Kirtley Howe

Thank you. On of the reasons I purchased the older Crixus Armor X is that it felt more "heavy duty" to me than the new(er) Crixus. Of course, the price I payed had a lot to do with it also. For what I paid, if I get a year or two of service out of it I will be happy.

Just picked up this reel for $39 ( original list price was $89.99 but often on sale for around $70.00. Kasking has discontinued this particular model but it is brand new in the box. I have not fished with it yet...ad won't be able to for a few more months as I live in New York State, and the river is full of ice and will be for a couple more months. However, I am very impressed with the reel build quality. It is an aluminum frame 7.2 to 1, 9+1 bearing reel with magnetic brake. Holds 110 yards of 12 lbs mono, so it is a perfect size for the way I fish. Because it is a full aluminum frame reel it is not the lightest reel I own, but it is not the heaviest either. The reel feels incredibly solid and super smooth. The drag is very smooth and surprisingly powerful at around 17 lbs at full set. I spooled it with 12 lbs Excell mono and slapped it on my 7" Daiwa Arid X rod and made some casts in the back yard. the reel was very easy to "tune" for my use. It casts very well with minimum effort. It definitely outcasts any other reel I own. So far I am very pleased. I don't know how it will hold up over time, but at least it is starting out great. Does anyone else have one of these reels, and if so what is your impression of it after extended use?

I use the following..... A 7' medium power, moderate action with either 8 or 10 lb mono for smaller crank baits and for use in very clear water or when I want the lure to dive deeper than it will on higher lb test line. A 7' medium heavy medium fast with 12 or 14 lb mono for most crankbaiits that weight 1/3 oz to 3/4 oz that dive anywhere from 6' to 14'. This is pretty much my "go to" rod for crankbait fishing. A 7' 3" heavy, fast rod with 17 lb mono that I use in areas that have a lot of snags or around rip-rap. I use this because it allows me to pull the lure out of most wood snags, and the line holds up better to abrasion on rocks. I also use this set up for extra deep diving crankbaits that cause a lot of drag. The extra power of the rod and line handles the larger/deeper diving lures better for me. I use mono line only for crankbait fishing as it has some stretch (important to prevent pulling the lure out of the fishes mouth and to prevent break-offs when a fish freight trains the lure during the retrieve) and it is more abrasion resistant then florocarbon line. I never use braided line...I don't like the way it handles, and when crankbait fishing the added sensitivity it provides is not really an issue. It does have the advantage of smaller diameter which allows a lure to dive deeper (less line resistance) for the same lb test, but I just don't like it. I don't claim to be an expert at crankbait fishing, but it is my favorite way to fish, and these set ups work well for me. I am sure you will adjust your set ups to what feels best for you, but at least these set ups are a reasonable starting point. I hope this helps you.

I don't carry a breaker bar. I DO carry a heavy duty 24v impact wrench (you can prob. get by with a 12v wrench, but I own a 24v so that is what I use), and impact sockets that fit both the tow vehicle and the trailer--as noted, they are almost NEVER the same size. I like the impact wrench for a couple of reasons....it is easier to use than the breaker bar, and it takes up much less space. It is also handier than a 4 way wrench...which, btw, I have had twist and break. I keep the impact driver at home and charged at all times. When I am going to tow,, I toss it in the back of the truck and keep it there for the trip. The sockets are always keep in the "kit" in the trailer. As soon as I am home, it is put on the charger so it is ready for use at home, or for the next trip. Side note...a couple of times a year I use the impact to loosen up the bolts on the trailer And on the truck to make sure they are not rusted solid in place. I then tighten them back up to the correct torque spec. My trailer spare is tossed in the back of the tow vehicle at the start of each trip. I had a trailer spare taken right off the trailer at a boat ramp and since then I keep it locked in the truck. It comes back out when I get home. Also, I have a swing away trailer tongue on my trailer. To prevent trailer theft while fishing, I just remove the bolt that holds the tongue in place, and put the whole tongue in the tow vehicle. That way they cannot steal the trailer by just hooking it up tho their truck and driving away. Sure, they could break into the truck, get the unit out of the truck, bolt it back onto the trailer, and then tow the trailer away....but that takes time and forethought. They will most likely go after easier prey. This also forces me to actually look at the set up so I am always aware of the condition it is in. And I will add one more thing to the kit....a check list of everything I need/need to do before each trip. That way I don't forget anything. I don't carry a breaker bar. I DO carry a heavy duty 24v impact wrench (you can prob. get by with a 12v wrench, but I own a 24v so that is what I use), and impact sockets that fit both the tow vehicle and the trailer--as noted, they are almost NEVER the same size. I like the impact wrench for a couple of reasons....it is easier to use than the breaker bar, and it takes up much less space. It is also handier than a 4 way wrench...which, btw, I have had twist and break. I keep the impact driver at home and charged at all times. When I am going to tow,, I toss it in the back of the truck and keep it there for the trip. The sockets are always keep in the "kit" in the trailer. As soon as I am home, it is put on the charger so it is ready for use at home, or for the next trip. Side note...a couple of times a year I use the impact to loosen up the bolts on the trailer And on the truck to make sure they are not rusted solid in place. I then tighten them back up to the correct torque spec. My trailer spare is tossed in the back of the tow vehicle at the start of each trip. I had a trailer spare taken right off the trailer at a boat ramp and since then I keep it locked in the truck. It comes back out when I get home. Also, I have a swing away trailer tongue on my trailer. To prevent trailer theft while fishing, I just remove the bolt that holds the tongue in place, and put the whole tongue in the tow vehicle. That way they cannot steal the trailer by just hooking it up tho their truck and driving away. Sure, they could break into the truck, get the unit out of the truck, bolt it back onto the trailer, and then tow the trailer away....but that takes time and forethought. They will most likely go after easier prey. This also forces me to actually look at the set up so I am always aware of the condition it is in. And I will add one more thing to the kit....a check list of everything I need/need to do before each trip. That way I don't forget anything. I should note that at the moment I do not have a road/water ready boat or trailer. Mine, at this point, is a work in progress. My comments on this topic are based on what I do when I do have a "ready to go" boat and trailer.

"I'm so excited" ?

That sounds like a good business idea. Maybe you should start a people/dog salon combo.....

Gift her a spa weekend while you are gone. It will show you care about her and maybe make her happier. Can't hurt......

I am praying for all those who live there. Stay safe.

Great fish. Way to go.

Keep your head above water....maybe wear your life vest at all times? Seriously, good luck and be safe.

I read everything. Horror, Mystery, Spy/Thriller, Western, SciF, etc. Favorite authors....Stephen King, C.J. Box, Randy Wayne White, Harlen Ellison, Issac Asimof, Zane Grey, and so many more. I read very quickly and average 2 or 3 books a week during the winter. During the summer I read less, as I spend much more time outdoors. Reading is fantastic...it has taken me places I can never physically go and show me sights I can never see in real life. My wife says that I seem to read in Technicolor and full surround sound, as I get so immersed in what I am reading that I almost actually experience what I I am reading.

My wife. My family. Motorcycle riding. Reading. Eating.

I honestly believe that you could give Katie one rod, one lure, and a mud puddle to fish in, and when she would catch tons of good fish.

In my area, there is a program for seniors on fixed incomes where you can get free smoke detectors and free carbon monoxide detectors. The are the battery type, not hardwired. I can get 4 of each type every 5 years. I just have to stop by their office and pick them up. I do this every 5 years and put them up myself. I test the old ones, and if they still work fine I put them in my basement as extras along with the new ones. Check with with your local Office of the Aging, or similar service agency

If I remember correctly, the original Rebel minnow looked good...but they were covered with a cheap foil and the foil would tear off after a few fish. The Rapala minnows were more durable. Also,, the Rapala minnows were individually tank tested, so they always ran straight right out of the package. I often had to "tune" the Rebel minnows to get them to run straight. The Papala minnows also had better hooks then the Rebel lures. However, they both caught fish and were great baits for the stream fishing I did in my youth. I am willing to bet that a number of pro bass fishermen still use them in certain applications. I know that walleye fishermen still use them regularly as a trolling lure, and trout fishermen use them for both casting and trolling for trout and salmon.

When I was a kid I would start wet-wading (sneakers and jeans, no boots or waders) while there was still ice along the edges of he creeks, and in the fall until there was skim ice out to the deep water. If I tried that now I would die. Now days it has to at least reach 40F, and I bundle up and stay dry and if necessary I take breaks and hop into the truck to warm up. I am much more aware of my mortality these days.

Give me a 4wd truck or SUV with either a 4 speed manual or 3 speed with overdrive tranny, power steering, power brakes, power windows, and AC. Or even just ps, pb, and ac....Keep all the other gadgets. Make it durable, and affordable....you know, like trucks USED to be.

I have been know to put an original Rapala (F9 or F11 size) or even a shallow crack bait of some kind on the middle wire. I have also used 3" or 4"grubs on the outside wires, and put a 6" curly tail worm on the middle wire. I have also found that paddle tail or Rage Tail minnows work great on an A-rig. Basically just try whatever strikes your fancy and let the fish tell you what works but always have the biggest/longest bait in the middle.

Well, you are partly right, and so am I. They did not release a beer called Octoberfest....they did make a beer in the Andeker style that they called Pabts Andeker that was only released in the fall and was very very similar to an Octoberfest. My bad for calling it an Octoberfest. It was available in the 60s, 70s, and early 80s. After Pabts was absorbed by some conglomerate or other, they did release an Octorberfest beer in 2016. I have never tried that one.

Years ago, the original Pabts Brewery made a pretty poor beer...but every fall they released a Pabts Octorberfest beer that was fantastic. The current owners of Pabts could do well to do that again (with the original formula).

I just heard that she is joining the BASS Opens as a boater for next year. I am excited to hear that. What are your feelings about this?

Sounds like you got a good deal. You are now set for any type of fishing you do. So, when are you going to get your hundred thousand dollar Bass boat? <G>

We get wise when we get old because of the stupid things we did when we where young....at least if we were smart enough to learn from them and lucky enough to survive them. I am so glad I was a child of the 50s and 60s (and even the 70's)...no computers and no internet, so there is no permanent record of the stupidity of my youth.

There is the old story about a fisherman who died, and then found himself in a boat with another fisherman. When he recovered from the shock of being dead, he asked the other guy how the fishing was. The other fisherman said "I am catching fish on every cast". The recently dead fisherman said "Thank God, I was afraid I wouldn't make it into Heaven!" To which the other guy responded "What makes you think this is Heaven?"

Nor silly at all. If your gut says "Go!", listen to your gut. It may save your life.