On 9/13/2018 at 3:19 PM, gilkeybr said:

Vilecraw (California 420)

Good to hear. Missed the biospawn stuff in there.

Just pulled the trigger on the SLX,  I really hope this reel ends up being what everyone says it is!

 

Nothing really big, but I went to BPS Kodak, TN for the B.A.S.S. Open weigh in this afternoon. Swore I was just going to the weigh in, wasn't even gonna go inside. Long story short, had to pee, seriously, had to Pete. Went in, took care of business and thought, what the heck, I'll go to the fishing dept. for a minute and see some of my old associate's. Walked out with six boxes of green pumpkin Helgramites! Oh well, could have been worse.

Switched out the Optimax ~

 

 

For the ProXS this week ~

 

 

It moves me & my tackle around nicely.

A-Jay

 

On 9/11/2018 at 12:38 PM, A-Jay said:

The reels are Quantum EXO PT 200's - Pretty sure they are no longer in production but can sometimes be found on amazon & ebay.  Work well for me hunting over-sized green bass south of the border as they have the capacity to hold a decent amount of 20 & 25 lb mono / fluorocarbon or 50 - 65lb braid.  100 & 150 size reels are just too small to allow for the distance casts I need to make.   The stock handle have all been replaced with HawgTech after market jobs. Super Sweet !  That company owner has been a bass resource member ( @South FLA ) for over 10 years and is a Site sponsor as well.  Super good guy and great to work with. 

Check him out . . . https://www.hawgtech.com/

A-Jay

 

What travel rods are they? Those Bone Voyage look awesome and seem to produce! I never knew a travel rod could compare to a 1 piece. I must now have one... or 5. Thanks baitmonkey!

4 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Switched out the Optimax ~

 

 

For the ProXS this week ~

 

 

It moves me & my tackle around nicely.

A-Jay

 

Military must have left you with a really decent pension! 

8 minutes ago, Burrows said:

Military must have left you with a really decent pension! 

@Burrows

Retirement packages were different in the 70's when I initially enlisted.

My 30 years of service to our country was rewarded with 75 % of my basic pay; not like that now. 

Even still, there are benefits to retiring where the cost of living is low & in a state that doesn't tax military pensions.  

Most of all, living frugally in other aspects of life can often allow for a more focused allocation of funds. 

A-Jay

19 minutes ago, Mikeltee said:

What travel rods are they? Those Bone Voyage look awesome and seem to produce! I never knew a travel rod could compare to a 1 piece. I must now have one... or 5. Thanks baitmonkey!

@Mikeltee - I've been through a few. 

 Tried the St Croix Tidemaster Travel rods - not good.  Blew up.

 Rods pictured are G Loomis Escape Travel rods and Fenwick Methods.

 G Loomis sticks are by far the best I've used but a little $$$ - easy to find.

The Fenwicks are also very nice, extremely versatile, very reasonably priced but a little harder to find.

A-Jay

8 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Switched out the Optimax ~

 

 

For the ProXS this week ~

 

 

It moves me & my tackle around nicely.

A-Jay

 

That XS looks sick on the Lund! Congrats brother!

1 minute ago, RichF said:

That XS looks sick on the Lund! Congrats brother!

Thank you Sir.

I pretty excited about it myself.

A-Jay

 

13 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Switched out the Optimax ~

 

 

For the ProXS this week ~

 

 

It moves me & my tackle around nicely.

A-Jay

 

Major Rooster Tail!

I made a MAJOR purchase the other day. ONE package of Mustad Fastach clips. LOL

Booyah - Finance Jig - Faithful - 3/8oz - 2pk SKU: BY-FNJ3859	1	$3.99	$3.99
Booyah - Finance Jig - Mattenes - 3/8oz - 2pk SKU: BY-FNJ3863	3	$3.99	$11.97
Strike King - Red Eye Shad Tungsten 2 Tap - Chartreuse Sexy Shad - 3in - 3/4oz SKU: SK-REYESDTT34-538	1	$5.99	$5.99
Strike King - Red Eye Shad Tungsten 2 Tap - Orange Bream - 3in - 3/4oz SKU: SK-REYESDTT34-697	1	$5.99	$5.99
Booyah - One Knocker Lipless Crankbait - Flashy Momma - 2.25in - 1/4oz SKU: BY-HKK1406	1	$3.99	$3.99
Booyah - One Knocker Lipless Crankbait - Ghost Red Craw - 2.25in - 1/4oz SKU: BY-HKK1409	1	$3.99	$3.99
Buckeye Lure - J-Will Trokar Swim Jig - Green Pumpkin - 3/8oz SKU: BK-JWSJGP-38	1	$2.89	$2.89
Buckeye Lure - Mop Jig - Black - 3/8oz SKU: BK-MOPJBL-38	2	$2.49	$4.98
Buckeye Lure - Mop Jig - Black Blue - 3/8oz SKU: BK-MOPJBB-38	2	$2.49	$4.98
Buckeye Lure - Mop Jig - Texas Craw - 3/8oz SKU: BK-MOPJTC-38	1	$2.49	$2.49
Buckeye Lure - Flat Top Finesse Jig - Peanut Butter Jelly - 1/4oz SKU: BK-FTJ14-PBJ	1	$1.89	$1.89
Jewel Bait Company - Finesse Jig - Brown Purple Flash - 7/16oz - 2pk SKU: JW-JTJ724	1	$3.49	$3.49
Jewel Bait Company - Finesse Jig - Hot Peanut Butter - 5/16oz - 2pk SKU: JW-JAJ738	1	$3.49	$3.49
Jewel Bait Company - Finesse Jig - Orange Craw - 5/16oz - 2pk SKU: JW-JAJ739	1	$3.49	$3.49
Picasso - Shock Blade - Chartreuse White / Black Nickel - 3/8oz SKU: PIC-SHOCK-38-08	1	$5.59	$5.59
Reins - TG Sliding Football Sinker - Black - 1/4oz - 3pk SKU: RES-RNTGSFS14-BLK	2	$3.99	$7.98
Reins - TG Sliding Football Sinker - Black - 3/8oz - 2pk SKU: RES-RNTGSFS38-BLK	1	$4.29	$4.29
Reins - TG Sliding Football Sinker - Black - 1/2oz - 2pk SKU: RES-RNTGSFS12-BLK	1	$4.99	$4.99
Reins - TG Sliding Football Sinker - Green Pumpkin - 1/4oz - 3pk SKU: RES-RNTGSFS14-GRNP	1	$3.99	$3.99
Reins - TG Sliding Football Sinker - Green Pumpkin - 3/8oz - 2pk SKU: RES-RNTGSFS38-GRNP	1	$4.29	$4.29
Reins - TG Sliding Football Sinker - Green Pumpkin - 1/2oz - 2pk SKU: RES-RNTGSFS12-GRNP	1	$4.99	$4.99
Stanley - Big Nasty - Olive Craw - 1/2oz SKU: STL-BNJ12-184HT	1	$2.49	$2.49
Stanley - Lil Nasty - Olive Craw - 3/16oz SKU: STL-LNJ316-184HT	2	$2.49	$4.98
Strike King - Jointed Structure Head - Watermelon Red - 3/8oz - 2pk SKU: SK-JSH38-18	1	$3.99	$3.99
Strike King - KVD Finesse Spinnerbait - Willow Willow - Blue Gizzard - 1/2oz SKU: SK-FSB12WW-583S	1	$4.39	$4.39
Strike King - KVD Finesse Spinnerbait - Willow Willow - Chartreuse Sexy Shad - 1/2oz SKU: SK-FSB12WW-538SG	3	$4.39	$13.17
Strike King - Hack Attack Heavy Cover Swim Jig - Chartreuse Sexy Shad - 1/2oz SKU: SK-HAHCSJ12-538	1	$2.99	$2.99
Strike King - Pro Model CB Series 5XD Crankbait - Chartreuse Belly Craw - 2.5in - 5/8oz SKU: SK-HC5XD-562	1	$3.99	$3.99
Strike King - Pro Model CB Series 5XD Crankbait - Chartreuse Sexy Shad - 2.5in - 5/8oz SKU: SK-HC5XD-538	1	$3.99	$3.99
Strike King - Pro Model CB Series 5XD Crankbait - Sexy Ghost Minnow - 2.5in - 5/8oz SKU: SK-HC5XD-585	1	$3.99	$3.99
Strike King - Pro Model CB Series 5XD Silent Crankbait - Sexy Shad - 2.5in - 5/8oz SKU: SK-HCS5XD-590	1	$3.99	$3.99
KEITECH - Swing Impact Fat - Electric June Bug - 3.8in - 6pk SKU: KE-FS38-408	3	$5.99	$17.97
KEITECH - Swing Impact Fat - Morning Dawn - 3.8in - 6pk SKU: KE-FS38-473	3	$5.99	$17.97
Missile Baits - Ikes Flip Out Jig - Super Bug - 3/8oz SKU: MSB-MJFO38-SBG	2	$2.99	$5.98
Missile Baits - Ikes Flip Out Jig - Super Bug - 1/2oz SKU: MSB-MJFO12-SBG	1	$2.99	$2.99
Missile Baits - Ikes Flip Out Jig - Green Pumpkin - 1/2oz SKU: MSB-MJFO12-GP	1	$2.99	$2.99
Missile Baits - Ikes Flip Out Jig - Dill Pickle - 3/8oz SKU: MSB-MJFO38-DPKL	2	$2.99	$5.98
Missile Baits - Ikes Flip Out Jig - Dill Pickle - 1/2oz SKU: MSB-MJFO12-DPKL	2	$2.99	$5.98
Missile Baits - Ikes Flip Out Jig - Candy Grass - 3/8oz SKU: MSB-MJFO38-CNGR	2	$2.99	$5.98
Missile Baits - Ikes Flip Out Jig - Candy Grass - 1/2oz SKU: MSB-MJFO12-CNGR	2	$2.99	$5.98
Missile Baits - Ikes Flip Out Jig - California Love - 3/8oz SKU: MSB-MJFO38-CALV	2	$2.99	$5.98
Missile Baits - Ikes Flip Out Jig - California Love - 1/2oz SKU: MSB-MJFO12-CALV	2	$2.99	$5.98
Stanley - Lil Nasty - Black Crappie - 3/16oz SKU: STL-LNJ316-192HT	1	$2.49	$2.49
Stanley - Lil Nasty - Blue Craw - 3/16oz SKU: STL-LNJ316-179HT	1	$2.49	$2.49
Stanley - Lil Nasty - Rainbow Bream - 3/16oz SKU: STL-LNJ316-186HT	1	$2.49	$2.49
Stanley - Lil Nasty - Sunshine Bream - 3/16oz SKU: STL-LNJ316-177HT	1	$2.49	$2.49
Stanley - Lil Nasty - Watermelon Sunfish - 3/16oz SKU: STL-LNJ316-193HT	1	$2.49	$2.49
Strike King - Premier Plus Spinnerbait - Willow Willow - Sexy Blue Back Herring - 1/2oz SKU: SK-PPL12WW-586S	2	$4.99	$9.98
Booyah - One Knocker Lipless Crankbait - Blue Shiner - 2.5in - 1/2oz SKU: BY-HKK1207	1	$3.99	$3.99
Booyah - One Knocker Lipless Crankbait - Sunset Craw - 2.5in - 1/2oz SKU: BY-HKK1205

This is my big tackle order for the end of the year. Everything was on sale. Might return some stuff, but not sure yet.

I just placed a $150 order at TW, and spent another $140 at a local store.....Yamamoto, Reaction Innovations, Zman, Spro, Kietech, and Lucky Craft stuff ain't cheap y'all....and that's just a basic restock/reboot of staples. Plus I jumped on the Dobyns rod bandwagon. Now, I got all these budget rods, plus Yum, Strike King, Berkley and Booyah stuff just sitting around collecting dust. I decided a few weeks ago to return to fishing the "good" stuff. My time on the water is too valuable than to be worrying about saving a few bucks on tackle.

Came today...hope it was worth the coin.

This's gonna be a very interesting comparison.

 

3 hours ago, JustJames said:

This's gonna be a very interesting comparison.

 

Incomparable 

 

6 hours ago, JustJames said:

This's gonna be a very interesting comparison.

 

The only way to really test them is to tie one end of a 200’ spool of briad to each spool, have you and a friend stand at each end of your street, and start cranking!

On 9/16/2018 at 10:41 PM, ww2farmer said:

I just placed a $150 order at TW, and spent another $140 at a local store.....Yamamoto, Reaction Innovations, Zman, Spro, Kietech, and Lucky Craft stuff ain't cheap y'all....and that's just a basic restock/reboot of staples. Plus I jumped on the Dobyns rod bandwagon. Now, I got all these budget rods, plus Yum, Strike King, Berkley and Booyah stuff just sitting around collecting dust. I decided a few weeks ago to return to fishing the "good" stuff. My time on the water is too valuable than to be worrying about saving a few bucks on tackle.

I’m with you on the not going cheap angle. Some of the cheap stuff flat out works but if I know something works and it costs a little more I’m going to pony up for it. Your order looks about like mine but you left out the Missile Baits stuff! I’m a big fan of everything they make. Also, my most recent purchase was another Quantum Vapor PT 7.0:1 Baitcaster to replace an older Abu Garcia that’s wearing out. 

TackleWarehouse order. This board is bad for my play money..... Then again...

 

Got a wedding anniversary present, The Lew's Mach 1 combo.

 

 

Field tested it on Sunday and it catches Smallmouth just fine. I am loving it so far. The Mach 1 appears to be similar in all respects to my Lew's Tournament MB (dual brakes, tension knob with audible click, 10 bearings) The differences are it is a graphite frame not aluminum and 10 pounds of drag instead of 14 pounds. I can really bomb a cast with it but it does take more adjusting than my Tournament MB to avoid a backlash at the end of a cast. I already knew how the rod performs as I have another one I purchase on clearance at DSG for $35

Lucky Craft Pointer Rod  (BTW) Does anyone know anything about this rod?  I can't find anything, even on the Lucky Craft site.  I paid $ 65.  The reel is an old Shimano chronarch, new to me for $ 40.  The older Chronarch's still throw great.  

Snakes have arrived!

 

 

Cool looking baits....

I just ordered a Curado K 8.3.  It is replacing the 5 year old Curado on my worm rod that has been acting up.  Don't worry about the old curado though. I'm going to bring it to the shop to have it reworked, when I get it back, I'll have no choice but to buy another rod to put it on.

53 minutes ago, Jelvas said:

Snakes have arrived!

 

 

Cool looking baits....

Oh cool. Don't forget a report on those.

On 9/19/2018 at 1:16 PM, G8RBob said:

Lucky Craft Pointer Rod  (BTW) Does anyone know anything about this rod?  I can't find anything, even on the Lucky Craft site.  I paid $ 65.  The reel is an old Shimano chronarch, new to me for $ 40.  The older Chronarch's still throw great.  

You paid $40 for that real?  Awesome!!!  Those are some of the best reels ever made imo.