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.

The mustad split ring plier/braid scissors are the best investment I've made, as far as line cutting tools go. For around $7 you can't beat them for cutting braid. A decent set of pliers and nippers can be had all for under $10-20. I agree with everyone else, not worth the money.

Don't overlook the Powell frog rod as mentioned above. I've got one in my cart on TW waiting to get it for 20 percent off on Friday. I think Dobyns is a good choice also.

I was looking at these exact two reels. I already have one Pro G, and I love it. My only issue is I use the lefty. Kind of a bummer that it's only available in the 6.8 gear ratio. My question to anyone else in this conversation is, are either of these reels burly enough to be on a frog rod? I have the BB1 pro, and could switch that one to the frog rod. Just curious on everyone's thoughts. Thanks

Not sure if you're referring to me here, but I was only stating what my research turned up. These were my two companies of choice, I narrowed it down to one based on what reviews and opinions are out there. And they're still out there if you look, here and elsewhere. TJ81's negative experience is one in particular I would refer to, besides others you will find here on BR(particularly on lower end models, like the fury). Not trying to "dish", in fact, my bottom line was "I think you'll be happy either way". I couldn't happier with my experience with Powell so far. I fish the Inferno, Max 3D, and TiMax. But I'll reiterate, you won't go wrong if you've narrowed it down to these two companies. Tight lines!

I'll give you a plus one on the Lew's for casting reel. All my baitcasters but one are Lew's. Love 'em!

I had essentially the same question about a year ago. You can check my previous posts. My two cents... You're definitely on the right track if you have it narrowed down to these two companies. However, I feel you get a little more bang for your buck from Powell. I'm not a sponsored fisherman, so all my gear comes out of my own hard earned money. I own four Powell spinning rods, and five Powell casting rods(soon to be six). Depending which rod you are looking for, I might encourage you to at least hold off until Black Friday for some smokin deals. There were also some Powell rods on one of the days of Christmas specials at TW last year. I got several Max 3D's for the price of Infernos last year. Just a thought. I've heard some less than stellar reviews on Dobyns customer service in the last year as well. I've never personally had to deal with Powell customer service, but I've only heard good things there. Good luck with your decision, and ultimately, I think you'll be happy either way. Tight lines!

I'm down in the Utah County area. Hopefully with the moisture we're receiving this winter, Utah Lake will be up and back to it's wonderful self this summer. I know it's not Florida, but Utah Lake will be amazing this year if the water levels are up where they should be. I'm hoping to have a bass boat before summer is very far gone. I'd love to take you out and pick your brain. In fact, I already have a question for you. I'm dying to get a beefy pitchin' and flippin rod, that can also double as a small to medium swimbait rod. I'm trying to choose between a Powell Max 3D 765 or 795. Any input on that? I looking forward to meeting and fishing with more Utah anglers interested in bass.

@ChoporozYou're thinking about it all wrong. As mentioned above, put the hornet on the bottom AS your contact weight. Still have you're favorite weightless DS bait above. Double dose.

Don't know if you've made your choices, but I'll give you my two cents on this one... Lew's all the way for the bait casting reel. The Super Duty is made for heavy cranking applications. Check around to find the right price, or save the money on my spinning suggestions to put towards a new one. Spinning, you can STILL get a Quantum EXO half price($100), size 15 or 25 at a store that starts with the same three letters as "schtick" and rhymes with "reels".(Not sure what vendors are mention friendly, but don't want to offend anyone) Anyone looking for a smoking deal on a spinning reel can thank me later. If you don't want to go with Quantum, I'd go with Pfleuger supreme mg or supreme XT. I have the same Powell rod, Max 3D 7' ML, with the supreme mg. AMAZING setup. I sold all my Shimano reels, Sahara, Saros, Stradic FI & FJ due to weight. If you don't mind heavy, they are fantastic reels. Super smooth and durable, but my arm thanks me on long days for going with my lighter Pfleuger reels. If I were to get another Shimano, the only one I'd consider is the Stradic Ci4, but it's quite a ways out of your price range. I know I'm kinda late to the game on this one, but hopefully this helps.

I do want to clarify, when I say "play" the fish, I don't mean leave it on the end of my line longer than necessary. I completely agree that getting the fish landed and released as quickly as possible, is extremely important. I just mean doing whatever I can to keep the fish "buttoned" until he is landed, without breaking off, spitting the hook, or any other version of what I so affectionately call LDR. Long Distance Release.