Tartan34

I prefer a 6'8 MH/XF for my Texas rigs. I go with a 1/8 weight, a 4/0 superline hook and a magnum lizard. I can throw it a mile with accuracy when I make a smooth cast. When I try to go after it, I loose both....I equate it to my golf game with a driver. I also throw this setup with no weight at times.

Bitters for me as well...I had a chance to go to their store today. Fantastic shop, and they make great baits.

12# green for me....in super clear water. I use it for everything except my Jig rod.

Great, thanks to you both! I appreciate it.

Hi all, I have two new (to me) rods coming....and need some help on application. From reading, it appears the BCR803 is a great T-Rig/light Jig Rod, but I can't find out too much on the CR722. I have a NRX803 for my lighter T-Rigs, and rarely fish Jigs....so I'm thinking 3/8 Spinnerbait for the BCR803. Does anyone have experience with that application? The CR722 seems like it would be a good popper rod....but I'd love to be able to use this to throw unweighted plastics / light spinnerbaits under docks (love the 6' length), but I'm concerned about this rod having the power to get a good set and bring them out. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any other ideas? I really didn't need either of these, but they were such good deals, I couldn't pass them up.

I've tried the "non-senko" senkos, and I've found that I simply catch more fish with a GY Senko. As much as I want to like the other ones, for me....the results are clear. If I could catch as many fish on another brand....I'd be all over it!

Good post, I am a member...pretty neat program. I know I'd be ticked if I caught a trophy or a Hall of Fame and missed out on the goodies!

Cowgirl, I will give that a shot, thanks! What type of cover were you throwing it into?

John, not sure how deep Toho is, but I have been fishing deep water holes on the Butler chain with success. I've been throwing chatter-style baits with a 4" grub trailer and working the slopes up that have ledges. I've been finding fish mid-morning to mid-day on these ledges. Have you been fishing the Butler chain recently?

Nice combo! I would stick with non-treble applications. Jigs, weighted T-rigs, larger spinnerbaits, especially fishing near cover. I think that the rod would be difficult to keep the treble hooks in a hooked-up fish.

Out again today in Butler....3-7ish and had a very productive day. The largest of the afternoon, 5lbs or so, was caught on a chatterbait with a Rage Tail Grub off a point with submerged grass. That was the only fish on grass we caught, but we caught a load of fish around wind blown docks and shady areas, with lizards, trick worms, and spinner baits.

I have a bunch of PQs and love them.....BUT I just started fishing with a Lexa that I scored on eBay for less than $100. I would go that route all day long, if I had the choice. My PQs are great, but that Lexa for that price is a steal.

I was out on the Butler chain yesterday (Orlando area)...from 2:30 until 7:00. We threw spinnerbaits, topwater, swimbaits, cranks, lipless, and lizards. There were some schooling fish that hit the occasional topwater, but other than that it was a lizard bite. Nothing else was working. Clear day, high pressure, warming water.....they were in the shade/near docks/grasslines in pretty shallow water.

Sounds to me like an ideal spot to flip/pitch into that heavy stuff. Something rigged with a pretty heavy weight / jig to get through it...and of course a heavy rod to pull them out.

I have used that series, and prefer it over the GL2. That being said, I just picked up a used IMX 782 on the bay for much less than either of those new. I highly recommend that strategy, if you have the patience to do so.

Without knowing the depth of the water, or the lure weight recommendations of your rod, it is hard to say. I know that a 3/8 oz is a good "all purpose" weight for me.

I would run a Spinnerbait and/or a lipless crank from the bank if I were you pre-spawn. You should be able to throw them a long ways and cover a lot of ground. Just make sure to keep varying your retrieve until you find a pattern that works.

I fished with my NRX 803 for the first time today....and it was amazing. It was a Demo rod, in perfect condition, from The Hook Up. I think this will be perfect for bottom fishing the shallows here in Orlando. It literally felt like I was dragging my hand across the bottom, that is how much feel this rod has. There is one really bad part though.........I was fishing with my Legend Extreme right after....and the NRX made me want to get rid of my LEs and add to the NRX collection. I'm a huge St Croix fan....but this experience was eye-opening, and potentially very costly.

70 degree, 100% overcast day here in Orlando. Fished Turkey Lake and the only bite was topwater. Picked up 9, all with a popper.

Not a Scot here (heritage I am though), but I believe I can answer your question. I think they were blue tilapia....and they are on beds everywhere it seems right now around town. They won't bite anything I've thrown BUT I've found some BIG bass lurking about 30 feet away in deeper water. Take a look at this link and pic...might be what you saw. http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/fish/freshwater/nonnatives/blue-tilapia/

Glasses won't help....even my Costa's fog up at times. To lessen/remove the fog, I just wear the glasses a little further from my face. When there is a gap (even a small one) between the frame and my eyebrow = no fog.

Fairly new to the Orlando bank scene myself....but I'm finding great luck in almost every large pond/lake that is in a housing, shopping, or office development 10+ years old. It is tough finding "natural" lakes with access from the bank, but Turkey Lake is good (will cost $3 or something). My advice is to use google earth, and experiment or keep a rod in the car and just stop occasionally and try a spot out. I've done that and caught a lot of pretty big fish. My most productive baits this time of year have been weightless TX rigged lizards, senkos, and trick worms.

That is the ONLY spinnerbait that I use...as well as my fishing partners.

I fish them T-rig with a 1/8 weight. I find that for the water I fish (gin clear), green pumpkin works best with a green pumpkin Strike King tungsten weight.

I picked up a 7' M at Sports Authority yesterday for $30....and it is more like a MH for sure.