Kidflex

I've never ran into any problems with their hooks.

Try a bruiser baits evil twin. Has amazing action in the water and imo the outgoing curls actually has better movement (closer together) than a traditional twin tail grub.

Hammer 7'3" extra heavy. Very light and sensitive rod. Has a nice bend to it which I prefer for flipping and punching. Probably the most under rated and unknown rods out there. Tackle warehouse now carries them so I'm sure they will get more exposure.

But it's close and has easy access to JDM products

I use Tufline hevi-core braid when I'm football jig fishing in 40ft. None of these so called sinking braids are gonna make a significant difference. It does help some. My catch rate is no different than when I use PP for this technique though. I won't buy anymore after the 5 spools I have are used up. Might be more effective with flukes or something similar......

Your setups are great. Asking what line to use for all their setups might make it more confusing becasue your gonna get a bunch of different responses. For a general answer, I'd Use 30-50lb braid or 12-20lb fluoro on the fast set ups(baitcaster). 15-20lb braid on your spinning setups. 10-14lb fluoro or mono on your cranking reels.

Stay strong! Sometimes being hard headed and fishing with lures that arent producing while other lures are producing doesnt pay out. But on the other hand I feel your pain and have hundreds of lures that haven't been wet. I do like the challenge of using a new lure and learning how to use it properly and effectively and then applying that skill and knowledge to the appropriate time and situation. Your situations shouldn't be that bad since all those lures are proven fish catchers

I have an mgx paired up to a st croix legend extreme(current version) 6'8" med/fast rod. It's my jerkbait/top water rod. Very well balanced. It's higher than what you stated but I found mine for $270. You'll love the reel.

I've been fishing inshore and offshore in Venice and other areas for the last 10 years. the guides in Venice are spoiled and charge way too much. The fishing is good as well as many other areas near by. I would recommend Capt jack at sweetwater guide service in Delacroix. He has cabins that can be included for cheap. Best rates and best guide. I've used many guides from hackberry, Venice, grand isle, port fourchon and Delacroix. He also owns the bait shop in the area so your boat will be loaded with around 400 live shrimp which in included for free. Call other guides and ask how much live shrimp is....... It's east of New Orleans rather than south where Venice is located. The area is much nicer too. Lodging in Venice is way overpriced. Dont get me wrong, I do love Venice. It is a special place especially for offshore. But I make a yearly inshore trip to Delacroix and use the same guide for a reason. August is hot but so is July and September. I like to go in September when the trout start moving in, it'll depend on how much fresh water(rain) has fell. Redfish will be there year round and are easy to catch. Good luck

These are the prettiest jigs I've seen. I got a close look at a tackle shop. They have priced their jigs at or more than a lot of their hard baits. $7 a jig is high! Too high for me.

I have a few "8" and mostly "7's" for reels but don't notice much difference between them. I still use "6's" for moving baits and use "5's" for cranking. I actually find using a 5:1 reel for chatterbaits the best for me. I can keep on bottom better.

I caught the better fish in the little pocket where the creek(bull) runs right up to the bank. There were around 15 boats in bull creek. I've never seen that many people back there the last few years. About half the boats were working the creek channels for white perch.

There's a switch at the bottom of the reel that has 3 cast controls. Use the one for max brake or all around. Those reels cast great. I have 2 t3 1016's and they are my best casters

Finally was able to get out on the water today. Launched outta 944. Water was way low. Never fished back there when the water was this low. Was hoping to flip/pitch buck brush but most were out of the water and on dry land. Managed to get a few pitching. Had to change plans and just work points and that seemed the be fairly consistent. Didn't kill em but got 11 nice fish with a 4lber being the biggest. Water clarity was decent in bull and ashmore. Temp was 64-66. Fish bit multiple lures....d bombs, rattle trap, chatterbait, trick worms and jerk bait. Most of what I seen ware folks ripping rattle traps on flats. Glad to see hydrilla growing! Tight lines y'all.

I'm on the opposite end and totally disagree. I actually like Shimano rods. As far as crucials, my favorite were the Eva handle models before the current series. Something about them I just loved. Setting the hook was absolute, reminds me of Powell max and endurance rods. I love the cumaras. I also love the zodias and expride rods. For comparison sake, I own many loomis nrx/glx/imx rods, a few steez and a bunch of zillion rods and st croix legend extreme. Shimano rods get plenty of work on my boat.

I don't know and really don't care how or why. I just enjoy the savings!

Your making too big a deal about it. Send it in. Enjoy your new rod when it comes in.

Changing to braid won't make your cast any better/farther. If it did they would use braided line in long casting competitions, instead they use good ol mono in 8-12lb. Technique, proper rod, reel and line combo appropriate for the type of lure and the type of casting you'll be doing has to be in harmony for best results. So don't try throwing a spinner bait on a 7'6" extra fast heavy flipping rod Or throw a 3/4 oz jig on a moderate medium rod and expect long distances,Etc. rod load during the cast to me is the most important factor in casting. Has to be enough load to launch desired bait.

1. My dad, he's still alive but doesn't fish anymore. He's the one that introduced me to the sport 2. I wouldn't buy any $150 combo. Wasted too much money buying cheaper stuff to only replace them at a loss with higher end stuff. 3. I'd tell myself to not fish cheaper gear! Lol. Seriously, buy once, cry once.

I had and fished an eon 5600 back in 2000 & 2001, I fished for stripers and hybrids below the dam on Toledo with that reel and other abu(5500/6500). I remember the reel having the longest freespool of any reel I have ever seen. It also cast great too, but with that said I was also using 1oz buck tails and spoons. So I can't say how well it would do with lighter stuff. Stood up to numerous 8-12 stripes though.

ARMY 7 years. 1994-2001. Medic 91B Ft hood, 1st Cav division, hooah!!!! Thank u brothers and sisters in arms past and present.

I agree with others on boomerang, it cuts well and just too handy. Very small profile too

All Tatulas have the tws. The ct is smaller. Same smoothness and power from the original.

Keep it. The reel is a beast and cast as good as any other reel. I use 2 energys on the regular. With around ten 6-8lb bass under its belt. Drag competes with any reel on the market for smoothness. I have steez, chronarchs, calcuttas, Tatula type r, ct type r, pixy type r, scorpion xt, curado I, lews bb1 pros and the list goes on. Learn how to use it and enjoy what you have

Some of my best memories of fishing have been from sitting on a river bank in a chair with rod holders in the sand and bell alarms on my poles. Drinking beers and a fire with good friends. I wish I still did that. Now it's all business with the bass. Still fun but......sometimes I work my tail off for one bite.