Diggy

I bank fish in Florida sun so, I tend to limit heavy baits or baits with a lot of drag in the water, especially if I'm using faster reels. I don't feel I need anything over 7 speed at this point. I do have a xh rod that can make many heavy baits move like finesse baits on a lift fall retrieve, but it's not always with me. The heaviest swimbait I tend to fish is 4oz right now and ones that move freely in the water for the most part.

Jerk baits will work especially, if you can get them to suspend above the grass so you have no fouling issues. Crappie jigs work extremely well, since they are small, the peas have no issues ingesting them and the hooks are sharp.

I started buying longer rods, now I am going in reverse. Looking for 6'-6'6" rods for bank fishing. I watch mainly JDM videos and the practicality makes sense based on areas that I fish, plus reduced fatigue. I can use longer rods when needed.

We're ⬇️

I have the same rod, it's a good general purpose rod. I have used it for almost every lure including up to 3oz swim baits (tiny klash, gantarel, etc). If you have any questions you can send me a message since this is an older thread.

I have a similar style rod in a different length (7'2"). I have a Metanium and Aldebaran I switch between. I was fishing cover scats, dark sleepers, free rigs, swim jigs and paddle tails on it today. I've thrown tubes on it also, which I rarely use in Florida, but I know fish will eat it because people rarely use them here.

In my experience: When I am fishing a normal Texas rig, free rig, etc, if the bait slides up the hook and gets to the line, the braid slices thru the bait easier, especially depending on diameter. This is what made me change my approach. I remember catching tons of dinks fishing flukes way back. I cant remember the brand, but on straight braid, I would catch about 2-3 fish max on a bait. Next day I used yozuri hybrid that was on another reel and had up to 10 fish per bait. Certain baits where the head blows out easy or is full of salt, it would be even worse with braid unless I took preventative measures (screw locks, specialized hooks, bait pegs, etc). I tend to buy more durable baits now outside of some special JDM baits. I now use some sort of nylon/fluro for texas rigs. I can fish jigs, jikas, tokyo rigs, moving baits and frogs on braid with no issues. I still gravitate towards using 15-20lb fluoro nowadays for bottom contact.

Straight braid tears up my baits much faster than with some sort of fluoro, mono, co-poly as a leader or main line.

I also have the 7'6" which is tip heavy but I don't mind. The 7ft may be more balanced. It is pretty sensitive and feels like a 1 piece, no issues at all with it.

I have a 3 piece Daiwa Ardito, its very good. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwaardito763.html

I have a few of their rods, but recently picked up a Days 70x. I can throw a jig on it or a deps 250 which is wild to me since it's rated 3/8-3oz My most memorable catch on it. I want to pick up a few more soon. Yes you are correct, its like a moderate fast in most cases. My rod is also reg-fast but its pretty stout in the tip section compared to others with the same action.

It looks it. The OG Veritas was my 1st rod in the $100 price point zone, which seemed expensive at the time. I am interested in the new model just to see how it fishes in comparison to the old days. I have moved up to higher end rods ?, but I probably caught more fish on that OG model than all my other rods combined, including some monster snakeheads.

Abu customer service is great. They will probably ship you a new rod without making you send that back. Wouldn't be surprised if you end up with a new PLX model

You can check ALX, I am sure they can help you out. https://alxrods.com/ Example: The OXIM Smoker is made to smoke big fish on big lures. At heart, it's a bass fishing jig rod made to set heavy wire hooks into the roof of the mouth and not look back until she's in the livewell. The 7'5" length is great for mile-long casts, hooksets in deep water, or sweeping hooksets on a Carolina rig. Well balanced and very responsive, the Smoker won't wear you out fishing a big stock all day. Secret tip... the OXIM Smoker is one awesome heavy cover frog rod - cast into the back of thick stuff and have plenty of power to drag them back thru it. Length: 7'5" Lure: 3/8 - 1 1/2oz Power: Heavy Action: Fast Average Rod Weight: 4.6oz Handle Length: 11" (End of butt to the rear edge of reel seat) Number of Guides: 11 Balance Point: 24" (End of butt to point of balance without a reel)

Came here to suggest this

I use it for everything and sometimes.... the improved trilene knot when I'm feeling fancy

Academy has the best price on Tatsu that I have seen, when in stock. 29.99 on 10lb - 39.99 on 25lb

This may halp

Me too and I was a die hard braid guy. I feel those "thunks" on straight fluoro that I did not feel on braid. If if I bring one reel with braid, I'll add a leader so I get flexibility based on the area (rocky,snaggy) to break off....plus it saves baits from shredding from the straight braid.

I need to try Tatsu. I am waiting for Academy to restock or the BPS sale to put it on another reel. I keep hearing how good it is. I have recently received 20lb shooter "marionette special" and 20lb sniper that I will be spooling up shortly. I can compare them and see what I like. I used to be a hardcore braid guy, which is still on the majority of my reels, but I have fallen in love with straight fluoro on my bottom contact setups. I seem to get more feel/feedback when comparing higher end magnesium reels spooled with braid and fluoro on the same rod. I am just going up to higher poundage fluoro on certain reels.

I have 2 newer Endurance Models 765 and 683 1 of the older gen 723. I like them. Pretty light and balanced. Got them all from TWH on sale. The 765 was my most used since it can throw from 3/8-3oz. It covered all bases from the senko to swimbait for me with one rod.

I got something shipped Fedex, took 3 days

I got my rod within a week, shipped straight to DVT to start on a build