Countdown Clock

[RHYBAK]

Just checked and we are at 99 days

[T-Bone]

You must be going early this year. Breaking the 100 barrier is cause for celebration...grab yourself a Blue when you get home and savor that nectar....

I'm at 140.6...but can hardly wait.

Made the reservation at Motel Au Bercail yesterday, will be putting in my pre-order with Corina at Kipawa Bait and Tackle next week, and have been communicating with Brian at Alwaki Lodge the past couple weeks about getting our roster of 11 guys and 3 cabins figured out. All the components are in motion...and that's a good thing.

And though I've only shared this with my nephew Mattie to date, I'm eyeing a couple new 'secret weapons' that will get me bit by Mr. Wally with more consistency than my comrades. And, I'm taking a serious look at the St. Croix Eyecon rod as an addition to my gear this year. Promotional marketing on fishing shows still works in my house... 

[RHYBAK]

That was 99 days for trip one and 119 days for trip two.

Rods don't catch the fish. They only let the fight feel better.
Fisherman and luck catch the fish.
Give me a barbie fishing set and I'll still catch the walleye.

Lure and Baits.
That is what interests me, not rods.

[T-Bone]

Couldn't disagree more, Mr. Rhybak. I've fished right next to guys with standard, generic rods that probably came with a mid-sized spinning reel for $50.00. I'm pulling in fish one after next, they're not getting bit...or so they think. Difference is I feel the lightest of taps on my bait...they feel nada. They're likely getting the same number of bites I am, they just don't know it because they're using marginal gear. I can feel an 1/8 oz. jig tapping the bottom in 20+ fow...whether it's mud, sand, rocks, mix. That's all due to the rod...and the better the rod, the better the feel. And I've seen cheaper rods explode and break with a good hook set. Quality, sensitivity, feel...and yes, a few more bucks...but worth every penny.

I'd rather have a really good rod and middling reel than the other way around...all day, every day.

And you're probably right...I see the size of the walleyes you catch. You probably could use a Barbie pole and catch those things. 

[Jay Thomas]

Hi guys,

154 days until my trip in Aug and 179 days until my trip in Sep.

11 guys on your trip Todd - sounds like lots of fun. We've done multi guy trips like that to Kipawa in the past and had a riot. However, as we have gotten older, our preferred group size has shrunk to 4 guys. And based on past input, Todd, you're primarily a jig fisherman. Consequently, I have assumed you're contemplating a new jigging rod. If that's the case, would you mind sharing your rationale for choosing an Eyecon series rod over a Premier series rod. I've been jigging with a one piece St. Croix ML fast Premier series rod for the last 5 years and IMHO, it's a wonderful rod for that application.

Jay

[RHYBAK]

Great
From countdown clock thread to a fishing rod thread

Which rod you considering.
A lot of choices.
The 8 foot two piece caught my eye


Model   Length   Action   Power   Line
Weight
(lb.)   Lure
Weight
(oz.)   Pieces
Vertical Jig
ECS63MLXF   6'3"   XF   ML   4-8   1/16-3/8   1
ECS63MXF   6'3"   XF   M   6-10   1/8-1/2   1
Jig & Rig
ECS66MLF   6'6"   F   M   4-10   1/8-3/8   1
ECS66MLF2   6'6"   F   ML   4-10   1/8-3/8   2
Snap Jig
ECS68MXF   6'8"   XF   M   6-12   3/16-5/8   1
Riggin'
ECS70MLF2   7'   F   ML   4-10   1/8-3/8   2
Drift & Float
ECS80MLF2   8'   F   ML   4-10   1/8-3/8   2

[Jay Thomas]

Couldn't disagree more, Mr. Rhybak. I've fished right next to guys with standard, generic rods that probably came with a mid-sized spinning reel for $50.00. I'm pulling in fish one after next, they're not getting bit...or so they think. Difference is I feel the lightest of taps on my bait...they feel nada. They're likely getting the same number of bites I am, they just don't know it because they're using marginal gear. I can feel an 1/8 oz. jig tapping the bottom in 20+ fow...whether it's mud, sand, rocks, mix. That's all due to the rod...and the better the rod, the better the feel. And I've seen cheaper rods explode and break with a good hook set. Quality, sensitivity, feel...and yes, a few more bucks...but worth every penny.

I'd rather have a really good rod and middling reel than the other way around...all day, every day.

And you're probably right...I see the size of the walleyes you catch. You probably could use a Barbie pole and catch those things. 

Concur with your post 100% Todd.

I don't believe either one of us would argue that one can't catch fish with mediocre equipment. Rather, we prefer to stack the odds in favour of effectiveness and efficiency with better quality gear.  In RHYBAK's defence, however, I can easily admit to not possessing the same fishing skill set he does.

Jay 

[RHYBAK]

Thank You Jay.

Now I am intrigue with looking for a new rod.
I hate trying to travel with one piece rods, but do you think they are actually better ?
Time to buy a new rod case I guess.

[T-Bone]

HA HA!! Gotta keep that economy moving boys! Buy some gear!!!

Well...haven't done a whole lot of research on it yet like play with one at Cabela's, but I have a 6' one piece ML St. Croix Premier and love it....it's my #1 rod jigging up on Kipawa. Several of my Kipawa brothers have tried it while up there, and without fail, they all have one in their rod case next year. Awesome rod...couldn't ask for more.

It's my understanding the SC Eyecon is balanced differently or something like that to provide a better 'live bait' rig presentation. Not sure if that means it's better at using lighter baits or what, but I recall something like that. If I get one, it'd likely be a 6'6" one-piece model. Either way, Eyecon or Premier, I'll be getting a new SC rod. At minimum, I like to have 3-4 rigged-and-ready when we hit the water.

And yes Jay...11 guys is going to be a riot. Heck, with my group, 5 guys is a riot. This year it will be like going to the multiplex movie theater with free pass access to all shows all day and all night. No matter where you are or what you're doing, something will be playing and it's likely to be a laugh-riot comedy filled with fools and idiots. HA!!!

And Rhybak...my 'secret weapon' adds for this year are baits. Very secret though. Very secret.... 

[Jay Thomas]

Hey John, I'm just an average fisherman with my own opinions/preferences. In years past, when I had lots of calls on my disposable income, I fished with mediocre gear (two piece rods and average reels)  because that's all I could afford on fishing. After our daughter finished university, the mortgage was paid and there were no outstanding debts remaining, there was more disposable income to treat both my wife and myself. As a consequence, for myself, I spent more $ on better quality fishing gear and better quality fishing trips. Almost all of my fishing rods are one piece rods now. Are one piece rods better than two or more piece rods? The answer is very subjective. I've had two piece rods come apart during casts or while fishing fish and I have had a couple of two piece rods break right at the joint (downrigging rods). To my way of thinking, whether a one piece rod is actually better performing compared to the same rod but in a two piece configuration is really immaterial. If I perceive that I'll do better with a one piece rod, then my frame of mind is more positive with a one piece rod. And I need all the assistance I can get.

When I Googled for a comparison of one piece rods versus two piece rods, most fishermen preferred using one piece rods even though they admitted to not having any sound evidence one way or the other.

Rightfully or not, I've convinced myself  that I feel all those light bites while vertically jigging because I use a good graphite jigging rod and no stretch line. As for proof, on my Sep 2015 trip, I caught approximately 4 times as many walleye as the other two guys combined in the other boat. Why? Simple - they couldn't feel the bite.

Jay

[SgtCrabby]

I now use St. Croix Triumph series rods, in two piece.   
The reason I prefer a two piece, in my humble opinion,  is that they travel better than a one piece rod. 

[adempsey]

Most of my gear is what I would call "enthusiast" level.   I don't own much of what I would consider to be high-end stuff because, I believe for the most part, the gains are usually marginal for the extra cost.    However,  a couple of years ago I happen to luck out and get a great deal on a G Loomis WRX rod ($100).  It's a one piece rod, 6'3" medium light with an extra fast tip.  It's the perfect Walleye jigging rod and it is hands down my best rod (I have mostly St.Croix Premier rods).   I don't know if it's the fact it's one piece or just the type of rod it is, but I highly recommend it or something similar.   I know St.Croix [and others] makes a rod with similar specs.   

107 days to go for us!

[Canuckbass]

Sensitive rods are the ticket for sure, I don't bring any of my good rods to camp but have a few Abu Garcia Vendetta rods at camp. For the price they are great rods and if someone steps on one its not a big deal. Also, many friends visitors just grab a rod and go so no biggie if someone takes one for a few hours. I think I paid about $59 on sale. They have a good backbone and fast sensitive tip, great for jigging. I usually pick up a few Abu Garcia reels every year when Canadian Tire has them on sale for $30 or so. I have used these reels for years, great all around reels. Drag is not as smooth as a quality reel but for the walleye we catc drag isn't an issue.. Lol.
One piece is preference for sure.

And wow!! Only 68 or less days before we head to Kipawa to open up!! We head up the Thursday morning of May long weekend. May get up earlier as ice should be out. Would head up earlier to get some jobs done and use long weekend for what they are made for... Fishing and bbq!

[RHYBAK]

At the moment I too have a St.Croix Triumph that I use as my jigging rod.
I'm just thinking it's time to have two jigging rods in the boat loaded for action.
I'll be checking out the EYECON at next weeks Toronto Sportsman Show.
Who knows, I may end up with another Triumph.

[adempsey]

I think my next rod may likely be an Eyecon rod.   They are a really good value.  For jigging, check out the ECS63MLXF and the ECS63MXF rods.    It's a great spec for jigging.     You have to be OK with one piece rods and the split grip though, which I know some don't like.   The Premier series are great as all purpose rods, especially if you don't want a split grip.  The Premier series also has more two piece options.  I do prefer the one piece rods for fishing, but it's a bit of a pain transporting them.