hooah212002

The colors don't bleed together? Or do you use them soon enough as to not matter?

That's the thing though: I was going from hand me down older reels or clearance bin stuff, so a $50 brand new reel is a good investment to me ($50 isn't exactly couch money where I'm at, let alone the $80 I plunked down for the PQ). I can't imagine how well a $200 reel fishes, but it will be quite a long time before I can drop that kind of cheddar on one lol.

That's very true. I had a couple, but they were user error (trying to throw a weightless fluke a mile in the wind), but there were far more times were I thought I should have had a backlash but didn't.

I finally got to use my Pro Qualifier today and all I can say is WOW. This is the first high price tag reel I've ever used and i can see why everyone recommends spending a bit more and getting pricier stuff. I did lube it up before using it, so maybe that helped, but either way it is smooth as butter. The other reels I own make reeling in crank baits seem like a chore by comparison. I say this because I have been on record as saying that it's perfectly fine to just get a cheap-ish reel and you'll be fine. I changed my mind after today. Quality gear makes a difference. Fishing is much more enjoyable and comfortable.

Abu Garcia Black Max = $50 H2O Mettle (Academy) = $50 (can be had for $30 when on sale) BPS Pro Qualifier = $80 (right now due to sale) Lews Speed Spool = $100 Abu Garcia Revo S = $120 There is a quick list of probably every option you'll hear, in order, with a variety of price points.

I cast side arm all the time. I either backlash or my bait goes straight down if I cast overhand. I also throw sidearm as well, though. I have noticed that it is better in the wind, but I never really think about it because it comes natural for me to sling it sidearm.

It definitely is fun. Sometimes I stop actually fishing for a bit just to watch the fish.

I've heard a number of people suggest that you should soak a new spool of line in hot water just prior to spooling up in an effort to make it more supple. My question is: is it ok to do this multiple times to larger spools of line? I just got a 1 lb spool of Yo Zuri and want to do this (as well as a slathering of KVD), but I don't know if multiple hot water dunks will break down the line over time. If not Yo-Zuri because it is a hybrid, what about pure fluoro? Yes, yes, before you say " why would you ask such a question? you throw your line in water repeatedly". That is true, but I don't fish in hot water springs. Who knows if the repeated heating and cooling will cause long term damage.

How does a plano box all of a sudden become a waste of space?

Yea, it was kinda funny seeing a pack of monster carp roam around and bully the bass. They seriously looked like a pack of wild dogs. Except they were ugly carp and they just made a mess of everything.

Why not get a plano box for them and give them their own individual spot so they don't ever touch each other and you don't have to worry about it?

Please, please please, next time, don't set your fish on the ground if at all possible. Especially on dry as heck pine needles! Also, your hand looks awfully dry to be grabbing it like that. Second, I'd go with your actual scale because that doesn't appear to be over 4 pounds. 2 something looks right. Nice fish, by the way. I'm not trying to be rude or mean, it just kinda irks me to see gamefish being improperly handled. I was fishing near a guy today who initally seemed like he knew what he was doing. Then he caught a fish and I realized he had no idea how to properly land one. Laid it on the ground, then messed with his crap looking for a camera, then picked up the fish and walked 30 feet to yet another person and had them take the picture. THEN, he just threw the fish in the water from maybe 6 feet high. Ok, rant over. Nice fish again. congrats.

Now there's an idea I can use! Awesome stuff. Thanks!

Dick's has a better rod with the Black Max combo than does Wally World. Also, Dicks regularly has their 97 cent sale (anything with a price ending in 97, 47 or 43 cents is an extra 25 or 50 percent off). That is how I got my Veritas for $45. The one by me has Black Max combos right now for I think $69.99 with an extra $20 rebate (could be off a bit). The rod you get with the combo at Walmart is a Black Max rod (not really the greatest) and they only sell Medium action, whereas Dicks comes with a Vendetta and a more action choices. You can also get lucky and find an ok reel discounted heavily (they have LH Caenan's for like $30) and get a discounted rod at Dicks. Just stay away from Shakespeare and Pinnacle for cheap stuff. Their cheap stuff is utter garbage. It's cheap and good enough to get you on the water, but you will hate it.

I was fishing my spot today and there was a small bass just hanging out right in front of me and he didn't move the whole time I was there. I figured: "if I can see him, he can see me" so I didn't bother. Over the course of a few hours, I got a few strikes on my frog but missed them, so I wanted to see how this guy would react. I worked the frog over top of him and he eyeballed it. AHA! He's not so shy. I switched rods and ever-so-gently plunked a 7" pumpkin green senko by him (he was under the muck and I dropped it in the opening). I watched him come out from underneath the mat and gobble it up. I was amazed! Shocked! I let him get it in his mouth, then bam! set the hook. I pulled him out and he was covered head to tail in moss. I didn't get a picture because as soon as I took all the crap off him, he shook out of my hand. It was seriously like watching one of those underwater cams of a fish being caught. It was surreal. Fishing crystal clear, heavily fished water is a MAJOR pain in the rear, but can be rewarding when it finally pays off.

Dang. The only one that comes up in Wisconsin period is like 6 hours away.

Will a poor job effect the sensitivity or integrity of the rod in anyway?

Because I wasn't aware it was that easy. I thought there was some sort of wrap around the feet or something.

I honestly have no idea. I pulled it out to get them ready for the year and it was like that. My guess? It got pinched in a door being closed or stepped on.

Tell him not to kill off the lillypads!

Ahh, thanks guys. I imagine the bait shop is getting a cut since the actual repair tech (a local rod builder whom I don't know) is the one to actually do the work and doesn't work for the bait shop. I didn't even speak to the rod builder, nor could I get his number. Shop around I shall.

that is kinda what I was thinking too. The bait shop in question also has refurb St. Croix Mojo's (usually just a replaced tip) for $40. I just thought if I could plunk down $20 to repair this rod I wouldn't have a nice rod sitting there collecting dust. That is assuming $35 is on the high side.

Much to my chagrin when starting this season, I notice that one of the guides (3rd one down from the tip) on my Veritas is missing the insert and is bent out of shape. It doesn't cause any issues when fishing that I can tell. The thing is: I bought it on clearance at Dick's for half price (like $45), so I don't want to spend a whole lot reparing it. I have contacted Abu and they need a proof of purchase, which I don't have. Also, they will only replace it if is manufacturer defect, which it is not. They want $9.95 for the handling fee and who knows how much to actually repair it. Abu is out. So i called the local bait shop and he has a guy that will do it for $35 with a turn around of maybe 2 weeks. The question is: is $35 a good deal for a guide replacement? Where else could I look?