FishTank

I received a great coupon for my birthday so this came up to $150 and with the gift cards I got from work and family, it cost me $0. Going for a test run tomorrow.

My favorite is Tatsu but I have tried several that have been great. Currently I have Sunline Sniper Invisible on more setups than anything else. I also like Sunline BMS, Seaguar Invizix, Seaguar Abrazix, and Sunline Shooter. I am getting ready to try Varivas AAA FC. I have high hopes for this one. Also, I have been using some Kastking and Runcl Coated Fluorocarbons. Both have been pretty good. No complaints yet and the price for both is great. Most FC I have tried have been pretty good but there are a few that I have crossed off my list.... Trilene 100% FC, Sufix Advance FC, P-line FC, Daiwa Samurai and Seaguar Red Label. There are probably more but these each have either failed, changed for the worse or did not hold up as well as I would have liked.

St.Croix Legend Elite 6'8'' M Fast. I have used this rod for all the things mentioned. Great rod.

I think it will depend on how light of lure you want to use. For me, I currently have 5 rods I would put in the BFS category. Megabass P5 Cliffhanger Thrilling Megabass P5 Siglett Megabass P5 Kasumi Six Eleven Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse 700c Kistler Hunt BFS 6'8'' 3x Ultra Light For an overall, do everything rod the Dobyns is hard to beat but its not made of the best components and sensitivity is so so for softplasic. It does bring in the fish though. My favorite is the Kistler so far. The balance is fantastic and it tends to load better than the other rods. It also has a short handle, which is great for flicking little lures under docks and for casting with just one hand. Another thing I would suggest for your Aldebaran BFS, 5lb Sunline Sniper Invisible. I have tried several lines and this has been the best so far. Also, when I first got my Aldebaran BFS, it was sort difficult to get dialed in but once you get it, it's fantastic. Super smooth and fun to fish.

I tend to fish most wacky rigged senkos on spinning gear, just a personal preference. In the casting realm of things, I do use a 802C NRX with a Steez CT for weightless senkos and it's pretty awesome. I like to use this rod from my kayak in tight spots, skipping around docs, and pitching small jigs. I also use this set up for shakey head worms on a light jig head and small paddletails. For weighted Texas rigged senkos, I like the 803C and especially the 853C.

I don't think so. I have thrown an 1/8 oz weight with a lizard and up to 1/2oz jig with a trailer. I would say it's sweet spot is around 1/2 oz. I would put it's power somewhere between the 843 and 844 MBR's.

G. Loomis NRX+ 844C and the 873C CCR should cover just about everything.

Sort of on mine as well but I think I could get use to reel seat. It's just different. In the same way the reel seat is different to me on the P5 Super Destroyer and it too took me awhile to get use to but I do like this rod. I just think, based on what I already have, that if I do another spinning rod I would be looking at one of two rods..... the Windbuster or the G. Loomis NRX+ SJR 843S. Between the two, I think the Loomis would be the right choice. When I was looking last time for a spinning rod, I got to hold a few P5 rods and hold a few NRX+ rods. Holding one in one and one in the other, I just like the NRX+ feel better in a spinning rod. It might be that it's just what I am use to. I might also consider the Megabass Valkyrie 6'11'' M as well.

I hate to say it but I haven't seen a spinning rod in the P5 or Orochi XX that has felt good to me. I have a few P5 casting rods and I really like them but I don't care for reel seat on the spinning. I wasn't blown away by the Orochi spinning rods. Not sure why. I haven't held the Valkyrie spinning rods but I like the two casting rods I have. I hate to recommend something I haven't held but 6'11'' Med Valkyrie might be the ticket. The butt of the rod can be shortened to accommodate working a jerkbait. My personal favorite for small jerkbaits baits 3/8 and under, like the 110 Jr., is a G Loomis NRX+ 842S SJR or BFS gear if real light. Anything heavier goes on casting gear.

Megabass Karashi. It's small but deadly. I have caught everything in my lakes on this bait.... catfish, bass, walleye, drum, carp, bluegill, crappie, wipers and especially smallmouth.

I would replace them. Once it gets on there, there is no sense in keeping it. I am not totally convinced of this but I get the sense that fish can smell or taste rust and they don't like it.

For most jigs I use 14 and 16lb Sunline BMS Sniper. For punching jigs and grass, I just started using 50lb YGK Upgrade.

BFS gear, braid with leader, 1/0 EWG and 1/16 bullet weight or a 1/16 free rig. Just let it sit. Current will be a big factor.

$350 is a good deal. I have the 842s SJR and use it for just about anything light weight. I do prefer the JWR's for worms and light jigs but the 842 has been great for small jerkbaits, paddle tail swimbaits, and dropshot. I would almost compare the action to the MBR series in the NRX+ casting. A little softer but it has power where it counts.

All good. I edited my post above. You are correct.

Your buddy got snookered. I ordered a side plate for a Core 51 and it was less than $30 with shipping. Here is the part (BNT5879) for the Aldebaran MGL RH left side plate. It's $19.22. https://fishshop.shimano.com/products/bnt5879?_pos=1&_sid=054abc135&_ss=r Edit.....I am going to go ahead and call my self out. Getting old I guess.... That is just the side plate, not including every other part he would need to have a complete assembly. So the $120 is correct. My mistake..... https://fishshop.shimano.com/products/bnt5880?_pos=1&_sid=9e3c5e589&_ss=r

The OSP High Pitcher 1/2oz in Pearl Shad. Stays on plane at a slow retrieve and has a super sharp hook.

I was going to start a new thread but dug this one out instead.... I have been using an old bait in a couple of local ponds and it has been killer for me. I have caught so many bass on it, I have changed the hooks out on it three times since fall of last year. I don't know why it's hot but it has been consistent for me on ponds. Problem is, it has been so so on big lakes. It's the Lucky Craft CB50 in Sun Gill. It dives down to about 2-3 feet when retrieved quickly, 1-2 feet if retrieved slowly. I think I have had a few of these sitting in my tackle box for about 15+ years and they still bring them in. I caught 9 on it today including this guy.

Emergency Med Tech, Fire? Just curious.

I'm surprised that they have not brought over the Imo Grub or the Leg Worm. I have never fished them but heard they were two of their more popular baits at one time.

Love black lizards with a blue tail. I caught my PB with one about 12 years ago.

I should have sealed it from day one. It looks like it has a lot of filler but it really it's not that big of deal at the moment. Maybe this winter I will work on it. Otherwise this rod has been pretty solid for me. For the money, you can't beat it. I just picked a new Kistler BFS rod. I will have to see how it compares.

I guess you can't have too many BFS rods. It's a blast to fish and definitely well made. I'll give more info after I have spent more time with it.

I also have the 904 CBR and it works great for square bills but after owning the 866 deep flex I wish I would have picked up 864 instead. Also, I think you're right about this series of rods. I use to have one of the original CBR series rods and it was just ok. It kind of just didn't feel right to me. I also had one of the GLX Crankbait rods and it was too sensitive. The vibration you would get back from the rod was almost painful and hook sets were questionable. One of two rods I sold from Loomis. The other being a Bronzeback spinning rod. This was a mistake on my part due to my own inexperience. It just didn't fit my style of fishing.

I have an original Megabass Vision 110 with a straight eye that has a crack on the bottom . It will take on a little water but it still casts great and catches fish.