DirtyDeuceGoose

I would

I personally love mine. However with the introduction of the tatula some people make find the ballistic obsolete. My biggest concern with the tatula is the guts that operate the twing. To my understanding there are multiple moving pieces and they are plastic. As with the ballistic the thumb bar and pop up hood/ twing are built on one platform if I recall correctly. And it's just awesome when you use it, you can absolutely bomb baits for miles.

If I remember they were 279.99

Heard it's slightly bulky but sexy none the less. I'm about to pick up one or two. And a type r when it comes out

I use both a moderate action and a fast action to throw squares. Moderate if I'm in a situation where I'm fishing it like a crankbait or fast action when I'm fishing it more like a spinnerbait. Both have worked well for me.

Entirely personal opinion here, I use both!

Used the square bill. Not all that impressed. Took a while to tune it and when I tried to burn it it went off course anyway. The hooks and finish are the best parts about this bait. It's one for the fisherman more than the fish IMO

I absolutely love my 7'6" MH/F. I also have mine paired with a RVO3 S. IMO it's a great combo. Extremely versatile. I've thrown c-rigs, frogs, jigs, you name it with it. Really sweet.

7'MH/F for sure as stated before. I have probably 6 rods in this rating. Indispensable to me

I just picked up an *** and absolutely love it. However my custom built rod (avid blank) is probably my favorite stick. If you're trying to stay under 200 go ***, the avids are right around the 200 mark

Spro is my go to frog. It's always walked the best for me. Do you trim the legs? Seems to help the action and short strikes for me

You can find xraps on sale at DSG. Definitely one of my favorite jerks out there.

Been on the site for a few weeks, all I can say is wow. This is the greatest compilation of fishing information and discussion I have ever come across. I've been fishing since I could hold a rod and bass fishing has always been #1 in my heart. My 'hobby' exploded into my life style around middle school time and now it's consumed me!! I've competed in the college FLW circuit on Kentucky lake when I fished at Iowa state university. Unfortunately my fishing time has been decreased severely because my time in the service. Anyway, just wanted to say a bit about myself and continue to learn from the overwhelming amount of talent and experience that is evident. Semper Fi

The crankbait has a rattle. I have the small/squarebill version. Haven't had a chance to throw it yet, will let you all know after I get it out this weekend.

Thanks everyone for all the help. Sounds like I can't really go wrong. I'll let y'all know what I end up with when I finally pull the trigger!

IMO mag brakes are more user friendly. Not to say they're better or worse. Again just an opinion. I use reels that have mag, centrifugal, and both. My favorite two reels (zillion and chronarch) each use a different braking system. To each his own.

Most of my research has been done on the jerkbait rod. That would be a starting point anyway and possible/probably expansion from there if I like it.

I'm just looking for other opinions on the LTB by St. Croix. I've read reviews on tackle websites but figured this site might shine a new light on them or cover different aspects. Any information anyone has with personally experience or a partner's experience would be awesome.

You're not kidding! That's too bad. Where do you do most of your fishing?

Go for the mojo bass by st. croix. Better rods than a lot of people give them credit for

I throw my 1.5's on a 7'MHF rod with a curado 200E7. Two centrifugal breaks set and the spool tension to where the lure falls pretty freely. Never had a problem with distance. Definitely agree with the educated thumb comment. The better you can feather, the looser you can have your spool tension

I mostly throw them on transition areas like flyfisher is suggesting. A little grass here and there where it opens up to a more open piece of water. Just my experience with it anyway. Caught some nice fish on it

Definitely check out Jordan. Caught my personal best there.

Hey everyone, new to the site, not to bass fishing! From Bloomington and been fishing since I could hold a rod. Competed in the FLW college series when I attended Iowa State University. Currently serving in the Marine Corps so my fishing time has diminished greatly. I love to fish Bush Lake when I'm home and Minnetonka is my other favorite in the local area. Really excited to run into a group of guys that fish the same waters as me when I'm home!