Drew03cmc

Duo Realis Kabuki 55SR in citrus shad is the one crank I feel most confident in.

I guess I am odd. For 5" Senkos, for me, it's a 6'8" MF Legend X with a Metanium MG, 20# Smackdown and a 12lb fluoro leader. This is my favorite setup and the one I normally use for creek smallies, which often entails 1/3-1/2oz topwaters or soft craws.

I have a Lure 11.5 V1 and a Moken 12.5 V2. The Moken is a 75lb boat that paddles well, is stable and handles current far better than the Lure.

Topwater walking baits in small creeks for me.

Precision? No, but can I hit the target? Generally, yes. My preferred fishing is floating shallow rivers, so the target can be as big as a rip rap bank or the dinner plate size pocket behind a boulder just off current. I can generally hit those while floating by.

In that price range, I would get a Mojo Bass. I have 2 of these, both MH, one MF and one F. The MF is perfect for chatterbaits and the like. If I could recommend any rod for your usage. I love my Legend X 6'8" MF. I throw everything from a weightless Trick Worm to a Super Spook or Dog X Diamante on it. On my medium casting rod, it gets 20# Smackdown to either a 10 or 12# leader, copoly or fluoro depending on situation.

This right here! Can I suggest another place to buy it? Www.tackle-xtreme.com sells it cheaper than most everywhere else. https://www.tackle-xtreme.com/?s=Smackdown&post_type=product Do the write ups catch fish? I'm glad I don't shop based on write ups. I read the write ups on it and saw about fraying. Honestly, most fraying isn't the line, it's guides or wood/rocks on braid. I absolutely love Smackdown. I have switched everything over to it other than my frogs and punch/a-rig rod. I run Smackdown from 20 to 50 on casting gear, 10 and 15 on spinning gear. It handles amazing, twist isn't a big issue and I can't seem to break it. It's great on everything.

Man, I have been fighting the urge for years, but I may have to jump in the deep end this winter.

So, an MGL isn't meant for less than 3/8oz? A 3/16 weight, 3/0 hook and 4" plastic hits right around 3/8. I guess the MGL spool isn't intended to have less start up inertia for lighter baits, or less capacity (150 vs 70 size). I have had MGL spool reels and they excel down to 3/16 or 1/4oz true weight, if your rod will adequately load them. The 70 MGL reels are the bridge between BFS and all around duty. Whoever mentioned the MGL has more line capacity for deep water is 100% wrong. Many folks prefer the 70 size reels for flipping and pitching at close range with flipping lines, 30 to 65lb braid or 15 to 20lb fluoro. At 20 feet, capacity does not matter. @road warrior there is a JDM SLX BFS as another option. How I would go is the Aldebaran BFS XG, but that's just my preference.

Because it is at this point.

Try buying a St. Croix through their website. They have openly stated that their first concern is filling retailer orders. Their own online inventory is a distant second. I can only assume Shimano/Loomis is the same way. Warranty issues aren't at the forefront of their concern and, honestly, they shouldn't be. They are filling them as they can.

The more I use braid, the more I agree with this.

It handles that size fish without issue. Here is a nice fish from February in mid-MO. Caught on a hair jig.

I have both an Avid 6'9" MLXF/Stradic 2500 CI4+/10# Smackdown and a Legend Tournament Bass 6'8" MXF/Stradic 2500FL/15# Smackdown. The MLXF has plenty of backbone to handle good size fish. I like the MXF for Super Flukes and small craws and jigs to 1/4oz.

Braid, actually, isn't more visible under a lot of conditions. There have been tests done comparing braid to fluoro. A lot of this is due to the fact that it is thinner, often half as thick as the mono you'd generally throw. For example, I went from 15# Abrazx to 30# Smackdown in gray. The Abrazx lit up like a Christmas tree in clear water. The more matte, natural colors of braid, even white, can almost vanish underwater. Braid does not backlash more. Sounds like a reel isn't adjusted properly and may be causing it. Braid is no more expensive than fluoro and is actually cheaper. You can run the same spool of braid for multiple years vs having to change your fluoro out every few months. This isn't including the cost of KVD line conditioner. I can buy a spool of 30# Smackdown for $29.99 or a spool of 15# Abrazx for $24.99. The catch is that I will still be using the braid in 12 months, or going onto my second filler spool of Abrazx. Finally, the coarser braids, PP, 832, etc, cut through reeds when under tension whereas fluoro will be nicked and damaged. Braid isn't ideal in wood, but it does a good enough job for me. Finally, what I am getting at is try them all, use what you like. I am even using 20# braid to a 12# Invizx leader for squarebills on the river in crystal clear water.

Ron is right. While I stop short of using the phone books (not sure I have owned a phone book in a decade), I have a spool holder that puts spring tension on my line, then I hold it between my thumb and forefinger while winding. On my Metanium MG, I have 20# Smackdown as mentioned before, and this rod is used for, literally, everything. I throw Spook Jr, Sammy, Ploppers, buzzbaits and spinnerbaits to 3/4 total weight, crankbaits, weightless plastics and light T Rigs. I haven't had a non-self-inflicted issue yet. I also feel the rod has a lot to do with it. I use a Legend X 6'8" medium power, fast action.

Definitely sounds like a guide issue. I found a cracked tip guide this weekend while fishing a tournament and retired that setup for the day. I have since replaced the guide. Check them out thoroughly.

I use 30# Smackdown for chatterbaits, Spinnerbaits, Buzzbaits, light pitching, jigs, etc. On my medium rod, I like 20# Smackdown. I haven't had much issued with any of it yet. I think using your equipment to the best of its abilities is where it's at.

I toss a 6'8" Legend X for jerk baits, both wading and from my kayak.

This one is on the list of baits to try. I want to find a local dealer, but will order some I guess. A Neko craw? I can't see the allure unless it has a worm body with a craw head and claws. My bait of choice thus far has been the 4.25" Stik-O in Sooner Run.

I like the Neko as well. I've been using some 1/8oz or 1/16oz VMC half moons and weedless Neko hooks. The baits I have chosen have been 4" stick baits or Trick Worms. They just eat it.

Here are some of the ways to rig the Tackle HD 3" craw.

I've caught lots on the 3" Tackle HD Hi Def Craw, as well as the Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw. The HD is thrown on their 3/16oz head or as a finesse jig trailer for a Bitsy Bug or similar. I like an 1/8oz standup head for the UV.

3/8oz Trophy Bass Company Ozark Flash with an HD Swimmer for a trailer

Absolutely. Small water does not mean small fish or small lures. Fish your strength. I often throw a 4" walking bait or "1/4oz" buzzbait, which is actually 1/2 or so after skirt, blade and trailer. Why would I not use braid that has the same diameter of 6lb mono?