PGA Dropout

I dislike Quantum's ACS but I like the aesthetics and the ergonomics.

Well, I think I'm going to buy a Sportspal and incorporate some of the "attack canoe" modifications. Goose, do you think it would be possible to add a second seat to that setup for another person and maybe a small dog? Baxter does like fishing.

Two, maybe three. I'd hate to be out with just one rod and have an equipment malfunction.

Holy s those new pictures are so good. Mike, what's your best Green Pumpkin/Brown color called? I can't seem to find it.

I guess it would depend on what you're going to use it for (filler, as you said), but I wouldn't be fishing bottom contact or plastics with a Regular taper. However, if you spooled braid, it could probably work.

Ha, I wouldn't be opposed to fishing White Ice rods, but the exposed threads and locking nuts on the lower models are a problem for me.

Mike is a great guy to do business with. There is no compromise in product, price, or service.

It's a shame that you're discarding the ***, as it's the best blank of the bunch. I have a Savvy 703 that I want to get rid of at some point. The build is excellent but the sensitivity is not there for a $180 retail rod. The Tatula would get my vote but there's not really a Medium all-rounder in the line. So I guess get a Duckett? Never thought I'd say that.

Get a Tatula or Curado I from Amazon. No sense in jumping from cheapo to enthusiast level so quickly.

What do you want to do with it? Drop shot? Finesse? All around?

So I had Mike @ Delaware Valley Tackle put together a custom rod for the girlfriend and it turned out nicely. The process was easy and Mike was super helpful. I would recommend his work to anyone looking for a custom rod. The on-the-water review will have to wait 'til next month, but here's a few photos. Specs are as follows: Rainshadow RX7 blank (I think? Previous gen of the Immortal) cut to 6'5" Fuji Alconites Fuji slim reel seat Blue Camo EVA from Mudhole The EVA is firm and comfortable. It wouldn't be my first choice but she loves it. The rod is paired with a Daiwa Legalis 2500 and it balances nicely. We can't wait to get this one on the water. Giant pictures: Stay tuned!

Depending on the cover, a 7'1" MHF *** Black would fit the bill. Last season I used mine for 1/2-3/4 oz topwaters and frogs with 50-60 lb braid. It works well for what passes as "heavy-cover" here in the North. I can also recommend the 7'3" HF Okuma TCS rod for frogging and wakebait duties. It is a nice rod for 7" Slammers.

Where did you get that rack? I dig it.

I tend to fish poppers slowly in calm water and walkers at a steady pace in choppy water. This is not a hard and fast rule but it's a good start.

Nah, I'm with you. CXX gets my copoly money. Hybrid is really stretchy and doesn't float well enough to fish a Sammy. No me gusta.

6'10" ML *** Black A casting rod. They're made for the Australian domestic market but you can get them direct from *** for ~$115 shipped. It handles light baits well and is not outmatched by big Smallmouth or Trout in current.

Yep. 1/4 oz Lipless all day.

15 lb. CXX is what I use. You might want to bump it up to 17 lb. or so.

I gotta get a couple new ones. The one I bought last year caught a fish on its first cast and is now cursed.

Yeah, tackle store options up there are pretty slim. I ran out of Baby Rage Craws up there last July and was very upset to find them $8 at Gander Mountain. However, they sold me some clearance Yum Craw Papi's that worked . . . in a pinch.

Troy near Oakland Mall, right off I-75. Probably an hour and change from Ypsi.

Smoked Jelly.

That Cabela's is so worth the drive though. That Great Lakes bar near it has super good food and you can take your wife/girlfriend to the Russel Stover outlet store across the street to make up for all the tackle purchasing. I'm going to check out the F&S when it opens. I've heard good things from some members here.

They're the Jedi of the sea!

My guess is that OP is looking for input on purchasing a rod in the $250+ range but doesn't want to spend Megabass X7 money. You may have missed it where he added the $400 cap, which is unfortunately just short of X4 money. Also, no reason to stir the pot. If you don't like expensive rods, don't buy them.