The one technique that probably gave me the most trouble when I start using it was pitching. You know how it's supposed to go. Raise the end of the rod tip from down to up and the bait flies a mile and barely makes a ripple when it enters the water.
How it actually went: Whip the end of the rod too high, too fast and watch the practice plug get tangled in the tree limbs overhead, or maybe circle around completely and whap you in the back of the head!
I'm a visual kind of guy, you can tell me how to do it until the Earth runs out of oxygen, but unless I can see it and combine the two, forget about it. Fortunately, there have been a few videos that have helped me... refine... my technique, and I wanted to share those with you.
This is the first video that really helped me put it together.
These last two were put out after I was more comfortable with the technique, and after the welts on the back of my head had healed. They still have some helpful information.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Guitars and Fishing Rods...?
I'll bet you never thought that guitars and fishing rods ever had anything in common. Well, that would be true when you look at it on paper.
Guitars:
Made of wood
Rods:
Made of graphite or fiberglass.
Guitars:
Heavy and unbalanced.
Rods:
Generally are light and I'd be willing to bet that you could probably balance some of them on a pin head.
Though they are not so different when it comes to picking one out. When a musician goes to their local music shop with the intent to purchase a new axe, it can be an hours long - yet incredibly fun experience. First, you walk up and down the rows, taking in the scent of wood and polish, and finally pick something based on how it looks. Then you play it for a while. It either feels right or it doesn't, and God help you if you buy a guitar that doesn't...
Maybe I'm over complicating things and I'm dragging my music experience, kicking and screaming, into my fishing. But let's look at the other side of the coin.
I mean, have you ever gone to Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop, grabbed the first casting stick you see and go line up at the check out? No way! You stand there and play with it a little bit first. Maybe push the end against the floor, check the balance, maybe even shake the tip in the air, make the motion of a cast, etc... Same thing as with the guitar, if the feel isn't there, you'll put it back.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that with all the different rod makers out there, how do you choose? Do you let price dictate you decision? Sometimes, but you can also get some pretty decent rods for under $100. I picked up an Abu Garcia Vendetta last season for fishing in heavy cover, but I wouldn't use the rod for cranking because it doesn't feel right, the weight is funny for long casts.
That said, should you make your decision based only on feel (like one might with a guitar)? That depends on your wallet and whether you can get permission from your significant other! Some of the rods that feel perfect to me usually make me turn white with sticker shock when I look at the price tag! But my favorite rod is still the first baitcasting rod I got when I got into bassin, a stout yet sensitive stick that cost $70 off the rack.
So you see, the Casual Basser has to pull a little from each criteria. I'd love to put the blinders on and go based on feel alone, but my wallet (and wife) says "I don't think so".
That's my process of picking out a new rod, how about you?
Guitars:
Made of wood
Rods:
Made of graphite or fiberglass.
Guitars:
Heavy and unbalanced.
Rods:
Generally are light and I'd be willing to bet that you could probably balance some of them on a pin head.
Though they are not so different when it comes to picking one out. When a musician goes to their local music shop with the intent to purchase a new axe, it can be an hours long - yet incredibly fun experience. First, you walk up and down the rows, taking in the scent of wood and polish, and finally pick something based on how it looks. Then you play it for a while. It either feels right or it doesn't, and God help you if you buy a guitar that doesn't...
Maybe I'm over complicating things and I'm dragging my music experience, kicking and screaming, into my fishing. But let's look at the other side of the coin.
I mean, have you ever gone to Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop, grabbed the first casting stick you see and go line up at the check out? No way! You stand there and play with it a little bit first. Maybe push the end against the floor, check the balance, maybe even shake the tip in the air, make the motion of a cast, etc... Same thing as with the guitar, if the feel isn't there, you'll put it back.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that with all the different rod makers out there, how do you choose? Do you let price dictate you decision? Sometimes, but you can also get some pretty decent rods for under $100. I picked up an Abu Garcia Vendetta last season for fishing in heavy cover, but I wouldn't use the rod for cranking because it doesn't feel right, the weight is funny for long casts.
That said, should you make your decision based only on feel (like one might with a guitar)? That depends on your wallet and whether you can get permission from your significant other! Some of the rods that feel perfect to me usually make me turn white with sticker shock when I look at the price tag! But my favorite rod is still the first baitcasting rod I got when I got into bassin, a stout yet sensitive stick that cost $70 off the rack.
So you see, the Casual Basser has to pull a little from each criteria. I'd love to put the blinders on and go based on feel alone, but my wallet (and wife) says "I don't think so".
That's my process of picking out a new rod, how about you?
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