JayW

Bill Dance fishes a lot of private Florida pits and other private ponds from what I hear. You can tell it from the footage too. I really enjoy watching ole Bill. He's a lot of fun and seems to always have a good time. I would too if I had access to all those private pits! Most shows are from a few times out. I've seen several, such as Jimmy Houston and Shaw Grigsby who mentioned that they had fished a few days to make the show. They weren't trying to hide it. It can be tough sometimes, so I fully understand! 8-)

I would have never guessed Ariana to produce anything worthwhile! I used to ski out there all the time as a kid. (Grew up in Winter Haven and Lake Alfred) I've caught a lot of nice Bass out of Ariana. I caught one a little over 10lbs also from there. A few years back, it was nothing to catch 30-40 Bass out there on a good day. The last few years... it's been hard fishing. I get into them from time to time, but they are hard to find compared to a few years ago.

Tulsa, OK http://www.imaginationbassin.com/gblanksproducts.htm ls1jay - G. Loomis's brother bought out Shikari Blanks recently and that's the blanks G-Blanks uses also. Shikari blanks are awesome too! I have a couple in my collection.

Keep in mind that Kistler uses someone elses blanks. Loomis makes their own (and they are awesome blanks might I add!). Anyone could make a rod as lite as the Kistler if they chose to! I'm not sure if Kistler still uses the Rainshadow blanks, but they are made by Batson or at least Batson carries them. I've looked through them before. I didn't care for them. I prefer St Croix, Lamiglass or Loomis blanks. People want to argue about how good the Kistler copmponents are, yet, I always hear about reel seat problems, hook keeper problems, guide rings popping out, epoxy failure, ETC... These are the facts. If you have a Kistler that is a "good one" be happy for it! You are one of the lucky ones. We all have the right to chose what we like and what we don't. I have no problem with the people who like the Kistlers. I'm just pointing out some simple facts that some don't want to believe.

Um, why would you even want to know this? :-/ Kinda like asking if female Bass have breasts! ;D

Yes, LOTS of Ospreys here! Quite a few Bald Eagles too, but you don't see them near as much. I see them at Lk Ariana a lot. One was trying to catch a bunch of coots one day right near where I was fishing. You should have seen them scatter. The Eagle was unsuccessful. Anyone ever see a Caracara? I see them down near the Lk Wales area a lot. Really neat birds!

Bass fishing can be very addictive! 8-)

You can't fish a worm to slow. Well, at least most of the time. Most people who don't do well with them are usually working them too fast.

Sounds about right for a 21" Bass. I don't see how someone thought she was a 13 lber though. I saw a 12+ lb Bass that was 23" one time. The game warden shocked her out at Tenoroc's Hydrilla lk back in it's hay day! I was actually with the game warden that day helping shock fish. Long story! 8-) That fish looked like a football! It was unreal! The fish in my avatar was 13.1 lbs. It was back in '98. I caught her out of Lk Ariana in 12' of water on a rattle trap. Fattest fish I've ever caught!

Just so you know... I have only posted the facts. No BS here! And for the note... You may have the cheapest POS rod in the world and never have a blank, guide or reel seat failure. No one said cheaper components won't work. It's just with rod building, you have your Lexus models and then you have your Kia models. And no. I'm not comparing the Kistler to a Kia. Jeez... now I'm gonna have all the people who drive Kia's mad at me! :-?

No. You're still wrong. I compared 2 of the same types. Fuji doesn't list a exposed reel seat in their deluxe line on the Mudhole site for some reason. I compared 2 standard reel seats. There is a difference. Besides, I said said I didn't have a problem with Pac Bay. I just prefer Fuji. As far as people catching hogs with them. I've seen people catch hogs on Zebcos! I think you're getting all worked up because you have Kistler rods and feel the need to defend them since you like them. More power to you. You speak your mind and I'll speak mine. The facts are that Kistler is only a rod builder! They don't make their own blanks like St Croix or Loomis or some of the others. The do what I do. Build rods using other peoples components! Those are the fact.

I've always hated AOL. 8-)

Wow! You sound like a real pro! : What Fuji real seats are you comparing them to? I go to Mudhole all the time. I've been in their warehouse. As far as more thread goes... it means nothing but more weight! I was talking about lite build epoxy vs high build. not lite on the epoxy! I meant they use lite epoxy to keep the rods lite. Not that they don't use enough. Nothing really wrong with that unless you're fighting really big fish (Snook, Reds, ETC) Standard Pac Bay reel seat at Mud hole: Your Price: $3.05 $5.75 Standard Fuji reel seat at Mud hole: Your Price: $4.52 $6.58 Maybe you need to do a little more research! Oh, and what size guides do the Kistlers have? Give me the specs please. I know they use low profile guides to reduce weight as well. I think you really have misunderstood my point. I was pointing out that anyone can build a lite rod using lite components. 1 more thing... Pac Bay makes some decent stuff! I prefer Fuji, but Pac Bay is not junk!

Let me ask you another dumb question... are you giving it full throttle to come out of the hole? You may need to. I used to own a Charger Bass Boat with a Chopper prop on it and it had a horrible hole shot. Top end was great and so was the rooster tail, but the hole shot sucked! I had to give it WOT and it still took a bit to get up on plane. I now have a 4 blade prop on my flats boat and it jumps up on plane and although the top end is not as fast as a lot of Bass boats, 0-55 it's hard to beat!

Actually, I'm talking about a bow mounted 82# thrust Motorguide in my case. However, the Bigfoot button can be hooked up to any trolling motor, even transom mounted, but is not wireless. You control it with a button using your foot. Here it is. Hope this helps! Designed to fit all hand-operated 12V or 12/24V trolling motors, this trolling motor foot switch is equipped with two switches in one: momentary and on/off, has a foot or hand-activated on/off lever and comes with 32'' heavy-duty marine wiring. Recommended and used by Tommy Martin, professional bass angler and fishing guide. Installation and wiring required. Wal-Mart has them for $12 and some change.

Hey, you're entitled to your opinion. Well, at lest mine have quality components. Just so you know... I'm not in the rod building business. I have a business, but not making rods. I started making my own rods because I couldn't find what I wanted in a rod and had a friend who had been building rods since 1970. He taught me how and I started making my own. I do build rods for other people, but usually only a friend or a friend of a friend. I don't have the time to start making rods as a business. Just wanted to make that clear. I'm not in the rod building business. To all the Kistler owners... I'm not really trying to bash them. If they are now using Fuji components as someone stated... I'm sure they are a much better rod for it! 8-)

I'll say a prayer for ya'! My cousin is in Iraq. He's in the air force.

Someone sent me a link about that hog just yesterday.

I had a 1939 Sea Nymph 14' V-hull. It was bare aluminum and stayed half way clean, but definitely not shiny. Shouldn't cause any problems to sand it down.

Not around here. Too many big Gators! I'm sure it would work out just fine without them.

What kind of prop are you running?

Nice! I'd love to catch some big Smallmouth Bass. I just don't see any around here in central Florida.

Nice Bass. Sure looks pretty up that way. I need a vacation! 8-)

Lew's used to make some awesome rods back in the day! I used one for well over 15 yrs.

Well said. I think any well made reel will do the job. It's personal preference after that. I like Calcuttas, I also like the old Abu Morums. I only like round reels with a metal reel seat plate. It's just what I like.