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Hadn't gotten the boat out in a while, but I finally have my college things at bay and had some free time this afternoon. Water from the river had pushed down into the lake with recent rains, 48 degrees at the ramp! Found some 55 degree water and got to work slow rolling a spinnerbait

Have you seen that paneling? He's definitely got shag carpeting too. No sweeping necessary.

Last weekend in Northern NY was incredible. These were my biggest five of a 70 fish Friday with my dad. Just under 20lbs and Dad had 18.5. We fished ABA early bird tournaments Saturday and Sunday which were even better. I'm at my max for pics so I'll have to make a separate post.

Another rod you can get, The 70s paneling on the other hand....

Another interesting acquisition.

Savage...

Yeah, that's a problem. Best of luck with the "next man up."

I use the one from Academy for $4.99. I use a 10" piece of old swim noodle to keep my line wrapped on. Not above throwing it overboard to mark a spot as well. The secret is to keep your line tight as the knocker slides down your line and give your line slack right when the knocker hits the lure. The more over the lure you can get the easier it comes loose.

Trick or Treat ~ unfortunately, it's not a trick. Or a treat for that matter. A-Jay

First I would like to say that this is an unbiased review and I paid retail for all the equipment used (minus the baits, memorial day sale). I was in the market for a new jig rod. One that I would use to throw 3/8 and 1/2 ounce jigs, my favorite way to fish. Previously I had used a lews tp1 speed stick 7' mh. And while this rod was good at the task I had asked it to do, I felt like I could get a better rod (for me and my style of fishing) for roughly the same amount of money. So I went out of my comfort zone and purchased the Falcon Bucoo SR 7'4H. Slapped on one of my tatula ct reels and spooled some 50lb braid. This rod has performed flawlessly in the time I have fished it. I have only thrown the jigs+trailers listed previously in the post. The rod itself is very lightweight and balances well with the reel I have mounted on it. It is approximately 80% backbone 20% tip. Which I really like. Since I've rambled on enough I Will list the pros and cons now. Pros -the rod looks good, nice matte gray color, not too flashy. -build quality is great. Guides were all aligned. Epoxy work was quality. -good hook keeper. Not sure what it's called but it's the kind you don't have to remove your plastic from your hook to hook it on. -although I prefer cork, the Eva foam grips are firm and not slippery like some other eva I have used. -physical weight. Much lighter than my other heavy or medium heavy rods. -soft tip, strong backbone. What I want when I'm throwing a jig. -price, just over the $100 Mark at full retail. I would've paid $175 for this rod. -versatility, if needed I could use this rod for Texas rigs, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, and chatterbaits. I especially think it would be a great swim jig rod. Cons -eva foam grips (personal preference) -gray grips, could get dirtier faster if you like to keep your stuff squeaky clean. (doesn't bother me) -rod power, although I think I have found my perfect budget jig rod, I did feel like this heavy was more of a mag medium heavy. -price, just over $100 Which could turn some budget fisherman away. -not made in America, falcon was known for this and this model was the first one to be made outside of the US I believe. All in all I feel like I got a good deal on a great rod. I do not regret my purchase and more than likely will purchase another falcon product when needed or my wife isn't looking. If anybody is curious about this rod or has any questions don't hesitate to send me a pm or reply id be glad to help someone out.

@Ben Miller going to a rod shop is a great idea. Those guys know how to deal with problems like this. And it probably won't cost much so its a win/win. As for the paneling, take it down and replace it with nice, new drywall. Some drywall screws, tape, a little sanding and a couple coats of paint and you're back in this decade. Oh and send the velvet painting of Elvis/ Bruce Lee/ dogs playing poker to me. I got a cousin who loves that stuff.

Here's an update, all installed:

40 degrees and rainbows here in western PA this past weekend.

And probably knock the lava lamp over too...

Glad to see I'm not the only one who does both. A is great for punching, or throwing in spots where it's so thick you can't afford for that point to pop out (or if you're using a bait that's already caught a fish or two). Generally speaking, in my experience, A hurts your hook up ratio a little, but it's nearly 100% whenever it's a decent sized fish that can inhale the entire bait.

Call (562)375-6800 or email CSR@Daiwa.com. I had an old Procaster Magforce reel from the 80's and they sent me free parts 3 times for it, even as recently as 2 years ago. I wouldn't check with anyone before them. You can't get cheaper than free. I didn't even pay postage.

B. I'm a poser

I am with J Francho I always find it way easier to go directly to the company.

In all seriousness, you've got a 3 year warranty. Talk to Abu and see what they can do for you. http://www.abugarcia.com/AbuGarcia-warranty.html

Turn it into a flipping/frogging stick? Or a broom to sweep the kitchen?

ouch ! been there done that, I was fortunate that st Croix replaced it. wish you the best with fixing it.

I'm pretty sure the nano technology particles would phase invert and cause the instant destruction of the universe. Now if you were cat fishing.....

Call Daiwa, and order the part. Chances are you'll talk to Toby. They're good people.

Mark the spot, and wait her out, or come back later. Big fish are usually a timing deal. The important part is you found her location. I have no recommendations for magic baits or techniques. Use what you know, and wait it out until it's not in a suspended, negative feeding mode.

A 6'9" MH fast will work for most things while being ideal for none. If I had to choose just one rod, that is where I'd be. 2 rods is easier, a 7' MH, and a 6'6" Med. 3 rods, add a 6'6" med spinning. 4 rods, fine tune the actions and add a dedicated frog/flipping rod,. 5 rods, add crankbait rod. 6 rods, etc, etc. Of course, this should be weighed to the lures you fish most, and preferences. When you get to 313 rods (don't ask me how I know), you reach enlightenment, and suddenly the fact that the the proper number of rods is at once zero and infinate, that you can grab pretty much any rod and go fishing.

After pumpkin painting with BaBa

Now that's Bad . . . Wonder what a plug knocker for a plug knock would have to look like . . . . . A-Jay

I was sitting in my office working today when I heard a weird sounding boat coming up the lake. I'm not sure where you mount the trolling motor.

Aiden when I ask if he wants to go fishing!

i like to thank the great people in this group as well as whom ever started this group it is a pleasure to see and read other peoples minds i have ptsd and some health and body problems but this grpoup has saved me. thanks i now dont take many meds because this group has helped me center myself and allowed me to giv e to others again i say thanks. i have been carving topwater lures for a while but my on set of parkinsons has hindered me but you guys have been out of this world i started carving today and i didnt shake much and completed one thanks is all i can say but God bless each of you everyday and tight lines........al

Always surprises me just how much flex even a graphite stick will yield on a decent hurl. A-Jay

Lately my 11 year old son and I have been fishing where my Dad lives in nearby Sun City Hilton Head. I've been pulling out 4 and 5 pounders every weekend as well as 2 pound Crappies. My son's personal best is just under three pounds and he's been frustrated watching me catch some bigger fish. He's had his share of 2 pounders, but not the 4 or 5's he's been craving. So my mission every weekend is to get him his PB. I tell him what I think will work best under the current conditions and advise him on technique. If I catch something decent I immediately have him use that same lure. But he's an impatient 11 year old... So we're out yesterday and we've caught a few Crappie and some smaller bass. He had some hits on a beetle spin but it can be a difficult hookset with that small hook and bigger fish. So I told him, "Throw that big green and white spinner bait." Nope. He's having none of it. He's bummed out and doesn't want to fish. "C'mon Matt, put on that spinner bait and throw it right over there." But he'd rather sit and not fish. So I grab the spinner bait, threw it exactly where I told him to throw it, and on the first cast pulled in a 4.5 pounder. And I felt bad about it. I really want him to get his PB. And no, he wasn't happy either. But he was mad at himself and not at me. Maybe next time he'll listen to the Old Man. (But I have to admit it was pretty cool calling that shot. Kind of felt like Babe Ruth in the '32 World Series there for a moment.)

As mentioned back in 2014, Simms tends to lead the pack on this sort of thing as long as spending a little money isn't an impediment to your comfort. I have several different pairs of their gloves that I use, depending on temperature and conditions. Fly fishermen...particularly those that fish cold weather conditions like steelhead have put a lot of thought into this over the years and Simms has several versions of gloves that get the job done...but you could spend $80 on them at the high end... Kast gloves are also worth a look, I'm putting a pair through their paces this fall and am happy so far, though they are more for the runs between spots than actual fishing. Try some of the fly fishing products, Simms in particular. I share your circulation issues and these things work, for me.

Back at it today, had some sleet and lots of wind but overcast and 65 degree water. The bottom fish was healthy and fought like crazy, had to backreel a whole bunch. It came in just shy of 21". The Top fish was in rough shape and barely fought. We lost a few more of the same ilk

You called it! GA is #1 and Alabummer is #2. Been saying for weeks that GA looks scary good.

You dont know me. The saga continues. So they are fixing my work truck and they give me the spare. Does fine yesterday but wont start today, clutch wont engage. I try and try and it finally starts. Get to work , try and try and it wont start. Tell the mechanic. He comes back in and says " the place mat was up under the clutch " ?

I've tried several on spinning gear...8lb Stren or Spiderwire EZ are my favorites as of now...I retain the right to change my opinion in future posts...lol What is MG blue?

i wear large and bought the xl. they fit me fine

I have the Hobie Pro Angler 12, the Escalade of Kayaks, except maybe for the Pro Angler 14:)

Chilly run last Friday

having lived in california for 10 years and im moving to florida. i would go in florida to http://bienville.com/fishing/ The Bienville Plantation lakes. catch 40 a day and they're all big. other than that i would go to Lake Picachos in Mexico (its an hour west of el salto and way way better)

Excluding soft plastics and jigs, I don't think I have lost a single lure in several years.

The same things that happen to every other buzz/spinner-bait style lure. Wires bend out (or break), blades break, etc. I will say this. I fish buzzbaits on braid and I have never bent out a hook on a Cavitron.

You’re in for a treat. I find it far easier to tie the whip finish with my own hands. I was clumsier with the tool. I bet there are good vids on you tube on how to do it by hand. Trust me, it’s easy to do by hand. These two vids show you step from varying angles.

I want some! Lol! ?

After redoing the transom, painting trailer and outside, scrapping the inside, re-riveting the leaks... Finished-ish Boat First 5+lb Bass in the Boat...no smiling allowed

Berkley Big Game Mean Green ? The abrasion resistance & shock absorption of Big Game is unmatched by any!

Absolutely not problems with Cavitron buzzbaits ? I do however throw 1/2 oz only! & No your Whopper Popper aint gonna out fish it!

I got into the pike thick this fall too Jeff lol. Some days they were pretty big, but most days they were the usual snakes that just annoy you and wreck tackle. One day I broke off two really big ones so I adapted and switched to a beefier setup with a leader and caught the next 3 - one being the biggest one I've caught in 11 years. I winterized my boat and put it into storage earlier this week, and I'm glad I did. Last year it was super warm into November, but most years that aint happening. I got some hunting to do now anyways. Good luck to those that are still brave enough to fight mother nature. I don't ice drink anymore so my next showing won't be until April 2018. On a personal note, I did manage to finally end a 16 year muskie drought. I broke through with 8 this season.