If you fish enough, you are going to experience some equipment “casualties” over time. And 2017 turned out to be what I guess one would call a banner year in this regard. Therefore, the Wish List includes a 7’ Berkley Cherrywood Medium Action casting rod as mine bit the dust during an October 21 strip mine outing.
Not only did I break the rod tip on this outing but I also blew out a reel handle.
I’m not really sure how it all went down as it just turned up with a busted tip as I unloaded the boat from the back of the truck when switching lakes. I take good care of my stuff and my fishing gear rates pretty high on the valued possessions list but on occasion I get a little impatient when untangling the mess of rod tips that can occur while driving. Of course, when you are hauling seven rods, six of which are darn near as long as your boat, you’re kind of asking for some tangles. So, note to self (again) to take it easy.
This rod was the perfect match for lipless crankbait fishing, a favorite and successful power presentation
I hate busting any gear but this one really stunk as it was an ideal rod for lipless cranking. The tip had just the right action to give a little on the strike and hookset to get that part of the job done and the needed backbone to keep the fish on and get it in the boat. Really kind of hard to describe but it just felt right. If you fish, then you know where I’m coming from.
An action snapshot from the GoPro – Johnson Sauk Trail Lake on September 11, 2017
The upside of this unfortunate break is that being a frugal sort it won’t break the bank to replace. In fact, $24.99 will take me all the way, virtually unheard of these days for what I consider a quality rod. Yep, pretty wild compared to the rods pitched by my fishing magazines that sport a price tag up to ten times the price of this model. Granted, I’m not some kind of pro/150 days on the water angler but even so, I doubt that I could part with that kind of money for a fishing pole. Besides, imagine busting the tip off of one of those babies. I’d probably cry.
Talk to you later. Troy