DelcoSol

Wrap the weight lead around the leg of the spinning reel.

I had both an NRX 893 and DX744. Mind you I cannot speak for the new HP but the DX isn't even in the same league as the NRX. There is a reason that the NRX is a measuring stick for sensitivity. Is it needed? That's for you to decide.

I agree with Kickerfish1, 5 is all I use. sometimes I will swap out the drop shot rod for a second cranking setup.

Wait until you try a Conquest..

Went there in June. We fished the edges of the shoals with jigs, tubes, and drop shot. Be careful, the pin buoys can be hard to see in the chop. Tons of drum there too. Ontario is only about an hour north of there and is awesome. Definitely worth a trip if the wind isn't bad. There are largemouth in Onieda but it's mostly smallies. Good luck, I'll be at Wallenpaupak this weekend looking for some myself.

After a year off I think I am going to join again next year. How was the fishing this year?

My current aresnal is a mix of many different rod companies. Until recently it didn't bother me. Well on my last two trips I broke a rod, one of which was an Avid. Long story short, the customer service at St. Croix took care of me and the other rod company didn't. So now I am worried that I will break something else accidentally and be SOL so I want to sell off some rods and switch to St. Croix and Dobyns. I have two Avid X spinning rods that I like but the two rods I want to replace I am wondering about going with a nicer model. One is an 893C NRX and the other is a 610M Poison adrena. NRX is the primary jig rod and the adrena is a T-rig/ general purpose rod. The Adrena is more like a MH power wise. I was looking at the Legend elite and extreme. I don't know how I feel about the reel seat on the extreme. I want to handle one in person first. I read that the Elite and the Extreme are the same blank just different components? I need something with guides that can pass a leader knot through. Anyone have any recommendations on which models I should consider? I know they typically fish heavier than their rating so I am thinking a M and MH? As far as Dobyns, I was thinking DX 743 and 745 or 784ML. Thanks guys, Frank

I have a 13 Pitch Spitfire off of my old 40EFI Merc thats basically new if its something you could use.

BassCat! I looked at a Skeeter and wasn't impressed. My buddy has a Triton that is nice. Chine walk is a little scary though.

Nice cat! I was thinking about poles but some guys in my club have killed their hole shot with them..

I think MG feels more solid but the metal shaft scares me. The MK composite shaft is lifetime gaurantee and almost impossible to break. The MG will bend if you hit something. I would go with either maxxum or fortrex if it were mine. My new boat has a MG tour 82# thats like new that I want to sell and switch back to MK.

It tows it but it works hard. Its rated for like 6000lbs but I wouldn't recommend it for a large glass boat. On flat ground it got like 13MPG. Guy in my club has a Puma he tows with a TDI toureg and it's a beast. Diesel is the way to go.

Good to hear Sam. My club primarily fishes there and I must say that I SUCK there. I just cannot figure them out for the life of me. I had spoke to Pete about a guided trip as well. There are monsters in there. Biggest one in my club this year is over 7lbs. We have an open tournament on 9/12 if you want to try it out.

I went back and forth this past winter on the 893 or 894. I fish open, shallow tidal water. I never use more than a 1/2 oz jig but use mostly 3/8. I feel like the 893 is right for what I do. If you're using a 1/2oz jig in deeper water with cover I would go with the 894.

Thanks man. It's certainly an upgrade over my Tracker. even with the 225 it still fast enough for me. had it up to 60 and backed off with lots of throttle left. I need to learn how to drive it first.

Heres a few of the new rig. 2011 Bass Cat Puma

While I have both high end rods and reels I would side with the rod. Reels although the expensive ones are great and a pleasure to use, I don't notice a huge difference between say a Curado and a Metanium. Don't get me wrong, there IS a difference, but if it's worth the money is up to you. I guess it depends on what you're using it for too. for just your average crankbait spinnerbait and jig/worm reel something $200 or less would be just fine. Spinning reels I'll never spend more than $100 and that's even overkill sometimes. If I could do it over again I would just buy Curado I and save the money. That Steez sure does make me smile every time I use it though...

I had an 803. It's a nice rod but I felt that my 893 was way more sensitive in my hands for some reason. Enjoy it!

I have a 103 and was worried about this as well but when it had braid I had no issue. I went from Shimano to this with no problems. I did get an SV spool and its awesome. Nicest reel I have had yet.

Had the DC and was not a fan of it. I would save the cash and just get the regular Metanium. I do not like composite reels like the Ci4.

I have that rod and it's great. As mentioned above if you are throwing lighter cranks the 704 may be a better option.

Buy yourself a Core. That and the Conquest are the two Shimanos that have the wow factor to me. I ended up replacing my Aldebaran HG with a Steez. Much smoother and further casting.

I agree with Matt. I had one for two weeks and sold it. It feels cheap to me and there wasn't anything special besides the weight and even with that it didn't balance on anything. It didn't feel like a high end reel. To me it feels like a small curado. If it were like $200 it would be nice. The core 50 to me is the best low profile shimano reel I have used. With a shallow spool its not even a comparison. The core kills it.

Shimano reel on a megabass rod? How dare you!