The one that got away

Did Bill's used to be in Taunton? A guy working in the reel dept at BPS in Foxboro told me about that place several months ago, but I never got a chance to check it out for myself. I hope you got a chance to do some fishing as part of your road trip! Lots of good fishing holes between Norton and WMass, but I think you probably know a lot of them anyway.

I picked up a Curado E7 over the winter for around $145 off Ebay, like some other members here. Also bought 3 rods from reputable Ebay sellers. One of them was from Simmons Sporting Goods - easy transaction and fast shipping. My only problem with buying rods off Ebay is explaining to my wife why 7ft packages keep getting shipped to the house.

"The one that got away" refers to the biggest fish I ever lost, a ridiculously huge Northern pike I hooked Labor Day weekend last year at Lake Champlain in VT. By far the best fish I ever hooked into. My 13yr old was in the boat with me and he learned some new words immediately after I lost the fish.

If throwing the small spinner is real important, I'd go with the 6'6" light action. I would think you could throw a 1/16th oz spinner better with the lighter action and longer length, as opposed to the 6'3" medium light action.

x2

Holy smokes that is nice. But no floating jointed? That's my personal favorite.

One of my first rods was a 2-piece Ugly Stick spinning rod. The far end would never stay in alignment with the lower half. It would always twist and I would have to constantly adjust it to keep the guides aligned. There were even a couple times when I failed to check it for too long, and the far end would go flying off when I made a cast. Granted, it wasn't an expensive rod, so I am not sure if the better rods today are any better- I assume they are - but I have only used a one piece rod since then. I guess my advice would be "no two piece Ugly Stick". I can't speak for any other manufacturers.

Jointed floating Rapalas are #1 with me.

Lazy Ike sometime in the late 70s, don't remember the color. Never caught a thing on it.

Rapala

x2

I've never had more than three fishing rods (sounds a bit weird to most of you, I know). I've had a Premier 6'6" medium power spinning rod since 2003; it has been my workhorse rod that I use the most. Looking back, I do wish I spent a few bucks more for an Avid, given how long I keep the rods. The Avid is definitely a better, lighter, more sensitive rod. The lifetime warranty should be the clincher if you're looking to buy. However, I should point out that my Premier is still working just fine.

That is one nice northern. I had one on a white 1/2 ounce Terminator spinnerbait on Lake Champlain in VT in early Sept this year. Got it to about 15-20ft from the boat and lost him. It was a good 48"+ in length (a pretty good estimate, because I landed several in the 30" range that same day), but mine didn't have quite the girth that your monster does. Great job on landing a GREAT fish. Congrats.

I'm looking at this rod for weightless plastics, mostly Senkos, as well as small spinners and floating Rapalas. Anybody have any experience with this rod? Or other suggestions for a spinning rod for light lures, but still having some backbone?

Mepps Aglia dressed spinners

I just picked up a MH Techna AV on Ebay for $90 a couple weeks ago. Planning to use it for spinnerbaits and jigs. Rated for 3/8 to 1 1/2 ounce lures. Haven't been able to use it yet, but seems like a nice rod, especially for the price. Good luck

Terminator T1

I've been fishing since I was a kid, probably 40yrs ago. Got away from it a bit in my 20s, but have been getting into it more and more the last few years. I've been looking to replace my baitcasting rod, and just bought a 7'MH Fenwick Techna AV on Ebay for $91. Found this site while researching the rod and read enough good things said here about the rod to buy it. Decided to join here too (no membership fees, right?). Lots of good info. NOT looking forward to the upcoming New England winter though, so I think the rod will go under the Xmas tree and I'll use it next year.