Bazoo

I've been trying a little bit of everything, some working some not, at least not the day I tried it. I did get a little bit better fish. I weighed him and the scale said 1 lb 5 oz, sure felt closer to 2 lb and had the body for it but, the scale is on. Thank you @Jig Man for the spinnerbait I used! I haven't fished the whole lake yet, but getting this little bit nicer one got me very excited, and thinking that maybe the big ones just don't hang out in the areas I've fished so far.

Very nice, congratulations! Wouldn't we all? Heck I look like that on a 4 pounder! This one I posted earlier this year was just shy of 4lbs... I still get the grin whenever I look at the picture or talk about it!

Man's got to finance his lures somehow.

I found this fluke on the ground at the local reservoir, and put it in my pocket. When my worm decided to play out, I decided it had one more rigging left on it.

Me and my son went to the local reservoir for about an hour just before dark. Got this feisty little crappie on a 1/4oz crankbait. Pretty little guy. This nice little one came on a fluke I found laying on the ground. I picked it up, and figured I could rig it one more time, and it worked like a charm.

I appreciate the replies. It's got me to thinking, perhaps I should try building/repairing rods. I don't have a passion for it (yet), but I've seen a bit of information on how it's done and I know I could handle it. The repair thing really makes me think... At this point, I'd certainly attempt to replace a guide if I happened upon a nice used rod with a broken insert. I have one that needs a new tip top, and I am sure I can handle that. I removed the old one so I could measure without issue. Thanks everyone for the replies, really gets you to thinking.

Thank you all for the replies, suggestions, and tips. One of the things I forgot to mention, is that I am using the current rod for smaller lures; 1/4 oz crankbaits, small spinnerbaits, sometimes a frog or a texas rig (I mostly use a spinning rod for texas rigs). I do have other rods better suited to crankbaits (the Cabelas cranking stick is the stuff!), and others for general purpose stuff, be I find that I fish tight cover a lot from the bank and the rod in question actually gets more time than the others due to it's size, limberness, and the ability to put a lure right where I want it. It's about the most accurate rod I have, or I am the most accurate with it of the ones I have/have tried. The Berkley lighting rod 7' Medium, is about like casting a broomstick. It's okay with a 1/2oz lure, but anything beginning to be light and it isn't controllable. What I'm finding out is that casting control is more important to me than other features.

Thank's all, thank you @Team9nine

I have several buddies I fish with, but we are bank fishermen and meet there without much of a system or plan. Neither have been on my bass buster with me. I've had another friend on the boat... and lets just say, he got a 2 minute violation for leaving the boat. He didn't care for it nearly as much as I did, as it was a slow day.

I caught this little guy, and it appears he has a worm or something in his mouth. Anyone know what this is?

Am I the only one that stares at this thread for hours?

Well, I've since been on the search for fiberglass rods that are suitable to me, and I can't find anything. The above brightriver is confusing... I take it they aren't sold ready to go? I can't find them, only rods without seats. And the $400 price is a deal breaker. I want a 6' with straight cork grip, medium power. I'm thinking I might end up having a custom rod built... I wonder how much that'd cost? I ain't picky... but I also want it to fall within certain parameters.

Several nice bass from a local reservoir as well as some from a couple local ponds.

Pretty little sunfish. Feisty Little guy could use a good meal. Most important meal of the day. Me and the boy will fish lures a while, then fish worms, then back to lures. Funny, he has better luck with a texas rig than actual worms - they pick him clean.

I've been fishing the new spot here and there. Trying new things, or things I haven't tried in a long time. Some working and some not. One day I tried a bunch of stuff and nothing worked, then switched back to a squarebill and got a few without issue. Kinda makes me wonder if squarebills are the stuff like everyone says they are. Today, I got one on a lizard pulled across the surface. That was a first for that technique for me. I just started doing that. I also fish live worms there some, see what's going on. There are bluegill along with those sunfish. Not caught any cats, but I seen a huge carp trolling the surface. I was able to connect with the H&H spinner that I've never had luck with before.

I have been using their squarebills a while and they hold up well. I like the standard size as well as their 1/4oz (what they call ultralight). I have one that I’ve caught over 30 fish on, including a 3 1/4lb bass. the paints held up good and the factory hooks are still sharp.

Got these the other day at a city pond I frequent. I don't fish there a huge amount. Today, I had a small one, then this 3 lb 4 oz monster. It hit that H2OX crank, and man, it was on. Started stripping line off of Abu Black Max. Praise God! Finished the trip with a nice fighter. Always glad to welcome another to the party! Needless to say, I'll be frequenting there more often!

Thanks. My boy does love to go. He usually goes 2-3 times a week.

The boy can t-rig like a pro.

Thanks @Bulldog1935 . That is a classy looking rod for sure.

No, I use a baitcaster on it. I like the way it feels, it is fiberglass, has a very soft tip, 5'6" length, and is excellent to cast in tight spots. I want a better quality rod that has the same features as this one.

Here are some pics. Crazy sunfish. Anyone know if they are hybrid bluegill or what? I think this is the best one I've caught.

Thanks all. The rod in question was made this century but it is a very cheap one. It has what appears to be ceramic inserts. I haven't a clue what the specs are on it. It was given to me by an old man at church and I'd guess it to be from the late 80s judging by the Zebco 33 that was on it. It casts good in tight spaces however.

The title says it. What types of inserts, if any, will not stand up to braided line? I have an older Zebco casting rod, with a baitcasting reel on it, that I like for some situations. I'd love to run braid on it but I suspect that the guide inserts wouldn't hold up. I like the rod because it's fiberglass, the tip is very soft, and I can cast light lures in tight spots.

Absolutely @Fishlegs. Thank you for the suggestions. I am grateful, and I think they can tell. I also am very polite most of the time. When we had our first conversation the only thing asked of me was to not to leave any trash/make a mess. Their property is nicely kept, so I assume that not making a mess would include stuff like, not leaving logs/sticks/rocks in the are that gets mowed. Along with not leaving trash, I volunteered that I would: • pick up any trash I find (I've removed minor trash all 3 times) • not bring anyone other than my family without permission • not be there half the night (I did say that if I happened to be there in the evening the latest I might fish would be 30 minutes past dark) • that I was primarily catch and release He said all that was fine. I also asked if there were any specific things he'd like for me to do or not do, which there wasn't any at that time. Funny you mention bringing a token of appreciation, I did just that the last time I was there, when I met the Mrs. I took a wooden bowl I'd made that I thought might match their decor, judging by the outside of their home and general style. She seemed to like it pretty well.