Drew03cmc

@Bluebasser86 I have to learn your trick for bank jerkin in winter. You seem to do quite well with it and I, well, don't.

I see where I need to be for these now, thank you!

Hey, looking to start throwing an A-Rig. Recommend me an affordable rod or rod/reel please. Thank you!

PM sent!

Ok, let me preface this by saying, yes, I realize my blanks aren't worth the cost of this project. I have 2 rods I want shortened to 5'6". First is an old St. Croix Premier 6' M PC60. I have already cut 3" off the butt and it needs 3 more cut off, which would necessitate moving the seat forward and putting a new rear grip on it, 5" or so would be great. Second is an older Falcon FC-4-16 6' M. It is all stock. It'll need 6" removed, seat moved and the same new 5" grip installed. If I knew how to do this, I'd do it myself, but I don't, so I'll pay to have it done. Can someone PM me to discuss this please? I'm wanting to do this as I want the Falcon for my creek rod and the St. Croix for my Spook rod. I'd appreciate the contact guys. Thank you!

Jim, I'll drive across the state if it gets you out. Let's do this. I need to fish topwater more than this year, which, for me, was a lot.

I just listed a rod in the classifieds that I've thrown all of those exact baits on. It handles them all very, very well.

Like it says, I'm considering taking a road trip to fish for Guadalupe Bass in the hill country creeks and rivers. I'm hoping to find them where they are native and would be wading most likely, possibly paddling. Any suggestions, tips, etc?

Honestly, I'm good to 3/16oz on most of my casting reels. My Ardent Apex Grand on a Falcon 6' ML with 10lb CX Premium is easy with 3/16oz. If you weigh a 4" Spark Shad and use an 1/8oz Gammie weighted swimbait hook, it's sub-1/4oz and it casts like a charm. Find a hardbait that's rated 1/4oz, remove hooks and practice.

The Irod Jr is likely the way I'll be going. It realistically tops out about 2.5, maybe 3.

Is it a 1/4 total weight or a 1/4oz spinnerbait? A 1/4oz spinnerbait is about a 1/2oz total weight.

Umm, well, ideally sub $150 range.

Need a recommendation. Looking for something to sling baits from like 3/4oz to 1-7/8oz for smallies on rivers and creeks. I'm talking 5" stubby Triple Trout, 6" Triple Trout, Fish Lab 5" gills, Gan Craft OSA 115, etc. Nothing huge and if someone was interested, I'd trade my bigger swimbait rod (Temple Fork GTS 7'11" 1 to 6oz) for the right stick. I'd probably like a mod fast rod.

Honestly, if you decide to move on from it, let me know.

If it is binding when reeling, it's likely a gear issue, in my experience. Let him get hands on at DVT and he will make that thing better than new.

I like my Ardent Apex Grand for jerkbaits, Keitechs, etc. They retail for $199 at TW and, while not a sexy Shimano or Daiwa, I prefer how they cast, for me at least.

I'd use a MH casting setup with 15lb copolymer for those.

@jrk I have a Temple Fork GTS Swimbait rod I'd part with. Rated 1 to 6oz, 7'11". It's a really nice casting rod, but for the baits I throw I can use a heavy cranking rod as they're all sub-2oz and this is just taking up space.

What size?

Umm, find a new reel guy or order bearings yourself. It's not a bad job and you'll save $$.

Find the creeks and rivers in the Ouachita and Ozark regions. Go wade fishing and have a blast.

I've not paid over $20 for any of mine. My 7'3" H, I got for $9, 6'6" MH for $15 and 6'6" M for $20. Use the price scanner. It pays.

If you're referring to the extreme upper end, depending on where and what, that may qualify, but is all situational.

Topwater or jigs, that's all I normally use in small waters. Heck I fish some creeks where the deepest pool in 2 miles is 8 feet or so. They still come up and slay a walking bait.

You would be correct. A river is a river, not an impoundment. If you weren't fishing in the river, not a TVA lake, you were not catching river fish.