RyneB

So did he reimburse you? Fyi, Hinkles are still going in the $300 range

It's on the smaller side. But a Yamamoto Shad Shape worm outfishes every single bait I own. It has accounted for my 3 biggest smallies. It doesn't exactly attract the biggest largies. But if you're looking for a bait that just gets bites. Its tough to beat.

I have a buddy you wants me to go to Baccarac with him in March. But not sure I can swing that financially this go around. Certainly seems like that's the spot though.

I have a bucket list when it comes to bass fishing. Next on my list is catching giants on swimbaits. Here in Illinois, I'm very limited on the size of the bass. I've caught a couple 7s, one 8, and countless 5s. But I want a double digit on a swimbait. Where would be my best chance for that? California? Mexico? When i mean swimbait, I'm talking 10 inch hudds,8 inch hand pours, deps 250s.

ALX Toadface is a solid frog and jig rod. I actually bought a 2nd one because I loved it for throwing whopper ploppers.

I have a couple pairs of Costa 580Gs, my fishing buddy has Wiley X. We were fishing last weekend and he was spotting every bedder, I couldnt see any. We swapped glasses, he raved how much better my Costa 580Gs were compared to his Wileys. I still couldnt see any bedders. lol.

I have the drop shot rod and love it so far.

I still have about 30 watermelon seed Yum Sooies left. I will be sad when I use them all. It's a great bed bait too.

im in north central illinois. I start throwing topwater when I catch my first bass on a lizard. That's usually my internal clock green light. That is usually between 51-56. I dont throw them often, but i like to run a plopper or buzzbait over my productive points and flats. I dont get numbers, but I usually always get a couple good size fish. I have caught bass on spooks walking them next to ice that is still on the lake. It's not ideal, but a bass doesnt read the same articles we do. I figure I can always find a dumb one here or there.

first Whopper Plopper fish of the year. 6.5

Did you and Alex talk about customizing an Ikos? it would have saved you money and it is a great rod for the price.

I certainly would not dump hot plastic into the bait. A few things could go wrong. severe burns would be at the top of the list, followed by the body melting.

First fish of 2019 was a good one. Megabass Vision 110.

I was thinking of hitting Powerton to take the Ultrex on its Maiden voyage. Anyone have any tips for smallies or largies? I have never even seen it.

Banner Marsh for sure. closest thing you will get to Florida up here. In all honesty, the best advice I can give you is stay I florida. Our taxes are insane and if you want to fish you will have to walk on ice 4 months out of the year.

I have not fished a Lews rod, but I am one those Ikos fans. I only have a promise 7-3 and a Hammer 7-3. Both rods are very versatile. They arent as sensitive as a Zolo or a Kistler Z bone. But they do a lot of things real well. I also prefer to give my money to a business like ALX.

ALX Ikos. Made In the USA and great customer service.

I love Invizx. I use it as for leaders on my drop shot and is also my favorite jig line.

drop shot with 4 or 6 lb Invizx. Bait of choice is a Yamamoto shad shape worm in natural shad. If that doesnt get bit, there are no bass in it.

tube. Can throw it weightless like a topwater, punch it, texas rig, jig trailer, insert a jig head, drop shot, shakey head, Ned rig, Neko rig, Carolina rig, a stupid rigged. I'm sure I'm missing some more.

drop shot, evergreen shower blows, poppers, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits. But if I only had to choose one, it would be a tube. Wouldnt even think twice.

I use an MGX for flipping, punching. frogging etc. Its held up to the abuse better than the 2 Curados I also use for punching. Both of my Curados the drag will slip randomly on hook sets. Having said that, I also live in Illinois where I dont have to really worry about sticking a 9 lber in a mat. I have hooked into my fair share of northern with an MGX and it handled it just fine though.

I have an Enox I purchased this winter. I have not fished it yet. Just flipping jigs into a shoe. So I cant speak on sensitivity. I can say it's not as comfortable in my hand as a Zolo (I have small hands), and seems on the heavier side compared to the zolo. It is a beautiful rod and absolutely flawless. I cant wait to lay into the bucket mouths with it. Having said that, I'd have a hard time justifying any rod is $100 better than a Zolo. Good luck and hopefully someone gives you better advice than me.

Looking for a EVA knob for my spinning Revo x. Tacklewarehouse doesnt sell knobs anymore. And the ones I found online, dont seem to be compatible with the Revo X. Looking for some info to lead me in the right direction.

any pics? lol