Delaware Valley Tackle

I have 5 rigs setup in the car and carry one to the bank with me. If I'm hiking the river, I'll carry two. I favor shorter 2pc rods (5-61/2') for getting through and around the brush that lines many ponds and river banks.

Where did you get the average diameters to plug into your formula? It seems like that is the real unknown in the original question.

Nice work cadman! Are those logos decals?

I go one step further than taping the reel to the rod by dry fitting the reel & reel seat with cork arbors to fine tune the balance point. Combined with the suggested 27x micro guide placement method, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the balance you can achieve as well as improved casting. Good luck!

IMO, Go with the ABU for the availability of parts, service and upgrades as well as initial quality. Bearing count isn't everything.

Pflueger makes some good spinning reels, especially at their price-point. I just got a President myself. Grab some clear flouro for leaders when the fish are skittish and go get'em!

Welcome... from another NE native! There's a few Connecticut threads in the NE forum, check'em out!

Welcome to the best site on the net!

JFrancos not kidding about the steelhead and winter trout, a real rush. I'm trying my hand at shad fishing when they run up the Delaware this spring.

Weightless senko fishing on spinning gear accounts for over 1/2 my catch. I can skip it under docks and overhangs with no backlash worries. I have a spare spool with braid if it's called for.

RW's right if you intend to throw cranks once in a while. If you want to do more, especially a day of deep cranking, you might want a lower ratio reel like a Revo Winch. As far as the BP reels go, I've got one and haven't had any problems. I got mine $50 in the Flea Market forum.

Welcome Flips! This is the best site on the web. I'm in PA too, in the Delaware Watergap. What part of PA are you in?

I work in the Sparta area and live across the river in PA. I'm not aware of any guides on Hopatcong but there are several marina's and baitshops that would know for sure. Many of the small area lakes are worth looking at also, Swartswood, Little Swartswood, Aeroflex for starters. Check out the NJ thread on this forum for more suggestions. Oh yea, Mohawk is private.

Check out the thread(s) on Lumaflex skirts.

I like to test new lures in a real clear pond or better yet, a swimming pool to see the action and play around with varying retrieves. Short of that, I don't think you can go too far wrong with the ft/sec rule of thumb.

Pfleuger President spinning reel Rod Rack Venom tubes Shop Lights for the tackle shop New wading shoes Gander Gift Card (in lieu of the Revo deal, not available up here) All I need now is some time!!

Merry Christmas and best wishes everyone!

Check out the Flea Market on this forum. Some really good deals to be had and you can buy with confidence. I've made a fe deals there and haven't been disappointed. The ABU Revo S is a forgiving yet quality reel to learn on.

x2 Our UPS guy is a tournament fisherman and fishes for steelhead in the winter. He's talked me into trying it (wasn't that hard) ;D

The rod probably has as much if not more to do with casting distance. Try swapping the reel onto a rod that casts well and see if that makes a difference. Make sure to use the same line and weight. Only then will you be able to diagnose a problem.

You can certainly do this yourself just like changing your own oil in car or truck, but an annual cleaning and inspection by a professional can be had for ,<$20 in some cases. Cheap insurance.

I like a shorter rod for spinnerbaits because I like to cast them at cover and underhand for a soft entry. Generally speaking longer for distance shorter for accuracy. Mine is a one I built on a MH/Fast graphite blank. It is matched to a 6.3:1 reel spooled with 14lb XL.

Remember to clean thoroughly. Never mix brands of lubricant in any application.

I haven't experienced much difference between brands of tubes, but I definitely do better with 31/2" for Smallies.