Hey RT, break any rods lately?

[Snagly]

I went to the Hot Tamale website and followed the links to www.extranettv.com. Eventually I found the links for downloading Hot Tamale shows and who should I see but Mark Johnson, Big Stew and you putting the hurt on Wilson steelies with jigs and worms.

And after reading for over a year about what a handsome, coordinated fellow you are it was a pleasure (?) to see the infamous RT on tape! (Sad to say, pictures don't lie . . . .)

Now the question. I noticed that when hooked up you were grabbing your spinning rod above the cork grip. I've been told by rod builders and other wise men that this is a recipe for a broken rod. The place where you grip the rod becomes a fulcrum. Below your hand, the rod unloads as your arm takes most of the force. Above your hand, the now-shorter rod is being asked to do more of the work where it's thinner. End result: graphite splinters. Knowing that you're a thinking man's fisherman (now there's an oxymoron for you!), I was wondering what your take on this was?

Also noticed everyone was using spinning rods and not baitcasters. What's up with that?

[Krome Brite]

I bet RT has broken many rods, lately. Not while playing a fish, though. He most likely fell on them. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Hey guys, just let me know whem you would like to play me some half court basketball. A good "Spaldling" stamped on your foreheads will alieviate the trash talkin about my co-ordination real quick! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ...

As for the rod issue Snag, you are absolutely correct about rod mechanics when playing fish. I don't grab above the upper cork handle when playing big 'nooks. But I do on occassion to turn the heads of the smaller steelhead quicker. Never bothered a rod once doing this with the lighter fish. You saw landed fish and unbroken rods on the TV show, right? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

RT

[Mr.Kitch'nPass]

RT I'm starting to wonder about that fenwick I won at the bbq. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Hey Kitch, you'll see what I was talking about this fall when you land a 33 pounder on a Wiggle Wart with that rod, and later on find the tip has light enough action to fish a size 30 Hot Shot in clear water for winter steelhead. ... Besides, I only fell on it 4 or 5 times, and it's still in the normal 2 pieces. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[First Bite]

Snagly
In response to your question as to why we were using spinning reels, they are easier to cast smaller, lighter jigs on the Wilson which is a smaller river that doesn't require long casts.

As to RT's coordination antics, I can vouch for his screwed up ankle which makes it hard for him to walk up or down hills, especially wet slippery moss covered trails.
Mark

[Mr.Kitch'nPass]

Hey RT I think you should take me out and show me how to use that rod sometime I have a drift boat!! [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[Snagly]

Thanks for the various reponses and commentaries. I didn't realize RT's coordination problems stemmed from bad wheels. I had the same problem -- an ankle that would collapse even when encased in a wading boot. This costs you some of the "cool factor" when you're wading and a couple of anglers pass you in drift boat. They ask how the fishing is and you modestly reply "We're spanking 'em!" when the ankle turns and you do a face plant or stumble in 2' of water and then drop a few choice Eff-words.

I got the ankle fixed last fall. Turns out I still stumble, fall and swear but at least my ankle isn't so sore.

I guess the point about spinning vs. baitcasting gear comes down to how you fish the jigs. Seems that Mark, Stew and RT were basically dead drifting their jigs (esp. using the cork floats). For that spinning gear would be ideal. I use dink floats and fish them across-and-down, thumbing the free spool to slow the float (and eventually swinging across the current). I don't think I could make that presentation with a spinning reel unless I had the bail open. (In the past I've done this and it's a real Chinese Fire Drill for me when the float dips and the bail's open.)Obviously, both approaches work, leading one to suspect that perhaps we worry too much about presentation speeds.