PGA Dropout

I'll have to come by the store next week. I like buying local.

Dardevle five of diamonds. When you absolutely, positively have to catch every last Pike in the lake, accept no substitutes. I also used to bust skunks with a 1/4 oz gold Kastmaster.

$120-140 depending on condition.

That's good to know.

Well then you're either getting the best deal in the history of the world, or they aren't truly ABEC 9. I don't really have a dog in this fight, so you keep on doin' whatever you like.

My gut tells me that if they cost $20 for a pair, they aren't ABEC 9.

5" yes, 4" maybe.

Siege is some strong stuff. I've straightened hooks with the 8 lb test.

Should be good. You can also call or email 13 for a recommendation. Their customer service department knows their rods very well.

This isn't what you're asking, but for finesse reels I would go Daiwa. I also don't think you need a finesse reel for a DX 743. What are you plotting to throw on the rod?

I would lean towards a Medium power if you're staying around 3/8 oz. I have the MH *** that you're considering and it's a fairly powerful rod. I have good luck frogging with it. I don't like it for flukes and light Texas rigs unless I'm fishing serious cover. I would be looking at a Medium or light MH like a 3-power Dobyns rod, something rated 1/4 to 3/4 oz. I would also get the longest rod possible as you're shore fishing and longer casts are important.

I have a hard time arguing with Paca Chunks for under $2.50 a bag and Pit Bosses for $2.99 or less.

Mike's jigs still have paint after I let my girlfriend fish them. That is more than I can say for (too) many products. God bless wire ties too.

12 lb. would be a good place to start.

If you're going Sufix, grab the blue box Siege and not the red box Elite. The blue stuff knots like a champion, resists abrasion and pike teeth, and behaves reasonably well on a casting reel. If you have a local Dick's, it's usually on sale or like $7 for a 330 yd. spool.

Memorial Day sales will soon be upon us. It will be a good time to buy. In the mean time, you should give Valley Sports a call or PM and see what Ron can do for you within that budget. He's a good guy to deal with and his prices are very competitive.

1/4 oz Rat L Trap in gold has been strong lately.

Define lighter. Are we talking under 3/8 oz? 1/4 oz? Down around 1/8 oz? If you're looking at a spool upgrade, you should just purchase the T3 1016. A bearing upgrade would cost $20-40 in addition to the cost of the tool to take the Daiwa spool pin out or sending it off to someone to perform the upgrade. These upgrades I'm about to list won't help with the casting but they will improve the overall feel of the reel. The Ballistic's handle is sort of lousy and cannot receive additional bearings. Look for a handle upgrade, either a carbon fiber from Hawgtech or a four bearing Daiwa handle. I have two Hawg Handles and I recommend the 94mm straight handle with the cork knobs. Additionally, Carbontex drag washers and a bearing in place of the worm shaft bushing are cheap and very nice quality of life improvements.

I would suggest carrying two rods. I believe that you're going to have a hard time finding a rod that will handle all of your listed techniques. There have been some reasonable recommendations in the thread so far but for example, I would not throw a hollow body frog into pads on a 3-power Loomis rod and I believe that a MH St. Croix would have trouble with the light Texas rigs. You're going to be sacrificing performance somewhere.

These days I'm just running around with a couple lipless cranks, half a dozen jigs, and an assortment of plastics/trailers. When summer comes I'll trade the cranks out for hollow body frogs and carry a MH rod instead of a M.

Grab a Siebert compact spinner while you're shoppin'. Bluegill pattern brings all the pike to the yard in clear water.

Frost advisory Tuesday morning and it's supposed to be 80+ today. I love Michigan. She keeps things interesting.

I think it depends on how you hold the rod while casting. I tend to palm the reel when I cast and the short handle doesn't come into play at all. However casting like "normal" with one finger in front of the trigger puts a lot of my hand on the exposed blank. Otherwise, it's very comfortable. For reference I use a CH51E and a Sol on the rod.

Yep, the 6'8" MF is a great rod. I'm glad you're happy with it. Even though it's only rated up to 1/4 oz, 5" Senkos and 3/8 oz hardbaits are well within its capabilities. I think you'll be very pleased should you choose to throw wacky worms on it.

Bass pro usually ends their sale prices with 97 if I'm not mistaken. You should still buy another reel or two. Even if there is a new model coming, you can't count on it being of higher quality unfortunately.