FishTank

I would definitely not use straight braid for the situations described especially around rocks or for crankbaits. Braid to leader, that would be a different story. To me braid has the worst abrasion resistant especially 8 strand but with a 3-6 ' fluorocabon leader material, it would be fine. I have been using YGK Upgrade #0.8 and #1.0 with a 10lb leader for about 2 years now and no issues. I also use Sunline Almight #1.0 and #1.2 with but on BFS gear. I really like this line as it sinks.

Good to know since I have 7 ounces left of the bottle I bought when it came out.

I know what you mean. I have two boxes waiting at home. Another odd thing this rod is good at, flat sided crankbaits like the Flat Force below that weighs 3/7oz. I always have a hard time casting some of them but it loads them pretty well.

I would have said the same thing a year ago but the P5 Z Crank was eye opening. In fact, I probably would have suggested three different rods to the original poster's question. I did buy it from a JDM site but I made a phone call to a popular online company and asked what casting rod for a 110jr. I was surprised when when they suggested the Z Crank. When I found it for less than $300 shipped, the Bait Monkey got me. I don't think its going to be the best for a big deep diving cranks or a big walking topwater bait but for something like an OSP Blitz MR or even a Rock Crawler, its great. If I had the skill, I'd shot a video showing all three baits. Its just one of those special rods.

Megabass P5 Z-Crank Elseil. Great rod. It will handle small cranks, topwater poppers, and 110s but it excels to me with the 110jr and 110jr +1. The tip snaps back perfectly for jerkbaits and poppers. It will also launch a 110jr further than any rod I have used. This rod and Kasumi Six Eleven are my favorites out of the P5 lineup.

I like them. I have used them as a bladed jig trailer and just by themselves with a jig head. I hate to admit it but so far I have liked just about everything in the Crush City line despite the fact they copied one of my favorite baits, the OSP DoLive Beaver. I know it happens all the time but it gets old. With that said, the Bronco Bug (the copy) is a really good bait as well.

Nope. I use all sorts of soft plastic from various brands. I have yet to find a brand that makes everything I like or need. Even brands that I am loyal to and really like turn out baits that can be complete duds. Besides, it's fun to try new things. If we had a narrow scope to soft plastic, baits like the OSP fuzzy dice or the Deps Cover Scat would never get used.

Not exactly tackle but it will be in my pocket every where I go, especially when I'm fishing. This is my first Benchmade knife and I can see why these things can be addictive. I had a coupon and a gift card so the final cost wasn't too bad. It's surgical sharp and definitely overkill for a pocket knife.

Yes. S Crank 1.5.

Shhhh..... 🤫 Killed it on this guy today. Caught 9 total, 3 keepers on it

Depending on you look at it... I've thrown a 3/4oz with a 4in Rage Craw and a 1/2oz with a Beaver. They kind of weigh about the same.

I keep mine in thier original packaging and put them in Plano 3700 deep box. 3731 I think is model number. What I don't take with me (can't fit in the box) gets hung up on my peg board.

I have Legend Elite version and I use it for jigs but to me this rod is stiff and fast at the tip. I find the only thing it's good for is close range jig fishing. It doesn't load really well and I wouldn't call it tip heavy but in terms of action it's seems faster than most X-fast rods. I like it but it's probably the least versatile rod I own. As far as comparing it to the 843c (I have the NRX+ version), it's way different. The 843c is softer and lighter in power. I would call it not quite a MH and the St. Croix more of a MH+. The 843c is definitely the more versatile of the two. I use mine for paddle tail swimbaits, Texas Rigged soft plastic, the free rig, and the occasional topwater lure. It can also handle spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and jigs but it's not my favorite for those techniques.

I would go #2.5 or #3, which would be closer to the 30lb Power Pro your using. Granted the breaking strength will be greater but the line diameter will be more familiar to you. I would also recommend a leader. As far as which one to use, I have not tried Varivas 8 yet but I keep hearing that it's pretty good line. I have had good luck with most of the Varivas lines I've used. My personal favorites are YGK Upgrade and Zone Cover.

It does have a deeper, more moderate action. I usually fish from a kayak and I really like how this rod keeps fish pinned, especially deeper fish. If you do get this rod, one different thing about it.... the blank itself feels more like a medium in hand than a heavy. It's really thin.

I have the 903C. It's my dedicated 3/8-1/2oz square bill rod. It's not bad but I wish it was a little softer at the tip. I really don't care for it when it comes to deeper diving baits. For that, I use the 866C Deep Flex. I have used it for all the baits mentioned above and pretty much anything that runs deeper than 6ft. Despite the rod being rated from 1/2 to 1 3/8oz, it can handle some baits that are lighter than a 1/2oz. I am not 100% sure but it may have been discontinued or updated. I saw a few places that were out of it, now have it in stock.

I've tried it and it's ok but I actually prefer to throw these without a trailer. I tend to get more bites.

Evergreen Combat Rat

I agree with the water clarity idea. Red craw crankbaits work better for me in dirty water. If I run into some less stained or clear water I go with a ghost craw that is either green or dark brown. Something like these..

I can't speak for all the rods in the Real Control line up, just the one I have. Which is the 6'11'' MH SV. In hand it feels stiff and super light but once you put a lure on it, it softens up. It's definitely different from any other rod I have fished. When it comes to sensitivity, it too is different. The rod has this soft and stiff but hallow feel to it, unlike the NRX+. Which is stiff throughout the blank because of the Spiral X design. The Reel Control has too many techy terms to list but all of them make it perfectly balanced and sensitive. The model I have is not exactly a do all rod but I have used it for jigs (may still prefer the NRX here), Texas Rigged plastic, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, Dark Sleeper, and some topwater. I would not use it for crankbaits. It really excelled at jerkbaits and the Dark Sleeper. I think if the tip was faster, it would be perfect for jigs because the sensitivity is definitely there. Overall, it's so unique that it's hard to compare it to another rod, maybe the Megabass Evoluzion but it's still way different. I think I still need to fish it some more to really understand what it's all about but I do like it and I will probably look at getting the 7'3'' Heavy or the 7'1'' MH with the solid tip. It's supposed to be extremely sensitive.

I would say the same. I have a Med Fast and it's just so so. Nice rod but I would agree with @Bandersnatch list with one exception. I would put the Daiwa Real Control I have above the NRX+. It's taken me about 4 trips and some soul searching to admit it's just a fuzz better.

My three top fish have been caught in Spring and Fall. I caught them on a Zoom Lizard, a 5in Senko, and a BFS trout lure.

Cool bait. I will probably end up with a few. The thing I want to know..... How does it compare to the 110jr? Looks like it runs at a similar depth. Is the action different? Will the bigger profile of the regular 110 be better? I have had such good luck with 110jr that I'm wondering if I need it.

My routine is generally big bait followed by a small bait. For example, 6in Magdraft and then a 5in Senko or a big spinnerbait then a small bfs trout bait. I just remember short strikes are not accidents. If they hit or follow a bait, you just need to throw something they can attack and swallow.