sake going on "Optimus" just was waiting for it to animate into something else. Sweet looking reels all around. Way out of my price league, but still very neat.

Well, I ended up buying a Berkley Amp.($40) Does anyone have any info in this rod? 6'6 med, should be lighter and more sensitive than what I've been using. In theory it should be a slight upgrade. If there is a noticeable difference, I could see myself eventually wandering into a $100 rod.

If I'm so ignorant. why don't you explain it. Otherwise you have made a completely "ignorant" post.

I fish mainly jigs and plastics. Also to address some others, I fish almost everyday during the season.(almost 365 in OK) I can't remember one time that I've ever wondered if I was getting a bite or if I was hitting cover. I will say though that I grew up with a swimming pool and would spend hours flipping baits and bouncing them off chairs or whatever else I could throw in there so I could learn the difference.

I bought a 600 yrd spool of it on clearance a couple of years ago for $6. Huge fan!

Like I said "MAYBE" my $23 rod has a IM6 blank, don't really know exactly what that means, but it says it. Also have a rod with an IM8 blank, bought as a combo 6 years ago for $50 now sells for $75. The $17 rods I use honestly feel very solid too, no idea on there blank make up.

Check and Check, I too hate to run out of stuff so I'm always loaded down with hooks, weights, and line. And just got a new pair of cocoons last week.

Fished today with a friends Tessera (spelling) Skeet Reece rod. It was nice, but nothing seriously more noticeable or better than my $23 Quantum Torsion from Wal-Mart. The main difference was length. My $23 rod is 6'6 and the Tessera is 7'2. It may have been a shade more sensitive, but I'm pretty sure that has to with the tip being longer and thinner. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me it seems like the reason people swear by expensive stuff is so they can justify the purchase.

A small minnow bait, preferably in a chrome type of finish. Vary your retrieves until you find something to get that first reaction strike. That should help you pick up a few more fish next time.

I have not been able to try any "expensive" rods. Will be going on a guided trip though in a couple of weeks and should get to use some pretty high end stuff, so who knows. I tend to think it's more Indian than arrow though.

To spend or not to spend, that is the question. In all seriousness though, is there really a huge difference in rods? I understand differences in flex and all that, but is there really a huge difference between a $25 rod and one that costs $100 or $200? I just don't see the difference. I know the difference between bites and when my bait bumps into cover, if that is the selling point for expensive rods then do I really need to spend the extra? I'm looking for someone to convince me that it is worth while, or someone to convince me it is smoke and mirrors.

I'm thinking about a Rod, but what is a good choice for say $50 cuz shipping on rods is expensive. Something I can fish jigs and plastics with.

I called Don House, and he was booked up. He got me hooked up with Philip Stone. Really looking forward to the experience. I've grown up always fishing water less then 10ft deep and when the water is super clear you get 5ft of visibility. I'm definitely looking forward to the experience and am sure I will learn a lot.

I thought about the Vendetta, but don't know anything about them. All I know is, it looks cool. Plus I wonder how much of a difference expensive rods really make. I currently use the excursion series rods that I get at Wal-Mart and they work great, only $17. Would a more expensive rod make any difference?

seriously!? only 2 replies and over 60 views, come on guys give me some ideas.

Sorry mods, I realized I put this in the wrong forum after I posted it. my mistake

Title says it all. Sold some stuff on EBAY and not really sure what to buy. I just got a new BPS Pro-Lite reel, maybe a rod is in my future? Maybe a giant spool of Fluorocarbon to hook up all my reels? Perhaps try some new brands? What would you buy and who from? Remember $80 spending limit.

Anyone have any good info and or recommendations on a guide service? Pretty nice that my wife suggested we go fishing on our honeymoon. We will be going in late April around the 21st ish. What kinda fising action can we expect then? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Matt

One thing I forgot to mention is, change the hooks on the cranks. One or two fish and they will be mangled.

I got a couple of the minnow baits and the small cranks, been cleaning up in less than 4 feet of water. There must be something about the action, cuz I can't buy a bite on similar colors of other brands.

What has been working well for me is any kind of 4-6 inch minnow bait. Worked erratically with stops and starts. That is helping me find the smaller more aggressive fish, then I'm following it up with a 6" cherry seed Zoom lizard and cleaning up the bigger fish behind.

Me personally, I'd just reiterate what has already been said. Get rid of all the Crappie, either eat them or throw them on the bank. Also start taking some of the Bass out, they can't get bigger if they don't have the space to expand.

Catch the new state record Largemouth. Currently the state record is 14-11 3/4, I know one of the bodies of water I fish has a handful of fish that big in it and a couple that are bigger. That will be my goal every year until I do it. lol Other than that rather lofty goal I'd say fish crank baits more.

Gator?