tholmes

Made in Ohio, USA Tom

The Cozy Inn in Salina, Kansas. Their burgers are what White Castle and Krystal dream about being. http://www.cozyburger.com/index.shtml Tom

Wait a minute! You mean I have to have a rod for every reel that I own?!?! The spousal unit is NOT going to be happy with that. Tom

Gerber 400 Compact Sport multi-tool. It does 90% of what I need to do when I'm fishing. The other 10% is handled by a pair of long forceps. Tom

I have rods that have both split and full grips in EVA and cork. While I prefer full cork grips. split grips and/or EVA grips aren't a deal breaker. Tom

That's no joke^! I've got the scars to prove it. Tom

If I'm not mistaken (a strong possibility) that foot number indicates that the reel was manufactured in 1981, the third month, and is the original design (no revisions). II've done these upgrades on a couple of Abu round reels. They're easy to work on and parts are readily available. get in touch with Jerry Foran at http://www.hookless.com/ . He can steer you in the right direction and provide the patrs you'll need at a very good price. Tom

I use a 7' M Abu Vendetta with 10lb. Big Game mono. It's been working just fine. It's the same set-up that I use for shallow to medium cranks and spinnerbaits. Tom

Mono: Berkley Big Game Co-poly: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Flouro: I hate 'em all. Braid: Nanofil

That's pretty funny! A couple of months ago, I was fishing a white spinnerbait, running it pretty fast and about a foot under the surface, when a cormorant dove after it. i cranked it back at near light speed and just barely got it out of the water before he grabbed it. I don't know what I would have done if I would have hooked him! Tom

If you're concerned about using your good stuff, pick up a used Abu 4600C (~$40 on ebay) and get a Berkely Lightning rod. It's a sturdy combo that, with a little care, will probably outlast you. Tom

I prefer a full cork grip on both casting and spinning rods, but I use several split-grip, both cork and EVA, and have no difficulties with either. It's not a deal-breaker for me. Tom

I keep several spincast rigs around for the grandkids. Mostly old Zebco 33s that I've picked up at yard sales and overhauled. I'll use one when I take them fishing, but that's it. My wife uses an ABU spincast reel that I bought her to replace the Popiel Pocket Fisherman that she had when we got married. Tom

Here's my old BTX 100 Mag and it's cousin, a B100 Mag Hangers-on from my Shimano days. They are both still fully functional, and were very solid, reliable reels. Tom

OLD??? DINOSAUR??? I'll have you know, you young whippersnapper, I have one of those myself, and I was using it regularly until a couple of years ago. It's a pretty darn good reel. Spool it up and throw a few casts with it. Tom the dinosaur

Barlow's Tackle sells 100 packs. Tom

I'm pretty sure those worms are catalpa worms. They're like crack to smallmouths, and the chartreuse w/black stripes Bettle Spin imitates them pretty well. Tom

The 9" junebug Fat Max is a big bass catcher. I don't catch a lot with it, but they're usually quality fish. Tom

Night time is the right time! Especially in the dead of summer and on heavily pressured lakes. Tom

Great deal! I have one of those rods and it's a great shallow/medium crankbait rod. Mine does double duty as a small spinnerbait rod also. Tom

Smithwick Devils Horse, black back, dark green scale. Tom

Nice! That's a HUGE channel cat! Tom

I use a 7' medium Abu Vendetta with an Ambassadeur Record 40, 10 lb. Big Game mono. Tom

I use a couple of old Rapala knives. I sharpen them myself with a Lansky sharpener. Razor sharp! Tom

On a long cast, there are a few factors that can affect what you feel, mostly related to the line. A little wind can put a bow in your line (even when it's under tension) that can greatly reduce sensitivity. Even the drag of the water on your line can reduce sensitivity. Most rods are plenty sensitive enough to feel a crankbait or spinnerbait working under normal circumstances. Tom