hooah212002

awesome. The dicks I go to has a lefty and I was going to buy it to see if I like lefty any better.

Retiredbosn: it appears that you and I have far different standards of what we require as evidence before taking something on as a "belief". You should note that I provided links to back up my statements. You should also note that if you believe there is still valid evidence, why is Oxford still looking for it? Ahh, but you watched something on tv 30 years ago and still believe it. I, on the other hand, don't feel the need to "believe" in an animal. Do you believe in all of the spider species that are found in the Amazon before they are found, too? Or do you instead believe that scientists will find them and categorize them? Why am I harping on about this? Because you indicated that there was evidence somewhere for Bigfoot, yet all you've given is your say so. The evidence even for an "unknown north american primate" is missing and highly unlikely. Second of all, what does flat earth and heliocentricism have to do with anything? Science advances when new knowledge/evidence is found. Those examples are great examples of the strawman fallacy, but not examples that do what you want them to do. Believe what you want for whatever reason you want, but if you claim to have evidence, provide it. If you don't have evidence that is up to par, what you have is faith.

I was thinking about picking one of these up strictly due to price. Are they ok reels?

Yea, the wind was brutal this morning. I got a decent little 2-3 pounder that was, once again, after I told myself I was ready to leave.

Dang man, that's a hawg and a half!

You could use yarn if you wanted to lol. It just depends on what kind of conditions you'll be fishing in and what you want out of your line.

I fish, in what I consider, pretty thick weeds (not sure what kind, but looks kinda like milfoil with some pondweed interspersed (pappajoe probably knows) and my 20# PP has done just fine. That's not to say I am not weary of it and am looking to get some 50#, but I've yet to lose a jig due to fish, weeds or both together. Mind you, I've yet to hook into a real fighter or anything larger than maybe 4 pounds, but up here 4# bass is decent with 6-7 being REALLY good. That said, i am comfortable enough with the 20# for now that it doesn't stop me from throwing into the middle of a thick patch of weeds. Also, I've found braid to be better for sensitivity, especially since I have to cast a good ways (flippin/pitchin from shore? In your dreams). The lack of stretch means I am not worried about missing hooksets on the initial fall due to my line and I get the sensitivity on the far casts as well. I've got a few spools of difference mono's that I may tie on a leader if I feel compelled, but not for jigs in the thick stuff.

Ooh, I'd love to see the journal paper on this. Have you got a link? I certainly hope it's in something reputable, though. :edit: I've searched and searched, but the best I can come up with is some Melba Ketchum who, to put it nicely, is a complete twonk and a sham. A terrible scientist. There is no peer reviewed research! Just for the naysayers who likely will pop up and say something like "mainstream science wouldn't even accept evidence anyways", I will just put this here: http://phys.org/news...5-yeti-dna.html So yea, Oxford is willing and ready to examine legit evidence, but so far, none has been brought forth. :edit #2: Evidence please? I have been unable to find any for this statement either.

Got to take the Veritas out for a spin today. One word: light! I couldn't believe how light it is. I can't say for sure how sensitive it is since it was windy and weedy (constantly ripping through thick weeds doesn't lend itself to touch). It casts a good ways further than the rod of the same length/action as well, so that's another positive. I do like that the reel seat is open so you can feel the rod itself when holding it.

Bubbles has seen a Samsquanch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j5e8NUrkys

Yet another good day on Delavan. I started off with the same jig/yum chunk and very soon had a bite. Saw him flash, and he was gone. Oh well. I went to the other side (same side as the pic in my OP here) and it wasn't long before I hooked another. He was a little bit smaller than the pic up there and it was raining, so I didn't take a pic. Then the wind picked up blowing right in my face and made things a bit rough. Then the rain started..... I stayed in the rain for maybe 20-30 minutes and then told myself "3 more casts, then I'm done". Yea, that didn't happen. I picked up my white/chartreuse cheapie spinnerbait just for the heck of it and had ZERO confidence because I've never caught anything with one before, but figured what the heck, there's a lot of chop from the wind and it's raining so I'll hope for a reaction strike. I started hitting the weed edges on a couple casts, then I tossed under the bridge. Being a bit higher up, the spinnerbait had a tendency to ride high in the water and come to the surface by the time it was ~10 ft. away. I couldn't see under the bridge, but I heard a splash, set the hook and watched the fish swim away. Drat! Lost fish number 2! Then I started back on the weed edge along the boating lane (which runs under the bridge) and hooked into another 1-2 pounder which was my first spinnerbait fish EVER! I made casts for another maybe 15 minutes and caught nothing but raindrops. Once again, I got cold and wet and my hands started to cramp up, so I decided I was done. I had to walk past the spot I went to first and said to myself: "you're cold, wet and hungry, but you're probably going to walk down there and keep fishing, aren't you?". Who am I to argue with me? Made a few casts and hooked another one that caught me by surprise because I was on the last leg of my retrieve and already thinking about my next cast. What a great day. 3 fish landed in maybe 2 hours, which should have only been 1 had I left when i said I would, and 2 more "shoulda had 'em" fish. I will say, the fish on the spinnerbait had A LOT more fight than the fish I've been catching on jigs. I can tell the "killing methods" differ too: jigs have been in the back of the mouth where they crush stuff, and the spinnerbaits were lip hooked. Seeing what you read come to fruition in real life is pretty amazing. A big thanks to all of you that responded.

Awesome fish! That sure is a hawg. Do yourself a favor: stop looking at the picture! It will appear smaller and smaller each time (at least that's what happens to me). You'll keep telling yourself "I know that fish was bigger than that".

Nice fish, brother!

That's where I was. The bridge you see in the background is North Shore Drive.

Yea, it was strange. They had only 2 on clearance. I asked the guy if he knew why those two were on clearance and he said they were probably being discontinued(?). I pointed out that they had a slew of other Veritas' on the shelf as new, only different sizes (the 2 on clearance were 6'6" MH. Yea I settled. But it's hardly "settling" when it's a freakin Veritas lol). He then said maybe they were just not stocking that particular rod anymore. I THEN asked if the other sizes would be clearanced, but he didn't know. Oh well. I stop every night almost so I'll see if they do go on sale. I didn't actually "get" it yet: I had him hold it because I didn't have my $10 off $50 coupon which will actually make this rod, along with something else that costs $5, only cost $40. I think I scored.

Never mind both of those. I just got a clearance Veritas at Dicks for $45!

HAHA! Not sure if you are being sarcastic, but I bought like 6 jigs from my neighbor and she said "so now you have enough lures for a while, right?". I have 3 combos and she thinks THAT is enough. Never mind that my spinning reel is shot. Usable, but shot (no drag and the handle constantly locks up). I have a better chance of winning the lottery than of convincing her that there is a "need" for more fishing stuff.

That's kinda what I like most about it, aside from the name. It feels really well built and solid. I wish I could. I've done my share of "window shopping" with the lightning at Walmart (pretend casting it in the aisle with no reel lol), just waiting to have the need/money to pick it up. friday I have both. They feel really good and look superb.

He offered them to me before he put them up, but I have nowhere to get packages delivered in stealth and I would prefer 7' or longer.

My mind is not set at all. Quite the contrary: I can't decide between the two (Berkley/St. Croix). I'm sure I'd be even more confuzzled if there was a 3rd/4th/5th option at this price point. I just want to make sure I get 1) the best quality for the money and 2) something I will like to look at.

SHHHH. I need an excuse. But seriously, it's a $15 Shakespere and I just can't justify spending money to fix it unless it's going to be less than a dollar. I'll hang on to it and maybe down the road, after I have purchased a rod tip repair kit for a future higher quality rod that I buy, I'll fix it.

Get a map if available.

So you would recommend this over the other two I mentioned? Admittedly, I do like the aesthetics of split grips and both the Berkley and St. Croix have one. I know that doesn't make a lick of difference, but I learned long ago that confidence is key and anything to help boost that is a good thing even if it's just liking the way your rod looks in your hand. I'm shallow like that, I guess. Plus, the Berkley and St. Croix are at least $10 cheaper. However, if the Gander rod is far better, I will go that route.

Thanks Mark. The little guy didn't have much fight in him. He splashed when I hooked him, then went into a thick weed patch and I kinda just dragged him the rest of the way to where my gear was about 50 yards away so I could get my pliers. Half the time I thought it was a carp or a bunch of weeds lol. Not sure if that's because I hooked him in the back of his mouth or if he was just a lazy fish.

No, it is a Lakeside bait and tackle shop. The gander mountain is somewhat out of my way and I would have to go there with something in mind.