MarkH024

Id have to disagree. Fishing in super thick vegetation is a challenge. Its very easy to get unbuttoned when they tangle with masses of pads and weeds. I dont burn my fish across the weeds like you described but i understand why they do in competition. Objective is to get them in the boat and you cant play them in conditions like they were fishing. Most of them anyway.

SK Red Eye Shad in chili craw is one of my favorite lipless cranks. Give that one a try.

The guy can catch them there is no arguing. He's definitely in the top 20 for BASS pro's currently as I see it. I just don't like listening to him....drives me insane.

Im in the same boat. Ive used a $20 pair from Cabelas for 3 seasons. Served me well but have a lot of scratches and the frame paint is all worn off.

I have some on the way.I got the Atlantis with amber lenses. Ill report back when i get them.

Less Ish...more Cougar aka Sheli Sanders.

7' medium/fast

Next time call me for dinner. Awesome fish!

I'm not hear to argue on brands, I steered away from that game long ago here. What I'd like to know since you've used both rods, what reason(s) does the DC excel over the Mojo? How are you factoring that? By saying it's not a fair comparison with out facts to back that statement up makes it irrelevant to say. The steez and extreme combo should be shooting out rainbows and gold coins for the price of that set up. I could imagine that it's probably one of the most amazing combos. I'll never see the day...

I use 30-40lb 832.

This is a picture of my lake. I fish some pretty thick heavy stuff. You don't need a crane for a rod to get bass out. Bass in the pic is probably 2.5lbs but have caught 5+ and my PB 7lb out of the same area. Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Welcome to IL. St. Charles is a nice location. You can try the Fox like mentioned. Around the damns and then further down river to Batavia has been said to have a lot of musky lingering. I don't do too much lake/pond fishing in IL so I'm not really going to comment there. Too many bucket fisherman..........

What kind of line were you using on the Dobyns? If you get braid on it.......the world of sensitivity will come to life. Dobyns seems to be a highly reputable line from the members here so I'd look at the whole puzzle before you just bring it back. I haven't used any Dobyns before so I can only factor in some of the other keys to why you're not getting any feel.

I have Triumphs, Premieres, Mojos, Rage, and Avids. I love them all. I have had no problem with the Mojo series and have been using them since they came out. I can throw my frogs a long way with that rod. I haven't dabbled into the BLT or Extremes simply because they're out of my price range for the time being. Perhaps when I get a little grayer and bills aren't as hefty.

Really? I find it one of the fastest and easiest knots to tie without creating a giant tag end to cut. I've also used palomar with no issues too but SDJ knot is faster especially with trebles and wire baits.

I'm going to try them out this year especially the 3/o for smaller plastics. I think it'll be a nice hook unless it's weak. When I get a chance to use them i'll report back, probably a while yet.

The difference would first be appearance. Jig usually will present a bigger/bulkier bait from the skirts flaring out. The second would be that plastics can make their way through thick cover much easier than a skirted jig will. Jigs (IMO) are better for rockier structure and plastics are better for thicker/more vegetation situations. Hope that helps some.

I use a Mojo 7' MH/F with a Curado E7 and 30-40# braid.

Definitely beds. You have to be a ninja to sneak up on them. Best bet is to stay a distance and cast at an angle from further back if you're attempting to bed fish.

Shimano symetre 2500.

Yea that is where I glanced at it. I have never seen or heard of this rig so I was curious if it is new to the market but it's got reviews already so I'm assuming its been out for at least a year.

Once you start buying..........you won't stop. Whether its reels, rods, or just tackle...the monkey will get you. I will only say this.......your success as a fisherman will improve with a better set up (rod mainly) only for the fact that you'll be able to detect more bites. I too had Shakespeares a long time ago. They'll catch fish just fine......but you'll catch more fish as you upgrade and get more experience. The rod choice should be your first upgrade down the road in my opinion.

I do a LOT of frog/slop fishing. Have any of you attempted to use this thing? I would think the hook up ratio would be less in that you have more slack to deal with. It looks like it would be a nightmare pulling out of some really thick pads/weed mats. I'm not really interested in getting it, just more interested in the stories that you guys might have from your experiences.

Only? Some of us yanks dream of giant bass like that up here. Congrats on your catch.

Congrats man! I'm a Shimano guy and will gladly take it off your hands! I'm local too!