DaubsNU1

My favorite drop-shot rod is an old Cabela's Tourney Trail IM7 rod, 7', medium-light, 4-10 lb test, 1/8 - 5/8 oz. lures, purchased in the mid 1990's. Broke the tip off this rod years ago, and put a new tip on...it's around 6'-9" now. Did not use it for many years. When I started drop-shot a few years back, gave it a try. Works well.

Lakes are clear here...I'm just back from vacation... "Marge" will be moved from the shop to the garage on Saturday, de-winterized, electronics hooked up, prepared. I fish on Sunday!

Update: Scan results were not good...no brain activity. Family made the difficult decision to remove support...he passed on 19-Feb-2024.

Go for it @Koz!! I'm still learning my Helix 9's in the new boat. Someday I hope to add FFS. Had Garmin in my old Tin Boat, but moved to Humminbird for the new boat.

Fished a ton as a kid growing up...access to a nice lake full of crappie and bluegill. Loved it. Dad too me and brother to a stocked trout pond here in Nebraska...fun times! I thin it was $6 to catch 4 fish. We would race to see who could limit out first. Lots of smack-talking! First job after college was in NE Missouri, co-worker was from Texas...we quickly became good friends, and he taught me a TON about bass fishing. Got an old tin boat, and fished a lot, even through daughter's being born. Slowed down, waaaaaay down when daughter's activities and sports picked up. Did not pick up a rod for probably 15 years. When the kiddos got off to college, I found this site...and the fire was re-ignited! The bait-monkey bit hard...and the boat-monkey followed...a few years renovating the old 1960 Rich Line...then last summer sold that old trusty boat, and picked up the Lund.

I have been keeping a "fishing log" since the early 1990's. A co-worker's father had been logging his trips since the 1950's, and gave me a template. It's fun reading old logs, remembering stories, fish, mishaps. I don't know that it has helped me catch more fish, but sure is fun giving my brother and dad a hard time when they get "faced" (our lingo when a fish jumps, and spits the lure at you).

Four years ago my younger brother purchased his dream boat. At the time he was 49 years old, looking to retire by 55 (school teacher) and did not want to wait. He had heard so many stories of people working hard, pushing things off until they retired...only to get sick, or run in to issues...and miss the opportunity to take that dream vacation, check things off their bucket list, etc. His line..."buy the boat now...you never know what tomorrow brings." Well, this week we get the message that my cousin's husband, 59 years old, is in the hospital in a medically induced coma. This man is in great shape, running marathons, super active, very fit...and had just retired last summer. At some point in the night his snoring woke her up. She nudged him...and went back to bed. Some time later she woke up to find him lying next to the bed, not breathing. She performed CPR for 20+ minutes until the ambulance got there. Still waiting on labs and scan results...but it does not look good. ** Thoughts and Prayers! ** Man, you just never know...

@ChrisD46 I'm running it on old Shimano Curado and Citca bait-casters. Does really well.

@gimruis, Andy Reid's play design and game calling is unmatched. Match that with Mahomes football IQ, ability to ready defenses, and arm strength....WOW! I thin what puts Mahomes in a league by himself is the ability to scramble and run when needed. He's not Lamar, and doesn't have to be. Very special. @TnRiver46, agree completely on Chief's DB's...when you have lock-down corners like that, enables Spagnola to dial up pressure when needed. I don't really have a "favorite team," but it is fun watching the Chefs....great googly-moogly : )

Head over to Tiny Boat Nation...they have lots of suggestions on boat builds. They were great when I was designing and building my old 1960 Rich Line.

Can't remember if this quote came from an old Uncle, or old buddy...I'm paraphrasing... "Everything you see on TV, newspapers, internet, e-mail, on that dang phone...it's all about one thing...separating you from your money."

Five of my seven spinning rods are two piece...all were purchased in the 1990's when I needed two piece. They are all still performing well. No issues here. They are all Cabela's branded rods.

Agree 110%... Outstanding @A-Jay!!!

I've been fishing straight braid on my casting rods for 30+ years...started with IronThread way back in the day (no longer made). Now running 20lb PowerPro green. Used to run mono on my spinning rods...hated it...found this forum, tried straight fluoro and did not like it one bit. Others her suggested braid to leader. Now I run 10lb bright yellow PowerPro braid to fluoro leader on all my spinning rods. Love it. Alberto knot. Works well for me. Experiment and find what works best for you. Good luck, and tight lines!

Really got in to attractants in the 1990's. Fishing buddy read some research comparing sense of smell.... Human's can smell drop of vinegar in two litre bottle of water... Hunting dog can smell drop in a 55 gallon drum... LM Bass can smell drop of vinegar in an olympic sized swimming pool(!) I don't remember the study, or the researcher...but that story has stuck with me for 30+ years. Another quote from back in the day: "All things equal, women will out-fish men...make-up contains fish oils...women get makeup residue on their hands...touch lures / lines...attract fish." True? I dunno. There were times when the former Mrs. Daubs would out-fish the men. I haven't used attractants in years. Maybe it is time to try again. Heck, anything to help me boat more fish!

It was a Doug Hannon design. Allows you to put the spine on the top of the rod, when under load, pulls nice and even downward. Rods work well. You would think impacts casting distance, but really doesn't. I really like these rods.

My absolute favorite fishing rod is a 6' Medium-Light Cabela's branded casting rod...I think purchased in 1992. 8-17lb test, 1-4 to 5/8 oz lures. It has a spiral-guide set up...guides spiral around blank and get line to bottom. They literally do not make them like this any more (and I have two...the other is a 7' medium-heavy casting rod). Light and sensitive, length was great in my belly-boat or a canoe. Great for t-rigs, rattle-traps, cranks, spinner baits, c-rig, etc. I've landed walleye, smallies, LM-bass, Pike and Musky with this rod. These days it almost always has a spinner-bait attached, and I run 20lb PowerPro green straight with no leader. I can stand on front of my boat, cast overhand, underhand, flip, pitch, side-arm, etc., and place that spinner-bait about anywhere I want. Light enough rod I can cast all day. Stout enough to horse big-uns out of timber. It's a great rod, and I hope to continue using it for years to come.

Back in the day, was living in Northeast Missouri...buddy of mine (from Texas) had a canoe. We fished all the time. He taught me sooooo much about bass fishing, canoe positioning, and life(!). I miss those days. Recently re-connected with that buddy...he lives in Texas again, and has four daughters now. Love your signature! Tight lines!!

I run straight 20lb PowerPro on all my casting rods. Cannot remember breaking off at the knot/lure. I have straightened out some hooks, and pulled up logs.

I have been a "beat-the-bank" fisherman all my life. With the new boat and electronics, I'm "seeing" deep structure that is just taunting me. The goal for this year is to catch fish in deeper water, and off-shore. I also want to target walleye and crappie more.

My brother is a middle school PE teacher, and about three years from retirement. He started a nonprofit called Let's Fish Omaha. Goal is to get kids fishing, especially those with no fathers, or from rough backgrounds. I'm super proud of the work he is doing!

Great words!

40 right now...high in the mid 50's. Still plenty of ice for the ice-fishermen. Sadness...

All my casting gear has straight PowerPro braid, 20lb. Jigs, T-rigs, spinner baits, etc. I use the "Magnum-Opus" hookset : ) All my spinning rods have 10lb bright yellow PowerPro, mated to either 8 or 10lb fluoro.

Strong work! Enjoy!