PGA Dropout

Lucky Craft Gunfish 115 in Shell White. Missile Baits Shockwave in Candy Gill on a 5/0 Owner weighted Twistlock. 3/8 oz. Siebert Outdoors tournament swim jig in Smoked Jelly paired with a Paca Chunk or Rage Bug, both in PBJ. Draaag pause draaag pause draaag pause shakeshakeshake FISH!

Currently using 20 and 30 lb. original Power Pro on casting reels with no issues. I'm not trying to be snarky or argumentative, but it's not the fishing faux pas that many in this thread make it out to be.

I'd buy a KLX. The new Crucials might be a good value if you can wait until iCast.

Siebert Outdoors makes a ball-head jig that has a good hook. They're available plain or painted.

Kent Lake is a tough place to fish most days. The best tip I can give you is to avoid the weekends and try to fish mid-week when the boat traffic and picnickers aren't so crazy. PBJ jigs and green pumpkin worms during the day and big walking baits after the sun sets. Some days you get the skunk, other days you get lucky:

I'd throw topwaters, spinnerbaits, swim jigs, chatters, and other moving baits on combo 1. Fast action + mono should give you enough forgiveness. I'd probably throw worms and drag jigs on combo 2. I've been dragging jigs on 15 lb. copoly myself and it's worked well. Braided line is an option but it's not necessary unless you want to frog pads or punch grass.

No bass in SE Michigan. Especially not in Kent Lake. No bass there. Ignore my avatar. Welcome!

Another vote for the KVD Caffeine Shad. Softer and heavier than the Zoom flukes.

I don't feel that the Tatula is strictly superior to the T3 platform. The T3 beats the Tatula from an ergonomic standpoint and Magforce 3D is a very good braking system, not even adding the 1016 spool into the equation. The Tatula has some strong points, like the excellent 90mm stock handle and knobs, but it's certainly not a "better reel".

The price is probably the best thing about PP. It's common to find 150 yd. spools on sale for $10.

Oh yeah, that too.

Yeah, I found the Magforce 3D braking system to be very user-friendly. I think it's very hard to beat the Ballistic at 15% off of $109. The only negative is that you will need to replace the stock handle, but our friendly neighborhood Hawgtech handles are also on sale for the 4th.

I would throw a swim jig instead of a spinnerbait in ultra clear water with thick weeds.

I hear good things about the Phenix K2 blank. It's supposed to be at or above NRX level. We'll see when the production rod comes out, eh?

I hope the Shallow Shad Raps get the custom ink treatment as well. I could also go for some more Subwoofer colors.

I think you should wait to see what the new Zillion looks like and/or pick up a clearance Zillion at TW.

7'3" is possible. I'm concerned about the 4 power throwing baits over 1 oz. I am interested in 5" Punkers. The 734 gets rave reviews and I would be open to it; I'm just not sure that I am comfortable with the 4 power. I'm also looking at the 7'4" XHF Zillion swimbait rod. I think I could get it in the car but it might be tight, especially with a rod sock. Jigs and chatters are sort of a secondary concern; I just felt that the mod-fast 6 power would be a good thing to try them on.

It's graphite.

I got some essentials, nothing exciting. Those Zillion rods are haunting my dreams though.

I don't think it makes a difference. However I use black weights because that's what Siebert Outdoors sells. Can't beat the price.

So I'm looking for a rod that can handle big topwater walking baits, 1/2 oz.+ chatterbaits and swimjigs, and potentially some swimbaits around 1 oz. like Mattlures U2 'gills. I don't do any deep cranking but the rod might see some 1/2-3/4 oz lipless duty. Braid will probably be used. How do you guys feel about the 706CB for these techniques? I'm all ears if anyone has ideas for other rods. The only catch is that the rod has to be around 7' long as it must be able to ride comfortably in the front seat of my sedan. Thanks!

How would you compare the punch jig head and the swim jig bullet head? My wallet is itching.

This 4th of July, celebrate your freedom. . .from inferior handles!

Yeah! I actually just found out from the Youtube comments when I linked that video. We'll see how it works out I suppose.

I have a Leatherman Micra on my keychain. It has been exactly one day since I've put the open Leatherman back in my pocket and stabbed myself.