Bottom bouncer setup

[Feathers and Fins]

Guides ceramic inserts randy not the actual guide.

[rps]

That I understand. Look at the Pac Bay Minima with titanium rings and hard chrome inserts molded to stay in the ring. Tests show it stands up as well as ceramic and way lighter.

http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/minima-4/CT4CG-Minima-4-Casting-Guides-TiChrome

[Feathers and Fins]

Im going all roller guide minds made up http://www.aftco.com/lightweight-roller-guides-1016-prd1.htm

[rps]

OK. It will be a great rod. Who are you going to hire to carry it to the boat?

[Feathers and Fins]

They will all be hugged and kissed and called George 1 THROUGH 6 lol. no carrying they will live in the boat nice safe and sound

[kjackson]

FWIW-- stopped by Cabela's today while waiting for my computer to get set up. There is a sale on a specific Cabela's rod series that is 40% (could have been 50%, Old Timer's strikes again) off. There were a couple of rods I would pick for running bouncers...nice, soft tip and enough backbone. As I remember, I was thinking the rods were running about $40... if I'd been in the market, I would have dropped a dime or two.

[J-Doc]

Like you need another rod kjackson. You're as rod poor as Cabelas itself.

Speaking of poor.

We need to make a trip soon.

[nathanhooper]

I tried my hand at BBs today. A report to follow later on the trip.

I found a rod and reel setup a friend let me borrow last year for live baiting strikers. An Abu 550 and a medium action 7'6" bass pro rod. The rod had been broken and repaired, so I think it was down to 7'.

It wasn't too bad. I was fishing a soft bottom with a lot of snags. Not sure why I decided to try it there, but the moment hit me when I wasn't doing any good with cranks.

Wind was killing me. Got hung up quite a bit, but never lost anything. It did tell me a little more about what to look for. I am thinking I for sure want a medium heavy. But can see where the fast tip is a good thing.

The reel is very nice, but not sure if I personally need the flipping switch. I kept the reel in free spool, and just used my thumb. I'm not a reel aficionado, but it would work for the application. I think I have an OLD low profile bait caster around somewhere to see if I like that feel better in my hand. I did see that I do want a solid reel. I was only using a 1 1/2 oz bb, but you could feel the strain on the reel when reeling while going forward.

Very informative trip. I can see where a long rod would be handy.

[rps]

Learning what works for you is so cool.

[nathanhooper]

FWIW-- stopped by Cabela's today while waiting for my computer to get set up. There is a sale on a specific Cabela's rod series that is 40% (could have been 50%, Old Timer's strikes again) off. There were a couple of rods I would pick for running bouncers...nice, soft tip and enough backbone. As I remember, I was thinking the rods were running about $40... if I'd been in the market, I would have dropped a dime or two.

Yea, I was there yesterday morning. It's what really got me thinking about what I should get. Their prices are listed with the 40% off online, so it's made shopping a tad easier. But now I think I can judge the actual feel to the one I tried today and see what they have. Available at their store.