Alpster

I would be throwing spinnerbaits with the BCR 803 and dedicate the 844C to worms & jigs as has been suggested. I used to have the 844C in a GLX and broke 2 of them. Sold the expiditor replacement and bought the IMX 844C blank and built a custon worm & jig rod with it. Put a couple of bucks with the left over $ and grabbed another 50 MG. I like the IMX as well as the GLX for worms & Jigs. Save yourself $100. Don't get me wrong, I love some of the GLX line. I wouldn't trade anything for my GLX dropshot rod, but for this application, IMX is better. JMHO Ronnie

This idea of a 7' 6"+ rod being balanced at the reel seat is a fantasy. The longer the rod the more tip heavy it will be. The only way to "balance" these long rods is to place the reel seat 2 feet or more from the butt or add weights to the butt end, which seems crazy to me. Why would you put additional weight on an already large, heavy rod. Long heavy flipping sticks have a specific purpose and they might feel "out of balance" until you hook a nice sized bass and have to reel him along with 5lbs of grass or a a 4' foot long tree limb. This when you will appreciate a big, heavy, out of balance pool cue and 65lb braid. JMHO Ronnie

Fishing from the bank.... 5" Senkos (pumpkin seed color) 7 1/2" Culprit worms (black shad color) Cavitron Buzzbaits (early morning or late evening) "Charlie Brewer Slider" or "Spot remover" Jig heads "Zoom" trick worms and finesse worms to use on aforementioned jig heads. These ought to get you going until you learn what the locals are catching them on. You can't go wrong with these baits from the bank, I guarantee it! Ronnie

That's the truth!!! Ronnie

One piece or two piece......no telescopes. JMHO Ronnie

As a rod builder, the problem with balancing a rod anywhere near the reel foot, is with modern lightweight components, you must move the reel seat so far forward to get a neutral balance that you lose the advantages of longer rods. Imagine the real seat 20" from the butt on a 7' rod to balance it. Also, as stated above, it can even make the rod hard to fish with. I try to keep weight to a minimum and worry less about neutral balance. I can not bring myself to ADD balancing weight to a blank that I paid a fortune for because it was LIGHT. JMHO Ronnie

If you are like me, it's probably both! LOL Ronnie

I have been through a lot of tackle carry options (and spent a lot of $) in the last 40+ years and I finally settled on simple, cheap and low tech. I think it's the best solution if you organize your baits in Plano boxes. These are only $13 each at BPS or Cabellas. Ronnie

I can see it now. After the weigh in, the judges will look at the guy with the smallest sack and say "YOU'VE BEEN CULLED" ;D ;D ;D Ronnie

It's easy to make awesome carolina rigs. Some barrel sinkers and a bag of beads from the local craft store. I use 12lb "Big Game" mono to make mine. Ronnie

Culprit ribbon tail worms! None better! Ronnie

Tubes..... Ronnie

X2 - what he said. Ronnie

If they are keying on the shiny minnows, try a white double bladed spinnerbait. We have killed them on spinnerbaits when they are actively feeding on baitfish. Might be worth a try. If the water is as shallow as you say, maybe a surface popper or "walk the dog" lure could generate some interest. Ronnie

Some turns gray and some turns loose. I stopped wondering if I was bald at about 19 years of age. LOL Ronnie

Sorry Chris, it looks like you have been in California too long. Ronnie

If you are going to dedicate it to just pitching and nothing else. Get yourself an ABU 5000 series round reel from Walmart ($50 -$60) and enjoy it. I have some high end reels (TE DC, 50 Mg,) and none of them are better than my old red ABU 6000 for pitching in heavy cover or thick mats. That reel is a boat winch. It casts (pitches) very well and if you get bit will uproot and retrieve almost anything your bass gets wrapped around. For strictly pitching with a heavy rod, they can't be beat. JMHO Ronnie

Power Pro is excellent braid. I buy it in 1lb spools. If you use it properly, you will love it. You can also buy it in any Walmart or K-Mart. Ronnie

They are not cheaper if you compare apples to apples. My Shimano TE 2000 DC retails for over $500. The TE-200-GTs that Roadwarrior describes are selling at BPS for $350. It so happens that ABU Garcia has decided as a business model to make their low profile reels a step up in performance and features and therefore more expensive. This not true for every manufacturer, but ABUs are the most popular round reels for bass fishing and that's why it seems they are cheaper across the board. JMHO Ronnie

Chris, Bear in mind that Mudhole is going to charge you $20+ to ship the kit to you. I put it in my cart and standard shipping is $20.75 their standard rate plus a $9.50 oversize charge for blanks over 6'. To your other question. It is impossible to know how a custom rod will feel in your hand until you hold it. That only happens when it's finished. That doesn't mean it won't be amazing. You just have to decide what makes you happy in a rod. If lightness is most important, I'm afraid lightness is directly proportional to $. If balance is important, rod builders, if they are any good, can balance a rod any way you want. If you want the rod to balance at the center of the reel seat with 2500 size reel, no problem. Want it balanced on your finger at the front of the reel seat, easy to do. The only problem with kits, is you are stuck with parts you get so modifying them is a little harder. Because I have the tools and ability, I make the grips from scratch and change whatever I need to to get the desired outcome. Good luck on your build and if you have any questions or if I can help at all, send me a pm and we can exchange phone #s. Maybe I can talk you through some of the trickier parts of your build. Ronnie

I would be honored to build a rod for Chris, but it sounds like he's on a tight budget. It cost $60 to ship the rod I built for fourbizz coast to coast. The killer is when the rod length goes over 7 feet. Shipping almost triples. Knowing this, if he pays for the parts which would really only be the blank and guides (I will donate a custom grip & a reel seat) and shipping I would build it pro-bono. That's my best offer. Ronnie

Chris, Get yourself an inshore saltwater kit from mudhole. You will have all the needed parts and some instructions to boot. Kits come with a free rodbuilding DVD. Check them out here...... http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/Complete-Rod-Kits/Custom-Builder-Inshore-Series-Spinning-Rod-Kits Good luck, Ronnie

....and don't forget that foot rubbing promise. I guarantee that she won't. Good job! Godspeed while you are overseas. Congrats on the baby!! Not trying to compete with you, but my wife is sending me to the Kentucky Lake Road Trip this year. Wives can be wonderful if you let God bless you with the right one. BTW, my wife gets a foot rub every morning after we have coffee. The way to a woman's heart is through her sore feet. You heard it here! Ronnie

Shimano TE-200-DC Shimano Calcutta TE-400 ABU 5600-WS ABU 6000 (Red) ABU 6600-D5 Quantum US-300 All are round reels and I use them all for Bass fishing. I also have 5 low profile reels. Ronnie

All my reels will get new line at least annually, much more often if I am fishing a lot. Nothing like fresh line to make a great trip better. Increases confidence for me. Heading out to the KY Lake Roadtrip next month and all my reels (12 total) will get new line. I buy in bulk to keep costs down. Ronnie