PondBoss

got one for my birthday and really like it. It's one of the most fluid feeling reels I have used. I like it better than some higher priced reels I have used. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for all the replies, hopefully I will get a chance to give some different colors a try in the near future. I have fished the regular fluke with some success, but tend to have issues hooking up. That being said, it's a new year and new results are possible with the new equipment I have attained.

It seems the basic consensus is a no. lol I just wanted to make a couple of rods and see how it went. Maybe make a few cranks of my own too. But, after all of the replies, it seems it's more of something not to do unless I'm going to really get into it. Thanks guys, I appreciate all of the answers.

Change up your bait. When I was a kid and fishing for crawdads we used bacon, and it was hard not to catch a bucket full in a short time. If you do manage to catch a bunch of them and decide not to use them all for bait, they cook up really nice too

Going back the first weekend in June. I'm super hacked to go, especially since my wife decided she would just go shopping and let me go alone this time. lol Can't wait to get back up there with my guide Phillip Stone and catch some more big fish.

Printing?

I guess I need to try a couple of different colors. Today was more of the same story. I pull up to where I'm going to get in the water (I tube fish) and there are 3 2 lbers just chillin 5 feet away from me. Nothing I flipped in there at them made them even curious. Oh well though, fishing was tough today, I think a cold front is coming through or something as the wind suddenly changed from the South to the North.

I just got one a few weeks ago, and it has become one of my favorite reels. It never gets left at the house when I'm on the water.

After reading and hearing about all the swim bait hype, I finally bought some weighted hooks and a pack of Zoom paddle tail flukes. I took them down to a local pond which has pretty clear water (5ft visibility) I could see fish swimming around it and pecking at it, but only had one actually hit it. What do you think was the main factor in not having more success? I was using the white ice color. I was fishing it on a pretty steady retrieve with some pauses and jerks here and there. All of the tentative bites I got were almost as soon as it hit the water, but many fish followed it. I'm gonna guess that color was the main issue, what color would you have thrown? Or how would you have varied your retrieve?

I've been doing some looking around and have found some inexpensive ($20-$30)IM6 blanks on clearance. What is the difference between IM6, IM8 or the $25 rod at Wal-Mart? I have a couple IM6 rods, one IM8, and a couple $25 Wal-Mart jobs. I catch fish on all of them and honestly can't tell much difference. I do however have my favorites. Does anyone happen to make their own rods in the OKC area on this forum? I'd love to watch, learn, and ask any questions that may come up. As far as baits go..... I could see making jigs as a money saver in the long run. I think at this moment in time I have 5 of my 9 rods rigged up with jigs of various sizes and colors. As for crankbaits, I have seen what are said to be "OEM" blanks on EBAY for about $1 each. That would be a cheap experiment, but again my art skills lack at best. Not to take anything away from any of the amazing baits I have seen on this site and the people that have painted them, but does it take a lot of artistic prowess, or do you just kinda learn with trial and error as you go?

Broom handle? I assume for carving baits? If that is the case, I think all of my baits would end up as saw dust or thrown in the trash. My artistic ability is horrible on a good day. lol

I was just curious how much it costs you guys that make your own rods, tackle, etc. I've been doing a little bit of looking around and it seems way expensive to build your own rod, and or make your own baits. Granted, I understand you get the nifty feeling of catching fish on something you produced yourself, but does the end justify the means?

Welcome to BR, from Guthrie, OK

The talent you guys possess when making these baits makes me disgusted with my lack of artistic ability. I know I could easily put any of those baits in action and do well. Excellent work

Yo-Zuri hybrid 600 yards $8-$10

I'll take 5 of those

I saw you said client, how much does it cost to have you shoot some baits? I have zero artistic talent and would love some custom baits.

Are there any OKC area fishing clubs? I'd really like to get back into tournament fishing.

On my trip to Table Rock this weekend I went to the Original Bass Pro Shops, sweet store! The even sweeter store though is next door. (The Bass Pro outlet store) Got 2 Vendetta rods for $40 each Now I have extra rods, lol

"Rained out" means it rained buckets for the entire weekend. Our raingear definitely kept us dry, but funny how we all forget about our shoes. Hell it's still raining there, the lake rose about 6 inches in half a day. Can't wait to go back this summer and get a hold of some big smallies.

Unfortunately we got rained out, as apparently it is monsoon season this week. We did get to fish for about an hour and did manage to catch a nice meanmouth (1 1/2 lb)and solid largemouth (5 lb) before we called it quits. Our guide was and is a really nice guy and comped a future trip for us next time we come to town. Can't wait to get out again, hopefully with better weather.

I will be staying at Big Cedar Lodge, where is Aunt's Creek roughly from there? Thanks for the heads up.

Any fishing news or reports? Water temps, patterns, tactic suggestions? Thanks

It was a joke, or did you not figure that out?

What is a good quality low cost baitcasting reel option? Something under $60