Lucky Craft Man

RW, sorry to hear about what happened to your son. I spent some time in Tucson and that city can be a rough place (unfortunately, of lot of Arizona is becoming overrun).

x2...the routine for me also includes, wiping down all the rods and reels used, cleaning the guides while checking for damage, add a little oil to the worm gear of the reels used, taking the reels off the rods, and storing everything in a safe place.

I have never handled this rod, but the G Loomis IMX SJR642S could fit the bill. It is 5'4" long and has a line rating of 6 to 12 lb. and a lure weight rating of 1/8 to 3/8 oz. For what you describe, I use the SJR722S, which has the same line and lure rating and works rather fine for a skipping application.

Everything else is just gravy 8-) It's funny, because this is where I started 4 years ago. I purchased 3 nice combos (fulfilling the 3 specs listed above). Then I purchased a boat and realized that since I was more mobile it was becoming a pain tying on and off different lures. That's when the technique specific wave took over. Now I have over 40 "technique" specific combos and find myself trying to figure out which ones I will be using that day, since my boat can hold only 12. I do enjoy the luxury of having a rod that is designed specifically for a lure and not having to retie when I am out, but sometimes I think I should have stopped at 12 (maintenance on all the equipment becomes overwhelming at times). Oh well, as RW said, I am now a "collector" and I will put the bait monkey in the closet and enjoy what I have.

I like the way you think, RW. If I look at it as being a "collector," then I am no worse than someone who collects stamps or old cars. With that being said, I may need another Carolina Rod for deep and heavy cover applications (Though, I don't think I have thrown a Carolina Rig yet). PS Reading those others threads is what brought this thought to my brain.

Well, I got into this "technique specific" kick and started buying different rods and reels to fill various applications. I keep a spreadsheet of all the rod and reel combos I have and looking at it, I think I may have gone overboard. I mean, I have a "toad" rod (not to be mixed up with my "frog" rod), for crying out loud. I don't think I have ever thrown a toad lure in my life. Has anyone else been caught up in establishing a technique specific arsenal? Note: This thread has no real purpose, but just to hear if there are others who can commiserate with me. So, before anyone posts that this is a useless thread, I will agree and we can move on. Thanks.

thanks that help a lot actually and why all the hate to split grips?? I cast with two hands and the one split grip I did own felt very uncomfortable when casting (holding onto a little nub at the end of the rod just didn't feel right). So after giving it some time, I realized that I liked the full grip better and sold off the split grip. I guess another preference thing.

I have never used a Steez Rod or Reel, but I have several GLX rods and a few high end reels (e.g., Core). Here is the bottom line with all high end equipment...the overall benefit is the enjoyment you get from using it. You will always have the argument that one rod, which costs half as much as another rod, is just as good as that other rod. Why do I spend money on GLX rods? The answer is simple, I like the way they feel and the way they fish (plus they are one of the last companies to not go with split grip, which I do not like). You probably can out fish me with your Carrot Stix, but I will sure have a fun time with my gear out on the water getting beat. I'm sure that is not the answer you were looking for, but in most cases, it is the only answer one can give.

Here is what I heard, but I am not sure if it is true. If the rods are stored in extreme temp. (both hot or cold) you could have cracking in the epoxy around the guides, because the epoxy and the graphic expand and contract at different rates. I would assume this would only occur in drastic swings in temp. where expansion and contraction rates would apply. Though, like I said, I am not sure, but I keep everything in my basement where the climate is controlled, because I don't want to find out.

Actually, there are a lot of Pro's using G Loomis rods. When I was at the FLW Forrest Woods Championship in Pittsburgh, there was probably 30% of the Pros with G Loomis Rods (these seemed to be the guys not sponsored by rod companies). These are pros who choose to use these rods and are not sponsored to use them.

I have the SWBR953, which I use for deep diving crankbaits and paddletail type lures. It is great for those lures and this rod is rated for up to 2 ounces, but that would be pushing it. I also have the SWBR904, which I use for a little heavier lures like Mattlures Bluegill and Lucky Craft Real California. It handles those lures perfectly and probably could handle a little more (the 3 ounce maximum lure weight rating I think is right on). If you suspect that you will be throwing lures heavier than 3 ounces, as others have said, I would look at the SWBR955

I have the BSR852 in the GLX version and this is the best spinning that I have ever used. It would be able to handle tubes (along with Senkos, Drop shots, and Shakyheads). I assume the Mossyback version would be very good as well.

The GLX SHR822S is an unbelievable rod. I just got into shakyhead this year and after buying that rod, it has become my goto technique (not because I am good at it, but because I love just fishing with that rod).

I have this rod and I use it for tubes and smaller flukes (I found it wasn't quite sensitive enough for shakyheads and other finesse techniques). It is a nice rod, but you may find it a little tip heavy (I added weight to the butt section to balance it out) and the power is a little more than what you would expect from the lure rating. 6 pound line would be fine on this rod, but I think 8 pound line would be a little better. I have actually caught up to 10 lb. Steelhead using this rod and it handled them well (which is another testament to its power). If you are getting a great deal on this rod, I would purchase it, but if you are looking at paying retail, there maybe a little better rod out there for what you want.

That's me right there ^ . I fill to over capacity (a bad habit, but I like to really have the spool even after I cast out my lure)

Congratulations!!!!! The only word of advice I would offer is see if you can get a third garage bay. I have two and I wish I could go back in time and add a third (I am considering an addition of a third garage, but wish I would have done it up front).

I saw several threads that discussed the issues with the new Interagency Oceans Task Force (particularly the potential for bans on fishing the Great Lakes). As I followed each thread that discussed this, it would disappear. To me, fishing the Great Lake is something I cherish and I was wondering if anyone had any further information of clarification on this topic. Disclaimer: This is not an attempt to start a political discussion in anyway. I am just a concerned fisherman who is fearful of losing access to his favorite place to fish and wonder if my fear is justified.

Let's see, one weekend with Taylor Swift, which would obviously lead to a divorce, where I'm sure I would lose my boat and all my fishing equipment out of spite (if it wasn't already in the trash before I got home) and I would have to pay alimony, which would prevent me from being able to replace my equipment, hence in the end, no wife or fishing (or probably anything else for that matter) or 8 hours of fishing with KVD on Lake Erie, where I'm sure he would find new spots and teach me new techniques that would lead to more successful fishing fishing trips that produce 5+ pound smallmouth the rest of my life. Hmmm...tough choice. Which would you choose?

That is my exact Shakyhead Set-up (both rod and reel).

I am no expert on shakyhead fishing, but I have used that technique a lot this year. I use a 6'10" spinning rod that has an extra-fast tip and can handle lures from 1/8 oz. to 5/16 oz. in weight. I heard Jeff Kreit say that he uses only 1/16 oz. & 1/8 oz. shakyhead jigs, because if he went any heavier, there probably would be a better lure choice that the fish would bite. So make sure to pick a rod that can cast comfortably those light lures, but has enough backbone to drive home the hook and get those fish in.

Well, in a few weeks, the bass gear and boat will be put away for the winter, but I will dust off the fly rod and head to the streams for 6 months of trout and steelhead fishing. There is nothing like fishing a stream in 20 degree air temperature with snow falling around you, while you watch your line for that tell tale hesitation.

I crank with Flouro. and I can definitely tell the difference in sensitivity over mono. (plus the flouro. gets the crankbait a little bit deeper over mono.)

A lot of people seem to like the wiebe reel seat over the Fuji one.

I received mine with no problem (bought my reel in June and the glasses arrived in July sometime). Really nice sunglasses.

The BCR893 is an unbelievable rod, but I have only used it for senkos. I use the BSR852 for all my Fluke needs.