poisonokie

I don't know, I'm getting into some light baitcasting rods, I just ordered one that's ML and 6'5" which is plenty long enough for that application. I've found I like them for their leverage and casting accuracy. Now, if I'm pitching jigs, the accuracy is there by default and if I'm casting heavier rigs or plugs, accuracy takes a back seat to distance, anyway, so over 7 is the way to go.

It's actually only a $60 difference. The msrp for the Ss is around 339 usd, while the steez SV is $399. Which adds up to 4 more bearings, a brass gear (are those more expensive?), cheaper knobs, and most importantly a Steez label.

Is that great news for the HMG or terrible news for the Aetos? Incidentally, a guy on eBay is selling two new Aetos rods, one ML, one M, for $190 for the pair.

I catch fish on them either way. If I tie on a square bill and beat the bank without a bite, I move on to something else because I figure they aren't biting squarebills at the moment. Which one I tie on depends on the water and time of day, though. If it's really stained I'll use a rattling blue back chartreuse or something like that, if it's relatively clear, I'll go with a bream or shad colored silent one.

do you have the steez sv that came out a few weeks ago? I'm not talking about the ex model.

yup, just like a wacky rig.

well, an ounce heavier for the 8.1, a half ounce for the 6.3

And? It's also about an ounce heavier. I'm thinking it's the same frame, same spool, same pinion, brass drive gear instead of aluminum (hence the weight), a longer handle with heavier knobs, two extra bearings under each handle, one on the worm shaft, one at the spool tension knob, which clicks while the Ss doesn't, different paint job and cross bar on the front.

Is this basically a USDM version of the SS SV with four more bearings and a different paint job?

Ha ha, that's me too. If you catch some idiot's trotline, it's either dive in or lose it. Never underestimate the value of a good plug knocker.

Yeah, I think they actually use owner stingers on many of them. That seems to vary among the same baits, sometimes, but they are always excellent hooks. You gotta love the spinbait. My favorite is the standard 80. That slow sinking death flutter just drives not only bass, but any kind of perch, crazy. I've caught some big lmb, but also bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseeds... Good times. It just sucks when you lose one.

Like so? This is my personal favorite solution.

what are black max gears made of?

Man, I'm all about the Duo's. That Crank 48sr in Chartreuse Gill Halo is bass candy on a light rod. All their baits are very high quality in terms of components, action, paint, castability (that little 1/4 crank has an excellent magnetic weight transfer system that works every time), and the bass absolutely smash 'em! Cant wait til jerkbait season rolls around so I can put my Duo deep running jerkbait to the test.

I tried one extra fast jig rod and didn't like it at all. It didn't feel right casting or pitching, didn't give me much in the way of distance or accuracy, sensitivity wasn't any better, if I actually managed a solid hook set, I couldn't play the fish correctly and if they jumped, they'd managed to throw the hook more often than not. So mod-fast for me all day, every day. Even my flip rod is on the fast side of mod fast. And my cranking rod has a mod-fast action, but the tip is like butta, baby.

that's more or less what I do. Maybe your bearings need replacement. I just dismantle mine, use white gas to decrease everything, let it dry off, relube, and rebuild it. I will say that once you clean it out really well, it wont ever feel like it did from the factory because they tend to overlube things and use different greases and oil than you probably will. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. To me it doesn't feel right until I break it down and put it back together.

Well, a jika rig is pretty similar and I don't feel like sensitivity is sacrificed. It's a different feeling because everything swings around however it wants to, but the bite is still a tell-tale thump like a jig.

some jigs come through the slop better than others. Try an arkie jig with a 60 deg line tie. The best I've ever seen with staying clean are the new Siebert dock rockers. Depending on what your flipping into, a punch rig might not even come through it.

I don't think so. I use those same snaps for my cranks, etc, but I feel everything just fine. I use a braid mainline, though.

I don't know, that's why I want to test it. If they hit it and turn, you'd think it'd be game over...

Step 1: Cast it out there Step 2: Wait

x3, no question. I suggest the 711MHRB for versatility. With braid it makes an awesome worm/jig rod, with mono you can crank the day away.

That e6x is definitely an upgrade over the gl2 with a slightly lower price tag. I can't comment on how it fishes, but you could buy a zillion for $30 more and I guarantee you it's leaps and bounds ahead of the Loomis.

the little 3/16 pond magic spinnerbaits are really nice. Sharp hooks, nice swivels, good paint. I used the night model with the big single Colorado and had nothing but problems, though. I don't remember exactly what it was, but it was something to do with shoddy split rings.

I've never seen those in a store, so I haven't used them. Plus I think circles make more sense.