This reel was my first baitcaster and I had moved into the "big leagues." The 5000C was mounted on a Lew's Speed Stick – a black reel on a black rod. I joined a bass club and fished as a non-boater.

While fishing a tournament from the back of the boat and trying to make a short, underhanded cast with a large Bagley Balsa B, a backlash wasn't totally picked out and the rod and reel jerked out of my hand when the backlash caught. It fell into 18 foot of water – it was gone.

The next day I came back with my dad in a johnboat and with a 12-foot piece of half-inch metal conduit with a hook brazed on the end. It seemed an impossible task moving 12 feet of conduit down in the water. I had a mental picture of exactly where it was, though. After my dad tried, I took over and he held the boat.

On my second try I snagged the Balsa B that was floating up out of the rod with the hook and recovered the rod and reel. The big bait floating up was the only reason I got the reel back. I had trouble getting anyone to believe I got it back.

My largest bass was from the Arkansas River on a Balsa B, years ago, a little over 7 pounds.

Phillip W. Sexton
Clarksville, Arkansas

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