Truman Skin Flint and changes

Okay a known fact I am old and getting older and what I am saying is what works for me and in no way telling you to do as I do, I am a tight wad... I started with 5' ultra light rods in 1977 and used them up until 2009, then I made two big changes, I went to the 10' rod and braid line in 10# , had always used stren yellow 6# mono and it sereved me well for over 30 years, and I started with my own tied jigs but by 1979 went to the 1 1/2" tube jigs, and still use them as well as 1/16 oz. lead heads.... however if I am slow trolling two rods I like a 1/8 oz on the bottom and a 1/16 on the top... and yes I still use the same brand tube jigs, and I still manage to catch quite a few nice fish on these...... In 2010 I did up grade to the motor guide 82# variable speed trolling motor, dam near bankrupt me..... and then the last up grade was the lowrance elite 4 with dsi and I do like it very much, again putting me in the poor house... but like it and finds me all the fish I need, since I am looking a lot more for a thump than anything to eat.......but don't get me wrong, very glad to see all the improvements in the crappie fishing industry, boats,finders,tackle,etc..... heck I even like the inflatable life jackets...glad to see that at the least the same old bait still working nearly 40 years later, how many bass baits have been on the market in the last 40 years? This is what happens when you can't get out and fish, and have time on your hands..... Sure wish I had video's of Ron and I learning to use them 10' rods the first year, they were to say at the least brow beatin' times..... just think if I don't get out soon, the next post will be even longer......:biggrin

wow oss, that sounds a whole lot like me. I just went to 10 ft. poles around 3 years ago myself and now when i grab a short one to go dock fishing it sure feels funny. The 1 1/2 tube is still my favorite bait but I use 1/8 jig heads and I still use stren yellow 8# line.

I used to keep at least 6 of Cabela's 5' fish eagle II's on hand and them thing were getting up to $70 ea...... now I use the Ozark 10' in the ultra lite and rear seat and standand both and they never cost me more than $40, but I do buy a couple tips extra when I buy them, been lucky this year and only broke one tip and it wasn't the rods fault, some old fool done something stupid with the tip in cold weather....

Nice story Monte! I just started using 10' rods and braid myself. Now i grab a 7' bass rod and it feels tiny. Hope you get out soon. If not i am sure everyone will get a chuckle out of your next post.:fish

I've got several 12's 9 and 10 foot rods. I know they help with depth of the jig and keeping it in the stike zone and all that, but I just really like using my 6'6 rod. I don't have to swing 'em in the boat, or net every fish or worry about getting electrocuted when I take them out of the boat. I use them from time to time and keep them for rigging but if I have my way I'm throwing the o'l pee shooter.

OSS,I'd have to say that you're just plain sensible. I remember the first time I fished out of your boat and you were using those 5' rods you were talking about. I think your post that day said that you picked up some guy out of a ditch and he came up carrying the longest rod you'd ever seen, or something like that. Bottom line is that you've changed some stuff - rod length, variable speed trolling motor, downscan - but have stayed with alot of what was working then and is still working now. Sounds like, in spite of being an old dog, you have picked up some new tricks. And you're still catching your fair share. Good job, Monty.

We laughed about that 10' rod you brought all the way home, 6 months later we are using them, but them 5' work good on that cedar tree.......

Im surprised you didnt figure out a way to make 2 of those 5' rods into a 10' rod

I have learned how to make the 10' in to two 5' it is easy................

Oss, always enjoy reading your posts and this one is extra special for me. I started using the longer rods and braided line a few years ago and hardly use anything shorter than a 7 footer now. My fishing partners with their short rods cant reach what I can and they start crying foul so I always bring along some extra 10 footers for them. Like you said it is really fun to watch someone get use to them 10' rods, especially when they catch one and reel it up to the tip and then try to reach to take it off or they swing the fish in and miss the line with the other hand and the fish is left there swinging in the wind. I also wanted to thank you for putting things in perspective when it comes to what a guy really NEEDS to go out and have fun catching crappie. Yes new and improved can be good sometimes but its best for me to keep it simple also. I would love to hear more about how you utilize your lowrance elite 4 with down scan. I am thinking that is what you have in the bow with the transducer on TM?

Yes I use the elite 4 up at the tm, I will admit in bright sun I have to take my foot and shadow the screen sometimes to see it better, but no big deal got a extra foot anyway..... then I have the eagle 250 at the consol and Ron can see same thing as soon as I pass over it and tell him here it comes.... for $200 bucks it is a great little unit, and finds brush, stumps, logs and crappie.... I think it does help that I mainly fish Truman all the time so no need for a bigger unit and the extra expense, sure the better units work great and if fishing a lot of different water.. and I use a handheld garmin etrex gps for marking my spots.....$60 off of ebay and works good for me......

had to look up skinflint did not know what that was. I always called my dad a tightwad now I think I shall call him skinflint is there a skinflint Missouri like tightwad missouri?

Like you Monty I started with 5 ft. rods then being on here I was taught to dip with my 10 fters, But I still enjoy those shorter rods and pitching to the shore in spring!!

Monty ain't near as tight as he lets on...he's actually a perty generous feller:ThumbsUp

Sorry I used them big words on you Kit.............

Good post buddy. Money spent on gear often doesn't equate to better results. Seen people buy the latest high end electronics or a $750 bass rod/reel combo thinking it is a magic elixir only to find out that their skills and experience don't match their equipment level. The ability to shorten the learning curve in fishing has never been better with videos, seminars, blogs, and forum boards but it still needs to be paired with time on the water, regardless of what rod you're holding or what boat you're sitting in.

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Originally Posted by olesilverside

Sorry I used them big words on you Kit.............

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Keep 'em commin'. I need more learning.
I never let my education get in the way of my learnin'.

G.

I enjoyed your post Monty. New stuff is always coming on the market, but you can't argue with success...

Same way, before I joined CDC all I used was 6ft rods I thought everyone was nuts using such a long rod until I bought one. I mainly do the two pole trolling and I fished so much with the 10 ft poles I got Tennis Elbow in both arms, it got so bad I could not even hold a rod. Before I knew what was wrong I went to our Physical Therapist at work telling him I think there is something very wrong with me, he looked at my arms and asked me what my hobbies are and I said fishing and hunting, he smiled and said I bet you are using long poles, he told me he sees this all the time. He told me not to use the long poles all the time so now I have some seven and eight footers I use also. lol
I got over the Tennis Elbow, I always thought what kind of Pansy gets that, but it was very painful and I don't want it again. AND!!!!!!!!! for you wise crackers out there it was caused by fishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

That is why I went to the Ozark ultra lite,,,,, all others seem to heavy to me, but also use the Pro Angler 10'er.... both light....

I'm a big fan of the Buck's Ultralight rods cuz they are so light.

Bryan get a chair with arm rest, slow troll all day, no tennis elbow