yup i would each time i go fishing im like wow i coulda been gone by now with one combo and one tacklebox simple is good

yup i would each time i go fishing im like wow i coulda been gone by now with one combo and one tacklebox simple is good

I was thinking about this thread earlier today and the comments about having tournaments limited to this back-to-basics type of gear. Then I related that to automotive spec racing and wondered where a fishing "spec class" would go.

Can you imagine "supertuned" Zebco 202s? Rod handles removed and special resins applied inside the blank to improve sensitivity (is that possible?). Buying hundreds of the spec lure(s) to select the best ones. Hook hangers and line ties on the spec lures removed and drilling or weighting performed to make the bait run better or to alter the character of the bait. Weighing/measuring/pull testing the spec line to select those batches with superior performance. And on and on....!

Once all of that happened, then the organizers would through their hands up in the air and just buy all the stock "spec" equipment and issue it to the competitors just prior to the tournament ... ;D

I was thinking about this thread earlier today and the comments about having tournaments limited to this back-to-basics type of gear. Then I related that to automotive spec racing and wondered where a fishing "spec class" would go.

Can you imagine "supertuned" Zebco 202s? Rod handles removed and special resins applied inside the blank to improve sensitivity (is that possible?). Buying hundreds of the spec lure(s) to select the best ones. Hook hangers and line ties on the spec lures removed and drilling or weighting performed to make the bait run better or to alter the character of the bait. Weighing/measuring/pull testing the spec line to select those batches with superior performance. And on and on....!

Once all of that happened, then the organizers would through their hands up in the air and just buy all the stock "spec" equipment and issue it to the competitors just prior to the tournament ... ;D

I was thinking about this thread earlier today and the comments about having tournaments limited to this back-to-basics type of gear. Then I related that to automotive spec racing and wondered where a fishing "spec class" would go.

Can you imagine "supertuned" Zebco 202s? Rod handles removed and special resins applied inside the blank to improve sensitivity (is that possible?). Buying hundreds of the spec lure(s) to select the best ones. Hook hangers and line ties on the spec lures removed and drilling or weighting performed to make the bait run better or to alter the character of the bait. Weighing/measuring/pull testing the spec line to select those batches with superior performance. And on and on....!

Once all of that happened, then the organizers would through their hands up in the air and just buy all the stock "spec" equipment and issue it to the competitors just prior to the tournament ... ;D

Yes, I would still fish with the "lesser" gear, I think.  I still have my old Shakespear Wonder Rod that I used fifty years ago. 

I kinda refurbished it last year so I could try fishing with it.  I replaced the bandaids and adhesive tape that were holding some of the eyes in place with electrical tape.

I have not been able to find the old Pfleuger Freespeed spinning reel that was on it, so I purchase a new econo Shimano for about 30 bucks.  Spooled it with 6 pound Trilene mono, rigged it up with an Owner Sled Head and four inch Zoom lizard. 

I'd been having good luck with that setup, so that's what I used.  Casting was a chore because the rod is soooooooo flexible.  Retrieving it was even worse, with the rod being so limber, and the mono so stretchy, I had no feel whatever.

Back in the day, I thought that Shakespeare rod was great.  Compared to even the entry level stuff like my BPS Extremes it was like trying to fish with a cooked noodle.

I have caught some nice fish on that rod, but can only imagine how much better I would have done with today's equipment.

But, if it was all I had, I would fish with it.  Given a choice, it will stay safe and dry in my home.  I keep it only for sentiment. 

Yes, I would still fish with the "lesser" gear, I think.  I still have my old Shakespear Wonder Rod that I used fifty years ago. 

I kinda refurbished it last year so I could try fishing with it.  I replaced the bandaids and adhesive tape that were holding some of the eyes in place with electrical tape.

I have not been able to find the old Pfleuger Freespeed spinning reel that was on it, so I purchase a new econo Shimano for about 30 bucks.  Spooled it with 6 pound Trilene mono, rigged it up with an Owner Sled Head and four inch Zoom lizard. 

I'd been having good luck with that setup, so that's what I used.  Casting was a chore because the rod is soooooooo flexible.  Retrieving it was even worse, with the rod being so limber, and the mono so stretchy, I had no feel whatever.

Back in the day, I thought that Shakespeare rod was great.  Compared to even the entry level stuff like my BPS Extremes it was like trying to fish with a cooked noodle.

I have caught some nice fish on that rod, but can only imagine how much better I would have done with today's equipment.

But, if it was all I had, I would fish with it.  Given a choice, it will stay safe and dry in my home.  I keep it only for sentiment. 

Yes, I would still fish with the "lesser" gear, I think.  I still have my old Shakespear Wonder Rod that I used fifty years ago. 

I kinda refurbished it last year so I could try fishing with it.  I replaced the bandaids and adhesive tape that were holding some of the eyes in place with electrical tape.

I have not been able to find the old Pfleuger Freespeed spinning reel that was on it, so I purchase a new econo Shimano for about 30 bucks.  Spooled it with 6 pound Trilene mono, rigged it up with an Owner Sled Head and four inch Zoom lizard. 

I'd been having good luck with that setup, so that's what I used.  Casting was a chore because the rod is soooooooo flexible.  Retrieving it was even worse, with the rod being so limber, and the mono so stretchy, I had no feel whatever.

Back in the day, I thought that Shakespeare rod was great.  Compared to even the entry level stuff like my BPS Extremes it was like trying to fish with a cooked noodle.

I have caught some nice fish on that rod, but can only imagine how much better I would have done with today's equipment.

But, if it was all I had, I would fish with it.  Given a choice, it will stay safe and dry in my home.  I keep it only for sentiment. 

A line in the water is better than no line in the water. It would be hysterical seeing pros use a barbie pole...

A line in the water is better than no line in the water. It would be hysterical seeing pros use a barbie pole...

A line in the water is better than no line in the water. It would be hysterical seeing pros use a barbie pole...

I'd do it in a heartbeat, as long as I could bring this little guy with me...

I'd do it in a heartbeat, as long as I could bring this little guy with me...

I'd do it in a heartbeat, as long as I could bring this little guy with me...