NYWayfarer

I throw Strike King Bitsy jigs with spinning gear. Anything heavier is with a baitcaster.

Best of both worlds is my thought. Centrifugal help at the beginning and magnetic at the end of a cast. When dialed in properly I can cast my dual brake baitcasters with no thumb action at all. My thumb is at the ready just in case anyway.

Got a fat Yellow Perch on the Ned Rig today.

Today, November 4th, Hudson River was cold and a strong current with the dam open. Fished the current for awhile and nothing. Found a spot where the current broke around a point and was able to land a few nice Smallmouth Bass and a Big Perch. Very happy to still be catching fish in November.

Their shipping leaves a lot to be desired. They pack orders with no care at all. I am surprised my rods arrived intact.

I have the old Mach 1 BC combo. It is a pretty forgiving reel. Not as forgiving as my Tournament MB though. if you don’t cast light lures with it you should have no issues with backlash.

There are quite a few of us in the same boat. It’s name is the Titanic...

I have not been able to get out and fish since October 20th between work and weather. Gonna try Sunday and I took the day off Monday as well to fish. After that the wind, cold and rains return. I keep at until, a) Hard water or b) I get skunked 3 trips in a row from shore.

I also agree with this. People that want this over the counter exchange for broken rods should look into no questions asked, extended store warranties, like Dick's Sporting Goods has. For a fee, when you purchase your rod or reel, you can exchange it for a brand new rod or reel if you break yours.

I fish a small sit-in kayak with 2 rod holders. Not really enough room for a milk crate. I realized I was holding the paddle upside down after this pic was taken. I take one spinning combo, medium rod with a 300 size reel or medium light with a 100 or 200 size reel and a baitcasting combo, medium heavy fast action rod. Rods I use are from 6' to 6',10" for easier management in tight spaces. I use the spinning for dropshot, wacky and ned rigs. I use the baitcaster for cranks, topwaters and t-rigs. I find that's all I usually need on the water. I carry that in a small Plano tackle bag that sits between my legs. My favorite tactic is to use the baitcaster for topwater and if the fish misses the bait, I immediately use the spinning to throw a wacky rig in that spot.

Beautiful fish!! Nice yak as well.

Dick's Sporting Goods $10 off $50, $20 off $100 sale online and in-store coupon available until 11/3/18 Lew's Mach 1 spinning combo on sale at Gander Outdoors $49.99 $10% off of that for first time sign ups to their site. Lew's updated the Mach 1 spinning and Baitcasting combos so these are the old model they are trying to get rid of. Amazon has a 30% off code 6KOR2S3A for Kastking Perigee II rods. That brings the cost of this rod down to $41.99

Good news, Dick's has the $10 off $50, $20 off $100 deal in-store and online today on their website.

Sorry about that.

I got an email, as a scorecard member. Offer good until 11/3/18

I like the additional magnets, the rubber cork knobs, drainage and lube ports, the new friction reducing vortex line guide, clickable tension knob and reduced price of the Megajaws over the RLE. Plus that sharktooth grill looks cool.

I would try the new Kasting Megajaws before I would go with the Spartacus Plus. Brand new reel and looks real nice with some cool features. https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-MegaJaws-Baitcasting-Industry-Color-Coded/dp/B07FN28Y31/ref=sr_1_104?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1541085571&sr=1-104&keywords=kastking Also the Lew's LFS left hand is on sale at Dick's right now for under $70 down from $100 they are also running a $10 off $50 sale as well. Brings this reel close to $60 That's a steal. https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/lews-speed-spool-lfs-series-baitcasting-reel-15lewuspdspllfs68ree/15lewuspdspllfs68ree

They could use these vids for advertising the lodge. I know it worked on me. I am considering asking my two amigos if they want to go down there in 2020 based on what I am seeing. From me that says a lot considering based on events of the past there was no way I was thinking of ever setting foot in Mexico again.

Can't wait to see parts 2 and 3 tonight when I can give them the attention they deserve. Best believe I will be sipping a sweet Coke and spiced rum while viewing.

@J Francho speaks the truth. I have witnessed this and was even a victim of it. The Smallmouth in the pic below is my PB from this season. Caught in the Hudson River from shore on a Whopper Plopper 90 Weighed in at exactly 4 pounds. Average size Smallmouth caught at that spot are anywhere from a half pound to a pound in size. When I reeled this beast in a lady was passing by and I asked her to take my picture if she didn't mind. She told me she never seen a fish that size pulled out of there and it must be a state record. I assured her it wasn't as it was only 4 pounds. She said it looks like it weighed 15 pounds to her. When people are used to catching fish with the average size of this area their minds go a little crazy when they catch a fish in the 2 plus pound size.

Awesome!

Did you catch that Carp on a Fluke?!?

Awesome trip and write up! looking forward to the vids.

I have one spinning rod with a hook keeper I removed as it was on top of the blank. When reeling in a fish aggressively the line would get stuck in it at times. I would place the hook on the bottom guide on that pole. the bottom guide on spinning rod is very large and doesn't come close to the blank. If I was worried about the barb touching the guide insert and scratching it I would stick the hook point into a piece of cork left over from a wine bottle.

The people that have this realization, usually have it later in life and not when they are young and need it the most. This thread evolved to the point where my opinion now is that the OP and his friend are a perfect match.