wickyman

I should also state, that the rods I received, are pretty old. Here is a picture... As you can see, the handle design is pretty out there... Kind of 80's maybe?! I don't really know much about them. My father in law inherited a bunch of rods from his dad after he passed away, so there isn't much known about them... I believe they came from a fishing shop that closed... So they seem to be a quality rod. Any ideas?

I prefer the 7'medium. They are really nice, with a fast tip. I don't own one, just tried one out. It felt comparable to other makers in the same range.

And there are a few pros who fish them, and have since they started. KVD being one of them. If they didn't sell a quality reel, and rod, would he be winning all the tournaments that he does? Everyone is so ready to jump on a companies case, and say that they are bad... How many people in this thread, or on the forums, have tried this company?! I have, and I love their stuff... I have an optix 10 reel, and a quantum array, both are great, and I haven't ever had an issue with them... I think those who haven't tried something, should stop giving advice, when they haven't even used the gear!

I am a shimano guy, in all respects. The company makes the best rods for the price. Personally, the compre is a great rod, but what is the warranty? I think the crucial, and the clarus offer a lifetime limited warranty. I haven't looked at the compre, but I don't assume it is backed with that kind of deal. The clarus is 70ish dollars, and the crucial is in the 150-180 range. I agree about sticking to a brand... Why not just stick with what you know?! I have been fishing with abu garcia, and shimano for my entire life, and both have their own styles, and feel. I like them both, but my shimano still takes the cake...

In all actuality, you aren't missing much. Yes, each type of reel has a different application, where they may or may not excel. I use both, and my bait casting reels are usually used for heavier lures. I think it easier this way, and this is why. Baitcasting a lure that weighs and ounce, or more, saves your fingers. They would get shredded using a spinning reel. Spinning tackle can be just as strong as a bait casting setup, if you add braided line. Though, you can throw lighter tackle, much better in the wind, with the spinning gear. Of course they make smaller bait casting reels, for finesse applications, I still prefer to use my light spinning tackle. I use a quantum Array for my worming rod, it's a spinning. I also use a quantum optix 10 spinning reel for my drop shot rod. I use my bass pro shops bionic reel for smaller swimbaits, and jigs, and crank baits. It's strong, fast, and gets the bait where I need it, when the time calls for it. But I also use my abu garcia ambasadeur maxx for casting larger baits, and heavier jigs. These are just my preferences. Only because I have practiced with them for a long time. Never let anyone tell you that one reel has an advantage over the other, until you get the chance to decide for yourself. You will have your own preference, and you will use it to your own advantage. With this said, test it out, see what you think, and don't get discouraged! Bait casting is a little more difficult than using spinning tackle. You will need to learn how to set up the reel for the lure you plan to use, and there is info on here about it. Next, you will probably get a nice rats nest, and get frustrated. It happens to everyone, even pros, don't get discouraged, it takes practice, and understanding of the situation in which is was caused. And try not to cast into the wind, you will get backlash, and at this point will have a mess that you will want to just throw the pole in the water... If this happens, and you can't get the tangle out at that moment, just relax, set it down, and deal with it later, and switch rods! Hope this info helps you on your decision, and you decide for yourself if you are ready to make the switch! Have fun, keep the fish on the line, and land a hog!

We, being left handed users, must have to switch to get what we want... It's sad, but it's true. I am a right handed person, but have always fished left... It's weird, but it's the way I learned. I have to use both left and right handed reels to keep up with what I throw, and it's a hard adjustment, but we have to learn it, to keep up... Trust me, trying to pitch or flip left handed, is so hard to learn, so I learned it in right... Though, when I just cast my right handed reels, I still cast it as I would my left handed reels... Strange stuff... Someone needs to tell the large corporations that there are more left handed fishermen, and women, casting left handed, than they think!

I recently received two Abu Garcia Conolon Hell bender spinning rods, in 6'6" lengths. They are two piece rods, but super sensitive! They are 6'6" long, and have a lure weight of 1/4-5/8oz. They have these funky plastic handles that lock the reel in place. My question is, where can I find any info on these rods, as far as values, or are they worthless? They look really awesome! They have a graphite weave, and one of them has a spiral type graphite weave, which looks great in the light! Thanks for any help you can give me, and sorry if this is the wrong area for the post...

You know, people said that the guy who made the, "banjo bait" was crazy... You never really know if something is going to work, until you try it... I agree that it might impale the fish, but it would make a killer ocean bait... I mean, if you intend to keep the fish...

I read that swimbait tutorial, and it was awesome! I want to try it also.

My wife has a cricut, and I can cut out any design I want, up from 1/4" or less, up to 24" if I wanted... And, I can have a color cartridge attached to it, to get shadows and such. They are about 290 bucks, and worth every penny. You can cut out on any material you want, in accordance to the cutting blade you have attached.

I really like the design of the bottom one. I only throw shad, and hitch colored lures, as I think most bright colors don't work. I throw some un-naturals, like sexy shad, but very rare. I think shad, splatter back, and hitch are the best producers for big bass, at least in my own experience. But everyone has a preference. I like the way you made your baits, though I agree with Marty, that your line ties are much too high... If you dropped them to half the height, you would get the action you look for.

B-E-A-UTIFUL!

Looks like someone got their copy of the november BassMasters. Good article in there about changing your tore up legs, for a set of spinners, using nothing more than 50lb test braid, and some small tungsten weights. Good work, none the less!

Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate it!

In order to get the bait to land the way you want it... Is to add belly weights... It would then be able to roll to the correct position.

Hello everyone! I am just curious if anyone has a recommendation for some kind of cheap rain gear. I want to stay in the 80 dollar range, as to keep up with my budget! I fished the Holder Ford tournament on Clear Lake, out here in California, last year, and nearly drown! Not really, it was just windy, and wet most of the 2nd day. I want to wear this over my Walls jacket, which is 2XL. So, my next question would be, what size should I be looking for? 2XL, or bigger? Thanks for any help you can give me!

If you want them in colors, get some kind of dip, and make them the colors you want? You can probably get some kind of latex based paint. You could spray them with a rattle can, and bake them at 350 degrees in the oven for 20 minutes. This is like a powder coat. You could actually get powder coat. It's more costly... But it would be pretty rigid against cracking, or breaking of the color layer. Either way, that is what most companies do anyhow... haha

It's worth getting all the proper equipment. But lurecraft has all the stuff you need. Call them up, they have a pretty good customer rep. They are so nice, and help out newbies. I also posted a list on here somewhere... I don't remember where, but it was in the last week, with a list of things you need. Do a search for my name, and it will come up, I am sure.

I personally don't mess around with old plastics, it emits the most noxious gas... It smells like someone is melting down old tires that ran over a garlic/anise field... It's horrible! I bet it would cause cancer... haha But what doesnt?

The chico can be found on ebay.jp. http://www.sekaimon.com/ItemListReg.do?srch_keyword=chico&srch_category_id=14104&aoSearch=AND&page_mode=srch&disp_mode=srch&srch_seller_id=&srch_seller_cnd=&item_sort=&wayOfBid=ALL&srch_sekaimon=false&srch_min_price=&srch_max_price=&displayNum=25&reg_param=srch&page_number=1

That's kind of the same idea, but both clips are more removable, at a given time... It just make's it easier... I don't know, if you guys think it's a bad idea, then it's cool too. I will just use it for personal use. Was just looking at a way to make some fishing money, and to help some people out, with the same issue I have had.

Lots of great replies. I really like the hat with the shoe strings. It's pretty interesting. I was just curious if there was a market for it and from what it seems, everyone has their own way of keeping their hats on their heads, dry, or somewhere else... I just figured I could improve some people's life, by trying to market it. Not globally, but to the good members of these forums. I'm into giving back to the forums here, so I was going to make it a cheap, and slightly safer alternative to the alligator clips. I know it's nothing to look at seriously, but I know how mad I get when I lose my lucky hat, and have to go back to get it. It's annoying, and nothing more, than a huge Pain in the butt! Seriously though, if You are interested in this, shoot me a PM, and we can talk about it a little more. Thanks for all the comments, they are all taken constructively! I appreciate it greatly!

Yes, the lurecraft molds are reusable. They are made from RTV silicone. It's a high temp silicone, and works great, many uses. They are what my brother in law uses. He has poured thousands of baits, and can get thousands upon thousands, more!

Yeah. Most of us do...

My brother in law had two anchor cups shatter in his microwave, might have been bad cups. I don't know, I just prefer my pyrex cup. And you are very welcome, the info was free to me, so it's free for everyone else. You like how I did that?! haha Just remember, when heating up old plastics, that the stench could, and might possibly cause health issues. I would do it in a shop, and not in the house! haha The wife might not like it... I know, I don't like the smell... And that you could possibly scorch the old plastics. Do rotations of 20 second intervals, stirring it each time, for up to 1 minute and 30 seconds, give or take. It all depends on the power of your microwave. Good luck!