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I just wanted to share my first 'custom' rod experience with DVT. Mike worked within my budget, shipped the stick in military - grade PVC, and communicated throughout. When I opened the tube --- could not have been more pleased! I do have pics- they do not do the rod justice - but each is above limit. Specs are below: MHX DS 821 6'10" 1/8-3/8 Mag Lite / XF Kevlar Tennessee grip w/ slip rings Pac Bay Minima guides (ringless) Red guide wraps Weighs in @ 3.3 ounces! The man will work within your budget, and the craftsmanship is exemplary. I will post pics when figure out the kb issue. Thanks for reading folks. Cannot wait to wet a line!

I guess I'm late to the Met DC party...but at least I have line on mine... Met DC has the same open-ended knobs as the Conquest14 - some folks like 'em, some don't: To set up the reel - select the "OPEN" position on the external dial on the bottom of the sideplate and then thumb over the sideplate latch (located to the rear of the dial): With the sideplate removed, select your line type from the dial visible on the top edge of the sideplate: N = nylon, F = flouro, PE = braid: While the sideplate is off you can see the I-DC5 control module. I haven't a clue as to how to service the spool bearing that is under the module (remove the three screws perhaps): End of spool shaft with several grooves milled in the length. The control module (when installed) extends quite a way into the recess in the spool: Re-install the sideplate and adjust the external dial to match the weight of your bait. There are 5 positions: 1, 2, 3, 4, and A (auto): 1 = 18 - 30 grams 2 = 10 - 20 grams 3 = 8 - 12 grams 4 = 5 - 8 grams A = 7 - 30 grams Near as I can tell, the auto position will provide adequate braking for that wide range of baits (1/4 to 1 oz), but selection of one of the numbered brake positions will give a more optimum braking profile. I selected position two (~ 3/8 to between 5/8 and 3/4 oz): And the auto position: I usually don't show my new gear until I've caught a fish with it. However, my lakes are frozen over at the moment. For now, I will just have to assume that this reel will eventually get my highest approval rating: "Seems to work, reels in fish" EDIT - March 25, 2015: It took a while, but I can now give this reel my highest approval rating - it works, reels in fish...

I'm painting up some jerkbaits - going with custom colors just for the Lake Erie pre-spawn. Here's what I'm using to help me match the hatch . . . . . . A-Jay

Just got this in.

Today is your last chance to enter! G. Loomis is introducing a new series of rods, and to celebrate, we're giving one away! We are the ONLY bass fishing site giving one away! You can enter once every day to increase your odds of winning! And today is your last day! Go here to enter, and to find complete details: http://www.bassresource.com/giveaway/g-loomis-e6x.html Good luck!

And you know I had already ordered a Hawgtech Handle for it, BEFORE I could even order the reel! Jeff

That looks like Southern ice, but we usually put them in a glass and marinate them in distilled brown water.

Here's an article I just read concerning Lake Erie http://www.aol.com/article/2015/02/19/lake-erie-almost-completely-frozen-over/21144494/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl19%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D615652 According to the article, there was more ice last year at this time, but either way, it is freakin' cold!! I know for me, the Spring Erie Smallmouth bite was way off and the "Winter" extended into May. I just hope there is some Caribbean Vortex that blows up a lot of warm air soon and gets the thaw process going!!!

Wait for the bass resource reel give away of course!!!! (wink wink hint hint) Lol. I'm entered!

If you haven't got to see the new Reel N Shad from Mann's I suggest you take a look at it on you tube. I think this is a game changer, it is a fluke with a forked tail that swims like a swim bait but no boot tail, it looks even better than a fluke on a scrounger head. Now, the design is cool but I can see these getting tore up easily but it is a pretty neat design, check it out!

At this years Calssic Dobyns introduced the Fury series rod. Priced @ $109 and will be available in May. I like the look of it and hopefully it fishes just as good. Cork grip with eva butt grip.

Finally pulled the trigger on buying a new custom cover for my new 'to me' boat!

And here he is . . . . ."Pre-Fishing" A-Jay

I bought a 7ft MH last season for flipping jigs. I was looking for something in a pinch and was extremely surprised with the rod. As mentioned previously, not the lightest rod, but for the price I think it blows others out of the water. I picked mine up at a local Walmart for $25. I'm a budget fisherman, as many of us are. This rod is perfect for a budget fishing scenario. - Dale

OK Well please tell Big Tom I said Hello. A-Jay

Funny you brought this up. I just got an email from Manns with the same thing. Let's check it out.

A-Jay, Those look very cool and worth a try. I fish the Kietech baits on a plain ball head and slow roll across the bottom and they are killer. The tail swims with so little action or current required. I use a fair number of weighted hooks and "Rage" rig a lot of different plastics, not just boot tail/paddle tail swimmers.

It's me. Sorry bout that. I ate a bunch of tacos last night. I apologize again for fouling your air.

package arrived this morn. i can stop stressing now. lovely little reel! now to get a rod for it

You might be too old to read the directions If it is still that way in four hours see a doctor

Michigan has two free fishing weekends. One Memorial day weekend, and another in January for ice fishing. Or steelhead, or whatever else you catch when it's butt cold outside.

I could see this being a benefit for some other species that require strength in the line as well as additional line capacity, don't see it for bass fishing. Thinner may cause a digging in problem, certainly don't need more line capacity and a line that presently breaks at 50# isn't already strong enough. I'd like to try this line in 10-15 or 20# (not for bass fishing), I might be concerned with a thinner diameter causing windknots.

Sounds like a very nice rod! Enjoy!

Nope but a few changes have been made with regards to my mindset and approach. I still am of the opinion that each fishing trip Is a gift and the goal Is to have fun but , and I can't really explain this, I'm seeing things more clearly and actually concentrating much more than before.

Somebody else on another thread made the comparison of scroungers to chatterbaits or blade jigs. They both are relatively weedless thru cover. I like to use more neutral action baits like a fluke or a sluggo behind them as the lip imparts the action to the plastic trailer. Flappin shads like the gambler bait with a vertical tail work good. You don't want the plastic trailer to over power the action of the plastic lip. Very slow retrieves keeping the bait close to the bottom work well. You can also swim it mid depth or keep it high over a weed tops.

Link must be broken... I keep getting this message:

You'll be able to watch it online here: http://www.bassmaster.com/bassmaster-classic-live Not entirely sure how it is going to work. From what I read they want it to be similar to golf coverage, live shots of the anglers with the booth guys doing the "play-by-play". My guess is there will be a lot more booth shots than there is in golf coverage. Not much you can show with just 5 cameras on the water. I'm sure there will be some technical problems as well,which people will complain about lol.

My hook set depends on technique I'm fishing. Jig, t rig, shaky head etc I'm swinging for the fences... Especially if I'm deep. Moving baits are more of a sweeping motion and usually a few of them as I'm reeling them in. Top water is usually a pretty stout one too.

That will make you go blind.

Considering the board's over-whelming opinion that we should be choosing braided line tests by monofilament diameter equivalents... I guess you'll be fishing with 90lb test. oe

It always amazes me how we still find reasons to fondle our gear, even when they're not getting put to good use cause we can't be on the water. Gotta love it

If I catch a state record, it's going on ice.

Did some canoe-assisted ice fishing today, it was too cold and I didn't last long (wind chill was around 0 degrees) but I managed a nice rainbow. Pretty fish!

Want to win a new G. Loomis E6X rod before they hit the store shelves near you? Then check back here on Friday - we're giving one away! Details on how to enter will be announced on Friday. See you then!

I own the 7'11 heavy okuma. An 4oz bait is where it starts to feel overloaded. 2-3 is the sweet spot on it. Great for 6" hudds or the 68 but the 8" Hudd is pushing it.

A low gear/ipt version of your favorite reel will be perfect 5.5-6.4 gears and under 28ipt are good to go imho

Maybe they will let you buy a lews tourney pro instead

You said a mouthful. Florida has no less than 14 documented bass on record that are heavier than the state record (one over 20 lb) Despite being weighed on certified scales, the main reason for non-recognition> 'Not identified by a Florida biologist'. Could've been a bowfin Roger

Welcome to BR. Along the trail, there are several areas you can stop at. Basically any area that can give you bank access is fair game. The challenge lies if you can access the right cover from the bank. As far as baits go, you can use an assortment of t-rig soft plastics. Since we have been hit with two consecutive cold fronts. The water is cold and they be sluggish in the morning. I would wait when the sun comes up bit, and warms them up before I would head out. Focus your attention around the cover, for example: rock, pads, grass, fallen timber and you might be able to pull a few out. Be patient, and give them a slow presentation. See what works and adjust accordingly. Goodluck. Keep you eyes out for gators and/or snakes sunning themselves.

Catching a state record bass is extremely difficult. And getting the record certified by the state can be even more difficult.

A few things to consider: 1.) The overheard cast is the most accurate for most people but it is the easiest to throw backlashes because if you release too late a backlash is pretty much guaranteed, whereas with a sidearm cast the casting accuracy is off line if release is incorrect, but overrun is seldom a problem 2.) Tightening the drag and reeling against the drag while holding the spool to clear tangles works about 90% of the time, although in some cases you have to do it multiple times. A bad overrun could take 8-10 tries to completely clear 3.) Learn the braking systems in your reel. Set them for better control until you have fished for some time with a baitcaster. There is a learning curve involved, but the comfort, accuracy, and power are worth it. Good luck to you, and keep at it. Success will come.

You can get a 999 for closer to $1300 online and the 999 has a $200 mail in rebate if purchased before March 31st.

Oooooh that female gill color is sick

i would suggest trying to look for resorts or hotels near Hollywood beach. There is about 2 miles of Boardwalk style walking up and down the beach and should be less expensive then in south beach. Also more relaxing, unless you are interested in experiencing the south beach nightlife which in that case staying in brickell or south beach would be your best bet. As for fishing, hookdup is right you can do all sorts of fishing down here just depends what you want to do. Captain Shane on the forums targets the peas and bass from a boat. Reeldealadventures also targets peas and snakes but bank fishing. For inshore fishing I would recommend taking a trip to flamingo park. It's a full day but it's well worth the trip to Florida salteater Everglades where you can catch snooks, reds, and tarpons. Miami inshore fishig is a local captain that specializes in flamingo. He can also take you to do some inshore in biscayne bay which is a lot closer.

reading through this, i have never wanted to go fishing so bad in my life. awesome catches fellas.

5 DD's for me- All Lake Baccarac Bass 10-14 - Bomber BDSF8 10-8 - Scrounger jig 10-6 - Scrounger jig 10-2 - Red Eye Shad 1/2oz 10-1 - Hudd 68 Jeff

You want smallies too. All lake erie fish. Mostly all caught on jerkbaits (JB) 7-6 Rapala tail dancer 6-15 JB 6-14 Hair jig 6-12 JB 6-12 JB 6-10 JB 6-9 JB three 6-8 JB lots of 6-0 thrur 6-7 on JB

4 DD's for me all taken south of the border at Lake Baccarac 10-11 on a 1 oz spinner bait 11-11 on a 3/4 oz SK Red Eye shad 10-5 on a 1/2 oz jig / senko trailer 10-1 on a 3/8 oz Srcounger / fluke combo Also two Smallies over 6 Both were & I hope still are Lake Erie residents 6-4 on a LC Pointer 128 and 6-6 on a LC Pointer 100 A-Jay

The Texas Rig hasn't went out of play in over 50 yrs & never will.