ChrisD46

I'm looking for a shorter handle MH/F 6'6" ~ 6'9" bait cast rod made to throw super spooks on . I'll be standing at or near water surface level (bank / kayak) , so I like a shorter handle butt when working walk-the-dog surface lures and a rod to keep the rod butt from hitting under the arm and under 7' to keep the rod from hitting the water's surface . So far , I checked TW and didn't see anything immediately that checked the above boxes ... Your suggestions ? P.S. No Pistol Grip 5'6" rod suggestions please - that's too short.

*Don't actually fish with them - just take them out of the package , look at them in different kinds of light - then put them back in the package like I do (lol !)

Unless you are standing up on the bow of a bass boat - the 6'9" model would allow you to twitch / jerk the rod more straight down where as a 7' model rod will require you to work the rod for jerk bait / top water more to the side to prevent hitting the water surface .

Thanks for replies - while nice to have a couple of 1/2 oz. buzzbaits when conditions require it - the 3/8th oz. and 1/4 oz. with and without trailers appear to be the more popular weight sizes .

4" regular Fluke is great on a underspin !

I should have stipulated "single buzz blade buzzbaits" ... Most store bought 1/2 oz. buzzbaits do not have overly large blades from that of 3/8th oz. size buzzbaits - slightly larger , but I see these1/2 oz. types more for burning a quicker retrieve or if wind is an issue . Lastly , I am most always adding a soft plastic trailers such as a Z-Craw Jr. , Strike King Rage Swimmer , Pit Boss , Yum Swim'N Dinger etc. (all 4" or less) to a buzzbait which also adds a little weight and may or may not affect how a buzzbait tracks ... I guess you just have to buy a couple of 1/2 oz. buzzbaits and play around with them to see how fast and true they run ... Might be better when bass are more aggressive in warm water and want a buzzbait faster (although slower typically gets the nod).

The majority of my buzzbait usage are 1/4 oz. and 3/8th oz. size ... How many use heavier 1/2 oz. buzz baits ? What percentage of the time do you throw a heavier 1/2 oz. buzzbait and under what conditions ?

At a local DSG store I held a Lew's TP1X 7' medium fast casting rod that felt pretty good in the hand and seemed to be fairly well made (HM40 graphite) for $99 ... Anyone have any experience with this casting rod for multi purpose use ? The other rod in the price range is the new all white Abu Garcia Veritas PLX also for $99 ... Your thoughts between the two ?

Which rod would be more useful for such applications : A 7' medium fast or a 7' medium moderate fast ?

Thanks - nice looking set up !

Thanks - good to know !

*Good advice on the Kaden vs. the Sierra .

Always go by line diameter (especially with lines like YZH and C-XX) as they are large for the line rating .

*Sierra 734C user myself - what you state is 100% correct .

Thanks - now to become educated on the different blade shapes / cups , wire gauges (although probably less important that for spinner baits ) . the actual head , keeper and then the hook . Skirts good for early spring then again in late fall with a soft plastic trailer the rest of the time .

Who makes their own buzz baits and what are good sources of buzz bait essential supplies ? ... While there are a lot of store bought good buzz baits on the market - I am specifically looking to make a 1/4 oz. buzz bait with a up sized blade normally found on 3/8th oz. buzz bait so I can creep that 1/4 oz. buzz bait on the surface slower in cooler weather . That type of buzz bait modification just isn't found in stores . Colors would be black , white and maybe white / chartreuse ... Thanks in advance !

Bold Bluegill and Green Pumpkin Neon if you have Smallmouth or Spotted bass in your waters as they both are attracted to the chartreuse highlight in these two worm colors .

Not the least expensive , but Strike King Rage Swimmers are common enough to be found just about everywhere ... Start with the 3.75" model and then go up or down in length from there as required .

*Just curious , what factors influenced your choice in the SLX ?

Could also consider YZH #12 lb. or #15 lb. line , Sufix Siege #14 lb. or #17 lb.

Could end up being a happy accident ... I believe most bass strike the head of a worm , so may have to give it a second or two more before setting the hook ... Who knows , could also catch a limit of 12" bass on the things (lol !) Then again , there is always the chance at "Bassquatch" lurking nearby looking for a big , easy meal .

While shopping for worms - I accidently ended up with a pack of Netbait C-Mac 15 inch ribbon tail worm in Red Bug color ... I didn't realize the oversight as I was shopping for the shorter version ... I have never fished a ribbon tail longer than 10 inch before - would you take it back for an exchange OR just go ahead and fish it as the water temp here in Georgia is still in the mid 80's ?

702SF = great Ned Rig rod too !

More manageable lines with less memory such as Sufix Elite or Trilene XL are going to have more stretch . YZH , CXX and most FC lines with less stretch - you will not like either . KVD Line treatment is a difference maker on YZH , CXX and FC lines . *Old School Wild Card Main Line : Berkley Big Game #12 lb. in the transparent green color with KVD Line Treatment - then just go bass fishing .

CXX is available all the way down to #6lb. For spinning I like braid main line + FC or co-poly leader . You may want to look at Trilene Sensation co-poly and Sufix Advance co-poly main lines lines for low stretch .