FishTank

Me and my baits... 😁

I have volunteered here and they just don't help those in need, they rescue food from being wasted. Truly an amazing place and organization. https://www.secondhelpings.org/about-us/

Yes the Real Control rods are a two piece but once you put it on, it's super secure. I'm a little confused on the second question myself, as I am new to Daiwa rods and also have not taken a close look at the Steez AGS rods. In the past, I was not a big fan of them. I didn't like the look or feel and then there were people that said they had broken guides but it looks like in 2021 they were redesigned. If I am seeing it correctly the JDM Steez models are a grip joint and there are also regular two piece models in the Shore Competition line. The US AGS models are one piece. Here are a few videos to get an idea of what they have. Hopefully this helps and I got some of it correct. 🤷‍♂️

I have been using Invizx (6lb to 20lb) off and on for years and I have never had line snap mid cast and break. Now I have had a loop dig in, then I try to cast with the loop dug in the spool and have it snap back at me, which is my fault, but never on a cast alone. I have lost more lures on braid and mono than any other lines which is one of the reasons I stick with fluorocarbon.

I had two of fiber blend rods way back when, a crank bait and a spinnerbait. They were some of the first Loomis I bought but once I bought my first GLX rod, I sold them. I never really cared for them but also at that time, I really didn't know any different. I can't think of any rods that are as soft and spongy as these rods were. Oddly I thought the new IMX Pro topwater rods were pretty soft at the tip but that was just holding the rods in store. They seemed similar to the IMX Pro MBR series with the exception of the frog rods. They were pretty stiff. The Valkyrie rods from Megabass come to mind. I have the 7'1'' H that I use for frogs, Magdrafts and topwater walking baits and the 7'4'' H+ for swimbaits and A-rigs. These rods have a softer feel over all but are pretty heavy by today's standards. They are a carbon fiber/glass blend as well and they have adjustable butt handles, which is great on a kayak. They too, I think, have been discontinued.

I use a 110 +2 in early spring and late fall/winter and have had good luck. I don't jerk them like I do a regular 110. I pop them very softly on a stop and go retrieve, sometimes pausing for about 10-15 secs. I can't remember who or where I saw this retrieve but I was almost ready to give up on it and this ended up working well for me.

@woolleyfooley This is an image of my rod from Daiwa JP's website. This is how the rod comes. You join the blank to the grip and you are good to go.

It almost makes me chuckle to ask this.... Have you used the 173H ST for frogs? I almost got this one instead of the 611MH-SV. To think a $1300 rod for frogs. Good to know. This is my first grip joint rod. I have not seen one without a completely closed reel seat. I thought it would be that way to help hold the joint together.

I just picked up the 6'11'' MH Fast and it was a two piece grip joint. The reel seat would need to be that way with this type of build but I don't think it will affect the sensitivity of the rod. I haven't taken it out on the water yet. I have just tossed it around the yard and it feels amazing. We will see when the ice thaws.

@Bandersnatch Just checking, part 59 is the reel handle side plate? There is this place. It always shows up in my searches for parts but I know nothing about them. I can't say that they are even legit. https://www.eastackle.com/c-4735-daiwa-alphas-sv-tw-bait-casting-reels-schematics-and-parts.aspx?srsltid=AfmBOoq0rhKjJzp-lV0yua7j52h-dwDeiXgAq7L14zYCqB46yByB04gp

@GardenStateFishin I will say one thing sort of bothers me about the Madbull and the Super Destroyer, the carbon fiber handle. Its comfortable but slick. Once I got use to it on the Super Destroyer, it wasn't bad, just different.

Absolutely. I have the Daemos and it's good for 3/8oz jigs, swimjigs, spinnerbaits, softplastic and maybe some topwater but it was just ok for crankbaits. I also don't care for the 844c for square bills. Too stiff to keep fish pinned in my opinion but great for jigs and softplastic. My favorite crankbait rod from Megabass is the Kasumi Six Eleven but it's more of a BFS rod. Second would be the Z Crank Elseil. I use it for both jerkbaits and 3/8oz crankbaits. Anything deep or heavy goes on a Loomis IMX Pro Deep Flex. I have to confess that I haven't fully fished the Madbull other than just tossing a buddy's around but it would seem to be the kind of rod you are missing. Crankbaits for me have been crazy good the past few years.

Megabass P5 Madbull with a Daiwa Steez A II. Looks like you need a good crankbait rod.

Unless they are doing something magical with the Stella, I would look at the Twin Power. I've got two now and they are a pleasure to fish at about half the cost of the Stella.

Try a heavier sinking braid like Sunline Almight or YGK Ohdragon 4X (PE 1.2 or 1.5) with about a 12lb leader. These lines have a higher specific gravity and are also denser than most other lines which helps in the wind. Also, a quality, leader specific line also a must.

I use to use Blue Label. It's not bad but I like Gold Label better. Blue Label was a little stiffer and didn't seem to last as long. My favorite though from Seaguar is Grand Max and Grand Max FX. Grand Max checks all the boxes for me. I use it on spinning gear. FX is sort of the same but it has a little more stretch. I like it for casting gear, especially jigs. Knot strength on both is great. Another to try is Daiwa Saltiga Xlink. Great leader even though it's meant for saltwater.

Based on the rods the OP has I'm going to say the Windbuster. You can use it for just about anything. It would round out the rods he already has. He can use it for hard baits, topwater, and for soft plastic like a free rig.

It's not really finesse or light to me. The totally weight is around 1/2oz. It's sinks like a rock. Also, this was my basic go to for many years but I have traded it off for either a wacky rigged senko on a weighted jig head or a free rig.

I have the same Yak Attack net. I have a Hobie PA14. I put it under a bungie cord on the front storage compartment. It's out of the way and easy to get to.

G. Loomis GLX 803C, NRX+ 904C, and NRX+ 853C. Megabass P5 Super Destroyer for the 3/4oz and 1oz size. I fish it like a jig so pretty much any rod that can handle that.

5in Senko Black with Blue Flake, 1/8oz tungsten bullet weight, and a 4/0 Ryugi Infini hook

Are you sure? I here the action on a light saber is awesome. 😄

I have the shoe stuff as well. If you have suede boots, make sure get the stuff made for suede and the shoe cleaner. This stuff also really stinks. I always spay it outside in an old box.