rangerjockey

I don't think so either, They were made by Shimano, Ryobi and I believe there was a third. In the day they were considered low profile but by todays standards they are a brick.

I like the St.Croix Topwater rod in whatever model fits your budget. I have the LTB version and I like it as a jerkbait rod as well.

I use the E5 and really can't imagine needing anything else but I'm a huge fan of the E series Curado's and Citica's.

You may be over thinking it.. Also the bands from Tackle Kraft are far better than the O rings. They allow you to hook the bait in the same manner as you would without the O ring. Crossways with the bait. He also makes a great spinnerbait ,reminds me of the old Hank Parker and is probably the best custom painter I personally have ever seen.

Ive using the K9 FC blend for a couple years and really like it, has about the right amount of stretch and handles great. I still use invisx 10lb. for diving baits like the wart but once I run out of Invisx I'll use the K9 for that also.

I throw them on the same rod as I would for a swimjig. 7ft 1 MH XFast. 10 lb. Tatsu.

The boat deal works or did work like this. Years ago I was offered a deal on a Legend. There was a discount on the boat and the motor and back then you could get a interest only loan. So you ran the boat, worked shows and gave a few demo rides when asked. At the end of the year hoped to sell it for enough to satisfy the loan and on to a new one. At the time I had a Ranger that was paid for so I decided against it.

Back when there was a 150HP limit maybe. There's no reason for it anymore. I don't think there's half of the black magic going on that you think. I've involved with 3 different rod companies and have been able to get a couple rods that were used by pro's that got returned at the end of the year. I see no difference in them vs the off the shelf rods that I had. They were just beat up more. I love the equipment side of the sport, but if you think that if you just had that rod or reel or boat you'd be there with em..Aint gonna happen.. Time on the water and talent.

I think it's the Indian not the arrow. There are guys making a living fishing with rods I personally wouldn't use for a tomato stake. Jacob Wheeler comes to mind. The biggest difference is the talent they have with electronics , finding fish and staying on them. Hank Cherry found a bunch and they didn't leave that was the difference.

It will be fine.

I'd use straight braid. A buzzbait is one lure where any line works about the same.

Well, I grew up fishing those old fenwick and lews glass rods ,of course it was all we had at the time. I used a old Daiwa green handle glass blend spinnerbait/crankbait rod for a few years back in the day and it did alright. Personally on Table Rock I'm throwing at Bushes and dock corners and I'd rather have a stouter rod to move them that first few feet. Don't confuse the glass rods of yesteryear with a crankbait rod of today, Those old 4 power Fenwicks were flat stout.

I'm back to 6lb. mono.

Winter to early spring, Pre spawn.

Probably the mojo Topwater rod. Wouldn't be my first choice for a jig rod but it would work.. I fish it in the LTB version and I think the topwater rod makes a better jerkbait rod than the model labeled as a jerkbait rod. I like the tip better . Great popper and walking bait rod.

I've got a few original Vixen's and a Repo man. I've thought about selling them with the prices they are bringing. They are a good bait but really just another walking bait. I think the Sammy , Spook , Sexy Dog ect. will probably catch the same fish. Many of them you see for sale are fakes , especially if they are "custom painted"

If a all around rod is what your after I'd go with the 843 or depending on the model the St. Croix. I haven't fished the new Xtremes but I have the previous model and they are great rods. The 7ft. Med Fast is a great model. Surprising power for a medium and versatile enough for jigs and moving baits. Really good Keitech 2.8 or 3.3 rod.

On Table Rock I think the most popular will always be Green Pumpkin or Watermelon candy. A little dye on the tail and your set. The only exception would be the big worm bite in the summer when plum or red shad works.

I've owned a bunch of both. Unless you plan on fishing heavier bottom contact stuff I'd go with the 843. To me it's just a more versatile rod than the 844 which fishes pretty tight. The 843 makes a great spinnerbait rod and even bigger topwaters as well as jigs/T rigs.

Although I don't think it's the best balanced NRX.. the 894

Quarry Man.. Sorry I just saw your post about the Weigthless worm ,I've been on the lake a lot. I always used the WW for jerkbaits and floating worms like the ol' merthiolate trick worm which they should be willing to chase soon. and also a good Fluke rod. If your looking for a heavier jig rod that you could also flip with my choice would be the Amistad.

My favorite Falcons were always the Amistad, Head turner , weightless worm ( makes a great jerkbait rod ) and Mansfield for warts and RK crawlers . Also the finesse jig (old Eakins) rod. For Flipping around docks I always liked the Head Turner.

My 7ft.1 MHF is right on reel nut with a curado DC. I think before the change in 2018 there were some of the longer models that may have been tip heavy. The internet won't let it die.

Or the electronics. Sometimes I wish they would just go with GPS , Sonar and down imaging and leave the Side Scan ,live scope, Panoptics and 360 ect out. It will never happen but the days of doing much just going down the bank are about done.

Both FLW and B.A.S.S. publish articles of the top 10 baits after each major tournament. Also Bass Fan. Just Google FLW top 10 baits, they are broken down by lake.