fishballer06

The love the DR version. High quality baits, quality paint, great hooks that don't need replaced from the factory, and they run true out of the package. I bought myself a dozen more whenever I found that sale price. I'm tempted to get more too.

I'll second the fly tying classes. If he learns to tie his own, he'll be even more eager to learn, and even more proud whenever he catches a fish on a fly that he hand tied himself.

If I didn't already have a full stock of line, I'd be all over this.

It's shocking to see a bass through the ice be that dark in color. Normally they turn white during the icy winter months. Very nice fish!

Glad to see you active again, FishinDaddy. We missed you at Christmas time.

I don't think everyone is realizing the demographic for these rods. Every single one of these rods are built for a very specific purpose/technique. Techniques that the average fishermen probably just gets by with something else that he already has. Even further on the average fishermen aspect, these are Legend Tournament rods. These are $300 rods. Again, something that the average fishermen isn't spending for a rod that is specific for just one specific technique. The fishermen who is going to go out and buy that 9'11" Flipping Stick isn't the guy who throws everything into his Honda Civic and goes down to the local pond. The guys who are buying these rods are competitive tournament fishermen, guide services who are on the water almost every day of the week, or the guys with deep pockets who always want the best edge they can have no matter what the cost is. These are people who know what they need and they know how to treat their equipment. If these rods were being offered in the Triumph line ($80-90 retail), then yeah. You might see Joe Schmoe's buying these and breaking them because they have no clue what they even have. As for St. Croix not knowing what they're making with these rods, I beg to differ. St. Croix isn't just blundering blindly into a rod over 8 feet in a power that they've never made before. We're talking about a company that has been in the rod making business 70 years. A company that has been producing rods much longer than the traditional bass rods for applications like trout and musky fishing. From just looking at the St. Croix website, I see that they make a 9' Heavy powered musky rod in multiple different product lines. So this is certainly an area where they have familiarity with.

Should work for frogging too.

Looks like St. Croix is revealing their extra long rods to go with BASS now allowing rods up to 10' in length. What does everyone think of these sticks? https://www.bassmaster.com/news/st-croix-debuts-half-dozen-extra-long-legend-tournament-bass-casting-rods-bassmaster-classic

Going by retail prices. Chronarch MGL St. Croix Avid Going by what can be had with some searching Metanium Dobyns Champion

I live a 1/2 mile from the first Field and Stream store that was built and I'm forced to drive past it every single day in order to get anywhere... What a dilemma. The stores are about the same size as a Dick's. In fact, they put our F&S in the old Dicks store, and built a brand new two floor Dick's to accommodate the F&S store. However, F&S specializes in specifically outdoors gear (hunting, firearms, fishing, camping, clothing, archery, marine). So you get a store the size of a Dicks, with a very good selection. The only section that really has F&S branded items is clothing. The fishing selection is very good for a chain store, and their prices are pretty reasonable too. I live so close that I am always stopping in to see whats on sale that week or on clearance. I've scored some phenomenal deals (in fact, steals) this way on some very nice tackle (and firearms). I suggest joining their rewards program. You get $10 back for every $300 you spend in store. They can add up quickly. Occasionally they send out flyers to sales/promo's that include coupons or bonus points. Yes, they work at any of their stores.

Appendix carry is something only a few people (and body types) care for. Despite what their "cool videos" may show you, you need to take into consideration if you are a bigger (a beer belly/gut) person, appendix carry is far from ideal. Appendix carry (AIWB) is also very uncomfortable if you have to sit down, especially for extended periods of time. The size of the firearm also is another factor to consider for how/where you carry. If neither of you have ever owned a handgun or carried, I would recommend going to a local shop and asking them about different ways to conceal carry. YouTube is also a great tool to learn about carrying. Inside the waistband (IWB) at the 3-4-5 o'clock position is the most common carry position and is how I carry 90% of the time. During the winter, whenever I wear heavier/bulkier clothes/jackets, I will carry outside the waistband (OWB). This is the most comfortable way to carry, but it also requires the most demand from how you dress.

My father owns one in a 270WSM and uses it for deer hunting. He bought it back whenever the 270WSM was first released and it's held up great. The 270WSM isn't really a target round (around $2 a pop), but he has no problem making head shots out to 150 yards with it.

I've thrown them a fair bit. They require a very slow retrieve, otherwise they will roll over on you. I personally prefer the Rapala Fat 1 over the Arashi Wake, but I suggest you try both and see which you prefer.

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Your own link is ***'d out, Glenn!

So, where's the photo's of this fish??? In all seriousness, I would not suggest taking a net and dragging it across the bottom hoping to scoop it up. You'll most likely bury the phone in mud/sand/algae and never be able to find it. If you have an Aqua Vu or even a Go-Pro, I would stick that thing under the water and see if you can see it. If you can, I'd be taking a dive and trying to recover it.

I think people are over-complicating this decision. I own all 3 of the reels you speak of. All 3 of them are phenomenal reels for what you are asking. Buy what you prefer (or can afford) and you will not be disappointed.

The Owner hook you show is not what I consider to be a Shakeyhead jig. I own some of these and they're great for texas rigging a Senko, but I would not use one for shakeyheads. Check out the Owner Ultrahead's if you want an Owner shakey jig. Like Bobby has mentioned about his Shake2 jigs, they're heavy duty/stout jigs. I'd feel comfortable using them on casting gear because of how heavy duty they are. They're very high quality and I enjoy using them. I definitely wouldn't recommend them with 6lb. line and a ML rod.

If you're dead set on Shimano/Gloomis and under $200, then the Zodias is perfect for you.

I get most of my cranks custom painted, especially my LC's. I've never cared for any of LC's craw colors.

Dirty Jigs Luke Clausen 5/16oz. have been what I've been using.

I love the flat CB DR's.

I'm not quite sure what you are getting at here?

Here in Pittsburgh, the only people that go swimming in the Rivers (Ohio included) are the people that someone else is disposing of...

If you have never fished even at a club level, I would suggest into doing that for a year or two before ever making the jump to a high level like the BASS Opens or FLW Costa series. As far as I know, a co-angler is a co-angler. All guts, no glory. As a fellow back deck angler, best of luck!