Teal

Well I was close on your weight

I am getting my first custom rod made now. Still going back and forth with Mike making sure we get the concept exactly the way I want andnthenbest for the rod....so my experience with customs is near zero. But I do know that there are some AMAZING rod blanks out there some cost more than others.. I'm not sure about reaching a NRX level sensitivity with one... but I'm positive you can have one made that is sensitive with solid level components and to the length of your choice and from a good variety of blank materials. That's a good question for @Delaware Valley Tackle or @.ghoti.

Yes, I still sling a 1/4 oz frog on my Powell 735. I can throw them on my 7'1 Tatula as well.

4.5 - 5

Hydrilla generally doesn't have a bad odor. However Muskgrass does. Garlic smell is pretty much what muskgrass smells like. To someone who doesn't know any better, it would look like hydrilla. But they do have distinct visual difference. If the hydrilla had been recently sprayed, it may have a chemical odor. Komeen and diquat dibromide mixes tend to have a distinctive odor. Take a photo of it next time you are out.

No I dont. I'm typically thinking about the cover that I'm throwing into. Typically i throw a frog into some that i dont have alot of options for...so I'll stick with the H rod. Now if the cover dictates that you can step down a power then do it. I have thrown frogs on a 6'8. Mh in very light cover and around docks. No heavier than frog type lures are, I let the cover dictate the rod. Except if casting it is an issue then step down after you try it...Cruz you have to be able to get it there.

Nah I'll say 6'0 201

I also would include the Dobyns xtreme rods to your value list. I own a 744 specifically for pitching jigs. It's a good rod. I think they run 350 but can found for 320 or so. MEGABASS Orochi, is about 300 as well... how they measure up to NRX, probably not in the area of sensitivity, but another solid line up of rods in terms of what you get versus what you pay or would pay for a flagship rod like, conquest, nrx, steez, ecstasy. And they have a STRONG following. But in terms of VALUE, not just high end value, you cant.go wrong with the daiwa tatula rods, dobyns champion, or the expride I could be very wrong, but once you get to that.300 to 400 mark, I think alot of it is splitting hairs.

Holy crap batman! I have landed big fish before that we barely hooked and you wonder how you ever got them in

I'm do not own the rod, but I hear on a consistant basis that the shimano expired is one of the best values as far higher end rods. I've heard it on here and well as multiple youtubers like tactical bashing. Those guys actually include that rod in their high end review along side the high end Loomis and megabass rods. I think they run 279.00.

I could really go with either. I like cork over EVA FOAM

I use a 7'6 heavy with 50 or 65 lb. Braid most of the time. I'm fine with it. Some times a leader, most of the time not. The thing you have to remember is the qualities of braid. It has worked for some people.to drop to a mh. I think alot of it is TIMING. Braid has near zero stretch... alot of it for me is a timing issue.. easy to pull q hook out with a heavy or x heavy and braid. Spend time with your gear and get used to it. Double check how your are rigging your Texas rigs. I find If I thread the worm or plastic too deep it balls up. So generally I go in a 1/8th inch or so and come out...I also use a small knot and straight shank hook on flipping and punch set ups. I dont think it is the rod....could be a dozen more variables ***Snell knot

This is a particularly tough subject. While I dont doubt there are plenty or new, young, or green anglers out there. I question weather our" throw away society" and the way our young people are being brought up and the way major tournament fishing is being fished and then way fishing marketers push new lures, techniques, and gear is helpful in instilling, persistence and perseverance in new anglers. It's a tough topic, every one can talk a big game, but for many new anglers, they want immediate results Not the way it works. I used to hate fishing a jig. If you gave me one lure for the rest of my life, I could keep up with everyone else with just a 1/2 oz jig now. Our kids get coaching and learn basic baseball skill over a period of years, but sadly most dont get into bass fishing until they are grown and they give up easily when things dont go their way.

Most of my reels are 8 to10 years old. This winter, I'm gonna send half a time to Mike to get a good once over and a tune up on all of them. The cost of doing this will still be cheaper than buying a high end reel. @Catt like I said earlier, my Abu 5500s and C4s will out cast anything I have, being paired with my Duckett Inshore Rods. My longest casts have been with a 7'6 Mh duckett inshore rod and a 5500, before I put the c4s on it...and thenc4 still goes mile with a 1oz lure.

Bingo

50% at best. I use them as an alternative to buzz baits. I want to TRY to experiment with some sort of trailer or stinger hook to see if that helps with out messing up the action.

Since I am in the process of working with Mike to have a custom squarebill/trap rod made, it only seemed right to put a dandy of a reel on it. Just ordered a Zillion Tw Sv 6.3:1 off of the Auction site. Super excited. Pics to come next week.

I don't think there is

One on my Abu round reels. On my striper/inshore set ups, with a 10xd or a 1.5 oz swim bait , I can sling it a long ways. Further than anything else I own.

It's a good summer time tactic... there are still some shallow fish in the summer. The key for locating them to me these shallow areas with good cover like socks, big shade trees, vegetation and QUICK ACCESS TO DEEPER WATER AND OR CURRENT. When I find a good combination of these things I have a better chance of finding fish shallow. Not many guys are really slinging a squarebill under a dock or behind it. I really like to burn them and hit everything I can with them.

Tom, I'm sorry for the loss of your son. I can't imagine the pain. I can't imagine or put my self in your shoes, through this new change in life. I'm over 2000 miles away, but I'm right here, if you need or want anything, I'm here. In the past 8 years, I've buried 2 brothers and got a divorce and raise my son alone. Our situations are different, but I dont know about change and loss of loved ones. If there's anything I can do please dont hesitate Glen

Kyle you are gonna get an different response from everyone. I can give you pointers, but like everyone else, its just from what I own. I can say this, I am working with @Delaware Valley Tackle on building me a custom rod right now. My first quote for what I think will be an amazing rod is right there at your budget. I encourage you to call Mike. Or PM him on here. I really think the money goes further with a custom stick

-1 if I had to choose.

Dull as crap after one outing or a few fish I'll stick to gammys and mustard ultra points

I use floro. I DO NOT USE TROKAR ANYMORE. GARBAGE HOOKS