This won’t mean much to most of you, but I’ve been after an original Nightcrawler Secrets rod for many, many years. Originally built for and sold by Northwoods Tackle back in the late 1970s/early 1980s, the sales arm of Fishing Facts magazine, they are pretty rare, as you almost never find one for sale. But after all this time, by mostly dumb luck, I now own two of them that I was able to purchase over the past month.

 

The first is the shortest version of the rod they made called “The Little Workhorse.” It’s a 5 ft rod with oversized guides, a pretty turquoise finish and cork handle with gold trim. The interesting thing with this rod is it was advertised as also being a great Slider rod, and comparing it to my 50th Anniversary Slider rod, it is very close in build and action - so much so, I want to try and run specs on the pair and compare to each other, as well as to my Zman Ned rod. All are very similar.

 

The second one is my prize - the original 9’ NS rod built by Fenwick on a fly rod blank with rod tube and protective sleeve. Nicknamed the “Big Yankee Whip Stick,” it was billed as THE rod “for the advanced or master Nightcrawler Secrets method man.”

 

With both of these, I’m debating whether to fish them or just display them. I have to imagine at some point I’ll have to buy some crawlers and try and catch a few bass on each using the exact methods first written about in 1966 by Bill Binkelman before retiring them for good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Needed a cheaper spinning combo for some senko/ned rig fishing.

 

7' Daiwa XT medium spinning.

Shimano Miravel 2500 on sale for $94

 

Can never have too many do-it-all combos

ready for the lake this weekend 

19 minutes ago, Peacedivision said:

ready for the lake this weekend 

You're going to love that tatula.

A 9' Fenwick Nightcrawlers (Secret?) spinning rod made by Vanguard was one of the spinning rods that I gave to a niece for her to take her kids fishing.  More of a deep gold color.  Figured at their age they would be fishing live bait more often than an artificial.  I fished 4# XL on it, but had to add a 10# leader because you could snap a small Roostertail or BeetleSpin off on hard casts.  Rod is from very late 70s or very early 80s.

18 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

ready for the lake this weekend 

Great reel.  I just put mine to work tonight.  👍🏼 

 

edit:   I used it with 10lbs machine gun cast line, 7’1 evergreen combat stick medium rod and it launched out 1/4oz mini max very well and easy.   Brakes set to 3 and it was no fluff, brakes set to 2 and it had a little fluff and didn’t gain much distance.    Really comfy to use as well. 

This is a cool acquisition

Those are priceless beauties. Good luck 

I was at fishermans warehouse and it just jumped off the rack and attacked me. Added another JDM Tat 100 while prices are still good. Spooled with 15lb Yo Zuri hybrid.

Bought another JDM tat 100, they are comically cheap relative to alternatives and the hyperdrive gears are zillion-smooth. And a new tat 200 with the new gears for a soft swimbait rod.

Although not a big brand following on here I couldn’t resist this Favorite Soleus shipped to my door for just under $70.00 I found when I was shopping an e-Bay store pricing a lawnmower bag. As a bonus when the wife saw the charge on the credit card she replied with Happy Fathers day as well, the only thing that scared me was the description was perfect condition 6.3:1 no box and it was shipped in a box with the minimum amount of packing peanuts to get it here but it’s perfect as described. My only other issue is it’s a 7 speed which I already have not a 6 speed but I’m happy nonetheless.

My new BFS Setup came in the mail yesterday. I paired the Doviello HICC50 reel with the Handig Magic L 6’ UL, both from Amazon. My line will

be delivered today, Varivas Bait Finesse X4 in 9#. I took the advice from Aaron Hunt on this setup and while not the price he was able to get it for pre-tarrif, still a decent deal at $130ish (minus line) I thought. First impressions are “I can’t wait to hook into something with this rod. Even a blade of grass outside.” This thing is a noodle and I can’t wait!  The reel feels really smooth. I’m excited to give it a try. I wound up with the 8 sp and picked up the version with a second spool because it was only $4 more. 

1 hour ago, Smirak said:

My new BFS Setup came in the mail yesterday. I paired the Doviello HICC50 reel with the Handig Magic L 6’ UL, both from Amazon. My line will

be delivered today, Varivas Bait Finesse X4 in 9#. I took the advice from Aaron Hunt on this setup and while not the price he was able to get it for pre-tarrif, still a decent deal at $130ish (minus line) I thought. First impressions are “I can’t wait to hook into something with this rod. Even a blade of grass outside.” This thing is a noodle and I can’t wait!  The reel feels really smooth. I’m excited to give it a try. I wound up with the 8 sp and picked up the version with a second spool because it was only $4 more. 

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this after some use. Looks nice!

8 hours ago, raydomz said:

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this after some use. Looks nice!

Will let you know. Had to send the rod back. One of the eyes was epoxied over. No biggie. Replacement will be here Wednesday.

Got these two. First time getting anything from Phat Lab.

Uhhh…. 😕  Showing a buddy how to use the auctions and expected to get out bid.   Steez A SLP semi order… didn’t realize it came with the SV 1016 spool instead of the mag-z but it’ll do.  

58 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

Uhhh…. 😕  Showing a buddy how to use the auctions and expected to get out bid.   Steez A SLP semi order… didn’t realize it came with the SV 1016 spool instead of the mag-z but it’ll do.  

I don’t think my wife would buy that story…but hey if it works for you 😂😆🤣

1 hour ago, MiceNReets said:

Uhhh…. 😕  Showing a buddy how to use the auctions and expected to get out bid.   Steez A SLP semi order… didn’t realize it came with the SV 1016 spool instead of the mag-z but it’ll do.  

So far I’d say it’s superior to mag z boost, but I guess it depends on your use. 

22 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

So far I’d say it’s superior to mag z boost, but I guess it depends on your use. 

I’m not so sure to be honest.    Was thinking of putting on 14lbs fluorocarbon and slapping it on a legend Xtreme 7’6 MHMF.      You have any suggestions otherwise? 

44 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I don’t think my wife would buy that story…but hey if it works for you 😂😆🤣

LoL…. Well… doesn’t matter the story.   She will still tell me that it isn’t needed

9 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

I’m not so sure to be honest.    Was thinking of putting on 14lbs fluorocarbon and slapping it on a legend Xtreme 7’6 MHMF.      You have any suggestions otherwise? 

LoL…. Well… doesn’t matter the story.   She will still tell me that it isn’t needed

Yes, try it and see, if not order a magz boost spool. Easy peasy. 

The reel this goes with will be here tomorrow.  Would anybody like to guess what it's for?  

4 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

The reel this goes with will be here tomorrow.  Would anybody like to guess what it's for?  

Just a guess but an Abu? 

2 hours ago, F14A-B said:

Just a guess but an Abu? 

Nope.  Here's a clue, it's the only knuckle buster you can buy brand new at the moment.

(this is Headhunters Target, L/E of Isuzu DD310SSS)

@WRB-2.0 full ball-bearing Marhoff on steroids