Lucky Craft Man

I agree. To even laugh about it is sick. I don't condone what the guy did. The humor was more in the baitshop owner who was telling the story (especially when he told me how his wife reacted when she found out)

Unfortunately, it is only for a left hand retrieve. If it was for a right hand retrieve, I would be all over that.

Here's a story that happened locally. I worked with a guy who had a baitstore for years and he had one customer that came in many times with pictures of huge muskie that he had caught. The baitstore owner was curious what this customer had used for bait, because he never bought any muskie lures or bait from him. So he asked the customer the one day what he was using to catch these big fish. The guy responded that he would look in the newspaper for anyone giving away kittens. He would get the kittens from these various places and take them out fishing with him. He made a harness for the kittens that had hooks attached to it and he would put the kittens in the harness and cast them out over large weed beds. If the kitten would drown before he received a strike, he would rig up the next one and cast it out. The baitstore owner told me that after his wife (who helped him run the baitstore) heard about what this customer was using for bait, she refused to wait on him everytime he came into the store. I know it sounds mean, but when the guy told me this story, I couldn't stop laughing. I guess I couldn't believe that someone would actually think of using a kitten for bait (or a live mouse for that matter).

thanks for the suggestions guys. im pretty sure my dads not gonna buy and mount one of those rod holders to the front of his truck though. i was thinkin of just putting it next to the passenger seat and have the tip come out the little slidey window in the center of the rear windshield. I didn't want to mount one of those racks on my truck as well, which is why all my travel rods are 2-peice.

Get one of those rod holders that mount in the front of the truck (very popular amongst saltwater fisherman) and transport your rod vertically in one of those. You can place several rods in it and you don't have to worry about tackle or other things in the bed of the truck rolling over your rods and breaking them.

That is sooo freakin' funny!!!! I would say if you dream about your next rod and reel set-up constantly (I can't get my mind off of getting a Daiwa Steez and G Loomis GLX BCR854C)

As a follow up, I had a Shimano Crucial (same price as a regular priced XML) and when I went to exchange it, because of a broken tip, I had a little difficulty (since I didn't have the receipt). That over-the-counter warranty the salesman tells you shimano has is misleading. It only applies to the first year after purchase (if you have a proof of purchase) and any break or defect in the rod after that has to be sent to Shimano (at your expense) and if they determine it was broken because of manufacturers defect, they will replace it. Here is my experience with Cabelas when my nephew stepped on the tip of my XML rod. I went into Cabelas to ask for a tip repair kit and the guy asked what rod I was repairing. I told him it was a XML. He told me to just bring it in and they will exchange it. Well, without a receipt I returned my XML and they told me to go get a new one and that was it. I walked out with a new rod with no questions asked. That kind of customer service has really spawned some loyalty in me towards Cabelas (and Bass Pro) brands. Those two stores are top notch.

Well, here are all the rods I have extensively used and feel I can give a good review on. From Bass Pro, I have used the Tourney Special, XPS Performance, Bionic Blade, and Extreme. From Cabelas, I have used the Classic, Tourney Trail, Fish Eagle II, and XML. From my experience with comfort, balance, sensitivity, light weight, and performance considered, the best rod by far is Cabelas XML (not the XML Ti, which I don't like much). I have 8 XML rods and have gotten rid of all the other previous rods mentioned. The only two rods in my arsenal are my XML's and my G Loomis rods. In my humble opinion, you can't go wrong with the XML and last year around this time they were on sale for $99.99. If they happen to offer that sale again, I wouldn't hesitate getting one. BTW I didn't mention warranty as a consideration, because both places have great customer service and are very good at dealing with broken rods.

Hmm... I'm not sure that's what you meant to say... : I'm meant to say that I fish a lot now, making up for all the years I couldn't spend as much time on the water as I wanted to during my time in school. Does that make sense?

Look at it this way, the sooner you get your college degree, the sooner you can get a job that pays well, which means the sooner you can buy really nice fishing equipment. Delaying school in my opinion would be the worst thing you can do. I spent twelve years in college and graduate school and now I am doing relatively well and have a whole rack full of G Loomis Rods and nice reels. All those years I spent studing and not fishing, I am making up for it now. To make a long story short...Go To College!!!!

If you are looking for a great (and I mean Great) weightless worm / Senko rod, then save all your Christmas money (or other Holiday Money) and get this one: http://products.gloomis.com/gl/products/alltackle/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441768917&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032712&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181201&bmUID=1195163943063 I bought this rod last year (in the GLX version, though a Mossyback would be a good rod as well) and I couldn't imagine a better Senko rod. This sucker can cast that worm a mile and is very accurate for a long rod. Also, with the added length, picking up slack is a breeze for better hook sets. I know this is not one of your choices, but I just thought I would share my opinion.

Everyone is too busy fishing with their Daiwa Steez reels.

I have the G Loomis SBR813C. This rod is extremely well suited for spinnerbaits and it is right at $200 retail (though, I found my for $160 on-line).

If you are looking for a great 2-piece rod at a reasonbile price, I would highly recommend Cabelas XML rods. I have a whole line up of these rods and use them as my "travel" rods (2 piece are so much easier to transport then a 1 piece). I have been very pleased with these rods and Cabelas warranty is unmatched (when I broke one, I just brought it in and they told me to go get a new one. No questions asked). Also, if you are interested in these rods, look for a sale (last year they were on sale for $99 on-line), or a combo (They had an in-store sale last year where you could get a Shimano Curado with a Cableas XML rod for $239, which is like getting the rod for $39).

I have come to the realization that there is no "one" line for all applications (much like there is no "one" rod for all applications). I use flouro on my crankbait rod and jerkbait rod only. I think by using flouro over mono for these applications has greatly increased my catch percentage on those lures. For lures that I haven't noticed a difference between the mono and flouro (such as senkos), I stick with the cheaper option (i.e., mono). I use braid on my flipping stick, carolina rod, pitching rod, and frog rod only. So to make a long post short, every line has it's place (except for Gorilla Braid. That crap sucks!)

The Steez rod will be lighter, but the BCR more sensitive. I own(ed) both. Thanks Natural. I value sensitivity over weight (especially since the weight difference is about an ounce). Which one do you no longer own?

Today was my lucky day. I just won a brand new SMR882S-SP on eBay for $148 dollars. I can't wait until it comes in (assuming it arrives in one piece and is not broken).

By the way, it's funny you mentioned the BCR853 GLX, because I was thinking about getting that rod for all my T-rigging needs. I am debating on whether to get that rod or a Daiwa Steez 7' MH Rod istead. Unfortunately, I can't find a store that even has the Steez Rod in stock so I can see how if feels, but I really liked the BCR853 GLX.

Thank you very much for the quick response. Like I mentioned, I was very impressed with how this rod handled in the store and from your recommendation, looks like I will be adding another G Loomis to the collection. Thanks again.

I recently saw this rod at Bass Pro and was quite impressed with it (which I can't say for the rest of the Bronzeback line of rods). Has anyone have any experience with this rod? I am looking to use it for mainly shaky-head rigs, light-weight soft plastics, and maybe a little drop shotting. If anyone has any opinion on this rod, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

I think you better find a good divorce lawyer so you don't lose that nice rod and reel in the settlement.

I just celebrated my 30th anniversary, October 22, 1977. Congratulations on your anniversary, but I am surprised you got married during prime smallmouth bass season.

Hey Guys, I am looking for a little advice. I am taking a few days off of work next week and am heading up to Erie. I was wondering if anyone could offer me any advice as to what depth you guys have been finding the smallmouth? I haven't been up there since the Spring, so I haven't been able to follow the fish movement and would grealty appreciate any help. Thank you in advance.

I purchased a G Loomis Frog Rod there (it was mispriced and they honored the errored price that was on the rod). I also purchased several Lucky Craft Jerkbaits there on sale. So they do have some higher end equipment and do have some pretty good deals at times (especially on reels).

That's what I ended up doing after first trolling across the lake at full speed and slamming into a log. That is a huge lake for trolling motor only. I guess you have to launch very close to where you plan to fish most of the day.