DubyaDee

I lost 3 Megabass 110's to pike before I decided to use a leader. Once the leader was on, I couldn't get a bite. I took the leader off and lost my last 110 that I brought with me. Oh yeah...I also snapped a Fenwick Smallmouth elite on a snag that trip. Sometimes you just need to crack a beer and laugh it off.

Can you see waypoints if you pay for the app? On the website I can't get the waypoints to enter them into my unit.

I was out with a popular St Clair guide when he had this happen on back to back casts fishing a pearl colored tube. It opened up my eyes about fishing slow. However, I still rip a jerkbait as fast as I can.

I've got that same reel paired up with a Fenwick HMG 7 Med Fast. This combo is very well balanced. Whatever rod you go with I'd stick with ML for what you're looking to do with it.

Absolutely. I just picked a Conquest 101HG in the fall, it's beautiful. I find myself staring at it when it's sitting on my deck and I'm using another combo. It doesn't take long for me to pick it up and throw it for a while.

I've got one and it's a very versatile rod. I think it's marketed as a lipless crankbait rod, but I use it for big top waters and spinnerbaits. For $25 it's a steal.

I'm using a 7 1/2 foot med/light XF fenwick aetos. It'll launch a tube a mile, give me tons of leverage, and is light enough to keep them pinned all the way to the boat. I don't rush to get them in once they are stuck.

1. Jerkbait, Vision 110 or Staysee 90 2. Tube, green pumpkin on 1/4 or 3/8 jig head. I fish for Smallmouth mostly, not much cover to get hung up on. I'll throw these two year round. These 2 are my always on the deck an ready to throw.

That's a tank! We were on LSC on Sunday and caught a few chunkers. I'm trying to get out on a weekday to avoid the weekend traffic. Jerkbaits with a feathered treble seemed to be the ticket.

I'd recommend storing them the way they say to, in the bags. I've left them in a separate 3700 box and they melted together. That was an expensive lesson.

I am usually always throwing a perch vision 110. They are expensive and they work. X Rap 08 is a good size to get confidence in jerkbaits.

I'm using a Mojo Bass swimbait rod and a 5600 size Abu round reel. It feels a little tip heavy, I think anything 7 foot 10 inches will feel that way. I haven't dedicated enough time on swimbaits or umbrella rigs to give you the answer that someone on the west coast can.

I agree 100%. I give my wife the wacky pickle (her name for it) on an ugly stick and she usually catches more than I do! Granted this is off the dock at a vacation house in northern Michigan. Good for you on spending your money how you want though! My nicest spinning set up is a Fenwick Aetos on a Shimano Stratic FK ($350 total). It performs great for tubes, small swimbaits, and drop shots.

It all depends on where you fish and what you're fishing for. I run braid on all of my rods, most of the time with a flouro leader. Most of my fishing is in open water with zebra muscles and pike/musky present. This is where the flouro leader comes in, 6-15#. Learning to tie good knots is key too. I have less break offs with a flouro leader/san diego jam not, than I do with a braid/palomar knot. This could be because of the knot strength with that specific line or the toothy fish that like my perch jerkbait. It's important to match up the line with the action of your rod too. I wouldn't throw a treble hook lure with straight brad and a med x fast rod. The flouro leader gives you a little stretch which is nice. Every time I hear a pro on TV talk about flourocarbon line they say no stretch. I just don't get it. I know flouro doesn't stretch as much as mono, but in no way it is no stretch. A braid with flouro leader is great for me, but it may not be for you and your style of fishing.

I tie a flouro leader just past the first guide. My leaders are more of an insurance policy for pike/musky than anything. I lost a lot of jerkbaits tied directly with braid in the past.

I'll throw a perch jerkbait or pumpkin tube near Metro or the mile roads usually. I'm going to try and explore more water this year, focusing on Anchor Bay/Selfridge. I picked up a perch hudd 68 in hopes of landing a monster smallie.

I saw an article recently on a Megabass Vision 110 Square Bill. Does anyone have any experience with these? They are said to have a more erratic action and be more durable. I'd still be hesitant to throw these around snaggy areas.

I agree completely about the quality, perfect for pike. War Eagle seems to catch more fish for me though. Maybe it's the thinner wire? Maybe it's in my head? I'm sure the KVD's will last longer, but that's not always most important.

I've got a 704cb for jerkbaits, specifically vision 110's. I wish I would have went with a fast action rather than a mod/fast. I don't think the mod/fast gives a good enough snap to work a jerkbait in the middle of the summer. I'm going to switch to braid from flouro this year and see if that helps. I throw a jerkbait religiously for smallmouth year round. This is a great squarebill rod if I'm every caught fishing for largemouth.

It's a decent first rod if you can find it on sale. At $80 I'd save my lunch money for a week and get a $100 Fenwick HMG.

I started using a leader after I lost 4 vision 110's in a day from pike. Now I have less break offs than ever before.

Thanks guys for the help. I ended up getting the 101HG. I think I need to find a rod to pair her up with.

Life goals right there! Since It looks like Goose52 has a little bit of experience with these, where is the best place to buy? I'm thinking the 6.2:1 ratio would suit my needs best.

My accountant just let me know that I'm able to buy myself a gift on the companies account! I have been lusting over a Shimano Conquest for a while now, I'm just not sure what rod or technique to use it for. I could use an upgrade for my topwater reel. Maybe put my Chronarch 51e on the topwater rod and get the Conquest for my Dobyns 704cb for jerkbaits? I really like the small profile of the Chronarch though. I read the Conquest 101 is the same size as their old 51, is there any truth to that? Do you all have any experience with the conquest? What techniques? I use spinning combos for finesse stuff. Thanks for the input.

I would try to get the kayak only from him. Rigging the kayak to your fishing style is half of the fun. Don't pay new prices for his used gear. I got my ride 135 used at a good price and outfitted it to my standards. If you go with a ride 135, I'd recommend a trailer. They are heavy after a long day of paddling and fishing.