FryDog62

You’re right - it shows the variance in weight ratings between rod manufacturers - where Dobyns says a 5 power and Loomis says 3, and the rest of the industry it’s a 4.

I tried it on an Xtasy 723c and it wasn’t powerful enough. Sent an email to Gary and he said at least a 4 power, and he personally would use a 5 power.

Had almost this exact experience… Bought a pack when they were first released kind of thinking it was more gimmick than anything. Showed a couple different guys that fished in my boat, they laughed, but we never used it. Then one day after a couple of slow hours on the water, I tied one on and cast it a country mile onto a known gravel/chunk rock point. Watched the line slowly sink for about 5 seconds - then THUMP - the line went tight and reeled in a 20 incher. First cast!! My friend who had scoffed at the bait was like - “No you didn’t, that “*%#^” doesn’t work!” Reeled it in and showed him what was down the fishes gullet and he couldn’t believe it. Told him I’d sell one turd to him for $20, he had some choice words for me..

I decided to order a GLX MBR 843c. Versatile rod and should do other things pretty well too. I need that going from 20+ rods in my bass boat to 8 now in a kayak.

Tim, looking for a dual purpose for the 893… can it handle dragging 1/2 oz football jigs as well or is 3/8 it’s top end? Thx

Always been curious about the 893… besides scat lures, how does it do dragging 1/2 oz football jigs or is 3/8 it’s top end?

Yes, no ***** (lol)

What’s your preferred set up for the typical 3.5 inch (approx 1/2 ounce) scat bait? I think the rod has to be the right action for poop lures. It has to load/cast relatively heavy/compact lures right - but also sensitive enough for bottom contact, detecting slack line bites, etc. Preferred line too?

It could be the braid if that’s what you’re using. Smallmouth, especially in current, will pull and turn several ways until there is a momentary lapse in tension and either spit the hook, jump, or both. Mono/fluoro act more like a rubber band and it’s harder for the fish to get any slack. Slack, even just a split second, is a killer - -

Agreed, I think the casting technology on the Antares was a bigger deal 5 years ago when introduced. Still a good reel, but as you said it trickled down to much of the rest of the lineup. I’ll bet Shimano has plans to update their flagship reel soon - and will probably add FFS to it. Anyway, I awoke from my delusional dream about a $650 reel. Decided I could buy two Tatula Elites (and a few spools of line) for the same price and get the same casting distance (or maybe even better). Take that bait monkey 🙈

When the Antares A first came out in 2019 with the MGL III spool, it was touted as the longest casting baitcasting reel at least for Shimano if not within the industry. That was five years ago, and now Shimano has introduced other reels with MGL and MGL III spools. Does the Antares still cast farther than their other newer offerings, or has the technology of other reels caught up? Frankly, I have some of the newer MGL and MGL III reels and they are nice, but they still don’t quite cast as far as my Tatula Elites. Thoughts on the Antares?

I like using a Phenix Feather Medium-Light for Neds. Sometimes straight 7 lb Sniper around open water, braid + leader with some cover present. What’s your best set up?

I agree that power varies between baitcasting and spinning. I have a couple ML baitcasters that have more power and backbone than a lot of my Medium spinning rods.

I use a variety of medium power casting rods for: Flukes Scat Lures Spinnerbaits (ALX Dream is an awesome one) Free Rig Shaky head Wacky worm Tubes

I hear you... this seems to be the dilemma. Shorter Stinger tip rods that shake well, or longer rods without Stinger tips for casting distance but can be fatiguing to shake over time. Any idea if the ALX Hover (or any other rods) masters both aspects well?