PGA Dropout

Yeeep. October in Michigan. It's wild down here.

Yep, good advice here. Larger jig, larger trailer, trailer with more action, black/blue or something with a lot of orange and/or chartreuse. A gold willow is probably another good idea. I do work in the Spring mud with a blue bug Siebert swim jig paired with a matching Rage Craw or bright blue Paca.

I'd recommend a different rod in the XX line because I don't like solid tips.

Yar, I harass Gary on a regular basis and I'm almost certainly going to purchase my next Orochi from him. Glad you're into the EMTF. I really would like the XX DSR for swim jigs. As I sad before, I'm also hoping that the Levante DSR is a Flat Side with more oomph as its been advertised with a regular taper. I get the whole JDM versatility taper thing. I also dig it, as I like to carry few rods and double-duty is a must. I probably should just ignore the Clausen and Martens quotes in the descriptions. Marketing puffery at its finest I suppose. Definitely not enjoying weightless worms on the Flat Side as suggested.

I do understand that for every rod series except the XX, which is supposed to be the 'murica targeted line.

I might be crazy, but my 15 lb. CXX does not seem to sink.

Siege is definitely clear with no tint. Also Bass Pro carries the clear but they want $11.99 for a 330 yd spool of the 6 lb and it goes up from there. What a joke.

Yeah, I agree. The descriptions and quotes on the Orochi XX rods leave something to be desired. "Every rod does everything! SUCH VERSATILITY!" Great rod series regardless, but you really need to talk to people with first hand experience or handle them yourself, as you've suggested.

Probably be frozen in November, but if not I'll be getting into a Leviathan and maybe a Diablo depending on how the taper plays out in practice. Basically I need a Flatside Special that's 1-1.5 powers heavier.

Shad Raps.

Really positive. Reel seat feels cheap but that was my only complaint. Solid rod for the money. Sets the hook with authority.

Ugh. Stoppppp. Promised my better half that I wouldn't buy a Diablo.

The guides are a bit disappointing. I'd still look at the E6x rods if I had to buy a crankbait rod and was not allowed to purchase an Orochi XX. On that note, everyone go buy a Flat Side Special. Trust me, you need one. Maybe two.

I mean, they're fine. Good, not great. Warranty is solid. Really hard to say no to the Zodias at the same (or slightly lower) price point.

Sort of personal preference. I had a 102mm and found it a bit long. It was solid for frogging though. The 94mm is my favorite length but the 90mm handles look a lot better. Any Hawgtech handles I purchase in the future will be the 90mm variety (unless something new comes out, like an 85 or 90mm swept). The cork knobs are really nice so I have not found a reason to try the Winn yet.

Ripping lipless cranks out of grass seems to get me.

Still not sure what prompted this in October.

So what spawned this thread? It's almost October. Have you been mad since March but couldn't find the time to post?

Couple things. I would have stayed out of BFS casting and probably bought an OG Zillion and '13 Met earlier. Also should have tried a TD Ito by now. Probably should have stayed out of serious mods and dress parts. Definitely should have purchased an Orochi XX sooner (and multiple. Flat Side's loney!). Not certain that I need new Conquests and an Antares but they're kinda sweet. We'll see what happens over the winter. This thread has me thinkin'.

The strength of the SV 105 is versatility. 1/8 oz? Can do. 1/2 oz? That too. It'll probably work for you.

Yar, Norm is the bomb * when it comes to photos. I'll say that while the Antares is not 50-sized, I have average hands and it palms comfortably. It's basically a fat Metanium.

Yeah, $300 USD is a grrrreat price on an Antares HG.

Mmm. Matchy matchy.

Looks like you need a '12 Antares. The deep spool supposedly holds 100m (110yds) of whatever the JDM standard for 20lb is. The '13 Met deep spool is 120 yds of JDM 16 lb. I think it's worth a shot if you can find one.

Zodias 7'2" H. Extremely nice rods for the price.