My Fourth of July Review...

[D.W. Verts]

Well, it's pretty sad, but my review won't include any fish pics. Horrible, I know.

My only opportunity to fish was the morning of the Forth, and I only got to go for a couple of hours, dragging my kayak into a pond that I haven't fished since April. It was hot and muggy, and I didn't get on the water until after 8 AM. I still figured to whack a couple, but it didn't happen, and then it was back to work.

My set up was easy to pick- a Dobyns Fury 735C coupled with one of my vintage Ambassaduer 4600 C's. The line choice was Suffix 832 braid in 50# (a product that Mike sent me for review, and on that I'm impressed with and will write about soon). This rod is labeled as an "extra heavy", and it is a mean, stiff fishin' pole. However it was perfect for my choices that morning.



The baits were an easy choice too (so actually, the rod was easy BECAUSE of the baits that were, well, easy. Humph.) I picked a jig of my own manufacture; a Doc Irv 10" plastic worm Texas Rigged (it is Summer, and that means I'll always have a big worm tied on) with an 8/0 hook and a 3/16 oz. weight, and of course my third choice was a Frog. This pond has some wood cover, and all of the sudden a TON of Lily pads, so my bait choices were perfect. No Sissy Sticks and spider web line here.

I thought about taking a 734 (heavy action) rod, but this is HEAVY cover in this pond, and the 735, although a broom stick throughout most of its action, still manages somehow to have the tip needed to deliver baits with accuracy and ease. In fact, the jig shown in the picture is just a quarter ounce, and with a small trailer to boot, but the 735 handled it fine, and with accuracy, even with my ancient reel.

I was extremely comfortable with just one rod and reel, and fishin' a pond made the decision easier. A trip to Lake of the Ozarks (NOT happening on a Holiday weekend, no WAY) would have been more of a nail biter, for sure.

As for the fishin'... Well, I didn't get them. Although I hear all the time how "easy" pond fishin' is, when they don't bite, they don't bite, and it's way more frustrating in a pond than it is on a large reservoir. I was plagued with Bream trying to make off with the big worm- at least THEY were hungry!

I had one good bass bite the frog in the pads, maybe a three or four-pounder- I put the meat to her potatoes, gave her about eight good cranks, and she came off. That's frog fishin'.

I finally caught a fourteen incher on the worm to avoid the skunk, but as I released it back into the water, sweat pouring down my face, and with chores waiting back at my business, I realized that I had done enough to complete this Challenge, and I graciously gave it up to the bass. They need to win once in a while.

Peace.

Dale

[zippyduck]

I could read anything you write. Very nice review and you are entered in the contest.

[Oldfart9999]

That makes 2 of us that had less than stepped days Dale. You know that somebody smacked them, probably be Mother if she takes the challenge. Good to hear you got out!!! Hope you're feeling better!!!
Rodney

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