retiredbosn

I can't go

I can't believe Peyton is still playing. I've had neck surgeries to fix blown discs, you're never the same one good hit and toast.

There is some truth here

My pb at 8.14 was a hog for the area caught, only 2 ounces shy of 9. I believe she would have went ten before spawning, caught her after she had left the nest and was no longer guarding fry. I have several over 5, two between 7-8 and only one over. Where I live now it would take 10+. I also think that how heavily fished an area is plays into it as well. Heavily pressured fish get real smart, or is it I'm not smart enough to outwit a fish with a brain the size of a pea???

Great point. BTW where my son works wait staff are paid something like 2.80 an hour + tips, until the tips exceed minimum wage then the 2.80 goes away, I don't think its right maybe not even legal, but that's how he's paid.

Many ppl in my family have waited tables its hard work. My son told me about a guy who laid some money on the table told him it was his tip. The customer then went on to explain in a condescending way that any time he had to wait for something it would cost my son a dollar. He then told me he got the entire amount. I could never wait tables as I would have explained to the customer where he could stick his tip! He would have been the last person to receive anything.

I like the ol' monster but use the 12"

Yes but do not confuse erratic with running true. They roll and deflect but should still track true, not consistently to the left or right of your line of pull.

We have talked about changing the action of cranks before, I remember a post where I put that changing from a spit ring to a direct tie or adding a clip without removing the split ring changes the action of the bait. Would have thought I was nuts, the trouble is that most fishermen do not have the experience with cranks to detect the subtle differrences in the baits. I would bet money that if you did a test where the fisherman did not know what brand was in the water and the design of the lip and body profile that most of them couldn't tell the difference between a crankbait that wiggles and one that wobbles. Add to the the subtle nuances between split rings, hook sizes etc and how they all affect the action, most ppl can not tell how these changes are affecting the bait action. For the most part we as anglers have the minimum knowledge required to become proficient at crankbaiting.

All of the posts so far are from experienced anglers who know that the rod is an important part of the equation. Some may argue the most important. And for the most part are in agreement, the reel will cost more, just don't spend all the budget on it and handicap yourself with a crappy rod.

I think this is the best quote here. I think we all suffer to a degree from reelmania; the desire to find that one magical reel that casts a country mile, drops a bait on a dime and retrieves smooth as silk.

Nothing wrong with that set up, that C3 will last a long time, I like round reels. FWIW that set up is more versatile than you think, the ambassadeur rod I guess came from Walmart? If so it is flexible enough to use for trebles and being 6'6" short enough to work topwaters like spooks, you can fish spinnerbaits buzzbaits etc on that combo. The recommendations you have recieved on the second setup will cover most all other applications, it may not be ideal for pitchin and hauling bass out of the thick weeds, but for t-rigs, senkos, jigs, spinnerbaits etc it will do fine. Then you can get a 7MF rod for a third set up to cover small worms, weightless plastics, etc. Right now is a good time to buy as the fall sales are starting up, then come March you can take advantage of the Spring Classic sale at BPS and add to your arsenal. I would recommend using your second set up for the plastics as the rod will be much more sensitive than the one you are currently using.

Mine have carbon drags, not the multi stack though. If I remember two carbon discs one metal

We get questions here all the time requesting info on this or that reel/rod. Got me to thinking, where should we be recommending new fishermen to spend the bulk of their money, on the rod or reel? I've seen ppl with a 150 reel on a 40 rod for a t-rig set up. To me this makes no sense! The opposite for a reaction setup (think crankbaits). Again where is the logic? For presentations that demand sensitivity on a budget, put the bulk of your money in the rod, get a quality reel of course. But having a Revo premiere or Chronarch on a Sellus or ugly stick and thinking you have the most sensitive setup is silly. Equally out of balance set ups would be a high graphite costly rod with a plastic reel for crankin. When buying a set up put some thought into what its purpose is, if you need sensitivity then more money goes toward the rod. What are your thoughts on this?

Playing a fish is fine, exhausting a fish is not.

I have four after reading this post I'm more confident than ever in them.

Who gets the delivery fee that so many places charge? I asked this once the manager said its to cover the cost of gas. To which I replied that the pizza place didn't own a delivery vehicle and had no additional cost due to gas prices. I then asked if the delivery guy was paid that fee, he said no. so the delivery guy gets tipped at least 5 bucks at my house.

I agree that the area you live in determines whether a fish is a trophy. Like many others have stated I would have a replica made v/s a skin mount. The WV state record largemouth is right at 12 lbs, anything around six and ppl take notice. A four pound smallmouth used to be considered trophy, now its around six. The slot limit on the Greenbrier and new river has greatly improved the quality of fish being caught. BTW the state record smallmouth is 9.75lbs

Prayers for restoration of your wife's health

Thanks for the heads up, will let my voice heard. FWIW sportsmen can make great impacts in cases like this, I would encourage everyone to voice their opinion

Just a heads up, we're trying to do a get together outing on Saturday the 6th on Murray if you can make it.

Welcome to the forum, I'm retired Coast Guard so is A-Jay. Anyway under the fishing tackle tab is a senko FAQ section. Roadwarrior has a post on catching a bass on a senko, good info for a noob. If ya need any further info just ask.

My 2011 silverado received the same treatment,.except driver side. I went in a restaurant to pick up a to go order, back within 3 minutes. Makes ya sick.

I set mine to half breaking strength of lines rating, 12lb is set at 6. I to use a scale but the difference is that I back off about 20ft and test by gingerly loading the rod until the drag slips. I use a side ways action, I DO NOT use a hook set type of action, but slowly start adding pressure so I don't damage the rod.

Tyrius, There was supposed to be a paragraph break the first paragraph following the quote is the only part directed too the quote. I'm using my phone between bi-focals and small screen I missed it not being there. Have edited my post so it doesn't read that I'm accusing u of stating there is no evidence. Sorry for the confusion