FishTank

The Alphas is also a small reel. It's about the size of the SLX. If you want a full sized reel from Daiwa, you might look at the Steez A II. It's close in size to the old school Curado 200s. The Steez is a great reel and a work horse. The Zillion would also be a good one but it is smaller in size than the Steez.

Way more than your budget but the Megabass P5 Criffhanger Thrilling fits the bill. It's 6' long Its a little stiff but pretty versatile and sensitive. I use mine for small swimbaits, small jigs, light Texas Rigs, Ned Rigs, poppers and the occasional BFS crankbait. It's kind of powerhouse in a small package. I like using it in tight spots when I'm creak fishing for smallmouth or on my kayak when I'm bunched up in a cove. But for anything else, I'm going to a different rod. You can sometimes find this rod for around $300 at a few different JDM sites.

Have you tried looking into getting covered under St.Croix's warranty program? I think they have a 5 year warranty.

Those look good. Who makes them? You mentioned it being late in the season. Where I'm at, this is prime time crankbait season. Those look like some winners.

I haven't used 4lb in a long time but I use to use XL or BPS" mono for my kids set ups. I never had an issue with them. For myself, I like 5lb or 6lb fluorocarbon. I use 5lb Sunline Invisible on BFS gear and 6lb Seaguar Invizx on one spinning setup. I do run the Invizx under warm water before fishing it. It helps avoid that initial release of it being tightly wound. I also use 6lb Runcl Power Fluoro. It's actually smaller in diameter than some 4lb. It's similar to PLine Fluoroclear but maybe a little better. I've been pleased with it so far.

I use to throw a white jig from Strike King with rattles in fall with a Yamamoto Grub that was sort of white (blue silver maybe) but that gave way to a white/blue/silver swim jig with a White Flash Keitech. I don't throw this a lot. It's my kind of go to when a crankbait or a senko isn't working.

Somewhere in my early hunt for this bait, I recall reading that 1/4oz is too light for this bait. It would not have much action and you would have to run it supper slow. I have one in a 3/8oz and it fishes like a 1/4oz spinnerbait. I can bearly keep it under the surface. They say a 1/2oz is more like 3/8 and the 3/4oz is like a 1/2. I haven't tried a 3/4oz yet but can confirm this bait stays up and falls slower than you would think. Also, for whatever reason, I catch more fish without a trailer on this bait.

I have a few of them. They are fantastic when fish are hiding in cover or grass. I sent a few emails to Yukitomo since I got the first one. Very nice and busy guy. He said there is a new version coming out. Here is the video. You think the current one is in high demand, just wait.

No. I would use a paddle tail swimbait and an underspin. In Indiana it's three hooks. The one mentioned above from Picasso is great. I also like the ones from Hog Farmers. The mini flex with 3 1/16oz heads and the 3in 6th Sense Whale has been fun to fish. You don't need anything special gear wise. A 7'MH fast rod will do it.

I fish from a kayak about every other week and loose fish like this as well. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about it. The fish can turn you and so can the wind. Sometimes it's a struggle to get them in. A net can help when there close.

Where I work we have station that just prints RAs for UPS. Our drivers are not responsible for returns or refusals. They pick them up from us on a different truck. Try option 1 when you call. Not sure why you are not getting through

Just for the fun of it, I called them. I got asked to leave a voice mail. They called back me back in about 5min. Nice guy. You should try again.

As part of my job, for many years, I have to deal with shipping issues. Refusing a package is the worst way to go. It gives you no point of reference except tracking. It's better to receive the package broken but noted with UPS and then contact the supplier. Now you have to wait for UPS to return it. It will then sit for who knows how long in a Pure Fishing warehouse which does not have customer service, only fulfilment (thank Pure Fishing). The last time I dealt with them on an Elite Tech rod, it took about 12 weeks to get a replacement. I have made it a point to avoid Pure Fishing in general this year. There are better alternatives.

I can't believe no one mentioned this cover (Johnny Cash) of Nine Inch Nails Hurt. Still gives me chills. This is my favorite cover though. It took me half my life to realize this was a cover (Metal Health) and I still struggle with it today.

@Aguilab1 I think the choice between the two might also come down personal preference and fishing style.

I think fighting a fish is better on the Vanquish. One of the reasons I fish with spinning gear is the drag for hard pulling fish. The Twin Power to me feels a little smoother on the retrieve though. However, the drag is smooth but not as good at keeping fished pinned and running once hooked. You might be right on the line. I have PE #1.25 YGK Upgrade on the Vanquish and PE #0.8 on the Twin Power. One thing I have noticed about some Varivas lines, after they have been used for a bit, is that they soften a little. They just feel different from other braids. Just in case, I have used Dead or Alive, Trout Advanced, AAA (same as Dead or Alive) and Max Power. All of these had that soft feel to it.

I have the new version and the previous Vanquish and I have fished them both for smallmouth on multiple occasions. I would say the opposite when talking about the reels being under load. The Vanquish to me has the best and smoothest drag out there for smallmouth. While I would not hesitate to buy another 24 Twin Power, the drag on it is smooth but it's really slow to start and is almost too strong from the on set. I have had a few break offs and a few fish pop off when not paying attention to the drag. I will say the 2000 Twin Power I have is a pleasure to fish. In a way, it might feel smoother on a normal retrieve (no fish on) than the Vanquish.

So I finally got my Birthday Box my wife bought from The Hook Up Tackle and for $100, I don't think I've seen a better deal, especially for OSP baits. The 4 packs of dice and the 5 packs of beavers alone are worth it. All together I got 25 packs of softplastic. The only thing that might be a bust is the micro MMZ worms. They are smaller in diameter than a spaghetti noodle.

It's part of the Respect Series. It will be a one time offering. When it's gone, it's gone.

Should be an easy fix but sure looks like someone stepped on it. The thumb bar on my Zillion feels pretty durable. I would think it would take a lot of force to brake it. I would also check the reel seat on your rod.

Similar, with less black in cracks and it has like a soft touch matte finish. It also has a hit of a pinky orange under the lip. Definitely looks like white walker. Very cool looking but.... the one that will catch the most fish will be the Evergreen CR-10 in Red Spawn. The CR-10s have out produced most of my other full size crankbaits.

The Bait Monkey got me for a few this week. The Megabass White Butterfly is one the best colors I've seen. I know the bass don't care but man, I wish I would have bought two of each.

Impact of Scent on Bass? I think I know the answer. I've tried a few. I'm still not sure it makes a difference but the Geecrack softplastic scent does seem to get the fish to hold on longer. Stuff stinks though.

@Ohioguy25 Japan Lure Shop https://japanlureshop.com/

No luck on Megabass. Seems to work on everything else.