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Nothing like a whole pork Cuban style to ring in the New Year!

I was thinkin the same thing when I saw this thread. Seriously I'm right handed and it just feels better casting right handed and using the right hand to crank. -b

You and me both. The Clippers have suddenly become a really interesting team again.

Let's get technical, as there are in fact reasons, not just some lame holdover from days past that put the handles where they are. What will move the fish during retrieval is placed to the strong hand! A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish. Hence if you are right handed the handle is in your right hand. A spinning reel is designed to pick up unloaded or loose line, not retrieve the fish. Hence it is the rod that does the retrieval, so it is the rod that is in your strong hand. If you are right handed then the pole goes to the right hand. Like This George Welcome Sebastian Florida

I fish both and i'd go with the duckett, and i would not agree at all with the ducketts tips being too soft. If you can try to handle both rods and see what you think of them.

I always respond with...KVD does it, and if you can fish faster, or win more money doing it "the right way" by all means do so.

ditto. I use 832 with a fluoro leader.

I'm left handed, so I think I'm a lefty.

Here is another small batch of flat sided cranks. The Petey style bait is made from pine 3/8 thick, rest are 1/2 thick balsa.

ah... I see that you had to edit your post. I got your original in my email's inbox. "I'm not sure what application are you talking about but the only advantage of 200 series is the capacity. I just loaded my 50e with 20# Ohero braid and it has the same cap as my CU 200e with 20# Sufix 832. I use them both for casting jerk bait and small swimbait weight 1/4 oz to 3/4 oz. The 50e cast better and retrieve smoother." 200e is better for heavy duty applications. 200e comes in two ratios, good luck deep cranking with the 50e. The 200e7 is easier to flip, pitch, and punch with. The 200e is better for light swimbaits because you won't spool yourself like the 50e. Now I am not saying one is better than the other but each has its time and place and for you to say the 50e is so much better is blasphemy.

I use the Loomis Smallmouth GLX rod and love it. The action might be a little light for some people's likings but it's handled plenty of big fish for me.

i agree with most everyone else.. something medium light action for live bait.. i prefer a 6'6" myself but the only place i use livebait is a river so casting distance isn't that big of a deal

I like St Croix blanks a lot too. As an alternative though, check out the popping rod MHX blanks fron Mudhole. The MHX are outstanding blanks for the money.

Why Micro? I've seen enough, now, to have a better understanding of it and I'm really not sure I buy in to the micro rage. When you consider that Fuji, arguably the finest guides on the planet, doesn't make a micro, there's got to be something behind it. They've done the research and have concluded that you just don't gain anything. From my experience, too, a Micro Spinning reduces your casting distance because in most cases you have to have a 1000 size reel so the line flows into the first guide efficiently, otherwise the loop is too large and you lose distance. For the same money as you're spending on a mediocre rod, you can get a Crucial, you can get a St. Croix, you can get a Loomis if you pay attention. IMO a lot better rods can be had for the money than what you're intending to spend it on. I wouldn't purchase any of the rods you've listed. My opinion, your mileage may vary.

There's essentially 2 groups of expenses: startup and recurring. Obviously if you're buy a new boat, then there's the additional expenses for all the new equipment and gear (batteries, motor, PFDs, toolkit, first aid kid, etc. etc.) But those are 1-time expenses. After that, it's just normal operating and maintenance expenses. You'll have a small engine, so gas and oil won't be that much. Neither will towing, licenses, and insurance. Keep in mind you'll need both a trailer and boat license, and possibly an engine license if your state requires it. It sounds expensive, but for a Jon boat, it shouldn't be very much at all. Throw in an annual tune-up, and that should be your only expenses after you're all set up. Oh, and get an aluminum prop if your engine is less than 150hp. You don't really need a stainless prop for lower HP, and you'll save bucks. Here's a great checklist to help you get started: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/boating_checklist.html

I think all of those blanks are a "special order" from Merrick. I've waited over 3 months for a special order from them before. Give Karen at Bingham Enterprises a call. Some of those blanks she stocks and if she doesn't, she'll have it drop-shipped from St. Croix. I assume you're a wholesale customer since you mentioned Merrick. St. Croix wholesale cost is the same no matter where you get it. Retail price is too, unless it's a discontinued model, then there is a deeper discount.

i feel that i agree. i fished with my dad and he is not the most experienced guy at all, and it was kind of cramped, but overall, easy enough to do. the only other downside is the outboard motor size. i wish i could get an 8 or a 7hp on mine i saw on a youtube video that some guy had his bass raider TYPE BOAT that had the sides as rod lockers. it was pretty cool. it wasn't a pelican, but it was essentially the same style

Let's get technical, as there are in fact reasons, not just some lame holdover from days past that put the handles where they are. What will move the fish during retrieval is placed to the strong hand! A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish. Hence if you are right handed the handle is in your right hand. A spinning reel is designed to pick up unloaded or loose line, not retrieve the fish. Hence it is the rod that does the retrieval, so it is the rod that is in your strong hand. If you are right handed then the pole goes to the right hand.