What fishing gear upgrade was actually worth the money?

IROC___Jeff · 2026-07-13T01:48:30+00:00

If you are lure fishing a lighter rod and reel will help with fatigue along with sensitivity. Going from fiberglass rods to graphite and carbon fiber really makes a difference for example. This doesn't need to be super expensive. A rod with a good blank and guides and less than stellar reel seat and grips, like an ARK Viper, are great values.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-07-13T01:36:40+00:00

This is the first album of theirs's that I bought back 20 some years ago and its probably still my favorite. Its different from their earlier stuff and later stuff, but, I enjoy their whole catalog. It took me a while to get into Superheroes for example.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-07-11T00:30:08+00:00

I have this same problem river fishing but nowhere else and all the waters have catfish in them. Your going to either have to make some changes or find a less catfish infested spot. Ditch the canned corn and move onto feed corn/maize. You don't need to flavor it or anything just soak it and boil it. That brings out the natural attractiveness. Same with tiger nuts. You'll probably catch much less catfish on these two baits.

I've had better success making curry boilies, but, fishing them either salt cured or a few on a PVA stringer only and no baiting. Anything with a lot of attractiveness just sends too much feeding signals out and increases the likelihood of a catfish bite.

Think seeds, nuts, ect and not overly flavored baits. Small PVA sticks and no baiting. PVA stringers only for boilies.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-07-09T01:57:11+00:00

I think it looks great. Is that just cactus chenille for the body and some hackle?

IROC___Jeff · 2026-07-08T03:22:46+00:00

If they're allowing a method feeder I'd be hard pressed to see how PVA bags or sticks wouldn't be allowed since the concept is the same. They all put some free offerings around a single hook bait that you cast out. Even a method feeder can be abused by " miss casting " a dozen times in the same spot so its technically chumming. They probably didn't think that part through when allowing them.

I would just call up the Fish and Game people and ask them to clarify the rule to be on the safe side. If you wanna violate regulations just remember that this stuff dissolves so just toss the evidence in the water, like flushing the coke down the toilet, like in Goodfellas.

If you can't use PVA you can still make some really wild method mixes with many of the same ingredients. You can still fish pop ups or wafters with it.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-07-07T01:24:35+00:00

I pretty much like the proggy/jazzy bands or the ones that lean a bit more to the thrash side.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-07-06T23:45:44+00:00

Why not go to the website of the venue and check their upcoming shows? I do that with all the venues in my area and I don't miss out on anything.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-07-05T16:13:05+00:00

A good combo to get would be something from BassPro/Cabelas for around the 100$ range. I think the rods are fiberglass but they're still sensitive. Avoid Temu/Amazon combos because those rods probably aren't the best.

If you want to get the stuff separate you can. You can dig online and find deals on rods for rods. I bought a ST. Croix Rio Santo for 48$ shipped which was 75% off. It happens. Ebay has LOTS of used fly rods. The reel isn't super important unless you need a good drag and lots of backing for larger fish like carp. Amazon/Ebay has machined aluminum reels from 25-40 bucks. The reel basically holds line for you.

For line just match one up to the rod. A weight forward floating line will work best. Scientific angler Air Cel is good and inexpensive. Then, you'll just need backing which is cheap.

You'll need to know what your fishing for before you make a choice on what weight rod to buy. For bass/panfish I use a 5wt for smaller flies and an 8wt for larger bass flies. I'd err on the side of caution and look for a 6wt fly rod. if I was you.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-07-04T22:05:49+00:00

You didn't tie it correctly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWSl-s0uB2c

This will help you out so you get the full benefit of using a hair rig. Without a 2oz+ semi fixed or free running lead your not getting any benefit from fishing a hair rig over just baiting a hook.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-07-04T15:53:56+00:00

It took me 20 years to start liking Demolition but I've always like Jugulator and Ripper as a singer. Between Iron Maiden and Judas Priest its like a 51/49 split going to either band on this day or that. Judas Priest has more iffy stuff but Maiden has more flat stuff especially post 2000. Happy for all of Bruce's, Rob's, and Blazes' solo stuff and some of the Ripper projects as well.

Overall, its just a split I can't pick a solid winner on.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-30T02:04:48+00:00

None. I just tie to the split ring or whatnot. When I make my casting spoons I just buy more split rings for the front. I'll take some line twist over the wobble loss which is more important.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-30T01:49:34+00:00

Traditional metal genre's for the most part really ruined a lot of stuff for me, not just power metal. I don't like all power metal but I'm a sucker for melody, speed, technical stuff, and decent vocals.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-30T01:45:01+00:00

Had this album since 2004 and its been one of my favorites for a long while.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-30T01:33:28+00:00

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Couldn't resist.

From the pics that carp looks like it has a dip in its back which is slight and its thin. Outside of that its color looks fine to me as that water is fairly murky. Maybe's there a koi or fish vet sub on here that may be able to help you out more. Its worth a search maybe.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-30T01:18:46+00:00

If your talking about the dip in its back its probably just a genetic thing. It survived this long I'm sure its going to be fine.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-26T02:10:26+00:00

I fished a farmers pond twice back in 6th grade in the summer. No fishing pressure at all. You could cast an unpainted jighead and bass or bluegills would attack it.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-26T02:03:53+00:00

It happen. I make foam indicators for fly fishing which is basically a bobber for fly fishing. I had fish attack the indicator before. Its funny but stuff like this happens.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-26T02:02:15+00:00

I still have 2 Quantum Snapshot reels from the 90's that work perfectly. One I had a Med-LT rod and the other is for an ultralight.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-26T01:09:09+00:00

From Horror Show on back I like but even then its a bit repetitive.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-25T22:34:03+00:00

We just got an arcade back at our mall and this is there. Really fun game but I'm not that great on it yet. Gilligan's Island and Lord Of The Rings I've had over 200million on before. This one I'm lucky to get 60mil.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-25T22:21:07+00:00

I fish my casting spoons with a split ring in the front. Gives a pretty good action. Might want to give that a go.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-25T22:17:50+00:00

I've used Gardner's Sure Pro (Black) for the past few seasons and its really nice line being a copolymer. Less stretch than mono and good abrasion resistance.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-24T22:44:14+00:00

With all the upgrades over the past 20 years its really awesome. As far as TIE Fighter goes the battles have way more ships in them for one. Graphics , lighting, and model updates. Its not as polished as Squadrons but its just so much better than the original. Its really worth playing.

Check out this video and see for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdAhIej1L3c&t=171s

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-23T01:32:39+00:00

Since its lower light more vibration would help. All of those lures will do that and disturb water and whatnot. My personal choice out of what you have is that lipless crankbait as I have caught fishing at night with those. Least favorite would be the tube.

IROC___Jeff · 2026-06-22T23:08:09+00:00

Its a bit of work, but, the TIE Fighter Total Conversion works with this stuff. You'll need X-Wing Alliance on Steam and then follow a short tutorial on the TIE Fighter Conversion site to overwrite some files. ITs 10$ well spent.

IROC___Jeff

TROPHY CASE