Okay, I first must clarify that I only use cheap fishing gear. With 5 sons, I don't dare risk having something expensive get destroyed by tiny people.
That being
, this week was awful. I had 3 different poles snap on me (yes, me - not the kiddos), and I stripped out the gears on a reel as I was bringing in a monster LMB (
you can be the judge of whether or not that constitutes a tragedy).
Okay, so my week wasn't
awful. In fact, it was awesome. I went fishing for 3 straight afternoons, and scored well each time out.
But still.
I'm down 3 poles and a reel.
And the cheapo crap I buy won't be on clearance again til fall.
Oh, that life wasn't so distressing. Woe is me.
All I have are my pictures to bring me comfort in this time of sorrow and lamentation...
[font "Garamond"][#000000][size 3]This is the part where I'd build an online collage of all my bass photos for you - but it's nearly 12:30 in the morning, so I shall instead lay my weary head to rest and dream of catching fish.[/size][/#000000][/font]
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bummer dude sorry for your lose! I have broke rods and thats never fun, also have stripped gears on reels. try and spend a lil more on a lil better rod and i promise it will last longer than a slightly cheaper rod. if you are looking for rods check ksl or on the buy and sell forum for used top of the line gear, you can normally score good quality stuff for a decent price
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Have you ever seen the commercials for Ugly Stik? Where the Mrs is trying her best to destroy the guys rod? Crammed in the trash compactor, stuffed down the disposal, bend and slammed on the ground and she hollers "you are N O T G O I N G F I S H I N G T O D A Y!"
Then 'boing' grabs the rod, next shot is 'el Bendo!
Just keep taking the kids with you and you won't suffer that fate. But - maybe time for a Cabelas rod with lifetime replacement guarantee, rather than the Kmart special. I know - those light up reels are pretty cool and all, but . . . also I'd recommend the Spiderman vs the Barbie pole for your boyz - if you do hit the K-rack!
: )
You know full well I have total fishy envy right now! I gotta gotta get up there with ya! Maybe after next week.
Cheers and good tugs
[quote CoyoteSpinner]Have you ever seen the commercials for Ugly Stik?[/quote]
I haven't. But I own 3 of them for various setups. They, too, have a lifetime warranty.
My problem with them is that they're incredibly numb. I get SO much more feel out of the cheapos. Don't know why this is, but it makes me hesitant to buy a bunch of them.
If all Cabela's rods have a lifetime warranty, then I'll be checking that out when I head to my parents' place this weekend.
I know they're garbage, but the cheapos work for the kids 95% of the time - and when I can buy Zebco 33 combos for $10 in the fall, it's hard to pass them up. Those Zebco Bullet Combos I keep snapping the poles of were $7 - so even with 3 of them broken, I don't feel like I got robbed.
I guess I'm just a little hesitant after losing the ONE somewhat nice rod and reel I splurged on last year. I was out on Newton and had a new soft-bodied crankbait tied on. Foolishly left it dangling over the back with a foot of line hanging as we took off. On the down side of a wave my crankbait grabbed water and started diving... Goodbye $100+. Can't imagine what I'd do if I lost something nicer. I'll just say I definitely did NOT win Father-of-the-Year on that fishing trip...
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I love that commercial funny stuff.
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One thing my father in law does is hit up yard/garage sales. He has found tons of awesome fishing gear for practically nothing. He got two nice trolling rod rigs for 20$ and that included line and bottom bouncers.
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[quote CoyoteSpinner]. But - maybe time for a Cabelas rod with lifetime replacement guarantee, rather than the Kmart special.
: )
s[/quote]Look real hard at the lifetime warranty details from Cabelas, I had one of their lifetime rods and after trading in a broken rod, they gave me a brochure telling me about the changes in the warranty. Most notably, the rescinding of the lifetime to a two year.
I don't know if it was because I exercised the warranty or if it is a new policy.
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[/quote]Look real hard at the lifetime warranty details from Cabelas...[/quote]
Good to know, thanks for the warning. I'll find out when I'm there.
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Let us know when you find out. I miss my Cabelas rod, but will not buy another if it only has a 2 year warranty.
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Well, unbelievably enough, I tried to fish again this evening - and it cost me another pole and a reel! No, I am not kidding.
Got caught on the boat in an absolutely torrential downpour. Ended up IN the lake to help a fellow angler control his boat so he could trailer it. Returning the favor, he jumped in to load mine - and somewhere in all that bedlam a rod tip snapped and a spinning reel was busted at it's connecting arm.
That storm was nuts! Be the time I got the boat latched down, the dirt road was already washing out. Good thing I was in a 2wd super duty with no weight in the bed. Ugh.
Ah well, still caught a dozen decent bass. Plus, if this is my version of drama, I'll count my blessings!
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[quote Pharticus]
if this is my version of drama, I'll count my blessings![/quote]
No truer words have ever been said!
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Here's a good possible solution to your problem:
Wife or female friend to you: "My dear friend Mary just had a terrible fight with her husband/boyfriend because he spends all his time and money on fishing and hunting stuff. She threw him out of the house last night and she plans to sell all of his stupid ol' fishun' and huntin' stuff in her yard sale today."
Uhumm, need I say more??
I have hit a couple of yard sales like this over the years and they are absolutely golden. As with fishing, timing is everything. Be there early and have plenty of money although most items sell at outrageously low prices, e.g. a custom made split bamboo fly rod (offered as "a crummy old fish pole" for $5.00 or best offer.
I would caution that the husband/boyfriend victim should not be a person you know personally. If so, you could become the victim of a violent crime yourself.
Good luck. [
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[quote wshiwsfshn]Let us know when you find out. I miss my Cabelas rod, but will not buy another if it only has a 2 year warranty.[/quote]
Okay, here's the deal: their rods only carry a limited warranty against manufacturing defects. The warranty period varies based on the quality of rod.
I.E. a basic lemon warranty.
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I stripped out another reel last night, but I've at least found the answer to my rod problems:
Was at Sports Authority tonight and found a whole slew of their Ugly Stiks on clearance for half off. Not precisely what I wanted, but can't really pass up that good of a deal.
Should take some time to go through 6 of them!
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