Jason Penn

the older tat sv (and zillion) has a cut out in the frame right behind the gearbox that fits my hand perfectly, so i will probably keep them as most of the reels i use. i do like the ipt on the 7:1 in the new model though. just little bit faster than the 6:1 of the older model, but not too fast. i'm excited about the new rebellion rods. the 6'10 mhr is a rod i've been trying to find.

i haven't messed with 7'mh tak rod, but it's supposed to be based on the old tds 7'mh crank rod, and those could handle a wide range of baits. the weight & balance weren't the greatest on those rods, but from the few threads i've read on different boards, the balance is improved on the tat elite rods.

i have a couple of the casting reels, and they're very good reels. the rods i haven't used, i'm not wild about the acs seats. i'm pretty sure the spinning reels are daiwa bg's made to bps' color scheme.

cadman is making them for me. allen you use the camo wire a lot don't you? i have some of the lpo heads with that wire, and thought about maybe getting them to make up some with that wire, but i think i would like .035 in 1/4oz frame size and they don't offer that. the .032 may be a too springy.

good to know that it works out fine. i like the hidden weight baits, but i'm wanting something that dives when i kill it. as far as blade size, i downsize from what is available on most baits you can buy. even on standard size 1/2oz i use a 3.5 on the shaft and 4 on the swivel. i fish relatively clear water, and just feel they get bit more. i like catching big fish, but i focus more on getting bit period. i don't fish tournaments, so i'm more worried about having fun the 1 day a week i get to go fishing.

i'm wanting a compact bait like the hidden weight heads, but wanting something that will dive when i kill it. would the 1'2oz weight on a 1/4oz bait frame work, or would it have more problems than it's worth? thanks

15# was as high as i ever used because it's thicker than most other lines. ?? i had to read your comment twice also....i don't pay much attention to stated test of a line, i just go by diameter, and thought you pretty much did as well? i've been using sunline assassin in 17# for the past couple of years, and it's worked out great for me. i've thought about trying the vicious again just to compare the 2. i never used the original on spinning, but didn't have a problem with handling on casters. i do have 8# vicious pro elite on a spinning reel, and it can get twisted up during a day of fishing. i just let it out 1st thing of the morning while idling and it usually lasts most of the day with no problems.

i've thought about maybe trying vicious fc again. i used to use it, and would retie often. at the time, i didn't use heat shrink in my tg weights and also just used a double line clinch knot. their 15# is the diameter of most company's 20#.

i've got a 7'1 h steez xt & a 7'1 mh ags. i got both of the rods used. the xt i got off of ebay, along with a 7'4 xh xt for an absolute steal!! the ags i got about 6 months ago used for what i thought was a very fair price. i really wish daiwa hadn't discontinued the xt line, but they have been really focused on the tatula elite for the past couple of years. i haven't fished any of the tat elites, i'm sure they are excellent. i just wish daiwa wouldn't move away from their reel seats that are different like the air beam, and the seats they used on the old green handle tds rods.

i haven't fished the tatula elite series of rods, but in the steez line up the h power rods have a softer tip than h power would imply. i do have a 7'1 mh power, but after having it a while, i'm not sure that i couldn't have just got another h power rod. the tat elites maybe the same.

i like both.

i use 17# sunline assassin for plastics & jigs. i've been using a eugene slip knot and have not had any break offs. i also use heat shrink in my tungsten.

i'm not a mlf hater, in fact i really like it. i don't think they should change the format of flw though. the scheduling between organizations should be a non issue now. i tend to watch more flw live coverage than i do bass or mlf due to it being on youtube. i watch it on roku, and my phone doesn't have to be tied up like it does when i watch bass live or mlf

try to not set the hook, just tighten up and pull into it. what's probably happening is you're actually ripping a hole in their mouth. if you'll pull into it, the hook will just pierce

i'm pro fc. i'm pretty much a slack liner, braid just feels dead to me other than tight line techniques. i use a eugene knot and have had no problems with break offs. i havent had an issue since i started inserting weights.

i've been using the eugene slip knot for everything, and have had zero issues

anybody tried an al-f spool in an alx? they look so very similar, i have a hard time believing it won't work. the alx would be a pretty incredible reel if it could be tamed a tad. i've got 2 of the 8:1's and have used them with 17# fc pitching jigs & plasttics. i also changed out the handles to the carbonlite 2.0

i've done that with spinnerbait skirts

i've wanted to wire tie, but the couple of attempts i've made haven't been very good. i don't have a vise, so that's my problem. i've been using o rings to make up skirts, then just use 15#-20# line and use a uni knot and cinch down. the o rings are much easier for me to work with than skirt collars, and it gives you plenty of room on the jig collar to flare the skirt wherever you want.

i'm a huge daiwa rod fan. i love their air beam & older reel seats. it seems they're trying to move more in a standard direction though. junger, i dont have the 7'4 ags steez, i have the xt. the tip is a lot softer than the xh rating implies. it's really a great football jig rod. i would imagine the ags will be even better than the xt.

i've still yet to try tatsu. i have tried & tried, but i just can't do the braid to leader thing on my spinning setups. on a whim, i bought one of those piscifun line spooler things, and i just happened to have some 8# red label so i used it. i have had absolutely no problems at all with it, so i've held up getting any tatsu. on casting gear, i've been really happy with sunline assassin. i handles well, and seems pretty abrasion resistant. i haven't had any weird break offs since i started inserting my tungsten, and tying a eugene slip knot.

that's a pretty sexy reel

my casting set-ups definitely outweigh spinning, but i have days where i just want to fish with a spinning rod more than casting

i think what would be cool is if they did a 5 biggest for this event since it'll be on the same lake. i watched mark daniels jr's vlog on table rock, and hearing him talking about staying out of the bed fish trap. might be nice to shake things up some.

i use them for spinnerbaits & cranks. i'm also thinking of using them for jigs & plastics in cold water. i sometimes think i may be fishing way too fast during cold months