FishTank

The NRX+ 873C is what I have been using for grass/swim jigs but I really like it for the free rig. After fishing it on multiple set ups, this rod just worked the best and checked all the boxes. I can flip with it, cast a long ways when necessary, it has strong hook sets, it pins fish well and has great slack line sensitivity for the free rig. It does kinda top out around 1/2oz but no big deal. Another thing I like throwing on this rod, topwater. I've thrown frogs, poppers, and spook style baits. All did well.

For me I am in a constant state of experimenting. Fishing the same stuff can get old, especially if the fish aren't biting the way I want. I usually take 4 or 5 setups with something that is specific to those rods that are proven winners for me. I then bring 1 or 2 that are experiments or a specific technique that I want to work on. If the experiments make the cut I might fish them more often. On the other side of things, I some times just bring stuff that is fun to fish, like a big glide bait or some fuzzy dice. When it comes to color, I might change it up as the day goes on. I start with something dark first (black and blue, green pumpkin, etc), then I go with something natural (match the hatch sort of stuff), and then something bright. This isn't exactly a rule. I also factor in water clarity, wind speed, cloud cover, and water/air temp with what I choose. I just adjust it accordingly as the day goes on. If all works out, I will find what they want and just stay confident.

The Bill Lewis ATV is one of the best cranks I have used that you can throw in to cover. Just bounces off everything and comes through.

Watching IU vs Illinois. Just outstanding. We will see what happens when they play Oregon.

So I went down this rabbit hole for a bladed jig and spinnerbait rod for years. It started with a G. Loomis Spinnerbait rod about 20 years ago prior to chatterbaits being a thing. I have tried multiple rods that were Fast, Moderate Fast and just Moderate. I ended up with a NRX+ 883c BJR. Its overkill but it works great. The main thing I noticed that I liked about it is that it has a fast tip and then it softens up almost immediately. This multi taper action was the key. I have noticed this same action in the Megabass P5 Blade (don't own this one) and the P5 Daemos which I do own. These rods stick the fish easily and keep them pinned. Line for me for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits will always be fluorocarbon. It just works for me.

Interesting. I don't know how this one didn't hit my radar. I will need to give it a try. Reading up on it and it seems like something I would like.

I can contest to the braking strength being a little less. I believe YGK notes this on Ohdragon. The breaking strength is less (lbs) in the coordinating diameter when compared to their other lines. I also remember reading an article, that I can't find, from YGK's Japanese website that stated the knot breaking strength is up to 50% less than the stated package strength when using straight braid with no leader. Just in case, I have used, and am stilling using on one real, thinner sizes but have found that PE 1 and PE 1.2 to be my sweet spot. They are not a huge difference from #0.8 line but when filling a small spool on spinning gear, the smaller size can be beneficial. @bulldog1935 while we are talking about it. You should try Varivas Seabass X9. Game changer for me. It holds up well but after a year off fishing I finally had to trim some off. It started to fray but was still bringing in fish. https://www.varivas.fishing/product/avani-seabass-max-power-pe-x9/?attribute_pa_spec=18-lb-_0-8&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17335880571&gbraid=0AAAAABSJWwXFX-jJoXV7dkGAWBk9fDSEJ&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_rPGBhCbARIsABjq9ccQ37WKmCyxaOZOOm5n6kcBrbxLKgQI8gDj_Xy4aH7LCnf8K3wuVewaAhUiEALw_wcB

I've been using Sunline Almight and YGK Ohdragon (JDM) . Both have worked for me but I have heard people having trouble with Almight. In either case, I have found a good leader knot and some quality leader material definitely makes a difference. Also, don't get hung up on line weight ratings. Pay more attention to the diameter. In the JDM scale, I go for PE #1 and #1.2 on all my spinning gear.

As mentioned above, the diameter is smaller with most fluorocarbons. I'd go with 10lb for crankbaits and jerkbaits and 12lb for everything else. Invizx is a good place to start with fluorocarbon. Its easy to use and holds up pretty well. Sensitivity with fc is kind of subjective. Overall, it has some advantages over mono in that regard but it can depend on the rod, lure, and probably a dozen other things. Using it effectively and gaining confidence in it, are probably the biggest hurdles with fc.

I don’t think so. I have fished it on a regular Ned head and it did the same thing. I have three different baits that have done this. All craw patterns. Everything else i have fished from them has been fine.

One of the many reasons I dont use straight Braid on BFS gear. Go to fluorocarbon 6lb. You want line that sinks with this bait.

This was sitting in my garage. It was put on new last weekend. It melted to the rod. My garage has AC and it was out of the way of any direct sunlight.

Somewhere on the bottom of Lake Maxinkuckee in Union Township, IN is a G.Loomis 844C GLX with a Shimano Core. It fell off the back of the boat. Good luck. I trolled for it for hours and lost two lures in the process.

I would say maybe a year or less. Enough time for the stuff growing on it to develop.

@F14A-B The rod was toast. I had to pry the reel off it with a screwdriver and pliers. I tossed it near the bank. The stuff on it was as hard as saltwater coral. I think its called brozoan. It was on the reel as well. The pics above are after I sprayed and cleaned the reel off in the kitchen sink.

For a frog reel you need something that can handle heavy line and be able to pull a fish from heavy cover and vegetation. At $50 that's a tall order. You might look at the Abu Garcia Black Max. I can tell you first hand, it can handle heavy frog fishing and cast a long ways. I have posted this a few times but I rescued this one from the bottom of a local lake. It was a mess but after a lot of TLC, it works great. No complaints or issues with it.

Blue Rock Custom Tackle makes a great craw trailer. Its slowly becoming one of my favorites. They are a good small company out of Ohio.

Yes. Check out Picasso. They have series of night time spinnerbaits.

So I have the Boomerang Tool and its just ok. I find the scissor mechanism sticks from time to time. You end having to put your lure down to fix it. Its kind of annoying. The Cudas mentioned above are great but for braid I tend to like these scissors from Anadromous Fly Company. Super sharp. https://www.aflyco.com/product/tungsten-carbide-fly-tying-tool-curved-scissor-orange-anadromous-fly-company/22?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=2 I also use Dr. Slicks Cyclone Snippers. I keep them on retractable tether. I can access them quickly and they make braid to leader knots easy to cut.

Omnia The Hook Up Tackle - Best for JDM Discount Tackle - Another good shop Departure Outdoors - Great for odd ball stuff Lake Pro Tackle - Another good place for JDM lures Sieberts - Jigs California Reservoir Lures - Jigs as well Scheels - Ordered once. Had a good experience Kittery Trading Post - Great sales from time to time. A true gem in the retail market

I have a couple of the newer Metaniums and all have been great. It will pair nicely with the 873C.

Silicone jigs. 😁

My mind set.... Nothing new for me until the tariffs are gone.

If looks catch fish, I'm using these all day....

I have a couple of pairs. I don't care how goofy they look, they're comfortable. I have learned not to wear them fishing. I have a pair of slip on shoes from Korkers with the Vibram soles and they are fantastic for wet boat ramps. The soles are also replaceable. Not cheap but they have outlasted two pairs of Crocs that I knock around the house in.