Sheepdog

There is a KVD model of split ring plier/braid cutter out there that cut braid like butter. They have a red handle, and they look similar to the Mustad brand "braid cutters with split ring pliers" on TW that have the blue handle. I would guess those would be the same or at least work as well. I picked mine up at Walmart. They are pretty cheap, and make decent split ring pliers. I use mine for cutting all my light braid(16 lb.) to flouro leader connections for dropshot, etc. They work like a champion. I use Rapala clippers(just like finger nail clippers) for all my flouro and mono cutting. I've been curios about these ones. Haven't picked any up yet, but they are a couple bucks cheaper on TW, FYI.

Dang, now TW has me eating my words. I sent an email expressing my frustration, next morning I got a phone call from TW expressing sincere apologies. They said it has been a popular sale every year, but this year, as anyone watching saw, it was CRAZY. I was happy to get a phone call and apology. They really do care about customer service over there, so they'll still be getting my hard earned money... and free advertising because of there stupid good deals on shirts, hats, etc. Is there an eating your words emoji? I didn't get any new online tackle store referrals btw. Following, I've been tempted to pull the trigger on one of those as well. I'd like to compare them to my Powell rods. Looks like they restocked in the middle of the sale. Last I checked most were sold out, but now they're fully stocked! That's awesome.

I need some referrals for everyone's favorite online tackle shops, besides TW! I got burned on the TW Rico sale today. I knew they would go fast. So I was ready when it started. One of the six I wanted was sold out before I could even make it to check out, no biggie. So I got my order submitted for five, boom, confirmation email received. 30 min. later, I get an email saying one of the colors I ordered is now out of stock. Again I was a little bummed, but life goes on. Another 40 min. goes by, another email shows up saying two more of my colors are out of stock. Now I'm frustrated, and I need to find someone else to take my hard earned tackle money!

It's the Powell Mistake 734. It's rated Heavy. They may be out of stock now, so I'd recommend the same rod in the Inferno series. It's just a little more money, but you can always wait to find the right deal. Just my two cents. You'll hear a thousand different opinions, and most will be good ones. You're just going to have to find something that looks and feels good to you. This is true with most things in fishing... rods, reels, line, boats, etc. There are a LOT of great rods out there. I would just avoid anything you are consistently hearing poor reviews on. So much is about personal preference. I wish you luck in finding what suits you. That's part of the fun btw!

@grub_man Thanks! That's exactly what I needed to hear! I'll give it a shot and report back.

Don't know your time line, I'm a guy who always waits for stuff to go on sale. I would look at the Powell Mistake rod. Check the Powell website. The 7'3" Heavy would be a great all around rod for frogs, jigs, t-rigs, etc. It has a fast rating, so right in between the x-fast and mod-fast. I throw so many things on that rod it's ridiculous. Small swim baits, whopper ploppers, jigs, frogs, t-rigged worms, the list goes on. I used to think the heavy rating was "over doing it", but after fishing them, I see no reason not to. They're light, sensitive, and very strong. I say watch for sales, because this rod(same blank as the $100 Inferno) has been on sale for $48 dollars on their web site a couple times. Regular price is $79. Excellent rod for the money, insanely good if you get it on sale.

I fish mostly Powell rods, and I love 'em. That said, I've always tried to stay roughly in the middle of the ratings stated on the rod for line and weight. Is it terrible to throw a 1 oz. lure on a rod that's rated 1/4 oz. to 1 oz., thus maxing it out? Do I run the risk of breaking the rod if I'm trying to wing it out there? I have a rod I feel would be perfect for the 110 plopper, but the max rating is 1 oz. Do I need to be conservative on my casts? Or just chuck and wind? Sorry if this question has been answered already, and thanks for any input!

I thought the same thing at first, but it's only on specific colors of each product. Look through the different sizes and colors and you'll see the ones that are half price. I found a few I like, but a lot of my favs are still full price. It would be well worth it if they had free shipping on a fifty dollar purchase or something...

Love that reel. I bought the same one when it was ten dollars more, and I don't regret it. I put it on a Powell Diesel cranking rod, and I love the combo. Looks and feels like a match made in heaven!

Just got a little package from Japan I felt was worthy of a post here. Time for ice off!!

I've only tried this style of fishing once, with no luck. Any tips on how you fish them? Which body color (brass/nickel) and eye color you recommend for what conditions/forage? I'm a huge fan of the short shank Gama ewg treble hooks. Any reason those wouldn't work with these? Thanks for the post and link! Pure awesome! @Will Wetline It looks like you only have the back hook installed from the photos. Is that all you use?

I bought a few last year, bought twice as many this year. I picked up some Gamy treble hooks on the Black Friday sale in anticipation of buying these this year. I've never paid full price for a Rico, so I don't have an original to compare them to. But the only issue I noticed last year was one of the three I picked up seemed to have the wrong size beed/rattle. It gets stuck, and is therefore not as noisy. Just a guess, but I thought they may have accidentally put the rio Rico size beed in a Rico. Can't know for sure. The other two seemed perfect to me, and all have caught fish. Poppers are in my top three favorite techniques, and they're nearly impossible to lose, so I have no problem dropping some extra cash for these and a few megabass pop x/max's every year. Well worth it to me.

I bought a few last year, bought twice as many this year. I picked up some Gamy treble hooks on the Black Friday sale in anticipation of buying these this year. I've never paid full price for a Rico, so I don't have an original to compare them to. But the only issue I noticed last year was one of the three I picked up seemed to have the wrong size beed/rattle. It gets stuck, and is therefore not as noisy. Just a guess, but I thought they may have accidentally put the rio Rico size beed in a Rico. Can't know for sure. The other two seemed perfect to me, and all have caught fish. Poppers are in my top three favorite techniques, and they're nearly impossible to lose, so I have no problem dropping some extra cash for these and a few megabass pop x/max's every year. Well worth it to me.

Thanks! I got a Patriarch XT! I've been eyeing that reel forever waiting for a deal like that! It was actually another 15 percent off with the "holiday15" code. $105 for a $250 reel!

Surprised I haven't seen them mentioned, but I like the PTL swinging hammers. I also like the keitechs, and I'll probably be giving the rage tails a try next.