This year I went all out 3 new rods st croix 2 new reels ABU revo the Last time I bought a new rig was 25 years ago if you get quality it lasts

 

As previously posted I bought a Shimano Sienna 2500 a while back. I like it so much I picked up a 500-size Sienna. Problem was, I'd sold my backup UL rod & reel. So I bought a UL Berkley Lightening rod to pair with the 500.

I've caught several dinks on Salt Creek with this setup and continue to be impressed by the Sienna - the Lightening also punches above its weight. All-in-all a great pairing for UL applications.

Still can't figure out how Shimano makes a reel this smooth with only 4 bearings & less than $30 - the 500 was under $20. Their upmarket reels must be awesome. If one of my Pfluegers wears out I'll be tempted to replace it with a more expensive Shimano.

 

Still can't figure out how Shimano makes a reel this smooth with only 4 bearings

I think that number of bearings is nothing but a marketing trick at this point. I mean what all the bearings in the world are going to do for you when your axle is stamped Chinese crap?

 

I think that number of bearings is nothing but a marketing trick at this point. I mean what all the bearings in the world are going to do for you when your axle is stamped Chinese crap?

Good point. I guess the assumption is that in spite of the fact that most reels today are made in China the folks who put their names on them have some control over quality. Otherwise why don't we all buy reels & rods with names we can't pronounce? Plenty of them on eBay too.

Meant to mention, one way Shimano cut costs on Siennas is in the handle material - hard, slick plastic. If your hands are wet it becomes really slippery. Easy, cheap fix is a bit of hockey tape. If you're careful it won't upset the balance.

 

I think that number of bearings is nothing but a marketing trick at this point. I mean what all the bearings in the world are going to do for you when your axle is stamped Chinese crap?

Good point. I guess the assumption is that in spite of the fact that most reels today are made in China the folks who put their names on them have some control over quality. Otherwise why don't we all buy reels & rods with names we can't pronounce? Plenty of them on eBay too.

Meant to mention, one way Shimano cut costs on Siennas is in the handle material - hard, slick plastic. If your hands are wet it becomes really slippery. Easy, cheap fix is a bit of hockey tape. If you're careful it won't upset the balance.

Never heard anyone mention that handle being plastic before. Is it "chromed" plastic?

A few years ago I remember hearing lot of complaints about the 1000 sized having bail spring issues.

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I think that number of bearings is nothing but a marketing trick at this point. I mean what all the bearings in the world are going to do for you when your axle is stamped Chinese crap?

Good point. I guess the assumption is that in spite of the fact that most reels today are made in China the folks who put their names on them have some control over quality. Otherwise why don't we all buy reels & rods with names we can't pronounce? Plenty of them on eBay too.

Meant to mention, one way Shimano cut costs on Siennas is in the handle material - hard, slick plastic. If your hands are wet it becomes really slippery. Easy, cheap fix is a bit of hockey tape. If you're careful it won't upset the balance.

Never heard anyone mention that handle being plastic before. Is it "chromed" plastic?

A few years ago I remember hearing lot of complaints about the 1000 sized having bail spring issues.

He probably meant the knob? My Sienna is 3-5 years old, and things may have changed, but the handle itself is very much metal.

 

Yeah - sorry, I meant the knob.

 

New Whopper Plopper 75 coming today. Rooster Tail coming tomorrow.

 

New Whopper Plopper 75 coming today. Rooster Tail coming tomorrow.

I like how the 75s run a lot, something about the fat shape on it. Has been my go to for top water this summer.

 

New Whopper Plopper 75 coming today.

I know a place where one hangs from the tree. Haven't been able to reach it though

 

My best friend found one in a bush at Skokie Lagoons a couple years ago. It's a 90 so he thinks it's too big. Says he's going to Cabelas to get smaller ones with points.

 

Plano Deluxe Rod Case because I'm tired of carrying the bazooka up North every year.

 

I love homemade hair jigs because they catch tons of fish & allow for infinite customization.

I hate homemade hair jigs because because losing them to snags & teeth hurts a tinge more than losing something you can replace in 1 swipe of the card.

By this time of the summer, most years, the bucktail jig bite dies off, for me, & falls to the wayside in favor of bigger plastics or hard baits. This year I still seem to be catching good fish whenever I throw them, walleyes, smallies, crappie & a few dink musky, so why ask why?
Finally found some time (and materials!) to help restock the box. I hope they last a while!

 

Finally found some time (and materials!) to help restock the box. I hope they last a while!

I have a question about that - what it the best/most economical way to get bucktail. eBay?

 

Your stuff works I can attest to that. I have been dabbling in making some homemade ones myself. It's kind of cool to catch fish on your own stuff.

~JOE~

 

My new HF setup. I blame joetrain for this. This is literally what I told the wife "but honey, some guy from the internets told me I need a rod for heavy lures". Ideally I would have gone with 735c - I think that its lower weight limit might have some in handy, but it would have been $100 more expensive and I would have had two identical-looking setups. Of course there's Sierra and Champion, but that would have been even steeper. So Shimano SLX it is.

And as if I don't have enough chatterbaits I bought more. This is Jackhammer Stealth with clear polycarbonate blade which supposed to give slimmer, more finessy profile. Does it work? Time will tell. I paid $40 for a set of 4 which I guess is not bad for a higher end version of chatterbait.

 

I’ve done worse damage in the past.

Last week I lost a Jackhammer chatterbait when the snap on the lure just stretched out.
I blame Heddonfrog for that. He’s the one that got me to spend way more than I should have on a lure.

~JOE~

 

A couple years ago HEDDON tried to convince me to buy a JDM rod. Managed to resist his entreaties. My membership in the AACB was at stake.

 

Heck even fresh road kills 😁

 

I have friends that deer hunt so they keep me in bucktail.

~JOE~

 

When I was a kid meps would buy squirrel tails or trade for some of their spinners i sent some in for trade

 

Hardly exciting, but desperately needed. Came into town for the holidays & got a chance to spend some time with the molds & pouring pot:

240 of 1/4oz ball-heads on 1/0 eagle claw laser-sharp, black-nickel hooks
140 of 1/8 ballheads on #1 mustad needle-point hooks.
100 of 1/4oz teardrop heads on 2/0 owner light-wires.

This should keep me busy tying for a good portion of the winter!

 

Nice pile of jigs do you paint them I have a few molds myself

 

I do paint them by powder-coating.

 

When you have a few done please post a picture I have some jigs I made but never finished

 

Some examples:

 

Vary nice also nice to see another casters