ib_of_the_damned

Are you talking about swimbaits that are loose in the bag as opposed to a clamshell packaging like Rage Tails and Keitechs? If so the loose swimbaits will be fine. Usually the cheaper swimbaits come loose in the bag and "premium" come in a clamshell to protect their shape. Grass Pigs will be fine unless the tails are really kinked. If that happens just boil the tails for 10-20 seconds and lay them flat to cool.

I ordered a Tatula SV TWS XSL that I will try out with the Max 3D or I could put my Curado 71HG on it, I havent decided yet. I already have spinning reels that I am going to pair the Diesel with. Either an Okuma Trio 20 or a *** Creed X 1000. I have a No *** 7'ML with the Okuma Trio on it so I may leave that combo alone and put the Creed on the Diesel.

Weedless Shad. Just sayin'...

So I pulled the trigger and ordered the Powell Max 3D 723 from American Legacy, I also had some rods pre-appraised for a trade in which should amount to about $75. All in, I spent about ~$100 and got two Powell Rods out of it! The Max 3D that I wanted and a free Diesel 702!

I just ordered the Tatula SV TWS 103 XSL from American Legacy, I had a $25 coupon to redeem. I got it for $174.99! It's on backorder though, but once I get it in and test it out, I'll report back with my findings.

I have a pack of the Berkley Fusion 19 4/0 1/8 oz that I want to try with Sweet Beavers, Fighting Frogs, Rage Bugs, and Rage Craws. I am currently trying out the Owner Weighted Twistlock Light 4/0 - 3/32 oz for a finesse presentation of small swimbaits and creatures (missile shockwave 3.5" and BBB Fighting Frogs) Aside from that I have used with success, the Owner Weighted Twistlock CPS Hooks (3/0-1/16 & 4/0-1/8 oz) and Moaner Weighted Stroker Hooks (4/0 & 5/0 - 1/8oz)

I concur. Another thing that I would add is some sort of scent to act as a lubricant to help the swimbait slide through the mouth and let the hook connect. I use BANG Craw/Shad Combo, just coat the entire thing with it. But I'm sure you could use Megastrike or Pro-Cure if you have it, I just prefer to spray something on my lures...

Good to know its not just me... I'll try to lighten up my casts a bit more. That being said, I do recall trying to lighten up the cast a little last weekend, but every time I did my casts were shorter than I would like.

I'm pretty interested in this reel too, the XSL model in particular. I was thinking about replacing my Curado 71HG on a En vy Black 7'3" MF for finesse stuff like weightless soft plastics and light t-rigs. How does this reel cast with light weights like 4" flukes, 1/16-3/32 oz weighted hooks with finesse plastics, 1/8 oz Jerk/Ripbaits, and finesse jigs?

How does the ALX compare to the Curado 70? I have the 71HG and I like the feel, fit and finish, but for really lightly weighted soft plastics or weightless I can't seem to get it dialed in. All 4 brakes on and correct spool tension, I backlash (not badly just some line fluff) probably 2 out of five casts. 1/4 oz RES' are no problem, I can launch those...

My favorite are the teardrop style dropshot weights. I use West Coast Tackle Quickdrops in 3/16 oz. http://img.tacklewarehouse.com/watermark/rs.php?path=WCQD-1.jpg&nw=302 And just recently started using the Tungsten Teardrop weights from omfishingsinkers.

I have both the Keitechs and Rage Swimmers, I have found a difference in the action of the Rage as compared to the Keitechs. The tail doesn't want to move as much at slower speeds like the Keitech does (I throw them weightless or Chikubi Rigged). I also wanted to really like the Rage Swimmers but they pale in comparison to the Keitechs. I will gladly spend the extra on Keitech from here on out. I'm just glad I only bought one pack of Rage Swimmers...

I'd go with Keitech Swing Impact Fats either 3.8" or 4.3". I've caught some decent fish off those swimbaits. I use Ayu or Tennessee/Electric shad depending on water clarity. Weightless...

Not necessarily. I have bought a reel from a trade show (Bass-A-Thon at Anglers Marine) and the rep threw in a free rod. The rod has lasted me quite a while, in fact I still have it! I bought a 2nd Gen Revo SX years ago when it first came out and the Berkley Rep gave me a Vendetta rod, SpiderWire tackle bag, and a spool of Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon to go along with it.

I've got the 6'10" MH/F Phenix Maxim. It is a softer tip, but I don't think its a mod-fast. It's labelled as fast, but in my experience Phenix have softer tips than most. I would say its probably between a fast and a mod-fast. But in any case I really like the rod, it launches a 1/4oz RES a good distance!

I definitely would! I don't really care for Moderate/Moderate Fast action for cranks. I have done just fine with fast action rods for those. But the fast action rod that I use has a softer tip than most (Phenix Maxim).

Well for the 702 length and power, I'm not going to say no to a free rod! Regardless if its spinning or casting. I have a feeling it may be spinning. I don't think they ever made a ML Casting Diesel, I believe they were only M and up.

Are they all Casting rods? If so I could take the 702 as a finesse/shakeyhead rod...

I may have to take advantage of this deal before they run out of Diesels... Maybe Ill get the Max 3D 723 and a Diesel 723 (if they have it)

I'm not seeing anything about that on the website. I even added the rod to the cart and still nothing. Maybe they are not doing that promotion anymore or they are out of Diesels...

Is this an online deal or in store? Can you choose the Diesel rod?

Thanks for the info. I know both rods have great reviews, I think I'm leaning towards the Powell. I have iRods with the same type of skeletal reel seat that I really like. For some reason I feel that the handle/reel seat on the Fury would be less sensitive than the exposed skeletal of the Powell. Can you attest to the sensitivity of the Powell vs the Dobyns?

I'm looking to pick up an all around casting rod for the days I just want to take one rod with me. I have been looking at both the Powell Max 3D 723 and Dobyns Fury 733, my plan was to use it for traps, flukes/senkos, spinnerbaits, jigs, and paddletails (mainly 3.8" Fat Impacts weightless/chikubi rig). Which of these two rods would you guys recommend and also the reason for one over the other.

X2 on the Fiskars. Thats what I used to use before I lost them and ordered a Rapala kit with braid scissors. The Rapala scissors work really well too.