NorcalBassin

Guinness is about all I drink, but I may actually give that SA Creamy Stout a shot if I can find some. Wow, I've been used to getting fishing/gear advice from the clan of 17 year olds on here but never thought I'd be getting beer advice from the same crew... what's this world coming to?!!

One of the toughest things to do for a lot if us is to seek advice when what we've tried in our personal lives hasn't worked, so props to you for even asking us for input. I'd have to respectfully disagree with the "spanking" comments made earlier, as a little "swat" to either of my girls when they were younger was 100% effective and far from physically abusive. Grouping "spanking and hitting" together as being ineffective as Grundle stated sounds like physical/domestic abuse as opposed to an infrequent spanking by a loving parent outside of an angry/heated moment. I was spanked as a kid when I deserved it and feel that is a reason why I've never had a problem respecting authority. Back to your specific situation, I'd definitely agree that it's more of an attention issue with the brother for who knows why. Now that school is coming back around, you may want to mention it to his teacher and see if he/she notices anything through the journaling and other things they're trained to do to get kids to open up. Best of luck and keep us posted.

Sweet rod that I'm sure you'll love. When I was your age I didn't know the difference between an Ugly Stick and G. Loomis, so I didn't start "spoiling" myself until I got more serious in my 30's. At this rate, in 10 years you'll refuse to touch anything except the highest end tackle! Wait a sec, you have 4 more years until beer becomes an issue. I know I sure as heck didn't touch a beer my first 3 years of college.

Not sure exactly, but BPS and Cabelas take quite a bit longer to get things out to you than Tackle Warehouse. I'd mentally plan on a week and hope it arrives sooner.

Sort of surprised that, with the possible exception of China, most of us don't give much thought to where a reel is manufactured when making a purchase. I personally have more faith in a reel made in Japan than anywhere else, but maybe I'm misguided. That being said, I did just buy a Lew's Pro Tournament Speed Spool that was made in Korea. Thanks for all the input.

This "new" lineup from Shimano got me thinking after I read that the new Curados are no longer being made in Japan. How much of a factor is it for you where a reel is made and what are the main differences you'd expect from the different manufacturing countries? I've made sure to have a few made in the USA rods on deck, but I've never had that dilemma with reels since the higher quality reels seem to come from overseas. I would assume that made in Japan >>> made in Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and China, but would you be willing to pay more $$$ for a reel or choose it over a competitor just because it was made in Japan (say a new Chronarch over a Revo STX made in Korea)?

Congrats... you never forget your first. What was your big technique that got you the win?

Also just picked up an Extreme from Cabelas' sale, but no reviews yet since I'm still waiting for it. If you're looking at a Cabelas model it's definitely worth the small price increase, but I personally wouldn't have put the extra $100 in without the sale.

Sounds like you're on the right path and I definitely second the recommendations of Invizx (8#) with KVD L&L conditioner every time out.

I'm having a similar dilemma for the front of my boat. There's already a gps in the dash, so the 768 is off of my radar. The Lowrance is only "Down Scan Imaging" while the 570 DI can be in a split screen mode with both Down Imagine and a traditional sonar displayed at the same time. For that reason alone, I am likely to go with the 'Bird this time around whenever I can finally find one on sale. Best of luck!

I have both a Revo Premier and CI4 on drop shot rods, and despite being $50 cheaper I give a small edge to the CI4. However, I really enjoy fishing with both of those reels and they perform flawlessly. I also use an Abu Soron STX quite often (retail $129) and have been very pleased with it as well.

Looking forward to hearing whether or not you feel it performs any better.

Nice review... I just hate adding leaders, get lazy, and go with straight fluoro. Maybe it's time for me to quit being so lazy.

I have 3 Excels and have been very pleased. They are my "beater" rods (still take care of them but I don't get too excited if they bounce around a little in the pickup bed) and they have performed flawlessly. Great rods for that price.

Thanks again for all the help guys. I was using a fresh out of the package Damiki Wacky Head jig. http://www.***.com/Damiki_Kaiser_Wacky_Head_6pk/descpage-DKWH.html I usually throw the Gamakatsu wacky heads but decided to try something different (the jig head tends to start rotating after a few fish). The water I fish is gin clear with up to 20 ft of visibility, so I generally stick with 6-8# test with finesse techniques (I do go up to 12# with my baitcasters). gobig- interesting points with the amount of pressure from a reel set. When I drop shot that's the way I go and with the wacky jigs I'd describe it as some sort of hybrid between the two depending on how the strike feels. Thanks again!

Looks good!

Best color names in the business, and they work!

Early/late = topwater Daytime = drop shot

Thanks again for all the tips guys. Snook... I was probably too relaxed if anything due to being surprised by the size of her. The rod was bent 1/3 of the way over the entire "fight" (medium weight), so there definitely wasn't any slack contributing to her coming unbuttoned (likely should have had drag a little looser). I've caught a halibut around 300 lbs, multiple kings over 30 lbs, and a bunch of steelhead over 10 lbs... no deer in the headlights fright on that fish, although I would've loved one pic with a 10+ pounder for sure!

Thanks for all the tips fellas. A little lighter drag (seemed plenty light but it did not take as much line as I thought it would for how much bend was in the rod) and keeping the rod tip ready to go into the water will definitely be my two initial adjustmemts. Now I'll be ready but will probably be stuck in dinkville for the next few trips.

I have both of these rods (spinning) and have enjoyed them both. However, I probably would not buy another Mojo but plan to pick up at least one more Veritas. I've been using it as a back up drop shot rod and I've been really happy with the sensitivity and durability of the rod. Definitely does not feel frail/prone to breakage to me.

Just once/year from me with fluoro and copoly... although I may just keep an eye on my fluoro after reading what RW said. A buddy of mine respools after every trip and I almost want to just spool it right on to one of my reels so as to not needlessly waste it (he is a recreational fisherman- no tourneys). That being said, if I was fishing for $$$ I'd probably change more frequently.

Good news is that I've been getting a lot more bigger fish this year, but the bad news is that I seem to be losing more than I should as I lead them back to the boat. Today I had what would have been my PB... definitely into DD, but she went from holding a couple feet deep (while 15-20 ft from the boat) to rising out of the water, shaking her head, and throwing the freakin wacky jig head right back at me. It was as if time stood still and she just stared at the boat to taunt me for what seemed like a few seconds after she threw the hook. I'm pretty mild mannered, but I almost went Ike on this one. Anyhow, I was using a 7'2" medium power XF Crucial with a Ci4 and 6# Invizx... so I was making sure to keep the pressure on her with a relatively light drag. This has happened at least 3 more times the past couple months with fish over 5 lbs, which more often than not happens when they jump out of the water. Any ideas on what I should have done so I can quit losing fish??? Thanks!

I actually like the Lightning Shock series. I keep it as a loaner for guest boaters that don't have their own set ups with them, and every one of them loved it. I don't think you can beat it in the sub-$50 range.

I reel set nearly 100% of the time and very rarely lose a fish. I prefer to use a Gamakatsu octopus circle hook... very rarely hook 'em deep with these guys compared to when I used to use the usual DS hooks.