Gripe Site 2.0

Carpio
If you want to try them in the store before you by the rod this is the procedure for testing the spline

To find the spine—the natural, stiffest bending axis of a fishing rod—place the rod tip against a smooth surface at a 30° to 45° angle. Apply downward pressure in the middle and slowly roll the blank in your hands until it naturally "pops" into a curve.

West.   I did not know that😃

About 4 years ago I bought three St Croix Rods from a big box store. I should have checked before I left but who would think that the spline would not be off on a quality rod. I used to build rods in my younger days I have a rod building machine the whole works and the spline is the very first thing and the most important thing to get straight. I took them back the next day and never bought another Saint Croix.

​The spine (often spelled spline) is the natural line of resistance along a fishing rod blank where the graphite or fiberglass overlaps during manufacturing, making that side slightly thicker and stiffer.
​Rod builders locate this spine to position the guides correctly. Aligning the guides with the spine ensures the rod bends straight under pressure, maximizing casting accuracy and lifting power while preventing the rod from twisting in your hand.

Broke tips on 2 Loomis IMX rods. 1 was only 1 1/2” from the tip so I just re-tipped it. The other was a short light spinning rod that broke almost in half with a big bass hooked. Then the 6 lb line broke and half that rod went in. Originally $195 way back in early 2000’s. They gave me a $390 replacement rod for $140 (a year ago) since they no longer made “my” rod. 

FC,
I've had similar experiences with St, Croix in that I've broken 3 tips.  Of course they replaced them for free, but they just don't seem to make things quite as durable as they used to!

The only rods that I own that have not broken on me are Fenwick.

Im kinda a river rat of sorts, and my rods bounce around in a Jon boat, so perhaps I'm just rough on them. 

Anyone else have G Loomis rods that the tips snap/break.  I have a GCX LITE 7' 6" and twice now the tip has snapped between the 3-4th eyelet.  First time happened liftin a crappie and this morning it happened in the same place while threading line through last eye let and pulling out drag.  

You could also simply install an ad blocker.  

I use never ads. 

That is actually one of the benefits J4I...

There is a "Turn off banner ads" button 

Not my gripe, but World Cup Fans are surprised when finding out they can’t take “Ranch Dressing” on the plane with them! Lol Ranch is probably one of those “Tastes good with anything” condiments.

I don't get any ads but I'm always on mobile and use duck duck go for browser

If upgrading to the pro membership got rid of them, like it does for a lot of subscription services, I would actually consider paying for the membership. But as far as I know, nothing you can do besides complain or ignore!

Really getting tired of these ads that constantly pop up at the bottom of my screen and along the side bar.
Any suggestions on how to permanently get rid of them?

Bodhi - you reminded me. There was a guy at the launch when I left who seemed to be struggling with his front safety chains and stern tie-down straps. In fact, it looked more like macrame than simple tie-down. I asked if something was broken as I have all sorts of stuff in my truck including a full tool set.

Then I saw that the trailer was a bit too small for the boat. Winch was broken. Numerous other issues needing attention and repair...

  And the guy seemed buzzed. Not drunk, drunk, but not just a little 420 either. I made the decision not to call it in but I have - at that boat launch - called LE on someone clearly chitfaced with a pile of empties in the boat.

Fishing a 3000 acre lake today. Had the same guy in a pontoon come by me 3 separate times in 3 different spots at like 15 yards away. Each time I was like 200 yards off shore all by myself. I mean he clearly had to go out of his way to get that close to me as I wasnt in any kind of navigable channel or anything and there was zero other boats nearby. Some people are really weird. To top that off there was a BLI at the ramp when me and another guy were ready to take our boats out. He loaded his boat,  pulled up like 20 feet then proceeded to do straps, unload boat into car etc as he effectively blocked one of the 2 ramps. Weekend fishing is always an adventure for me on the lakes near home.

Gripe...

Went fishing yesterday on a roughly 750 acre lake yesterday for a couple/three hours. Nice weekend, I know. You'll always run into folks on the lake who's idea of consideration is different that your own - especially on weekends...

I was fishing bedded gills. Beds are in spots scattered all over the lake's shoreline. i was working an area between two piers all by myself when a pontoon boat approached. It looked like he was going to dock at the northernmost of the two piers so I slid over a bit to give him room...And he dropped anchor so close that I could make out what they were saying. This is a big lake, with 'spots" all over the place.

After a few minutes of fruitless fishing they pulled anchor to reposition. That's when I asked if I was in their way...."No, you're good".

Had they not had children aboard I would have repositioned myself right to where I had been before I slid over to be considerate.

My guess is that the boat captain lived on the lake and knew no other places to put the kids on fish. Big dollar party barge...Still - I wouldn't ever fish that close to someone when there's literally hundreds of good shoreline areas where bluegills are bedded....I moved and continued to catch fish where-ever I went.

If I wanted company, I would'a brought my own.