FishTank

I have been using a 6' ML Fast St. Croix Avid and a 6'8'' M X-fast Avid and both have worked pretty well so far. I have also use a 7'4'' ML X-fast Fenwick Elite Tech. I generally use this rod for weightless senkos and live bait for Crappy. It gets the job done for Ned Rigs but it's just not as good as the Avids. My favorite set up for the Ned rig though, is 7' Fast M Abu Garcia Fantasia Registra and a Abu Garcia AL-X with 8lb FC. I was just experimenting with this setup and at first glance it would not be my go to for the Ned rig but for whatever reason, this set up just brings in the fish. Both the rod and reel seem perfect for this set up. If was going to pick my ideal rod for this technique, I would go with a St. Croix Legend Elite 6'10'' ML X-fast.

Wow. Just when I think I have seen it all..... I have never seen a bass like that. Very cool and an incredible catch.

If I had been thinking, I would have probably said "....besides the Vision 110 and the Pop Max". The Pop max is a great bait. I use to fish it all the time but my topwater fishing this year has been dominated by the Whopper Plopper. That is one cool Pop Max you have there though. It looks like it could tell a story?

It's on my list. I have heard nothing but great things about it.

I have not been a fan of the auto pfd or the manual inflatable ones. I saw one fail years ago, operator error but an error non the less. It sort of put me off ever since. If I had to choose, this guy has been my favorite when kayaking. Comfortable, breathable, lots of pockets and it works for a 225lb guy.

Let's just state the obvious, Megabass Lures are expensive and the best of the batch is the Vision 110. So I really don't buy them too often, I may buy one a year or I might get one for Christmas. Over the years I have used various models with mixed results. I am wanting to know what Megabass Lure has produced for you besides the Vision 110? For me it's been the Live-X Leviathan (but not much else from Megabass). I caught this guy on it.....

Keep you eye out for the Quantum KVD Tour Cranking rod. I found two for $60 each and so far I have been really impressed. I did have a David Fritz Cranking rod years ago and one from Rick Clunn. Both got returned. I am sure they have improved since I bought the ones I had but they sort of left a bad taste in mouth, so to speak (the rods and BPS).

I tried this stuff when it came out in 12lb (I think) and it was not the best experience. I like CXX from P-Line better. Let us know how it works out. Looks like you have plenty. As far as cheap FC goes, if you find some line at the price point you want, I say go for it but for me I try to shot for that Goldilocks zone, where it does everything well at a good price (again this is totally subjective).

I don't think so but I haven't had a chance to ask them..... Just joking.... It's pretty much invisible under water. I can usually get a whole season or two depending on the the set up and how frequently I use it.

Sounds like you got a good deal. I just picked two of the KVD tour rods and so far I am really impressed. We will see how it goes.

I have been using 12lb Seaguar Invizx. I have tried other but this seems to be the best bang for the buck.

Someone else told me about this being on Amazon. Not sure how I feel about it......

I had a Shimano Calais 201A. It was the smoothest reel I have ever fished. I bought it clearance out at a local tackle shop. I fished it for about 2 years and a guy offered me a bit more than I paid for it. I couldn't refuse and I needed the cash but I sure do miss it. There was just something special about that reel.

I use both low speed reels and high speed reels for crankbaits. I just need to keep in mind what I am doing. The main reason for me to use lower speed reels is the lower gear ratio seems to handle deeper cranks better when a fish is on and the higher speed reels I can use for cranks, jerkbaits and topwater.

For me, I like a Lucky Craft Moonsault CB50 or a CB001. Both have been great but these baits have become hard to find.

I generally catch a lot fish in the fall but nothing larger than 2-3lbs. The guy I fish with stays near the bank (10 feet or so) when he drives the boat. It seems each fall we just catch tons of dinks but noting big. I have tried to encourage him to watch the depth finder and look for pockets of feeder fish further and structure further from shore but he stays in the same spot all year round. It's great in spring and early summer but late summer and fall can be difficult, especially when the crankbait bite is on.

I would be surprised if they went under too. Over half the crankbaits on the shelves at my local Cabelas are Stirke King and the other half are BPS/Cableas brand. I miss the days when there was an endless selection of baits. It seems most places stopped stocking a lot of the name brands I like. It has just forced me to buy online.

G. Loomis and St.Croix would be my choices. If I am going for all around best bang for the buck line up of rods from one manufacture where I am buying 5 to keep on the deck. Easy..... St. Croix Avid. It checks all the boxes........ Price, well made, sensitive (there are several better but best for the money), and tons of choices to suit my needs.

I have the LE 7' M and it is a fine rod. I would say it is on par with the GLX when it comes to sensitivity. I have paired mine with a Daiwa Steez SV TW and it's a match made in heaven. If I had to compare this rod to one in the G Loomis line up, it would come close to the 843C GLX. As far as the power goes, in the LE line up a MH is just a fuzz over a MH in the GLX rods but that is not the case with the Legend Tournament and Avid rods. They are more closer to a whole power over the G. Loomis equivalent. Also, I can' speak for the 7' MLF but I would imagine the Conquest is on whole different level than the LE. I do have the 6' ML Fast in the Avid and it is pretty close to a ML from other rod manufactures but I also have the 6'8'' M X-fast and it is a big jump up in power from the ML.

I picked up two Quantum KVD Tour rods, 7'11'' Crankbait MH Mod. and a 7'6'' H X-Fast. These would probably not be my usual rod purchase but at $60 each, I figured why not. So far I am pretty impressed with them. Will see how well they work over time.

That stinks.... I would think local as well. I can recall as a kid my Dad beating a guy in horse shoes. The guy was so ticked, we caught him breaking into my Dad's fishing shed. He was trying to steal his better fishing gear and his tackle box to make up for the cash he lost. I knew him since I was born. We would have never suspected. It was a pretty valuable lesson for everyone, including the guy that went to jail for being a sore loser.

For me it's a close tie between the Curado DC and the Abu Garcia Revo Winch. If I was picking again, I would get the DC as a all around use reel and the Winch for just crankbaits. The DC feels smoother and casts great but the Winch has more power for deeper cranks and it does a great job of slowing the bait down before it hits the water.

I love the Bantam I have. I think it would be great for t-rigged soft plastic and jigs but for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, etc. I would get the Curado DC. Those baits can turn into a kite and the DC is built to handle those types of conditions. It's still smooth and it's just slightly smaller than most reels so it's easy to palm.

I like the 4/0 EWG's but that is about it. I do like Owner and Gamakatsu better.

Simple.....I would use a Shimano Curado DC for all but maybe a Bantam for number 3 might be better. The DC can handle just about anything. The Bantam is a heavy duty workhorse, more like a round bait caster. Both are smooth and cast just about anything a mile.