FISHING SEASON 2K12!!!!!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
my real problem is now that I bought some high end rods, the average store bought stuff just doesnt do it for me :/ Im really digging the one piece with the cork handles and the one piece stainless steel eyes.
 
right?? idk how but ive overnight turned in to a bit of a gear snob! i grew up on cheap combos and they caught fish just as well, in fact i just had to retire a tiger spinning combo we bought for $20 at wal mart 10+ years ago and here i am looking at penn gear because mine just isnt nice enough.. sad thing is that tiger spinning combo still has some life its just time i gave it a rest, screws are all rusty but i could fix it up for 2-3 bucks tops. I really want this penn fierce 3000 spinner for saltwater but i already have this fleuger presidential i bought in spring 2009, id be just as well off buying a new rod for it and using it for the casting at the beach i want the penn for, yet here i am looking at this thing haha. so addicting you're right
 
All of the newer Penn spinning reels are junk. The only decent ones right now are the Battles but for about $50 more you can get a Shimano Stradic which are FAR better reels.

Wait until you guys get into custom built rods.

I have three right now and just sold another.

I have an old 10ft Garcia Conolon blank made in the late 50's/early 60's that has been completely restored by sanding the blank, rewrapped, fresh flex coat and new cork. Its a beautiful piece of fiberglass and is a hell of a surf rod. I can also sling a cobe jig with it too. I also have an 8ft Seeker blank custom wrapped with titanium guides. Unfortunately on my last boat trip I broke one of the guides some how. I have a Penn 710 greenie with a custom manual bail on this rod and I use it primarily for slinging cigs. My other custom rod is a 7.5ft St. Croix blank. I dont know what exact model it is but its my "heavier" inshore rod. I have a Penn 712z on this rod.
 
the battles are nicer but everything i've read on the fierce say it's a very similar reel and the drag works pretty well, its one that i would have for casting gotchas and plugs at spanish and blues and in the fall albacore, but still researching, still thinking i should just stick with my presidential for the same application and just get a new rod for it
 
The rods that I am currently buying are basically "custom". These are hobbyist made rods that are starting to be sold in higher quantities. Id love to get a custom rod built but I wouldnt even know where to begin choosing a blank. I know for sure which hardware I expect on my rods now.
 
Ive looked into wrapping my own rods and it actually looks pretty simple. You can check out videos on youtube and honestly it doesnt look much more difficult then tying a fly. Now you can get fancy with it and do some fancy weaves but that is just for show any way. You can get a decent wrapper and some basic supplies for a few hundred bucks. Then your blanks will run you about half or less of what a built rod would.

Check out mudhole.com
 
The penn fierce is nice, got mine last year. Its holding up real nicely, caught everything from bass to spanish mackerel with it. In November i was using it to catch some upper slot limit redfish and pulling them out of the pilings.
 
Ive looked into wrapping my own rods and it actually looks pretty simple. You can check out videos on youtube and honestly it doesnt look much more difficult then tying a fly. Now you can get fancy with it and do some fancy weaves but that is just for show any way. You can get a decent wrapper and some basic supplies for a few hundred bucks. Then your blanks will run you about half or less of what a built rod would.

Check out mudhole.com

I have heard of that site. Its something I may look into one day for an extra hobby when I have some time. Would be pretty sweet to customize the look and action of the rod perfectly for your needs.
 
The penn fierce is nice, got mine last year. Its holding up real nicely, caught everything from bass to spanish mackerel with it. In November i was using it to catch some upper slot limit redfish and pulling them out of the pilings.

good to know, which model do you have? i'm considering the 3000 but thinking the 4000 would be better, only a few oz heavier and a lot more line capacity
 
Took the yak out to get some oysters and more sheepshead today. Forgot we had a lot of rain over the last couple of days and the visibility was horrible, maybe 5 feet, maybe. I dont like being in murky water all by my self so I didnt stay long. The fish were there but I couldnt see them until I got right up on them. I shot one but then went for the oysters. I wasnt in my oyster spot and given the viz I didnt want to waste my time by paddling over to the oyster beds so I just pulled a couple dozen big hand sized oysters off the pillings.

Because Im still borrowing a buddies wetsuit, I brought the loot over to his house. He enjoyed the dinner.

Hopefully tomorrow the viz will be better, if not I might actually have to use a rod and reel!
 
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