Well today's the day I picked up my Steve F rod. Lou and I ran out to Steve's and saw his "man cave" where he does his magic. The rod is beautiful, and it has my initials on it.
I figure since I run 15 trolling rods, this jigging rod makes me 1/16th of a jigger.
Clyde's Bait and Tackle in Lansdown is having their Spring sale and all reels are on sale. I picked up a nice okuma EF 30 with 10 ball bearings and a 5.0:1 gear ratio for $62 (includes spolled with 30 lb yellow power pro, and tax).
The balance is perfect for the rod, and I can't wait to use it. I told Steve it will be used for everything. I'll catch perch, spot, stripers, blues, hardhead, and anything else swimming in the bay (rays-oh no).
I'm 57 years old, and never had an outfit like this before. When it came to hunting, I always had premium overunders. For trap shooting, I have a beautiful Browning. When I owned and trained gundogs, I would travel to N.Y. to pick out a puppy from Bob Wehle's Elhew line. But, when it comes to fishing, most of my tackle was either an ugly stick, or combo picked up from walmart, bass pro, or some fishing expo.
This is the first rod and reel that is sitting next to the fireplace
.
When I step on Pete's boat next time, Pete will not recognize my tackle. Don (Hunter), Mark (Baldzilla), and Pete have planted a seed for jigging.
I still like trolling, eating a sandwich, bs'ing with friends, and dragging fish through the water
.
Thanks Steve for not only a new piece of tackle, but a piece of art as well.
5th (Marty)