NavyToad

I went to a 3 day B.A.S.S. seminar 20+ years ago and Denny Brauer (one of my all-time favorites) explained how you really have to drive the hook home. I took it to heart, and the next time I went fishing with my brother, several smallmouth were yanked right out of the water and over my shoulder. My brother laughed like hell when I told him that was how Denny Brauer does it. I’ve mellowed since.

Maybe an over the hill pro, but not a wanna be.

I’m the opposite. For some reason, Matt gets on my nerves, but I can listen to Randy all day. LOL! I’m NOT claiming that one is better than the other.

Call them. It’s very easy to talk to a human with no hassle trying to get through. Very friendly and helpful staff.

You done good. I’m using an old Browning Vectra flippin’ stick and an Abu 4601c4 that I had layin’ around. It works, just barely. The reel’s fine, but I need a real swimbait rod. No $10 deal around here.

I once hooked one of my rods on the backswing and cast the rod into the water. I was sick about it. My brother reeled a 5/0 EWG hook all the way up to the last guide on his rod and scraped around on the bottom until he hooked the rod. It was November in WV and neither of us were going swimming for it.

Bats, spiders, and opossums - man’s allies against annoying bugs.

Get a couple hose clamps, very carefully (possibly with a dental tool) apply some 24 hour JB weld into the crack, tighten up the hose clamp/s and leave it for a couple days. Should work. Be careful not to over tighten the hose clamp/s.

Jim Brown and Barry Sanders are in a league of their own and are the only 2 in the debate. According to your logic, Brown and Sanders aren’t even in the discussion. Emmitt Smith? LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!

I’d start with some 600 grit sandpaper to feather out the deformation and work my way up incrementally to 1000/1200 until the spool operates correctly. As long as the shaft is still aligned, I think it should be fine.

Cut yourself some slack and just keep fishing. You made a wise decision upgrading to a Dobyns Fury. I’ve bought rods that made me question my decision when I first used them, but after using them for awhile I ended up loving them. Comparing the lure weight rating on both of your rods might explain the difference in casting distance between your 2 rods. A medium action rod will generally throw lighter weights better than a medium heavy action rod. Rods enable you to catch fish, but they won’t make you a better fisherman no matter how much your rod costs. ,

After X number of years, when my stuff is so disorganized that I can’t make heads or tails of what’s what, I get a big trash can.

I doubt there are very many anglers that could go toe to toe with ANY professional and beat them even 2 out of 10 days. Take away the electronics and there are even fewer IMO.

For some of us, the degree of our affection for dogs can’t be explained.

My wife exclusively throws a 3” grub on a 1/8 jighead and has outfished me many times. She varies colors but that’s it. Usually tied on using the filipina mystery knot.

Live hellgramites are the best, but as you mentioned they will bite. My brother bought some in Sharpsburg and after I watched him get bit I decided not to try my luck. I laughed I like hell.

About 20 years ago I splurged and spent $15 on a Lucky Craft Sammy 100. Got more bites than the Super Spook, and I still throw a Sammy today. The Sammy’s not new, but was pretty pricey 20 years ago. Bought a Yozuri 3db pencil 125 today from TW. Maybe I’ll get lucky and have some luck with it. At 1oz, it’s new and different to me.

Sportsmans Outfitters sale - 15% off most Dobyns rods. Extra 5% if you buy 2. https://www.sportsmansoutfitters.com/collections/bass-rods/dobyns-rods

Cast, retrieve, repeat. Don’t worry about dragging it on the bottom. Just swim it back. At this point it’s best that you just catch a few fish. Just don’t give up!

Try a 1/8oz jighead and a 3” smoke colored grub. Cast, retrieve, repeat. Vary your retrieve speed and twitch your rod periodically.

Those blades thumping at the end of my line are definitely displacing water and not cutting through the water IMO. I don’t care if Einstein conducted the research, I ain’t buyin’ it.

Good question. I don’t own any of them.

Weightless Super Fluke on a 5/0 hook would have been my first choice. Try it and you’ll see what I mean.

Kistler rod sale. 25-35% off. I need another rod like I need a hole in the head, but it's tempting. https://kistlerrods.com/pages/kistler-on-sale

I feel bad for ya, but I don’t blame them. Blame the nutjobs in charge of CA.