Jeff H

I took a rod building class in 1987. Time invested is what kept me away from pursuing it further. I'd rather fish than spend all my time fixing and building for others and I realized that right off the bat. I didn't think there was a lot of money to be saved or made so I just let it go. But, that was then. I do wish I'd done more of it now, just for myself at least because I have 6 months of winter up here and could find some time to put towards it now. If I lived where I could fish bass year 'round then I'd still not bother with it. But, would make a good winter hobby now.

Have you found one you're happy with for ANY application?

This choice, for me, has always come down to braking systems. My casting efforts were changed dramatically for the better when Daiwa introduced Magforce Z. I have no reason to change and I'm not encumbered by any brand loyalty so if something comes along that works better I'll use it as long as it's a Daiwa or Shimano!. Right now, I really like Mag Z and 3D systems and V has it's proper applications but it's more limited in scope...for me. I've learned how to put these 3 systems to work for me for best results and am very happy with Daiwa for now.

I use a Cabela's Tournament ZX 7'3" frog rod. $100 rod, can be had on sale for $70 and at that price is a great deal.

That's cool looking! Looks moldy!

I have a 6' Shimano Crucial MH/F that I've had for many years that I enjoy using. I have a 2500 on it.

That's funny. I've always wondered how many of the guys that gripe about reel weights go to the gym and lift weights several times a week.

Not to me. I've had a lot of different brands/models rods in my hands over the years and very very few of them have been so off on balance that it's a problem. I don't care for the feel of ballast weight added to the butt of a rod. I'd much rather have a light rod that's a little tip heavy.

I can agree here!

According to their website the Extreme is listed as SC V and the Elite is SC VI for blank material. I don't know that VI (6) is any better than V (5) or how much difference there is. My guess is there probably isn't much performance difference between the 2.

Hmmm....Twice to Ca, once to Pa and once to Ga. Don't like the BS involved, got terrible cold/flu after one of the Ca trips that I'm pretty sure was from that crowded plane. I'd rather drive and I have no ambition to leave this country.

I use 4 or 6lb mono and 6/2 Fireline. I just ain't real picky about it. Like the 4lb mono best I guess.

You guys are brave to share this kind of thing publicly. I've learned to keep my mouth shut. That wasn't a ghost. Was a demon. I bet that face was within inches of your own and started moving so fast you could hardly breathe. I've heard this story before, more than once.

It'll work out, you'll be fine by spring. I've got more than my share of joint pain(arthritis) to deal with at the same age as you. I take 800mg of ibuprofen when I fish and just grit it out. I'm lucky my pain level still allows me to do that. Lots of times it's the loss of mobility that bothers me more than the pain.

This is how I do mine too. Light oil for spool and AR bearings, heavy oil for frame bearings and worm gear, grease in the gears.

Great Smallie! Love the picture too. Nice job!

You wouldn't happen to know the wire diameter of the 8540, would you?

For the most part it's bass only for me. My secondary choice would be bluegills/sunfish. Wouldn't break my heart if I never caught another pike in my remaining days. Sure do wish we had stripers up here instead of the d**n gators!

The one I use the most is 1/2 oz.

Rapala's reply stated that the factory stock hooks on the Shadow Rap are not available at this time as a replacement. They suggested the 8540 as replacement. I don't think that's going to help, but I'll get some and see how they work out.

The coolest thing is....we're still catching bass in November!

Well, I don't know which model number those are on their website. The 9649 claims "fine wire" but it's not available in Black Nickel, which the stock hooks are, so I'm not sure which hook it would be. All the rest are either 1X or heavier...I think??? I'd be plenty happy to stick with VMC, but if there are other brand options in .028 wire I'd consider them as well. Now I'm starting to consider modifications that will allow use of the 9651 short shanks if I can't find proper hooks. I can't be the only one who's had to replace these hooks....can I? Somebody else must have beat me to this by now

Any of those shallow models #5's. Boy are you lucky! I am on my last shallow #5 and have several deep #5's and I'm afraid to throw them now because I don't want to lose them. That shallow version is a killer!

Like the Shadow Rap quite a bit. The hooks are very thin wire though (.028) and I tried the #6 VMC 1X 9651 short shanks (.036) and they sink a lot faster and I don't want that. Had a good sized gator destroy a set of hooks and any 1X hooks are too heavy. Not sure where I can get hooks with .028 wire yet. Sent email to Rapala so we'll see what they say. In the meantime if anybody knows where I can get good replacement hooks that won't alter the sink rate let me know!

3-6 ft depths. I was throwing Rapala Shadow Raps on the shallower side and the Pointer 100's a bit deeper. Dragged the footballs in the same areas What lake were you fishing?