PGA Dropout

I was more getting at hooksets and the give and take pulls of fighting fish compared to line stretch over a period of time with a static load applied. I'm also interested in to what degree line returns to form after being stretched suddenly, like on a hookset. I'm noticing things like Hybrid stretching like crazy on hooksets and Red Label being cool with being slowly stretched but turning white and gross after a shock. And no it's not winter. Research design is part of my Master's and I'm all about nerding it up with tests like Frydog's.

A lot. Also I appreciate the work that Frydog puts in but I question the external validity of his studies, i.e. are we effectively measuring line stretch during normal fishing activities or simply line stretch under the conditions of the experiment?

Short version: Tatulas are wide and such in order to accommodate The T-wing, which by Daiwa's own admission increases casting distance by up to 5%. So IMO, Daiwa made a big wide reel to make use of a technology gimmick that effectively does nothing. Then someone at Daiwa decided this cool thing that does nothing needed to be on more reels. Add the grooving shenanigans (which are hopefully done?) into the equation and you have my disappointment regarding more Tatulas. Of course they sell like hotcakes at $90 or whatever for the standard model so I'm fine with them existing; I like the idea of weekend anglers being able to purchase better quality gear and not be stuck with Crap Pro Shops.

Depends on depth. Braid with a leader is a good catch all though.

The reel seats feel cheap and the reverse tapered foregrip is a little uncomfortable if you palm reels. However the styling is nice, build has been good on the ones I have seen, and they are appropriately sensitive given the price. I also think the hook keeper is in a silly place.

10 lb Power Pro

Y'all use a lotta hook. 3/0 round bend or skip gap here. If I'm feelin' frisky, maybe an Owner Twistlock Lite.

Most Rapalas. Maybe Trilene as well? Not a big fan of the XL and XT out there these days. It's also possible to say that baitcasting reels were better ~10 years ago, depending on how much one likes the TD-Z and Alphas platforms.

I think the Ci4+ was kind of a "hey look what we can do with this neat material" reel. I'm getting rid of mine but not because of the feel (4 pin red SVS and I are never going to get along). The reel feels different but not bad or cheap. Also its just about the only thing that's comfortable to palm on that stupid ergonomic reel seat that Shimano is using now. At least Shimano isn't Daiwa, who still for whatever reason thinks the T-wing is a good idea.

Well this is going to get expensive. Time to sell the Conquest and the '12 Ant. Maybe a kidney.

I will feel warm and toasty tonight wrapped up in these blanket statements.

I like the Zodias 7'2" H. Throws swim jigs nicely as well.

Dropshot and maybe 1/8 oz -ish bottom contact like a shakeyhead or neko. Maybe balsa cranks as well. Everything else is (within normal realm of bass fishing) is casting gear for me.

Nice. Hard for me to justify but I'd consider selling my '12 Ant to help fund one if it's truly excellent. Looking forward to the report.

I suppose I should try it. Been throwing in 10-15 mph winds all spring and braid's getting old fast.

Do you know your boater before hand? Might talk to them and see what they plan on doing or if there's anything they definitely won't be doing. 50 lbs is a lot for a Senko. Throwing Senkos into wood I'd be looking at ffluoro in a high pound test. I would advise you to fish straight line where possible so you're not effing with leaders in addition to everything else. If you're fishing wood I wouldn't worry about the frog unless you're Dean Rojas in disguise. Don't spread yourself too thin and try to fish your strengths. Good luck, don't drop one of your many NRX rods in the drink.

Time to put on my Ugh boots.

Fluorocarbon sinking shouldn't make shallow cranks run deeper. That has more to do with line diameter and rod position. However Fluorocarbon isn't usually low stretch. If you must have low stretch, braid is a good option for shallow cranking, especially around grass.

In thein Interest of clarity, Im not opposed to competition. Im just disappointed to see Imitation from a brand known for Innovation. I hope they will be cheaper than Keitch but they will probably be similar In price. I will edit this when I get home since apparently my phone hates BR.

Strawmen gonna straw.

New SVS system, 4 brakes vs. 6 on the old one. Supposed to be a "better" system.

The one's I can think of (BPS and Bass Assassin) are Keitech knock off's themselves. I have high expectations from the Rage Tail line despite being part of Strike King. I am disappointed to find Fat Swing Impacts in a Rage Tail packaging.

Sweet Fat Impacts there bros.

For chatterbaits I'd say Conquest 101. I like the low gear.

You would hurt my heart by putting a limited Pixy on a BPS rod. A silver mica might be forgivable. Here's the hard truth about stock Pixies. By today's standards, they are pretty lousy reels in a lot of ways. Weak drag, cheap handle, clickless drag star. What turns them into special reels is the Pixzilla upgrade; TD-Z line guide, full drag stack replacement plus Carbontex, PX Type R drag star and cast control to facilitate a clicking upgrade, and probably a carbon handle because at that point why not? If you knew this and are up to the challenge and costs of performing this upgrade with parts that are now discontinued and getting harder to source as well as more expensive, then you know what you're getting into and I wish you all the best and to see the finished product. However if you're more on the casual or casual-enthusiast side of things, purchasing an Alphas SV or Alphas Air is a far better use of your time and money. Goose there aren't any Pixies in that picture.