NavyToad

Mostly German with some Irish. I keep looking for the European-American box on my Background Check application, but I’m stuck checking the White box.

I have 9 or 10 Lews and 3 Daiwas. I prefer Lews and my favorite rods all have Lews attached. It’s not about money, I just like Lews. I was tempted by the JDM $239 Zillions but bought a couple $200+ Lews instead. No doubt Daiwa makes a good reel, so does Lews. I stay away from that company that makes bicycle parts.

That’s the only one that I know of.

In 1983 they changed the way the inflation rate is calculated. There are several sources of info on the subject, this is just one of them. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/24/technology/inflation-measure-cpi-accuracy.html

I think you’re right. Pretty hard to enforce - are they going to tap phones and monitor emails? In either case, I think it’s logical that several pros could/would at times end up using the same bait.

Info. from locals and fishing certain bodies multiple times informs them on what will/might work on a particular lake. There’s bound to be overlap in their choice of potential baits to throw. I don’t think it’s odd that many of them would come to the same conclusion that a spinnerbait, fluke, chatterbait etc.. is what is working the best during particular tournament. I’ve seen tournaments when they were all catching fish using a wide variety of baits/techniques.

I hooked my biggest smallmouth of my life on the Potomac 20+ years ago. Threw a spinnerbait out about 30-40 yards and let it sink trying to slow roll along the bottom. On the way down something didn’t feel right and I set the hook. Problem is I was using mono and a fairly moderate action rod. Between rod action and mono stretch I didn’t get a very good hookset. I got him all the way to the boat and when my brother went to net him, he jumped over the net and swam away free as a bird. I’d love to have captured the moment when that fish jumped over the net. My brother and I still talk about it.

You’re a riot!

With no end in sight.

Omnia has the same deal. I picked some up.

Consider a left handed reel if coming from spinning gear. The adjustment from cranking with your left hand to cranking with your right is a pretty big change. After 20 years exclusively using spinning gear I hated cranking a baitcaster with my right hand. The solution for me was to get a left handed baitcaster. Just something to think about.

I think I watched Blauket’s comments on this. It was just commentary and Blauket didn’t have a problem with it. Blauket’s thinking was that Poche used a specific type of boat and his competitors could have used the same type of boat. He even gave past examples of this happening. No harm, no foul.

Swimbaits are a rabbit hole I’ve avoided. I’ve been tempted a few times and each time my research convinced me that I’d be better off with a heavier rod than I thought I’d need. If I ever stray into the swimbait black hole, I’ll opt for a rod with the minimum rating close to the weight I intend to throw most often.

I use a palomar for all lines tied directly to my lure. It works and I can’t think of a reason to change.

I generally fish alone and I don’t take pics. I reluctantly have a cell phone and I rarely turn it on or carry it with me. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you sometime.

Bass Pro is less than 30 miles from me and I’ve been there 3 times in 15 years. As @Captain Phil said, they’re not well stocked and their shelves are a mess. I don’t even order from them on line. Any savvy internet shopper can always find a better deal than Bass Pro and for some of us that’s half the fun. If I want something I don’t mind surfin’ the net for an hour or more looking for discounts and comparing shipping charges. I cut my teeth shopping on the internet looking for motorcycle parts using dial-up. I’ve been at it awhile.

Lews Custom Pros for $209. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_Custom_Pro_SLP_Casting_Reel/descpage-CPSP.html

On my Abu 5600 I set mine to 0. How’s that for macho? LOL!

@Phil77 Stick to your guns no matter how many people get their feelings hurt. Sadly, this thread has turned into a bunch of nonsense.

I have a couple Tatula SV TW103s and they’re nice reels, but I prefer the Lews Tournament Pro. Am I biased because I prefer the Lews? I saw the Zillions for $237 at DIGITAKA and passed. I use Tatulas and Lews interchangably - both good reels that get the job done just fine for me. I bet the Zillion is a fine reel, but I have a hard time believing that it’s the be all and end all of baitcasters for everyone. I appreciate the review.

Omnia has Tatula SV TW103 at 30% off with code MARCHSV. $147 using the code code.

I’m a 2M certified solder tech. and I could do it sitting at a solder station with the right equipment. That said, if it was mine I’d buy a new cable/transducer. As a rule, splicing coax. just isn’t a good idea. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Age 15-30, good looking. Over 30, smart.

Both good rods. Unless you dislike one of them, I'd keep both of them.

I have 2 Dobyns Champion spinning spinning rods, a 732 and a 733. These are made from leftover Champ Extreme blanks and I thought I’d really like them. I’ve only used them half a dozen times and the 733 (medium) isn’t too bad, but I absolutely don’t like the 732 (medium light). I have a 25 y/o 6’ St. Croix M/L Legend that I much prefer over either of the Dobyns. I’m hoping the Dobyns will grow on me. I love all of my Dobyns baitcasters. Go figure.