Now that it’s done

[skeetbum]

I get to play with it and find it’s personality. I was lucky enough to get off of work a few hours early and had the boat hooked up not long after I said hi to my queen. Wind was the word of the day. Steady between 11 and 15 and some gusts that made me glad I was hiding in the river. I went to an area that I don’t fish much and it paid off. I might have been able to scratch together a dinner for mom and I but it would have been meager. I caught enough fish but a lot of them were small. Some of the usual players showed up, and a whisker trout stole the show. He wanted no part of coming to meet me. Still learning this new line and I’m very impressed with it so far. Y’all know I use Nanofil a lot and this casts very close to as good as it does and is a lot tougher. I may have found a new friend. Thanks Michael, it’s working out well. My take on braid is that it comes stiff and uncooperative but begins to soften with use and it’s personality changes. I’m liking it a lot. I fished over three hours and had zero reties but a few plastics did get trashed and replaced. The rod shoots a bait like a champ and everything about it is as good as I hoped it would be. So light and responsive and the sensitivity wanted for nothing today, even in todays stiff wind. They weren’t the big thumps every time but I was feeling bumps and hits on windblown bowed line. I was impressed. I also was able to see the line jump on a few so this lines visibility wants for nothing better. I’ve been trying some of the fluorocarbon leader but it does some things that are different than the mono I’ve been using, and I’m not sure I’m a fan as yet. Old ways are sometimes hard to part with. The catfish was a tough fight and I was liking the way I could control a surprise fish, even if he wasn’t a real big one. The reel is working well and I’m liking the weight combination. I think it weighs 5 1/2oz so all in I should still be under 8oz with rod, reel, backing and line. I need a couple of batteries for my scale before I’ll find out. All in today I’m real happy with the way it’s come together and the way it works. I’m looking forward to some crappie to play with and feel the thump we all live for. Thanks for following along with me and this build, it’s gone pretty quick and has been fun. Here’s the pics, and most of all I’m praying that everyone and their families are all OK in the storms that have run through the middle of the country today. I can’t even begin to imagine. I hope your weather improves and your able to get out some and get a few. Look for me and wave or holler or blow the horn or something when you see me. Til then……Skeet

This was the line that I got in the mail from another member that had some he wanted to share. Y’all are the best.

Third cast got this one to come visit. The first good gill on the new rod.

And this little powerhouse made my day. They’re tough on the little stuff.


And both of these guys tried to steal my new rod! The nerve! For no bigger than they are they sure fight above their class.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

Good job Tim! Great post….

[VaCrappieMan]

That sure is a nice combo and some good looking fish to boot! Will your bluegill spawn be happening around the full moon in April? Big coppernose coming up I hope. Thanks for taking us along on your trip!

[skeetbum]

I’m not sure VA. I have a friend that lives about an hours drive away on the Harris chain and they’re setting up over there already. He got 21 earlier in the week, and he doesn’t fish all day. I’m looking forward to it and in some of the places I’ve found them in the past but nothing so far. Shellcrackers have my heart after I was lucky enough to hit their spawn the last couple of years. I fish new places hoping to find some. I have no electronics on the boat yet so I can’t go “shopping” for some beds.

[BobC]

Good post, skeet, and again congratulations on the new rod and combo. A true U/L. The colors on those pans were really nice. Spring tuxedos are on!
Bob

[Jamesdean]

Great Job on the rod Skeet. Great looking combo. I'm sure you'll really enjoy it. Congrats on some really nice fish too!

[VaCrappieMan]

I’d be all about those crackers and gills. Glad you like the line some so far. Hopefully as all braids it softens up and handles even better. I got out Thursday evening and might throw up a post from it shortly. As always I really enjoy your posts.

[skeetbum]

Went back again this morning before the predicted wind raised its ugly head and had a real good short trip. Landed about a dozen crappie, some on the new rod and some on another custom that I didn’t build. First fish was a bit over 14”. Some very nice gills showed up when I went exploring and found what may be a small bedding area. Caught 3 stud gills on four casts. I want more of that! As predicted, about 10 the wind built and was obnoxious pretty quick so here I am at the house at 11. Couple of pics, and NiNo met me there and took some of the crappie home for dinner. Enjoy, hope y’all get out soon……Skeet

[skeetbum]

[VaCrappieMan]

Woohoo! After em again. Such a pretty stud gill to go along with those nice crappie!