Darren.

What a fattie! Bulging eyes... Congrats!

Sweet pup! Love dogs. Love 'em.

So I visited the local BPS last night, poor selection of anything Avid, but did get hands on a bunch of other rods which gave me pause to slow down... Guess I'm going to hold fast right now and not plunge for a replacement Avid -- just yet. Given that I was, in previous posts moons back, been somewhat critical of my Avid being slightly tip-heavy, I'm reticent to pull the trigger on another one. Of course the 6' MLF or 6'3" MLXF will be lighter than the 6'3" MXF according to Croix, I'm not sure either would be as light as my Carbonlites. Which is one of the reasons I've been very happy with the CLs. And my elbows have been happier. Anyhow, thanks so much for the feedback. I'll refer back to this and other threads when I decide to dive in. Which, could be tomorrow. Or never.

If you go braid, 10lb PowerPro = 2lb diameter mono. I spooled all of my spinning and casting gear with braided mainline due to ease of management, and always tie on a leader from 4-15lbs. The 4 in P-Line Floroclear is a great suggestion, or you can go with Yo-Zuri Hybrid, or other copoly. As for snags, them's the breaks. Sometimes there is nothing you can do...

Welcome aboard! For me, I will use old and new, but for the most part, my "schtick" is soft plastics fished wacky, whether weightless or weighted. Then I'll fish TX, mojo, jigs, etc., not in any particular order. I've found these to work pretty much year-round. But I'm also in an area I can fish almost 12 months out of the year.

Good tip. I might have to try one next outing, though my first/only outing this month was a rousing success (to me) with 7 bass and one bluegill. 5 on a 4" Stik-O, and two on a 4" GYCB shad shaped worm. I think I have a white/gold spinnerbait somewhere.

Welcome aboard!

I suppose it will boil down to the type of jig, weight, etc. But with regard to St. Croix MLF and MLFX, will they not be more akin to a MF and MXF of say a Shimano rod, or a Carbonlite? That saying that Croix rods are stiffer than counterparts is in the front of my mind, so I suppose I'm looking for that info as compared to *other* rods I mention.

I do prefer shorter rods on my yak. I get into a lot of areas that a longer rod would prevent my casting. I only went 6'6" because BPS didn't make my actions and lengths in the Carbonlite series. I'm leaning toward XF right now... Curious as to why you wouldn't use a jig with a weedguard on the XF. I've done so with my Compres over the years w/o problem. But then again, an XF Shimano is probably softer than an XF Croix...

Awesome! She's a beaut!

I do like the split grips, Dwight, but I was hoping to drop under the 6'6" minimum that the X series has. Which is why I was debating between the 6'3" and 6' models in ML... I just need to decide between the Fast and X Fast tips. This rod will serve my general fishing style of soft plastics, i.e., wacky, TX, mojo, Jika, jigs... My Carbonlites are Fast tips, I believe, while my Compre's are XF.

Do you mean the ML Fast is the more versatile of the ML models? I was looking at the specs and the 6'3" is rated as low as 1/16 oz but the 6' is ⅛. Not that it is a huge deal...

Hey gang, I've become quite fond of my BPS Carbonlites for weight and balance, wasn't extremely fond of my 6'3" MXF Avid spinning rod for the same things. The Avid has been broken a few times (don't ask) and I'm about ready to send it in for a replacement. My question is, will I be happier if I "exchange" it for the 6'3" MLXF model. I don't want the M again, was too stiff for my liking. I'll be putting one of my Stradic 1000 reels on it. Also considering a 6' MLF as I like shorter rods in general. Only owned the one Avid, and one Premiere, both M action. Won't go anything below Avid again most likely. Will I be happier with the ML?

Sweet! A pic would have been great, but kudos for getting it back quickly and alive. Yeah, once you spend the $$$$ for a specific rig, fergeddaboudit. I caught a mess of big pickerel on crappie gear, 8lb test, 1/16oz minnow. When I tried to target pickerel, nada. LOL

A lot of us use 1000 size Shimanos for bass fishing with no problems at all. And with braid, you can get enough line on the reel, if you really need more drag, use the palm of your hand. My 6.6lber in my avatar was caught with a Stradic 1000FI in thick slop and timber. 10lb PowerPro + a leader.

Well I got out for a couple hours this eve. Finally. Had a great time, first bass was a 2 pounder, second was another 2 pounder, then a 1.5, then the count went all the way to 7 bass on the day with one dink, the rest over 1.25 pounds. And one bluegill. Great to be back in the yak-saddle again! Side imaging is something I'd like to have, but it's way down on my list now.

Nice fish, fly. We were in Chesterfield for a soccer game yesterday. Driving over the James got our juices flowing. I hope to get out this week. First time this fall. No clue how the bite is down here right now. Just need to get out and in the yak, wet some line and feel the life flow through my veins again. Operative word: hope.

Stradic 1000's and Chronarch 50e's

Nice fish, sir! Desmobob beat me to it, LOL

I'm on TT as well, but very rarely am I on their forums anymore. I've found good info on both forums, but feel this is by far the best on the internet

Welcome aboard, Harold! Sounds like you have a fun life And that's a nice hawg you caught!

I've been laying low on the game for a while now, no big purchases, heck no fishing purchases at all since this past summer -- my wife is happy But I look for sales and pick rods in the $100 range when I'm in the market. Most expensive I've got is an Avid, though. I pick based on BPS availability and ease of warranty. Only thing I'm not thrilled about is the lack of shorter lengths in the Carbonlite series I like (in M power). Reels I have bought on eBay, BPS, other retailers, and almost always on sale or with points.

Lanzbass- You look to be just out of the path of hurricane Patricia, but will likely feel her wrath even so. Stay safe! Keep us posted. Darren

Agree with both of these. My Stradics have excellent drag systems, and my palm acts as the extra drag when needed. Never had an issue. I've found great success fighting bass with M rods from 5'9" to 6'6" on the 1000s.

Very sad, indeed. Awful news.