SmallieJonze

Anyone interested???

John, I'll take it if the price is right. I think the Discovery models run 15'8" and 16'9" Let me know. Thanks!

For Sale: St.Croix Premier PS60MLF/Okuma Alumina AL20 combo.SOLD!!! Berkley LightningRod 6'6" casting rod/ABU Garcia 5500C3 reel. Paid $30 for the rod and $70 for the reel. Never used. BRAND NEW!!! Price:$100.00 OR BEST OFFER!!! PM me if interested. Thanks.

I wish I had posted this earlier! That canoe is almost exactly what I'm looking for. If your guy wants the yak, let me know soon... Thanks Rick, I'll check out craigslist if nothing happens here. John

SOLD!!!

Just got mine too. Like the glossy cover. Always a good read. "SmallieSchool" is in session.

"....O.k. just a few more casts and then I'm going home.....oooh, that looks like a great spot!...o.k. a few more...hey, that log looks promising...o.k., just one...or two more..." This is me trying to end my day. If I tell my better half that I'll be home by 2:00...She knows I'll be strolling in at 3:00.

I like it so far...Thanks Ken!

I'm going to rig the yak for fishing. As of now, I don't even have an anchor!! Believe me, it's no fun getting snagged while moving with the flow!! I have plans to build a cart for it too. Fish other areas of the Fox. Fish other rivers. I'm also going to work on finesse which involves patience. Me and patience are not good friends!! And...I'm going to remember to bring a trash bag with me to pick up the garbage that people leave behind...every little bit helps.

WOW!!! Thanks Gary! Guess I better start making some phone calls.

I was referring to the drain holes on the s.o.t.'s slowing you down.

I don't have a S.O.T. kayak but I've heard that the drain holes can cause wet butt. I've also heard that they slow you down. The advantage of them is they can easily be rigged for fishing...some of them come pre-rigged. Yes they are very stable compared to traditional kayaks. I've seen some models where you can stand on them and fish. Others can be rigged with outriggers. Some are absolute fishing machines! I have a sit inside style: Old Town Loon 138 that is good for fishing. It's stable and I'm in the process of rigging it up with some rod holders, anchor system, etc... The advantage to this style of yak is you can get a spray skirt and stay relatively warm and dry when it's cold or rainy, you can store lots of gear inside for longer trips, and they have adjustable seats and footpegs for more comfort. It's almost like a 14' canoe with a top on it. They handle a bit better on windy days whereas the sit on top yak has all your gear on top causing wind drag and you get blown around. I have to try pretty hard to tip mine. I don't know the avg. weight of a sit on top but the loon weighs about 60-70lbs. I like mine, but those who have the s.o.t.'s love them and they do seem more convenient for fishing. For all around use I would look at a Loon138( $500-$600). For strictly fishing, go with the sit on top. Hope that helps. JS

Don't know much about the Sahara's....sorry. I do own a Stradic1000. It's my one and only high-dollar reel. I love the light weight and the 6.0:1 ratio. I've heard the warnings about Shimano, but I've also heard lots of praise. I'm probably going to have to baby this reel, but so far I like it. I also have an Okuma Alumina20 which is a wee bit heavier than the Stradic, but it's a really nice, well made reel! There is even a water tight gasket to protect the drag disks from "dunk junk". For just under $70.00 it's a great deal. People who use Okuma's LOVE them. They usually end up using nothing else. I've actually have another Okuma (Inspira20) on order. If you ever get the chance, try one out, I chose mine over a Symetre and a Catalyst(Quantum). As far as my Stradic goes, I'll see how it treats me this year before I buy another one. I would highly suggest Okuma's to anyone.

I think I have some. Don't know if they are fat baby craws (threw the packaging away) but they are small (3 1/2"...?) Yamamoto craws. Haven't fished them yet, either. Ken at GAT gave me a few tips and suggested to cut half of the tail off and tip a strike king bitsy bug ( or something similar) with the craw. Hope that helps. I'll be fishing them this spring.

It sucks that I can't make it to the blowout. I have to work and getting a saturday off is like squeezing water out of a stone. I would have liked to meet some of you guys. But, I'll be at some of the outings and will participate in some conservation projects so I'll get a chance to meet & greet then. I was wondering....By any chance is someone going to videotape John's talk? If so, is there any way I could get a copy? I hope everyone has fun tonight! Remember to drive safe... JS

6lb test has done me good so far. Never had a problem with knots breaking or abrasion. Until I have a catastophic problem with it (other than the compound panther martin twist) I'll stick with it. I have spare spools with the 6# mono and spools with 20# braid (6lb dia.) I use both and like each for different reasons. Like I said before, It all comes down to personal preference. Heck, I have a brother who uses nothing but Ugly Stiks. He says they're the best rod going...........that's his preference. You say tomato, I say tomato......

I would have to agree with rich mc. Go see Ken at GAT guns. He won't steer ya wrong. Unless you're nowhere near Dundee. Then go to your local tackle shop. Watch out for the "big box" stores...you might get some kid who doesn't have a clue. I agree with you...Always try before you buy!!! It all comes down to personal preference!! Reputation is second. As for me, I have 2 smallie setups. 1. 6'ML St. Croix w/ an Okuma reel spooled up with 6#mono. Being brand new, I don't know if I like using a 6' rod yet. 2. 6'6"ML St. Croix w/ an ABU Garcia reel spooled up with a 20#superline. Each cost around $150 at GAT guns. As far as lines go, I like both, so far. Haven't tried flourocarbon. Also...go to www.tackletour.com they review lots of gear. Basspro and Cabela's have some user reviews online too.

I wake up in the middle of the night fighting the fish of my life at least twice a week..... I have my own room now.

I went over to GAT guns today and felt out some reels. Had the Energy, Catalyst, Sahara, Symetre, Stradic (junk?...really??) a Daiwa SS tournament, and that Okuma Alumina out for a look. Didn't see an President. Still curious about those... Soooooo...I picked out a nice St. Croix Premier 6' ML rod and put each of the reels on. That Stradic was sweet! All the Shimano's and Quantum's were great, but I ended up with the Okuma Alumina AL20. It just felt right on that particular rod...and the price was right at $65.00. If I had tons of cash I would have decided differently....possibly the Stradic or Catalyst. Of course, I also went home with the rod. The rod purchase affected my reel budget. But that's o.k. Ken Darga helped me out. Some of you know him. That guy knows a thing or two about a thing or two . He could have easily pushed me to buy the more expensive reel, too but...no. He took the time to help me find what was right for me, my pocketbook, and what balanced out the rod. Spooled me up with some mean green at no extra charge and gave me a rod cover too. Great guy! I'm beginning to really like that place. Well, I feel I made a good choice so far. We'll see after a year or so... Thanks for all your input and suggestions, everyone.

Big fan of the Palomar knot, myself. Haven't broke off at the knot yet.

Yeah....Marriage can do that to ya!

I thought that if I had a $500.00 Brand X reel on a $300.00 Brand X rod, I would magically catch fish like a pro.......... .......At least that's what the ads in the magazines and t.v. shows tell me .

These reels look great and seem like they work great in the store, but how well do they perform after a couple years? That's the burning question. These reels are among a few in my price range that I'm interested in. A Pfleuger President is up for consideration too. I currently have an ABU Garcia 502ALB which is real nice, but I would like to get something a bit smoother and more balanced for a similar price. I was wondering if any of you have used these reels and what your thoughts are after using them for a while. My budget allows me one (don't tell the wife that though... she should be glad I'm not buying a Steez). Thanks, John

I'm not necessarily choosing fiberglass over graphite. I'm just going to try it out. Maybe I'll like it, maybe I won't. I don't have an opinion on fiberglass...yet.

I want to pick up a fiberglass crankin' rod this year to round out my arsenal... I heard that S-glass is lighter, tougher, and more sensitive than E-glass but for some reason S-glass rods are hard to find. I did manage to find one but don't know if there are downfalls to S-glass when compared to E-glass. So I'm reluctant to buy it until I get some opinions. Anyone care to chime in on this one?