Jrob78

Super high grade cork rings are very expensive, like $10-$12 per inch retail. Obviously rod companies get it cheaper but that's why most rods with cork will have some filler in the grips. It's also why full cork grips aren't the norm anymore, imo. I'm a big fan of really nice cork grips but I don't mind burl grips either, especially on custom rods. U40 is a great product to help keep your grips nice.

I only fish flukes on a baitcaster with fluorocarbon and never use a swivel or weight of any kind, unless I am throwing a double fluke rig.

I've always held my rod with all fingers in front of the trigger so I can easily palm the reel. I've recently been experimenting with 2 in front and 2 behind, it feels weird but I do feel like I have a little more grip control in some circumstances.

No it's one of the original Tatula rods, black with gold accents and eva grips. They haven't made them for a pretty long time.

I never realized these were so hard to find in anything larger than 4". These were the only other ones I found. https://tartantackle.com/shop/7-inch-bait/7-ring-worm/

That was one of my first JDM reels too and I still use it some.

I agree with this. I have one of the original 7'2" MH Reg Tatula rods and it is an awesome, versatile rod. I use it for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, Dark Sleepers/Sleeper Gills and 5"-6" paddletail swimbaits but you could definitely throw t-rigs, crankbaits, heavier top waters and who knows what else. One of my favorite rods.

TW still has the Abu Fantasistas on sale and ALF has a few Legend Tournaments and Expride As on sale right now.

Since you have a MH spinning rod I would say you could go 1 of 2 directions. The rod you have would probably make a good weighted t-rig rod. You could either go with a heavier casting rod with braid for your frogs and jigs or a lighter spinning rod for your lighter t-rigs and finesse baits. From there you can experiment with topwaters, spinnerbaits etc and see what works best with what you have.

My favorite reel is probably the OG Zillion, I still have a few base models and a J-Dream that are going strong. The new Zillion and its variants are creeping up the list though. The Curado E series reels are great too.

I don't fish Ned Rigs but Fat Ikas and other "palm tree" style baits are by far the baits that I've gut hooked the most fish on. I automatically bend down the barbs when I fish those baits now. They are super productive for me so I just do the best I can.

I've been killing them on the Fat Ika this year, awesome bait.

Yeah that's weird, the TT weight seemed pretty heavy which is what made me curious to weigh mine as it doesn't feel overly heavy. My scale is accurate as far as I know. ?‍♂️

I just weighed my 7'6" MH and it came in at 5.2 oz, which feels pretty reasonable for a rod that long rated to 1.5oz. It balances right in front of the reel nut with a 6.5 oz reel. I'm seriously thinking about buying the 6'10" ML casting while they're still available.

This is a great list for carry ammo. Federal HST and Speer Gold Dots are what I carry in all my carry guns but the others listed are great too. I like HST 124gr for 9MM's but they also make a 147gr if you want something heavier. I shoot whatever brass case I can get for the cheapest for range ammo.

I got the 7'6" MH yesterday. I haven't even put line on it yet but it's light and balances really well for its length with a reel. The blank feels very crisp and has what seems like a fairly soft tip but transitions into power very quickly. The build quality is good and it seems like a rod that would be sensitive but until I fish it some that is just a guess. On first impression it feels like a good buy at $159 and I might buy another.

I should have a 7'6" MH being delivered on monday. I've never used a Fantasista but it seems like a lot of rod for $159

Yeah I see what you mean, your initial post was pretty vague lol. I always use a pretty heavy rod and go at least 7'3" for long distance t-rig fishing.

People use all kinds of worm hooks with ML and M spinning gear, I don't think it's the rod.

This is what I would take a look at too

I bit the bullet and ordered a SW the other day. I have the Alphas, Zillion and HD. My HD is the smoothest and freest caster of the lot but the JDM Zillion and Alphas are pretty close

I have braid on my frog rod, a heavy pitching/punching rod and a topwater rod. It works great for those techniques but I don't like it for anything else. I hate how it handles, the lack of stretch, the huge bows in the line and slack line sensitivity, or lack thereof. That said though, it's personal preference, if you like it and feel confident with it then by all means put it on every rod, who cares?

I keep my spool tension loose enough for some side to side play and use the brakes accordingly. Sometimes that means the brakes are turned up pretty high but that's what they were designed to do. I use mostly Daiwa reels and often get some line fluff during hard casts for distance but the brakes straighten it back out before the lure hits the water and the thumb finishes it off. I feel like I get really good casting performance doing it this way but it's also what I'm used to.

This applies to pretty much everything, jigs, jigheads, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits etc...

Nice, I've almost pulled the trigger on this one a few times. I just don't fish braid much, it's either one of these or another HD.