smcentee

Much is written and spoken about water temperature as a success factor for catching fish. So I ask the basic question of where the temperature is measured. Is the referred temperature at the surface of the water, or below the surface? If below the surface, what is the standard depth?

Rising tools has a plier, "Work". Locking forceps handle is very convenient, and the cutter easily goes through braid. Excellent tool. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewrisingwork.html

Much to my chagrin, I landed a bag of rocks. Apparently someone had tried to bait an area and used a plastic mesh bag, the type oranges are sold in, and filled the bag with rocks to make it sink. I snag this thing on the retrieve, reel in about a foot of line and my drag starts going crazy. I guess I had moved the bag enough to dislodge it, and the bag goes slidding into the abyss. Folks along the bank thought I was reeling in the monster of the day. There was quite a bit of laughter when the bag broke the surface.

You might want to take a look at the Daiwa L&T rods. The ergonomic grip is butt ugly, but may relieve tension in the hand, wrist and arm. I usually fish with e21 or cumara, but when my arthritis flairs I switch over to the L&T rods. Just a thought.

Yes, they do look a little dorky, but I think the optics and coatings are very good; and they're great for blocking extraneous light from top/bottom and sides. They're better than less expensive brands on the market (lower quality lenses and very hard, rigid frames). The side components are well hinged and the plastic side pieces can be shaped to adjust for tension behind the ears. You size your Cocoon selection according to the shape/dimensions of you prescription glasses. Naturally, larger prescription frames need a larger "cover" frame. I scoured the area to find a dealer so I could try on different sizes to avoid looking like Atom Ant, and would encourage anyone contemplating Cocoons to do the same. This brand is definitly above the competition and worht the $10-20 difference. After buying a pair of Cocoons I opted for some Maui Jim's with a gradient bifocal. Dropped about $800 to look cooo. Majority of the time I'm wearing the Cocoons. It's only my opinion, but I'd definitly recommend them to someone wearing Rx.

GIRON in stock!

For those that may live in the vicinity, K&J Tackle in Jamestown, NC is running a one week 30% off sale on all existing inventory. Sale ends 11/02. I walked out with some LC, ima and Rapala cranks; Falcon and Plano trays; jackall, zoom and yamamoto plasics, couple of spools of Seige,and a carrot stix for $201.

Like them, but they take up too much space for my limited "hike the bank" tackle storage.

Sufix Siege - Camo! Great in stained water. Smooth, resists abrassion pretty well, and low memory.

I've not had the opportunity to fish the "Gold", but I have been using the LTX parabolic and MH-F, pairing them with a Daiwa Steez and Shimano Chronarch Mg. To say I'm pleased with these combos would be an understatement. With respect to price, I'd also consider the value of the warranty, especially if you are able to locate a dealer close to you. Shipping a rod for replacement is not that cheap. Being a clutz I speak from experience. E21's "over the counter" lifetime warranty may add value to your purchase, as it did mine.

Did you upgrade? Suggestions?

Just wanted to say thanks for giving me some feedback. I was able to locate a 103ML Type R+ Limited on ebay and hope to have it soon. Again, thanks.

I picked one up early this year, and was really impressed with the action; caught several fish the first few weeks and have been adding colors and sizes since then. I'm far from being a talented angler, so if I can catch fish with these baits, someone with experience should clean up. I usually fish the Swimmer with a series of twitch moves along grass lines. Great bait - good luck

To those that replied, I want to thank you for your comments. I'm opting for the 51Mg after placing both reels on a rod. This will be my 1st Shimano baitcaster, and hope adjusting the centrifical brakes comes close to the ease of setting up my Daiwa reels. roadwarrior - thanks for adding the Core to the list, I just wish they had a leftie version on the market. _B_U_R_L_E_Y_ - true, but some reels do cast lighter baits than others. I've mixed and matched my reels to rods playing with different combos to learn their characteristics. An expert angler may not have any difficulty, but I'm still working my way up the learning curve. Again, thanks for sharing your comments.

For those out there that fish High Point City Lake in Jamestown NC, here's a heads-up. There are a few Saturdays coming up when the lake and park will be closed to the public due to private rentals of the facility. The dates are: 8/23, 9/6, 13, 27, and 10/18. Also, on 9/20 the annual "Day in the Park" is scheduled. The lake will be open for fishing, but traffic will be a bear. If you're planning on getting a line wet that day I'd suggest an early arrival and exit. Hope this saves you a wasted trip.

I'm looking to pick up another light weight reel to pair with an e21 rod. A reel that easily will hurl a 1/8th oz. bait (weightless baits, etc.). Price is an issue, so I won't be picking up another Steez, and a TD-Z may be stretching the budget. The Shimano Chronarch Mg and Revo Premier are within budget and I'd like some user comments. Thanks in advance.

Ditto!! Very good reel. Several ebay shops list the reel for $120-125.

I'm looking around for a Daiwa TD-Z (leftie) and would like to hear some user opinions; both the good and bad (if there is such a thing as bad with this reel). Any comments?

Great reel!! Several eBay stores price them at $120-$125, which makes it an even greater reel.

I've had quite a bit of luck fishing Sebile's Magic Swimmer, both the 3/8 and 3/4 oz. There priced around $14-15. Another bait that has worked well for me, though not as good, is the Jackall GIRON. I'd like to try some of the larger swim baits, but can't get the hang of casting with a phone pole. Good luck!

I have a Daiwa Steez 100HA that I picked up at an auction last November; boxed, appeared never to have been placed on a rod. I've fished the reel 5-6 hours a week since then, always keeping it lubed and oiled. Recently, the reel has started to make a soft, kinda muffled, clicking sound as I retrieve line. The clicking is not random, but repetitive and consistent. Anyone have any ideas? There does seem to be a little "play" in the line guide that contacts the worm shaft, but I couldn't say if it is more or less than when I first started to use the reel. Aside from reel bashing by Shimano and Abu folks, I'd be interested in suggestions. Thanks. Shawn

An expert I'm not, but I do like Daiwa's L&T topwater rod, TL-661-3RB, at 6'6" and handles 1/8 - 1 oz. I think the L&T series is a good rod for the money.

Soft swimbaits: I've all but given up. I just never seem to get the hook positioned in the right place, and they don't last very long. It's just me. Hard swimbaits: Sebile Magic Swimmer Jackall GIRON I've caught many fish with these baits. In the hands of someone more experienced than I, they'd be a killer.

I'm usually fishing shallow water from the bank and have had pretty good results with a Rapala DT3 Fat bumping it off trash and ripping it from grass. Two others to look at are the Sebile "Magic Swimmer" and, if you can get your hands on one, Jackall's GIRON. Both are fun to play with even if your not catching fish.

At first, I put a STX on a Carrott Stix, but later tried the reel on a 7' M Daiwa L&T. Love the pairing.