webertime

The taper of a 735 is what I like for c-rigs.

My recollection of seeing made in China on Triumph rods was 2008-2009 timeframe when I deep dove back into bass fishing. Lots of search results for that rod and China.

Triumph rods for a few years.

Not sure on that bait but Fat Ikas skip amazing and are proven.

Good to go with them.

I can tell you that whipping a tungsten Keitech jig off an iron railroad trestle will result in sparks and a ricochet sound. You get a hook and trailer back.

Just read the law, definitely strict. We have similar in Vermont. Jigheads made of Tungsten are available at all the big dealers. Lead free jigs (name) is a Massachusetts jig maker that uses tin I believe.

Start building rods.

The rest of us that enjoy a Chablis from a box, now know not to invite casts_by_fly to girls night. Lure colors... takes a year or so of "huh?" To get it figured out.

So a toothpick is just easier to trim and being slightly larger in diameter will hold a bit better. Evidently I can't upload a 101kb image... So here's what I'm talking about https://images.app.goo.gl/GKazF

Toothpick pushed through from left to right side, just in front of the hook bend.

One bite since they hit the market. Rat smallie in 22 feet of water

It's 100% money driven. Costs for competitors and BASS equipment and staff to travel. Then add in which locations want to pay BASS most to hold the tournament. Outside of the classic that's how it works unfortunately. It is a business at the end of the day. Up here (I live on Champlain and am 4ish hours to Clayton) bass season doesn't start til second Saturday in June (little later for St Lawrence) due to spawn etc. If they came up for that timeframe it's sort of a pain because depending on the Spring the smallies are pre, post and full spawn. Fishing is good but not 30 bags a day of 20+lbs for 4 days good. August will be a minnow tournament for sure but way easier/consistent to show out with big bags (good for all parties involved). I think (regardless of living on one of the lakes) it's a pretty good schedule mix of OG factories, some risers and a couple wildcards that I've never really heard of.

You Snell knot? I imagine a bead would make the hookset/kick a little wonky. Otherwise I would say it's not a terrible idea.

In the thread on Sunline braid earliest this wee I posted a link to a video. In that video they also address Sniper issues they've had. Sounds like the same issues you have. Here it is:

Not exactly a frog but in situations like you are describing the Raid micro dodge and micro dodge big with their wings removed works like little frogs/spooks.

The Hook Up Tackle just dropped a video on this (in part). They noticed issues.

The 710Hf St Croix models will toss upwards of 3.25 oz (rated .75 to 3oz) If you want a bit more wiggle room the 79Hf Tatula Swimbait rod is great 2+oz rod LDC and Leviathan are solid companies that have models that will fit your need

Daiwa Catalina TWS. A brute but able to cast light baits too

Right now throwing: Megabass Magdraft Freestyle 6" Raid Osakana Slide Deps Slide swimmer 250 Raid G-Dash DRT Tiny Klash 7" Duo Versa Shad Fat Duo and Magdraft into laydowns and almost topped out weeds. Thules/pencil grass. Like a frog. G-Dash is kind of a wake/glide combo. In place of a spook. Osakana on outside weed edges Tk,250 are year round producers

For a trailer try a swim senko or DRT Cramp Shad

Pros (as well as opens, Toyotas, & BFLs) only go where the respective tours get paid to come.

A subtle wagging trailer is killer on a Grass Piece.

TW 4th of July sale, early access email just arrived. 20% off on a few brands, 10% of everything else. (Insert single bottle rocket sound).

They work well. My buddy from the fishing swap uses it. Fish it slowish.