kickerfish1

Or you could wait for the Labor day sale and snag one for 15-20% off at an online retailer like TW, BTD, or THUT.

New Gil, Okeechobee craw, Pumpkinseed, and Okeechobee flame in the flip/swim style are bar none my best producers.

This guy does. Essentially a walk the dog or zara spook type of bait without the rattles. They cast incredibly far. I have only used the smaller size. The hook up ratio is going to be similar to hollow body frogs. The biggest plus is that you can throw them in areas where weeds grow to the top and cast them incredibly far as I stated before. Aside from that it gives fish a slightly different look than say a spro frog. A few years back I had some great days using them especially for size of fish.

Stellar job!

You gotta do it RW! I just snagged the 873 (most powerful bottom contact NRX available before the 894/895 hit the market). As long as the angler doesn't abuse the rod when not in use, while traveling to and from lakes, and while fighting fish it should hold up just fine. I was fortunate, that the very first fish I caught on it was a fish over 5. It required me to get into the power of the blank to move the fish out of and over a pretty dense patch of coontail. Rod performed quite well!

Buy yourself a rod glove and a reel cover. They can be had on TW for about $12 together. It will keep your gear in near mint condition as it travels to and from your destinations.

I have spoken with Jaesen, the owner in great legnth and have seen his operation first hand. Incredibly intelligent man that can build some good rods. He knows his way around rod building and all the fancy jargon associated with it. Some of the strongest rods and most balanced lightweight rods that I have used. Had the chance to cast a spiral wrapped rod and it was incredible. Also was challenged to try to break some of the rods he built and simply couldn't. He can do some pretty cool things for his customers.

Thanks for the heads up!

If it is braid you can re-spool it on by reversing it. Very easy line to recycle for more mileage. Mono, floro and copoly may not be worth it as the line has likely taken on memory from being on the spool. It may work in a pinch but I would just use it as backing and add 50-100 yards of fresh line or what ever amount you deem appropriate for the diameter of your line and spool size.

I have used both medium heavy and medium rods for flukes. The best I have used was a 6'10 medium heavy cumulus followed by a DX 703. The phenix recon 714 is also a nice option with a great tip to really launch them out there.

Delsol send me a pm. I don't have any experience with the Duckett line but i have several savy series rods. There are a few other rods in the $150 price range that would be worth a look. Depending your intended baits there should be several rods that will work.

Yea Mike is a good guy and now would be a good time to send them in. Most reel techs get overloaded after the fall, and turnaround times can be over a month.

I will be getting one once they hit the market. I have been intrigued by Daiwa's Project T since it has been introduced and the aspects of it relating to casting distance. The weight doesn't bother me as it will be paired up with a rod for tip down applications. The drag and gears seem very solid. Daiwa may have found itself a reel to compete highly in the $150-$200 market segment.

Man, that is nuts! You da man!

Nice initial review. Now we Just need to find a bass over 2 lbs to "test" it!

Curado / Chronarch every time.

Megabass super red demon paired with a Daiwa Z. Hoping to have a rod powerful enough that when I set the hook, it will relocate the fish from one side of the lake to the other!

If "thehooligan" doesn't see this thread and respond shoot him a pm. I know he has owned or owns the sustain and both the new and previous generation CI4. He would be a great person to ask if the price of the sustain is justifiable.

Nice collection goose and the group photo was nicely layed out!

I have (4) 1st generation cumara rods. Two spinning and 2 casting. They were purchased new for well under $200 and a few were right at $100. These are rods that I will never part with as they are some of the finest rods I have used all things considered. Haven't fished any of the 6'8 models as mine are all 7'2 but I would imagine they would balance even better with some of today's lighter weight reels. I also have the 6'10 casting model of the cumulus. I haven't fished the spinning rod equivalent, but I am sure it is an impressive rod. The only way I would get a new cumara is if something happened to one of mine. I prefer the looks and handles over the latest offerings.

If you get a core, get the 100mg7 over the 50 size. Otherwise, all things considered a zillion variant would be ideal for frogging. Also if you are talking about a savy 735 or the megabass destruction I would just kept the savy. No need to spend a fortune on a frog rod where the bites are seen and not felt. I have the savy 735 for frog fishing and will never upgrade to rod of higher price. For other applications where sensitivity comes into play more by all means go all out on the rod. Also while the destruction is a versatile and cool looking rod, the new Orochi line is going to be pretty much as sensitive but a bit more faster in action. I know a few guys that sold there destructions to pick up similar offerings from the Orochi XX line. Given the price difference I would give it some consideration...

Some nice reels for sure in the consideration pool. Possibly add a new Tatula if that has good reviews, if you are looking for a new fairly affordable Daiwa. The reel looks solid on paper. You can possibly go JDM as well for a unique and performance driven option. At the very least the backing is good!

Megabass rods are really nice but its the versatility that makes them even more special. Recentaly acquired a new Orochi XX rod and it is stellar for the pricepoint. The casting distance is better than any rod I have fished and the sensitivity is on par with rods in its class if not better. Throw in the looks, attention to detail and unique blanks and they are among the best availableto anglers today. I know you enjoy your spinning rods but if you ever explore a few casting rods give me a shout. I maybe able to help a bit...

When regular board members speak of their success and liking of a board product it seems like an easier to accept notion than having mods or the sponsors "go out of their way" to do so. I have fished products from 4 or 5 sponsors on here. Some I truly feel are towards the top among their competing market share and others I will likely never use again due to product failure and some of the worst customer service I have experienced. With Steve and the folks at Rage behind the scenes you have the best of both worlds. A great product and the customer service to back it. I have been fishing the Rage line long before joining BR and will continue to use his products in various rigging styles but especially jig trailers.

I am loyal to quality, but not one brand. I enjoy trying new rods and reels and comparing them against favorites. There are some brands of rods and reels that others find quite good that I just can't find the same pleasure in. I wont name any brands or bash them. Just like anything else, sample some and find what works best for you. Of course if a sponsorship was in the picture It would make becoming brand loyal, much easier.