eric1978

Thanks for all the pointers Drew. You lost me a little on the line. When I hear line, I think test and diameter...I got a lot to learn. I just want a quality reel that matches the rod and does what it's supposed to do. Not worried about the money that much. What are the major differences in models? Mostly capacity?

Okay, this is a great start gentlemen...thanks for all the advice. Looks like I'll be looking for a 9' 5wt. I can't bring myself to buy junk...if I don't like it I'll just sell it. So, Sage, TFO, St. Croix...obviously Loomis is an option...any other brands to suggest? Also, you guys got any tips on reels?

I guess I'm committing to finally getting my first fly rod, but I have no idea what to look for. I'd like to get something to chase bows and browns with, but versatile enough to be able to sling bigger flies for smallmouth with it, too. What length and weight would you guys recommend for a good all-around fly rod and what reel to go with it? Thanks all.

Hey JJ, here's a little info on how to set up a Texas-rigged plastic worm, which is by far the most common way to hook it. Wayne is right, though, it does take a little practice to learn to use this bait, and you'd probably be better off starting off using some of the lures I will show you below. Keep in mind that a couple of these are strictly bass lures, although a few of them will catch trout, too. Oh, and the colors of the worms...a lot of times it doesn't really matter, especially during the summer when fish are more active...we'll talk about that later. It's tough to see in the picture, but there is what's called a slip-sinker on the line above the hook. Texas rigging steps 1 – Place hook in worm: I like to position the hook in a little bit deeper than the length of the neck of the hook. Usually on a 2/0 VMC, that depth is about 1/8-inch deep before I turn it out through the bottom of the plastic. 2 – Thread the hook through the worm: Carefully slide the length of the hook through the hole you have created in the plastic until it looks like the second picture. The eye of the hook can be inside the plastic a little or it can be out. This variation can be determined by your preference or that of the fish. 3 – Insert hook into plastic again: Leave the point buried in the plastic for a pure Texas rig or pop it out for a “Texposed” set up. If there’s a bend in the worm, that’s ok, it may provide added triggering action. 4 – “Texpose” the hook: When fishing sparse cover, Texpose the hook by pushing the point all the way through the plastic. Then pierce the point into the underlying plastic to prevent vegetation from accumulating on the lure. Just remember, if the hook point is not out of the plastic, you will have to set the hook harder to penetrate both the plastic and the mouth of the fish. 5 – Add a weight: Attaching a bullet sinker of varying size at the front of your offering will help you deliver your snag-proof, fish-catching composition to any depth and at any rate of fall. There's endless amounts of this kind of info on the internet, can't remember where I just found this. Here are some lures that would be easy for you and your kids to start with...you just cast them out and reel them back in... Rooster Tail (Bass and Trout) Maribou Jig (Bass and Trout) Floating Rapala Minnow (Bass and Trout) Spinnerbait (Bass only) The Texas-rigged plastic worm above is also a bass lure. These are just a few of the thousands of lures you can use, but they are pretty standard starting lures and a lot of guys keep using them year after year. It would help to know what kind of reels and tackle you have. This is a spinning reel: This is a spincast reel: This is a baitcasting reel: Also, if you have a camera, you could take a few pictures of what's in the tackle boxes, and that would be helpful, too. It sounds like you won't have to spend any money...If we just knew what you had, we could tell you what would be the easiest to use and how to use it. Sounds like you have quite a bit of tackle to choose from.

From what I hear Big Joe can put a whoopin' on you with or without a broken rod. Thanks for the warranty info. That's actually not that bad of a deal. I'm super careful with my rods because I always thought they wouldn't take them back...I guess I've just been lucky, too, because I haven't broken a rod in years and stuff happens...like your tree/braided line/guide/canoe in current disaster. I think all this talk about broken rods is bad luck.

I'm with ya buddy. In my opinion, they are better, and even if they're not, I think they are which makes them more fun to use for me. I thought that Loomis would only replace a rod they conclude was broken due to defect, and if they decide you slammed it in a door you're just screwed. Am I wrong about that?

Welcome to the forum and my condolences go out to you. Sounds like your kids are lucky to have a great mom. You've come to the right place to get info on fishing. The folks here are very friendly and willing to help with anything they can. If I were you, I'd take Chief up on his offer and let him take you and the kids out a couple times. He's a good guy and if anyone can teach you to fish around your neck of the woods, it's him. It won't take long to figure out the basics and start catching fish so you can take your kids out on your own. It's only as complicated as you want it to be! In the meantime, ask all the questions you want. Everyone here had to learn to fish at some point, and somebody probably taught them!

Yep, I thought about that. But Loomis' warranty pretty much sucks anyway, so I'm not that worried about it. I guess you're right that they'd probably void any warranty they did offer, though. I don't know. I've pretty much decided I will take my rods to Tom and have him do them. Thanks for the tip Gavin.

Yeah, it's kind of a gamble. It's not like you can put it back together once it's cut. I'm thinking it won't make any significant difference, and even if it did it wouldn't outweigh my preference of a shorter grip (I think). Ugh... I wish I still had some of my old cheaper rods laying around to experiment with, but I gave them all to charity.

It ain't about the time Big Joe, it's about mutilating a $330 rod. Last night I tried boiling the cap of an older rod I also want to shorten, but it wouldn't budge, even after about ten minutes of intense heat.

Beautiful rod! Nicely done, looks like a really cool class.

Thanks for the tips, Wayne. I'm thinking I might go ahead and have a professional do it so it doesn't get screwed up. I'm still trying to find out if will change the feel of the rod...can't seem to find any definitive info on that.

Oh, sorry man. It's Gateway Outfitters in St. Louis. Here's the thread. http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?s...c=20058&hl=

That is a giant deer. Love the avatar Phil. Good to have a sense of humor about it all.

They look like my favorite color flukes for stream smallies. They are pretty fish.

Be sure to record a song or two if you play there Kevin!

I was just wanting to take about 3 inches off the grip, but I'll check into that. It does kind of make me nauseous to think about chopping on a factory Loomis...haven't decided for sure yet. Yeah, there were like 6 or 8 of them left, all GLX except one that I think was an IMX. Not sure about the models, but I'm sure if you gave them a call they could tell you. They also had some mid-quality St. Croixs (quite a few actually).

Sounds like a fun idea. Stuff like this pushes me a little closer to getting that first fly rod. Maybe by next year I'll be ready to participate. Ronnie, I hope you post pictures of all the flies when they're done.

We spent a week hiking the Smokeys last year. It is an incredible place...the diversity is mind-boggling. When we started out our hike at the bottom of Mt. Sterling, I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt and sweating. 6 miles up to the summit and we were in an ice storm. It's like a rainforest at the bottom and a Rocky Mountain environment at the top. Came back down the next day and spent the rest of our trip hiking the lower parts. We didn't do any fishing, but the streams were awesome. I will go back one day. Very true rps. The funny thing for me was that I had to visit places like the Rockies and the Smokeys before I appreciated what we had in our own backyard. I don't take it for granted any more.

I guess only real fly-fishermen fish for trout. Oh, and I use baitcasters, too, so... Well, sir, you're not gonna get any arguments on that one. I would love to see what would happen to Ozark smallmouth fishing if MDC put in even a fraction of the resources they allocate to trout.

The first pair of Ray-Bans I bought I broke the first day I had them. $150 down the drain. I don't feel as protective of sunglasses as rods, though. Especially rods that have caught a lot of fish. They become like kids.

I thought trout were supposed to be finicky eaters.

We could talk about why smallmouth are a superior species of fish to any trout. I'm not joking, though. They're better. Period. It's not a matter of opinion. I'm right and you're wrong.

http://www.missouricanoe.org/river-maps/meramec.html

I can't tell you how long it's been since I've broken a rod. As the years have gone by, and my rods have gotten more and more expensive, I've developed some kind of paternal over-protective sense about being careful with them. It seems to be working, but I have a feeling it's gonna get even worse now with the GLX...that's one bad thing about getting forced into buying an expensive rod because of a really good deal...you have to worry about it. Think I'll probably take Gavin's advice and have Hargrove do it. I've got a few I'd like to chop down and maybe he'll show me how.