1. Why do so many carpers feel that Delks are the best? I'm not suggesting they're not, as I don't own them to say one way or the other.

2. What would be one of the best kits for (Big) Buffalo at Emma(Rods, Reels, Alarms, Pod, Net, etc, etc)? What could I put my hard earned money in and never regret the purchase or will unlikely ever want to upgrade? Keep in mind the cost has to be relative to function not merely looks. I will use the kit mostly at Emma for buffalo. I would really like to hear Jason's thoughts also.

3. Since moving to Texas a little over a year ago I have gained much respect for what it takes to catch buffalo vs carp and I find myself seeking buffalo more than the carp I catch so often and without much effort. So also any buffalo catching tips, especially for catching them at Emma would be greatly appreciated. This Fall-Spring I would like to give my best weekend effort at catching one. Man they're tough to catch!

1.Delks are rubbish.... they are sort of a love hate thing...I prefer rollers alarms.

2. A shimono bit pit reel any rod that you use for carp should work fine for buffalo...

3. Emma is not so much a skill set as a time of year thing, go in the summer catch carp....go in the winter catch buffalo....go in the late fall catch carp and the huge buffalo...

...as we creep into the summer and you still want to continue catching buffalo you need to target the deepest coolest water you can find durning the day and area's with deep drop offs and shallow shelfs during the night.

Don,

This is a great question and welcome to the buffalo gang.

In my opinion there is only one choice, the Fox RX alarms. The Fox RX alarms can be used as a roller alarm and as a vibration alarm like the Delk. It is truly the best of both worlds.

If there is any wind I use it as a roller but if conditions are calm I use it like a Delk. It can be tuned so sensitive that you can just put your finger on the end of the rod and the vibration will sound the alarm. Buffalo dont always sound the alarm on the roller setting and sometimes you must strike to catch them.

With Zach and Dave, from Big Carp Tackle, as my witness I captured Quasi, on Lake Fork, by striking. It never sounded my bait clicker a single time. Dave just happened to see my rod tip bobbing. If I would have had the Fox RX alarms, at that time, they would have sounded.

Now with all of that being said the Fox RX alarms are the most expensive alarms on the market but if you want to purchase alarms that you will never regret than there is no better choice. I don't know of anyone that sells them in the US so you will have to order them from overseas or have Dave order some for you.

I just updated the ABOUT BUFFALO page on my website and you might find some usefull info on it to help you with your quest.
http://texasbuffaloadventures.com/About_Buffalo.html

Cheers!
Jason

Hmmmmmmmmmm hell just a rod and a penn reel all i use and a # 2/0 hook and worms catch carp up to 15 pounds, but more fun on the smaller rods like my garcia and falcon rod.

Don,
Any worthy carp setup would/should work for buffs as well. What do you use for carping?

Has some penn reels that work good on them i do have more control over them. using # 2/0 to 3/0 hooks and worms then i have some garcia reels 5300 i think and some all star rods and falcon rods with them it's more fun but much harder to get them in sometimes but GOD i love the fight. But i do cheat somewhat i do use range cubes to get them rolling the water then with in 30 mins. hang on LOL. Oh and i do catch buffs too but have never caught anything bigger then 15 pounds most are around 8 to 12 pounds. But i did loose a 30 plus pound catfish there one day yep roll and rip that hook right out LOL. And all the carps and buffs i catch and release.

There are a couple of pockets that I have had luck with on the buffalo in the warmer times. However, they are only fishable by boat. You can also try behind Mansfield as I have had good luck there as well. Feel free to PM for more info, and your welcome to come along next time I head out there.

yea but zack what r u going to do when it freezes and your roller weels freezes up and you dont hear a run. my delks will not do that. heheheh i love delks cause the battery life is awesome 6000 hours on one 9v battery and you can set them up for just about anykind of fishing situation.

I will be at home, near my fire place...drinking wine...probaly surfing the TFF...

You realize we live in Texas, right?

Chris,

I think you have it backwards. When Ron brought his Delks in January he kept having to go up to the cabin to thaw them out. One night all of our alarms froze but his froze many nights. He said that when he got home he was going to buy different alarms.

it doesent count when your fishing a dock 100 ft in the air... the air is thinner up there.

Well guys, I haven't pinned down exactly what I'm buying or where (out of stock & high shipping most places I checked) but some items I'll likely buy are:

Pod: Sky Pod of course: I like the angles it can get, I don't mind some weight as I want some stability. I'll likely accessories with 4 Rod Bar, Lok Butt Rests, Anchor Feet, maybe some more.

Rods: 4 Trekker Rods 3.25TC or get 4 different rods, what do you think?

Reels: That's another issue. With Fox there's not much choice.

Alarms: Jason gave me a good tip for the RX (can be used as a roller alarm and a vibration alarm ~like a Delk) sounds like a plan.

I like to stick with one brand but I want really rugged gear although nothing is set in stone yet. Not sure I can get all I need from Fox.

The idea of travel gear that's airline friendly, wont break when in use, fall down (unstable), or land in the lake while I'm sleeping is what I'm striving for.

Thanks for the replies. Feel free to throw in anymore advice or ideas that might get me closer to my goal.

Here's one for you.
I highly recommend the JRC Heavy Duty Retainer Sling. I had 217 lbs. in the sack Sunday we were lifting the sling/keepsack 4 feet out of the water, it never tore at all, even when some dorsal spines got stuck, no tears. I don't normally pack a sling that full but (BCT is Out of Stock/I requested for them to inform me when they get some in stock again so I can buy 5 more). It's the best piece of gear I ever owned. Buy one or two you wont be disappointed.

Don,

Thanks for the tip on the sling.

For the record, I LOVE the Fox reels. When I am using spinning reels that is all that I use. I know that many don't think that Fox can make a good rod or reel but I think that the Stratos is the best reel on the market.

I have Shimano Long Casts and Thunnus reels and they are very good, but I let my clients use them. I use the Fox.

Also, when fishing here in the US, I think that the rod should be 3.25 or 3.5 test curve. IMO the rod should be primarily about getting the hook where you need it and secondarily about playing the fish. A rod with a 3.5 tc and stretchy mono line will play a fish better than a rod with 3tc and braided line. I have always felt that the line has a more important role in playing the fish than the rod.

With our winds a stable pod is the most important thing. Also, hangers can cause a lot of frustration in high winds. Swingers are far better suited.

i had a solar world wide pod, and with the global conversion kit it will extend to over 5 foot long and you can raise the rod tips to 6 ft in the air, plus its very stable, i had mine stand up to 30 mph winds at emma long this year. i was going to get the sky pod but didnt like the stance of it. seemd to unstable to me. if you look into the solar pod the buzz bars are extra.