GrumpyOlPhartte

@casts_by_fly: Curse you, vile servant of the Evil Monkey!

@ghost: Careful there. Your name’s gonna end up on my list! ? @garroyo130: This was written tongue-in-cheek, but I agree with you. I live approximately 1.7 miles from the edge of the earth and have no way of getting my hands on equipment before I buy. I have made many purchases based on the info from the members and so far have not been disappointed. Just have to research to determine which opinions to trust.

Tragedy struck a couple of weeks ago! I managed to lay waste to one of my favorite fishing rods. (I’m gonna spare myself the embarrassment of explaining how I did it.) So … I began the process of selecting a replacement. And, having a little pride, I refused to come on here and ask, “What’s the best baitcasting rod for under X dollars?” I already knew what I wanted, how I would use it, what reel would be paired with it, and what I would spend. Sounds simple … on the surface. Background: The rod was an older Okuma TCS Frog and Swimbait Rod. It’s 7’2” and rated for lures from 3/8- to 2-ounces and I used it for everything from jigs to frogs to SPRO Frogs to T-rigs to Magdraft swim baits. Even tossed the occasional spinner bait! Was it ideal for everything? Not to a purist, but worked for me. So I figured I’d just get another one - and promptly fell down the rabbit hole! Seems the new version ain’t getting the reviews that I saw for the original; SO, the hunt began. After researching websites and plowing through pages and pages of discussions here on Bass Resource, I finally came up with a list of potential replacements (in no particular order): Ark INVOKER Pro (Mag Hvy) iRod Fred’s Magic Stick IRG754F Falcon Expert (Hvy) Dobyns Sierra (Hvy) Shimano Expride EX173XHA (XHVY) Okuma TCS (New Version) ALX IKOS Thunder IC90F6 Now here’s how I’m getting out of the rabbit hole without pestering the members of Bass Resource! I’m jotting down the names of members who spoke highly of each model. For example, the Okuma has received high marks from @Glenn and @roadwarrior. Dobyns has been espoused by @dodgeguy and @northern basser. Can’t forget that @WRB raves about iRod. Once this process is complete I’m gonna put Post-Its with each rod model on my wall, blindfold myself, spin around three times, and chuck a dart. This way, no matter which rod I select, I have someone to thank if I like the rod and, conversely, someone to blame if I don’t! Problem of new rod selection solved without starting a lengthy thread. (Well, except for this long-winded entry.) Don’t need rod recommendations but comments on the process will be gratefully accepted. Thanks for reading!

Relax and have fun! You can fish any style, use any equipment, fish from shore or watercraft, pursue any species, and fish any time of year. But! If you don’t enjoy each experience, what’s the point? Observe nature, learn something from each trip, take a little time to kick back and just immerse yourself in the fishing experience. May not make you a stellar fisherman, but, man, will it make life a little more pleasurable! (This from a guy who is taking weeks to select a rod to replace an old favorite that was broken.)

I admit it; I’m one of the plebeians who uses - and actually likes - Lew’s products and services. Don’t know which brand is best; don’t care which brand is best. When I got back into fishing after a long hiatus, the local DSG happened to have an LFS for $100 and it felt pretty nice so I bought it. The store had no other “big name” models with which to compare it. (If it had, who knows which brand I’d be using?) Saw no reason to change since it worked for me. Eventually added a Tournament MB, two Superduty 300s, and finally, a Custom Lite. I did splurge on that last one to put on a custom M/F rod (compliments of @.ghoti. and the Bass Resource community.). If you folks knew the combos with which I’ve come up using these reels, the powers-that-be would boot my sorry butt right out of the group but ya know what? They all work for me. In my opinion, when I consider my relatively limited skills that’s really all that matters when I head out to a local lake. Would better equipment help? Maybe, but those laws of diminishing returns for increasing expenditures … not good for me. Not sure why I even put my two cents in … but since it’s too darned hot to drag my aging behind out to the lake it gave me something to do. Might even compose a rant about shopping for a rod to replace a “casualty” and a rave about some progress in my jig fishing abilities - thanks to you guys. Stay safe!

I live in Pittsfield and kayak fish (aithough at 73 it’s getting tough to get in and out of the darned thing any more). Been here over forty years so maybe I can help . PM if you have specific questions. One general caution - housing and rent are going crazy (for this area). Don’t know if I can help since I don’t keep up with a lot of stuff.

Best way to fish trees? Cast too far.?

@MN Fisher: What? Ya expect me to be pretty AND be able to type? Ingrate. ?

Don’t know if this has been posted … too lazy to review entries. Today, 02APR2022, I dropped into Dick’s Sporting Goods in Pittsfield, MA, and they were running a special on Sufix Elite and Siege lines - buy one, get one free. Also offering 25% off on 832. The store seemed to have a decent supply; I didn’t check all the sizes since I was interested in 10-pound and 12-pound. Did notice they had 832 up to 50-pound. I believe the sale is on until the middle of April. Might be of interest to western MA guys or New Yorkers coming into Pittsfield to shop.

@J Francho: And ya forgot how soothing it is for your hemorrhoids.

@MN Fisher: but what are the odds of catching a babblefish? (Although your odds DO go up if ya fish in the EARie Canal.) ?

I was going to respond … but forgot the topic. ?

@ironbjorn: Chill, my friend. Just a little “old married guy” humor. Celebrated our 41st anniversary last October. We are comfortable enough with each other to joke about our relationship; know how to make fun of ourselves while appreciating what holds us together. Takes a lot of years to figure it all out and I’m glad she’s the one with whom I made the marital journey. But I’m glad you are thinking about your relationship. Mebbe some day 40 years from now you’ll be joking about it too. Good luck to you and your lady. Stay safe and have a great 2022!

@MN Fisher: The problem with my Honey-Do List is that it seems to be a life-time subscription … and no way to Opt Out!

@Team9nine: Obviously you haven’t been presented with your Official Retiree’s Honey-Do List. ?

Ya gotta tell the wife you are still working so ya can sneak out and fish.

I fish slowly using the below pattern which I have mastered over the years: Cast … Pick out backlash. Cast … Retrieve lure from tree branch. Cast … Retrieve lure or break off from snag. Cast … Pick out backlash. Cast … Dislodge lure from dock where it is firmly wedged. Reposition kayak and repeat as necessary until I stumble across a particularly foolish bass which reacts to the system.

Just a personal opinion here, but I believe that this question almost immediately spawns a second, arguably more significant question which is, “What kind of fisherman are you?” I would guess that in my case, as a so-so fisherman at best, the answer would be to start with a budget. I would be kidding myself if I said I would appreciate the difference between a $200.00 and a $300.00 rod. Same goes for reels. If I were as skilled as some of the guys on here, I have no doubt I would appreciate the difference between the higher-end makes and models. So, for me, the budget is established first, then the research begins to find the “best” bang for my buck. (Although I have to admit I just ordered my first $300.00 reel … “because I just wanted to have one! “ (Stoopid bait monkey!) It will be interesting to see the responses to this.

NOTE TO OP! Please check my profile name prior to launching this type of thread! Ya don’t even want to get me started!!!! Not enough pixels on your display to cover my list of gripes!!! ?

I’m one of those that has converted from right- to left-handed reels. Motivation for this came from an incident involving a long-handled rod, a sit-in kayak, s bulky life vest, and my own innate lack of coordination. While said incident was certainly entertaining to those who witnessed it, I did manage to break a rod and litter the bottom of a local lake with a number of soft baits. It took awhile to become comfortable with the change but now I feel secure casting, retrieving, setting the hook, and playing the fish with my dominant hand/arm. The change has benefited me, but it does take some “getting used to”. (Bystanders have commented that I’m not nearly as much fun to watch as I used to be though.)

@Glenn: Yeah, I remember … and ya actually had to get up to turn the danged thing off!!! Oh, and what about paying a quarter to go to the Saturday matinee at the local movie theater? For the price, ya got the news, an episode of a serial, two cartoons, and the main feature. And by the way, whatever happened to Erector Sets, Lincoln Logs, and the venerable Fanner 50 (complete with trick holster)?

I faced the same dilemma last year. My decision was based on practical considerations; I would certainly not argue the relative merits of the two reels since they have been well documented in other threads. First was cost - I was buying two reels for medium swim baits (1- to 4-ounces). I would spend $200.00 more on the Tranx. With unlimited funds I probably would have chosen the Tranx. Second was a reality check - I am not a rabid bass fisherman. I would rate myself as a very enthusiastic hack. To be honest, I really love the idea of owning the Tranx, but I honestly do not believe I would require that Tranx level of quality. I fish a few times a week from April through November so either reel would satisfy my requirements. The Lew’s Superduty has an aluminum frame and side plate on the handle side of the reel; plenty solid for my requirements. Third was customer support - I have no experience with Shimano customer support. Others can probably comment on that. My experience with Lew’s has been extremely satisfying and helped me make my decision. I chose the Lew’s Superduty 300 and have not regretted the decision. I have one on a rod rated for baits to two ounces, the other on a rod rated for baits from two to four ounces. Both reels have performed flawlessly. In fact, the lighter rig works well for heavier jigs and t-rigs as well as small swim baits. I can’t comment on the drag since I haven’t caught anything big enough to really test it, but the brake system is easy to configure and use with various sizes of baits and both cast as far as I require. They palm comfortably and definitely feel solid and smooth. So, would I recommend one over the other. Nope!!! I am completely satisfied with the Super Duty 300 reels and would buy more. But if I could justify the Tranx … One final thought. If I remember correctly, the Super Duty 300 is lighter but you might want to check that. Don’t know if this has helped. I doubt you can make a wrong decision. Good luck.

Dang … talk about dredging up the past! I remember our ‘37 Terraplane with a back seat on which you could play football … or so it seemed. I remember my dad letting me have a sip of his Falstaff beer. I remember the milk freezing on the front porch and pushing the cardboard tops off the bottles if we didn’t get up early enough to get it. I remember going fishing with my dad; he had a square steel rod with a round reel and I had a long bamboo pole with a bobber, hook, and worm. I remember listening to Gunsmoke, Dragnet, and Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar on the radio. And on Sunday morning the local radio station had a program that read the comics section while I followed along. I remember going to our neighbor’s house on Friday night to watch Gorgeous George wrestle (and get my sip of Falstaff). It was a 12” black-and-white TV. (The first time I saw color TV I watched a Felix the Cat cartoon.) I remember having a party line and our phone number was BL 51327. I remember using a slipstick (slide rule) for my math homework. I remember my first four-function TI calculator costing $99.95. I remember building my North Star Horizon computer and Lear Seigler ADM-3 terminal; had to solder a million sockets to the motherboard and a 16K memory board was another $495.00. Life has been a wild, exciting ride and I wonder if any other generation will see the number of changes we have experienced.

Yeah, I see an issue. It’s not in my driveway.

I use rods from 6’8” to 7’9”. I find I get better hook sets with a longer rod since I can’t get the swing I want while sitting in my yak. The bigger concern for me is the length of the rod grip. I try to keep the length from the reel seat to the butt at under 12” to avoid snagging in my PFD. That being said, I can, with care, use up to 13”. Probably this issue is not a big deal depending on the kayak style as size.