Redears: the good, the bad, and the ugly...

The good: Got on some big crackers this morning at a nearby county water reservoir, using the Tict Ice Cube Rockin' Power, fishing with red wigglers. Caught about 30, and kept a dozen huge ones for supper (most were gut-hooked anyway). These were all 9-10 inch fish between 12-16 oz.
You had to throw just right under the overhanging bushes, but if you got it within 2 feet of the bank, a big one would suck that worm up every time. It was a little windy and hard to feel the bite, and tough watching the clear 2 lb Trilene, so by the time I noticed or felt I had a fish on, they had sometimes already swallowed the worm, I guess. Biggest one was 15.5 oz and 10.75".
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The bad: (not really) If my cast was a little short, a channel catfish would pick it up. I caught about 5 of these and they slimed up my line and swallowed the hook every time. If my cast was a little long - I was into the trees and had to break off several times because I didn't want to paddle in there and spook the fish.

THE UGLY:
On the way to the take-out I was throwing the Daiwa jig with trout magnet and hooked a nice-sized spotted bass. He fought like heck, but I tuckered him out after he peeled off several long runs of 2 lb test off the Luvias. As I was bringing him to the net, I heard a snap. My Ice Cube rod snapped at the 3rd guide. I was crushed. I threw that dang bass back in the lake and went home.
:banghead

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jawjatek

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THE UGLY:
As I was bringing him to the net, I heard a snap. My Ice Cube rod snapped at the 3rd guide. I was crushed. I threw that dang bass back in the lake and went home.
:banghead

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Yeah... I just look up the price of that rod.:mad:

Great day until the end. I feel for ya man. I have one ordered and waiting for it to arrive. What do you think caused the break? Drag too tight? I want to learn from this story and make sure I don’t do the same thing.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

My goodness I didn't realize that rod was that expensive, I wood have eaten that bass.

Since I got that rod last week, it has hauled in over a hundred fish, I estimate. I have been careful not to flip anything except little peckerhead bream babies - I net everything. I kinda copy Randy (Alphahawk); I've studied his videos hard. Since I've started using the Daiwa jig and trout magnet I've been catching the crap out of some fish, and I've had to reel in several 3-4 lb bass. The drag is set real light. I don't know.

When I net a big fish I kinda reel down, get the fish sliding toward the boat on his side into the net, rod in left hand behind me, held high. I've been real careful not to yank on snags or knock it on anything. Maybe I'm just too hard on 'em naturally. I've asked Digitaka to help me purchase a replacement tip section, and to forward my email to any Tict rep they know. We'll see.

If I have to, I am buying another one. But the $75 Cadence 1-piece 6'3" CS7 rod will be hauling in the fish in the meantime. I bought one after watching Richard Gene videos, and I love it.

Today I had a lot of gut-hooked big crackers and was ping-ponging 2 rods - the Tict and the Cadence. I'd cut the line and put the fish in the cooler, then fish the other rod while tying on a new hook. I tried to use the Tict mostly, but that Cadence is a fine rod, too.

Great looking redear!!! My apologies on the rod...maybe I won't buy that rod if it's that fragile????

Well I don't have to look up the price....have it memorized. Sorry to hear that. I've broke a couple JDM rods......and cried like a baby for a few minutes....then got online and ordered the top section to replace. Of course that don't make you feel any better....dang.

Regards

Oh....beautiful fish. I know they are a lot of fun on that rod.


Regards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jawjatek

I have been careful not to flip anything except little peckerhead bream babies

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Doesn't that kinda take the fun out of fishing if you always have to walk on thin ice just to use a fishing rod ?

Not at all, and I don't walk on thin ice, whatever. I fish the my gear hard. These rods are a whole new ball game in sensitivity and playability, and I really like using it. I net fish all the time anyway, I hate losing fish at the boat, and haven't in a very long time. I have good panfish rods by Cadence, Eagle Claw, and St Croix as well. I prefer using this one if I can. They may not be for you.