The one that got away

Considering how the Pats haven't won a single playoff game in almost five years, and the Bruins (2011), Sox(2007), and Celtics (2008) have all won titles since then, there is reason for concern - at a minimum - for Pats fans. The last two playoff games for the Pats have both been at home - the Ravens beat the snot out of them a couple years ago and then the Jets upset them. It's been a long time. To put it in perspective, the last time the Pats won a playoff game, a guy basically no one had ever heard of back then is now our President. If Denver turns the ball over like they did last time, the Pats should be fine. If not, it should be a pretty close game. I think the Pats will win, but that is not a given by any stretch. Right now, Denver's playing with house money and there is no pressure on them at all, which makes them dangerous.

Near the end of the summer, I got a light action Triumph 6' spinning rod and put a size 1000 Sienna on it. Bought it mostly for screwing around, trying to catch crappie or whatever if the bass weren't biting, but also hoping to try catching some trout in the fall. I didn't want to put a lot of money into light tackle, in case I didn't like it. The combo exceeded all my expectations, especially for the money spent. For the occasional use you mentioned, I think it's the right way to go. Good luck

A-Jay - I have the 6'9" ML spinning rod and I love it. I'm a big Fenwick fan too. I'm just a recreational weekend angler, but I can appreciate quality equipment. Mine was a free replacement for an old Techna AV that broke (that was a sad day). I sent the broken Techna AV and they sent me the Smallmouth series rod. They had called me after receiving the broken rod, explained about the new Smallmouth series rods, and I picked the 6'9" spinning rod. Great customer service. They had to wait until after Sept 1 to send it me because it wasn't available to the general public until then, at least that's the way they explained it to me. Someone on this board a couple months ago had a similar question as yours. I commented on that thread too; I assume you could probably find it if you do a quick search

My wife grabbed a Sharp Aquos 60" LCD, so there goes my fishing budget. I guess I have enough fishing gear anyway. But holy smokes, what a nice TV. Never had an HD set before. Just got done watching the Bruins in high def and...wow.

I've been ridiculously satisfied with a 6ft St. Croix Triumph light action spinning rod, matched with a $29 Shimano Sienna reel spooled with 6lb Trilene XL. Whole set up for under $100. I bought it a few months ago for trout fishing. It would work perfectly to throw light baits like you mentioned.

I'm finding it hard to believe a loon can get a 1/2 ounce spinnerbait down its throat. And if it did, I think it's going to die no matter what it's made of. I've got no problem changing to non-lead on regular sinkers. Does this law also prevent the sale of lead tackle in MA? I would guess no, under the assumption that an angler could be buying tackle to use out of state. Otherwise, I would assume the tackle industry would have lobbied against this bill. Like someone said earlier, it could really change things for the industry if other states follow suit.

Curious about whether you guys got out to Douglas on Sunday, and if so, how the fishing was. Thanks

I headed out for a few hours yesterday to one of my local spots (34 acre pond), planning to fish for bass. I have bringing my light spinning rod with me recently to fill in some of the dead times when the bass aren't hitting. I usually put on a small spinner and get panfish, perch, and the occassional LMB. Better than nothing. The place I went to yesterday is usually stocked with trout, at least in the spring. I'm not aware of fall trout stocking there. Anyway, I started out fishing with my light action rod, mostly because it already had a small swivel on and it was ready to go. I put on a weighted Joe's Flies inline spinner and went to work. Got my first hit within 5 minutes, and to my surprise, it was a rainbow trout! I was psyched because I've been trying for several years, with no luck, to get trout. Got another trout a few minutes later. He wasn't a rainbow, and by looking at online photos after I got home, I think it was a small brown trout. I was out for 2-3 hours and ended up with six trout and a bunch of crappie, all on the same Joe's Flies spinner. The biggest trout was 13-14". Lots of fun on cheap light tackle (6ft light action St. Croix Triumph, a $29 Shimano Sienna reel, and 6lb Trilene XL). I know they weren't huge trout, but it was more than enough for me because I've only caught three trout in my life before yesterday. Even before yesterday, I've become a big fan of the Joe's Flies. Seems like anything will bite it. Sorry, NO PICS because I didn't expect anything camera worthy. I know...no photos - didn't happen. I was just killing a Sunday afternoon and blowing off yard work for a day, and had a ton of fun doing it. I'm hoping to get out again this weekend, with the camera. Here's the pond:http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/maps/ponds/pdf/dfwpratt.pdf If anyone has any other tips for trout, I'm all ears. Thanks for reading.

Saturday for me has just been ruled out by The Queen of Mendon. I've been told I can be paroled for the day on Sunday, so if the group plans change to Sunday, I'm in as long as someone has room on a boat.

Unless things change on the family schedule, I'm good for either day. I'm a non-boater, so only if there's room.

I've really only used it a couple of times, but I've fished it with grubs on a jig head, tubes, a 4" senko, and a baby brush hog on a t-rig with a small weight probably 1/8 or less. I've also used it a bit for throwing a floating Rapala and a small inline spinner. I don't think there would be any problems setting the hook on any shaky head with the hook buried. I really like the rod and I don't you can go wrong with it. Like I said earlier, you shouldn't feel like you're "going cheap" by getting this as opposed to the Avid. It's at least as good as far as I'm concerned. I just peeked around online and you should be able to get it shipped to you for $125 shipped. If you decide to go the St. Croix direction, you're also getting a good rod. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Agreed.

I have the exact rod you're mentioning, and also an Avid for comparison purposes. I broke my 6'6" med/fast Techna AV spinning rod this summer. I bought a 6'8"M/XF Avid spinning rod to replace it because I didn't feel like waiting to ship a rod back and waiting for a replacement. I eventually called Fenwick and the rep I spoke with on the phone told me the Techna AV series was discontinued but told me about the new smallmouth series coming out this fall. Based on what she told me, I requested the 6'9" medium light spinning rod. I sent the broken Techna AV back and they sent me my new rod. To answer your question, I like my new Fenwick just as much, if not more, than my Avid. It seems a bit lighter and at least as sensitive. I have a 2500 size Shimano reel with Power Pro braid on both set ups. It's the first split grip rod I have had, but I've gotten used to it pretty quickly. As far as that "hidden handle" design is concerned, it's REAL cool to hold in person. I did catch a largemouth just shy of 5lbs on a baby brush hog using this rod a couple weeks ago, and it had no problems handling the fish. If I had to choose between this rod or the Avid, I'd probably go with the new Fenwick, especially given the retail price is something like $50 less than the Avid. The Fenwick also comes with a lifetime warranty, just like the Avid. Obviously the decision is yours. You can get an Avid and feel comfortable with your purchase, but if you go with the Fenwick rod, you shouldn't have any second thoughts about saving a couple bucks. I have both rods, and it's at least as good as the Avid as far as I'm concerned. I don't have any rods from the River Runner series, but I will whenever my Triumph 6' light action breaks. JMHO, hope this helps.

I fish from a canoe and need to know more about what's going on below me in the water, namely water temp and depths/dropoffs. I'm basically oblivious about fish/depthfinders. I know some guys have them in their kayaks, and some probably have them in their canoes. I'm looking at the Humminbird 120 Fishin Buddy because it looks pretty simple and transportable (and inexpensive). Anybody have any experience, good or bad, with these units? Can I hook it up to my trolling motor battery? Any other suggestions?

So it sounds like the plastics were working pretty well. Good job guys. I took last week off and did get some time in the canoe, all early mornings. Tues was Carpenter Reservoir in Northbridge (good day), Wed at Meadow Pond in Northbridge (unbelievable action, as always at that spot), Thurs was Whitehall with minimal takers on the end of my line, and Friday I basically took the shnozz at Singletary in Millbury (only two perch - one on a double tail hula grub and the other on a 1/2 ounce spinnerbait, of all things). There are no boat ramps at Carpenter or Meadow. The bow of my canoe is always available if anyone's ever interested. I've got a trolling motor so no paddling is required. Couldn't go along to Webster on Sat because my kids had sports. Hopefully I can catch up with you guys someday.

Come on, have we already forgotten the guy's first name already? I guess it's easiest to just blame the manager. But their problems go way beyond that. For the teams that made it, I'd have to pick Philly, with their starting pitching.

Nice to see some good fish were caught, guys. Wet/cloudy conditions can be real productive as I'm sure you all know. What lures were working best today?

I like to fish, she likes to shop. She doesn't drag me to the mall, and I don't drag her out fishing. Keeps us both happy.

I have the GT66M older version rod. I bought mine before last season. It's definitely on the moderate side of "fast". I use it for jerkbaits and crankbaits, and also for some topwater stuff. Real nice rod.

Potential state record for length? Official NH state record says 17.25 inches: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/NH_state_record_fish.htm

I've got a spinning rod 6'9"ML from this series being shipped to me next week, but I'm not sure they've hit the open market yet. Mine is a free replacement for a broken Techna AV that I shipped back to them.

That's a good fish. And nice title to your thread, I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't about me, lol.

Another vote for the floating Rapala. Catches anything that swims.

I'm out, but good luck on the 17th. Post some pics so I know how much fun I missed out on

Wow, it's finally coming together...and I can't make it. Maybe next time. Make sure there are some cameras so you guys can post pics. I'm guessing the fish will be deep, in the south end of the lake. Good luck.