Fall 2020
page 34
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because it was the only reel that was 6.2:1. It was faster and changed the landing ratio even more. I remember when those reels went from $59 to $69 and we were saying we couldn’t even afford to fish anymore. LOL
Later, we went to the green Curado. By then, we were spending $100 per reel. Until the silver Chronarch came out at $119 – $20 more! I just couldn’t believe it!
My favorite magazine was the Bass Pro Shops Christmas catalog. You could buy two Bionic Blades and get one free. We would buy four and get six. It felt like winning the rod lottery.
THE REALIZATION IS SPARKED
And that was it… the beauty of the green Curado on the 7 1/2-foot Bionic Blade. I began to realize the power and the efficiency of a parabolic rod.
We played with a lot of rods – Shimano, Loomis, Bass Pro Shops, Fenwick. I landed more fish with the parabolic bend of that Bionic Blade than anything else.
The braided line was 60 percent of the success, but the rod was the rest.
BUTT SIZE
At one point, I got a deal with Lamiglass. I was fishing an 806 and a 797. While I was young and stout, I could do it with an 8-foot rod. It was awesome. Talk about reach out and touch someone! It had a parabolic bend, all the juice you could want and a shorter butt section on the rod – about 9-1/4 inches.
Nowadays, you put that rod in everyone’s hands and they don’t want it.
They want an 11- or 12-inch butt section. I totally disagree with that for a frog rod and that is why you will see a difference in mine.
The butt section on my frog rod is at 10-inches, because when you swing across your body, when you change hands from the cast, if you cast right and reel left, as you rotate across your body and rub across your belly, that contact is so frustrating.
Whether it is because we are getting older and get a little thicker around the mid-section or because it’s colder and we’ve got more clothes on or it just grabs that hoodie pocket or any side pocket, it wrecks the rhythm. I never want my equipment to take me out of rhythm. So, my rod butt is at 10-inches.
I know that guys that try a 10-inch butt section will love a 10. But, an 11 or 12 is definitely not right – specifically for a frog rod. There are other technique- specific applications where an 11- or 12-inch butt section is preferred; but, not for frogs.
Another thing with the butt section is the addition or subtraction of the amount of cork. The butt has to have balance with the amount of cork. It has to feel balanced from the moment it is in your hand.
MONDAY MORNING QBING
We played with my new rods for about 13 months, shortening the butt, extending the rod, shrinking the tip, changing parabolics, premium cork, the WXW wrap, K-Series guides, etc. We were looking for ways to make lighter, stronger and more user-friendly.
Last year’s frog and punch seasons were amazing and enhanced the final touches of the new sticks.
The fish really cooperated with us and we got so
much on film that allowed
us to answer many
questions.
I watch and re-watch
film. I want to see when
the fish are coming off
– off of my clients, my
partners, myself. I break it
down frame-by-frame.
It Is just like coaching
football. When you have a
loss – a mistake – anything
to improve – you have to
figure out “the why”.
Did you take a step
on your right foot, when
it should’ve been your
left? Were you late on the
swing?
When did the rod start
to load? Was it 11 o’clock
and it should’ve been at 10
or 10:30?