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		 Saltheart, well said.  I know I look like a buffoon when I fish because ready for that strike and I'm hunched over waiting to lean back into it to really get that hook in deep. 
 
This is one of the problems I see with guys around here, mainly the bait guys.  They are dead sticking a rod and they'll go and use a lure rod or they'll turn their backs to the rods.  Personally, I learned you gotta watch the rod at ALL times the hard way. 
 
About 5 years ago, I was fishing the marina with my 8 footer casting bunker chunks at dusk.  I cast my rod out and started looking at the rocks for rats.  I felt someone tapping me on my shoulder.  I told the kid to knock it off.  Turns out, it was my rod doubled over hitting me in the shoulder.  I lost that fish and I knew it was at least 35 inches. 
 
Ya need to be on high alert the whole time and I very rarely take my eye off the tip of my rod, even when lure fishing when I know I'm going to feel it anyways. 
		
		
		
		
		
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