[italianfisherman]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

With all due respect... We used to catch buckets full of big tog with $5 5-6 foot solid glass boat rods as big around as your wrist, dacron line or 50# $.79 K mart mono, and those cheap old Penn reels with no drag, plastic spools, and a green handle.
I know tog fishing is tougher these days, a LOT more fishermen, and a LOT less fish, but still.. $200+ for a blackfish rig?... Its just not needed if you have any decent feel for fishing.. its all a matter of getting a rod with the right backbone to set the hook, a heavy enough reel and line, and then just putting the time in.. Right now I would be badly outfished anywhere by anyone for tog, as I haven't gone in years, but if I started driving the 500 mile round trip every weekend, I would be catching my share after the first trip or two... well 3 maybe,,
I did great on tog using $2 garage sale rods when I lived in NJ.. Its simply a matter of getting out there, and fishing them regularly.. In short order, you are connecting just as well as the guys with the $300 rods... bob

good point .