Toeshots

20# Seaguar Tatsu for all my jig fishing

I don't disagree with you. Just going by the reviews on their site. The Aetos spinning average review is 3.9. The ET Bass is 4.9. I need to take a ride to BPS and handle both.

Decent backbone on the ML? That is my main concern - if they added more power to the Bass series, is the Smallmouth M comparable to the Bass ML?

Well at least they asked you. I would have loved if they contacted me before choosing my rod for me.

My favorite is the 3.5" SK Coffee Tube in Black/Blue Fleck or Chaos (black w/purple & gold fleck). I like to throw them on a 3/16 jig head either stupid-rigged or using the standard internal rigging.

At this point, I'm looking at the following options: - send the rod back to Fenwick for the 6'10" ML-XF or the 7'0" M-F - send the rod back and upgrade to the Aetos and pay the difference - sell/trade the rod for something else or use the money to buy another ET Smallmouth (if I can find one) Why did they have to discontinue this model?!?

Exactly! I just want the same rod I had!

Thanks for the heads up on the TT review. I read through it and they do seem to like the M-MF as an all purpose rod. That being said, I'd really like this rod to excel at single-hook, bottom contact presentations. If they've made the Bass series rods more powerful, I'm wondering if the 6'10" ML-XF would be close to my previous 6'9" M-XF? I want to make sure I still get a good backbone The Aetos seems interesting but the reviews on the Fenwick site give me some concern. Several people complaining about the eyes and the handle.

Did they ask you what model you wanted for the replacement?

So my shaky head/tube/finesse t-rig rod (6'9" M-XF Elite Tech SM spinning) broke on a fishing trip this summer and I finally sent it in for replacement last week. I was expecting an email or phone call saying they received the rod and they would tell me my options for replacement. Instead, I found a rod on my doorstep today. Unfortunately, the rod they sent me is a 6'9" Medium with Moderate-Fast action, which I don't really have a use for so I will be contacting Fenwick and sending it back next week. Sucks because I'm going to be in for $40 on shipping charges on my replacement rod, but it is what it is. That being said, I am eyeing the 6'9" ML-XF or the 7'0" M-F. I have reservations with both - since this is really my only spinning rod, I am hesitant to go ML. Also, I prefer slightly shorter rods for spinning, so going up to 7' was not really what I was looking for. Had anybody used both series of rods that can give a comparison of the two? Is the handle length the same? The power? The weight and balance? Also, did anybody have to replace the same ET Smallmouth rod that I had? If so, what did you get?

They have Major League Lessons which is a 2-hour show. I believe they do these after the major events are over. It's an in-depth review of with several of the anglers where they show you exactly what gear, lures and presentations were being used. It's really informative.

I'd also opt for 20# FC over braid in this situation. For me vegetation = braid. Rock, wood = FC I'd look for a rod in the 7'-7'6" range, at least MH power, and Fast or XF action.

So glad they're back. I have a bunch set to my DVR - MLF, Zona, FoF, Roland, Bill, Jimmy, Hank, Babe, SMC, Reel in the Outdoors, Lindner, Fishing University. Probably missing a few. Big fan of MLF. Also, the Lesson shows are about as good as it gets. Very informative. I also like Zona and Mercer as they break the monotony of many of the other shows. They are entertaining and don't feel like half hour sales pitches. Zona also gets a bunch of quality guests.

The cheapest mono I can find. You could use braid or FC but I wouldn't want to use expensive line for that purpose. I suppose braid may lighten the spool a bit but I can't think of any other reason to use it as backing.

I have Pro Qualifiers, Carbonlites (black finish) and Crankin Sticks and I've been very satisfied with all of them. They are all great values, especially when on sale. Any particular rod/reel you were looking at?

Can't speak to many of their other baits, but the 7" Power Worm in blue fleck is my go-to plastic worm. I've tried others and the only one I like as much as the Berkely is the Rage Tail Anaconda (also in blue fleck).

Hope these are as good as the Smallmouth series was. I just sent a broken one in for replacement and it looks like I'll need to choose from the new line of rods.

Not a Hoosier, but I do fish Lake Shafer and the Tippecanoe for a few miles north a couple weekends a year. Just wondering if anybody has had much luck there. We generally manage a few small ones but the boat traffic is absolutely brutal. Try to fish the shorelines and you're getting battered into them by the wake. Only chance is back in the offshoots/coves which generally get a ton of fishing pressure. Maybe I need to get out there during the week...

If you are looking for digital, the Accu Cull for $35 is a solid choice.

I use the Rage Toad when I want to make a ruckus on top and the Zoom Horny Toad when I want to dial it back a bit. Both are rigged on unweighted Zoom Horny Toad hooks. For hollow body frogs, I only use the Booyah Pad Crasher because I thinks it's a fantastic frog for the money. When fish are aggressive, I'll throw the toads like a buzzbait. When I need to keep the bait in the strike zone, I'll use the hollow body frogs.

Been going through all my tackle the last couple days and took out everything I "possibly could" to cut down on the weight. Alas, this is where it ended up (TW shipment comes next week): Still seems way too heavy. What does yours weigh?

25 Days of Savings sale runs through Jan 8!

I don't have the will power to stick to one brand. I'd always be wondering what else is out there. Also, some brands are better at certain things than others so I don't want to limit myself to one manufacturer. I currently carry St. Croix, Fenwick and BPS rods. Reels are Shimano, Lews, Pflueger, and BPS. I truly enjoy the variety and have been satisfied with all brands. Helps keep things interesting and, to a certain degree, keeps the bait monkey at bay.

Based on my in-store experiences with BPS employees, I would be concerned about sending them my reels. This may be a bit assumptious, but regardless, all 6 of my reels were sent off to DVT today!

For me it was Day 1 with the Seaguar sale. Great time to stock up on Tatsu! Power Worms for $2.75 were nice, too.