PGA Dropout

Hard to be super positive about knockoffs instead of innovations, but there's a couple new things in there that have my interest.

North Star used to make a heck of a light wire swim jig. Beast Coast Workingman's is also lighter wire.

50 or 60 lb FX2, straight. I am experimenting with 30 lb Sufix 832 to leader.

Pixy was a good cult. Owned a couple variations. Should have kept my Type R. Still in the OG Alphas cult.

I mean, it's kind of a cult. Not that that's inherently a bad thing. I'm in a lot of cults. Also the Bantam has no bling (but maybe it should).

I will never in my life understand the Cult of the 200E. VBS was over for me as soon as I picked up a Mag-V Sol. Bantam '22 is a very good candidate for "Best Shimano Eva" but maybe micro module holds it back.

I had the 2019 PF. Super solid reel. Was never able to get it dialed in to my liking and ended up moving on from it. My heavy cover oriented reels are all Bantam MGL now. No regret.

I am right-handed and strongly prefer left-hand retrieve reels. I had some nerve trouble bout ten years ago and swapped to RH reels for a bit. It was terrible and I went back to LH soon as I could.

Brutal

Still a fan of SX1; 16 lb for most things. Did not care for Almight.

I use the green/blue FX2.

I punch between 3/4 and 1 1/4 ounce and on my Swamp Survivor. No issues. Can go down to a half but it's happiest above 3/4.

A to A was a big step down. I don't have experience with either B model yet.

I like the 3.5" size. I flip them on a little Jika rig.

I love my 71H Valkyrie, but it has a frog tied on it 100% of the time. Do you ever use yours for anything besides frogs? I feel like I want to try flipping with it in a pinch.

IMO, There are two correct hooks for drop shotting: Owner Cover Shot (HD if you're flipping 'em) Decoy Shot Rig Worm 10 Amen. I have some Decoy Cover Finesse HD to try for Dice and 2-ways, but right meow it is Roboworm season.

Urchincast '26

Dobyns makes a good rod. You're paying for the replacement program more than in other lines, IMO. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that. Some guys break rods.

Oh, yeah, that'll do it. If an EWG opens up on me, it's getting trashed. Hooks are cheap.

That's a strange looking urchin style bait.

Put me down for flipping straight-braid drop shots and punching small craws. On the straight fluoro side, trying to drop shot 7" Roboworms this summer. Is power finesse an oxymoron, or simply a description?

Gamakatsu EWG hooks are not strong. I no longer fish them. The Superline are fine I guess. I have swapped to a mix of Owner All-Purpose Soft Bait hooks and Zappu Bellows. The Bellows are my favorite but they run probably a half size large and are of little thicker guage.

Fluorocarbon sinks. That's a good place to start.

Rat, buzzbait, frog, all good. I also like strolling. Shake shake shake. Meditative. Hard to beat a drop shot, but a Bellows Gill Ned is creeping up there.

Kind of depends on your location and what you like to throw. Fluke is a good start. Finesse jig. Squarebill. Smaller walking baits. Smaller paddletails. Lots of options, or just designate one or both as a Junk rod that does whatever. bladed jig is a MH+ technique for me but if it works it works.