MontclairDave

Which Hammer 7’ model? I see three on their site: JAK, Elite and Baitcaster.

Yeah I’ve had my eye on the MB PP but nervous about the extra length. The recent $50 price hike doesn’t help either. If I can find a good deal on a used one maybe worth a shot.

Anyone have this rod and can comment on how it does in various cover (open water, light, and moderate/heavy), and also what other baits you throw on it? I’m not looking for a specialized frog rod; rather, one that can handle medium to regular-sized frogs and also other moving baits—mostly swim jigs, T rigged plastics, etc. Looking for 7’ max (my preferred length out of kayak). Thanks! https://cashionrods.com/product/john-crews-icon-frog/

What lure range do you throw on the yak rod? What type of lures do you like throwing it on? Always looking for rods that have soft tips for good castability but also have enough backbone not to get overpowered by a bigger fish and/or a bit of cover.

Quantum Tour S3 on sale at TW Xmas sale for about $130. Plus a $100 GC at Discount Tackle turned into my first little foray into swimbaits (R2S S-wavers, Magdraft freestyle); my first MG Vision 110 after slaying fish all fall and winter on the 110 Jr.; a TON of new Ned rig baits and hooks; and some FC line. But now I need a swimbait rod!!

Caught my PB on a swim jig with a River2sea D Walker 100. So for me it’s a confidence bait, have caught a ton of fish on it since then. Have the Gambler in my bag and looking forward to trying it in the spring. Easy to get overwhelmed with all the trailer choices out there.

Same here. Started with baitcasting last year and I am a righty and used to casting a spinning rod with right hand and cranking with my left. Just seemed logical to keep that consistent by getting a left-handed baistcasting reel and it’s worked out fine. That whole cast-and-switch hands thing makes no sense to me, but to each his own. I tried my buddy’s right-handed BC setup just for SAGs and I nearly threw it back at him. Felt like I had never casted a rod before. But then again, more than a few well-known Youtubers (Debo, et al) use both left- and right-handed reels, no problem. So who knows?

I’m 61 and was a life-long spinner until I got a Shimano SLX DC as my first bait caster. The DC definitely helped shorten the learning curve—maybe not 20 minutes, but no more than a few hours and I was casting without any backlashes or fluff. So I would recommend it without hesitation. BUT just know you’re spending $50 extra for that DC tech. If I had to do it over again, for my first reel, I would get the Shimano Curado MGL. I got the 70 last year as my second reel and have yet to backlash it; just a bit of fluff now and then when I dial it down to 1 and try to get max distance. Amazing reel, very easy to dial in and IMHO a way better feeling reel than the SLX DC. Plus it handles lighter baits much much better than the DC. After all of that, though, I’d suggest the MGL 150–handles light baits just as well as the 70 but packs way more line on the reel and is around $30 less than the 70 at $199. The MGL 150 would have been my 3rd reel if not for the Quantum Tour S3 I just got on sale at TW for around $130. Time will tell if it’s a good deal ($70 off) but it’s gotten some rave reviews online.

If you wear green eyeliner, the green in the reel pops nicely in photos—but only after you dial in your camera settings.

Yup, it depends on technique. I’ve been focused on skipping and target casting under docks and overhangs, hence my going with a sub 7 footer. Thanks!

Just curious what benefits you get from using the longer rod for moving/bladed baits? How long of a rod? Thanks!

Anyone have the Zodias 6’ 10” MH? Looking for another sub-7’ baitcaster for the yak, mostly for single-hook presentations (swim jig, chatterbait, T rigs, spinnerbaits) and light/open-water frogging. Shimano pros seem to think this is the perfect rod for what I am looking for (see vid below). If anyone who has this rod can comment on above uses, and/or what you like it for, that’d be great! About to hit the buy button on TW BF sale but wanted to get sone feedback first. Thanks!!! https://youtu.be/EGXbFJsSRTQ

Thanks! Sounds like it can work with a leader then. I’ve been practicing the Alberto knot and it’s a bit smaller than uni. Blood knot next on my list (TW guys swear by it).

Nice fish! Does the rod have micro guides? I may use this with a leader occasionally and microguides and leaders do not play well together, at least in my experience (no, I don’t have the patience to learn FG knot, use uni to uni, which isn’t the smallest knot out there, I know.)

Looks pretty good. Didn’t know whether the 1/8” the video mentions was inner or outer diameter but looks like outer. Will give it a shot!

Watch the video. I think the shape of the tube catches on tbe hook barb in such a way that it prevents the worm from flying off. I still can’t find the right tubing on Amazon. If someone has a link, send it pls!

From the man himself, who, by the way, is by far the best Youtuber at answering comments and questions posted on his site. One of my favorite tubers (see what I did there).

Well, that looks easy! I see a trip to the dollar store in my future… Thanks!

Matt Stefan has an interesting video on how to wacky-rig a Senko by putting a hollow tube through its center and then placing the hook through the tube. Two advantages: it gives you the preferred perpendicular hook placement, similar to using shrink wrap or double crossed O rings, which often yields better hookup ratio; and it makes the Senko last a lot longer than would a naked hook. I’m willing to try anything so I bought the tubing size Matt recommends (1/8”) but the wrong material: silicone. Way too soft to penetrate the bait. Anyone try this and have a source for the right tubing size and material? Yeah I can try coffee straws etc. And the shrink wrap method works pretty well for me. But if someone’s figured this tubing thing out, lemme know. Thanks!

Double header on Jackall Rerange. Tough bite today, this was about it other than a few dinks in 3 hours of shore fishing.

Big Falcon fan, have their HD MF, around 6’ 9”, killer budget rod for $70. Will definitely check the Eye Crosser out. Have you also thrown hollow-bodied frogs on it in any type of cover?

Anyone have this rod and can comment on what you like throwing on it? I fish out of a kayak and am looking for a rod under 7’ for skipping 3/8 to 1/2 ounce jigs. But I’d like to use it for other single hook lures like chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. Alex at ALX said this rod blank is the same one as the Toadface, which I find really interesting because I also want to throw frogs and toads with the Skipper. (Toadface is 7’ 2” and a bit long for my liking out of the yak.)

Sorry, my old eyes I guess. I’m not seeing what @Jaderoserecommended re hooks? Although I assume you’re referring to these? What size hook/weight? https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Drop_Dead_Weighted_Hook_4pk/descpage-VDDWH.html