FishTank

I got the email but I am tapped out on rods for this year (maybe). I'm still waiting to get a couple of reels. It is the best deal I have seen in a long time on St. Croix rods though. Are you going to pick any up?

I have never cared for the Stick-o. I would get some at Christmas every now and then but had no luck with them but in the 3in size, Ned rigged, it might not matter. I have really liked the new GYCB ned senko. They have been dink magnets but they are producing for me better than most. It is early though.

I am on a list for a new Vanquish. Can't wait. Love the previous version I have. I have played with the new Stella and it is what it is but I am not blown away by it.

If I'm fishing in my buddy's boat, I take too much. I bring two large size BPS bags with maybe 12 3700 boxes and 6 3600s, 5 rods, and a cooler for the both of us. If I am in my kayak, it depends on where I'm going and how long I have to fish. I might take as little as 2 rods and a small backpack of stuff for short trip to my local lake. If it's an all day excursion or longer, I've taken up to 10 setups, 8 3700 boxes, 6 3600s, a Dewalt nail and fastener box that fits under my seat with all my favorites, a cooler and my overnight emergency kit (clothes, tent, emergency gear, etc). I am always surprised how much stuff I can get on my kayak but it does get cumbersome. In reality, my box of favorites, five rods, and some snacks takes care of most of my trips.

I just picked up two Slideswimmer 175s and the hooks on those are excellent. If OP is fishing his name sake, the 250, he should be good.

Thanks. I knew you would go there and was hoping you would have some solid facts but opinions are always welcome. I actually like Shimanos for the most better than Daiwas. I have an Antares 70A that will probably outcast all the reels mentioned but with that said, I'll take a 130 foot average all day.

Well this dumpster fire has warmed my soul. The new Zillion to me skips just fine. I tossed everything from a weightless Senkos to a 6in Magdraft under docks, bushes, etc. It's no different than any other reel. I'm no pro at it but it's more skill dependent than reel mechanics. I just turn the brake dail up or use my thumb. Also the Zillion is capable casting a long way. I'll concede the Tatula SV and the Steez SV aren't going to win a casting contest but they excel at casting constantly, which is more important than overall distance. As far as the Tatula skipping..... Searching other forums and youtube, I couldn't find anyone complaining about the Zillion size or skipping and casting. I did find someone complaining about the finish, which I have seen first hand on another Zillion.

At a restaurant when i was a kid. It was a seafood place that had game fish in an indoor pond with a big stream going through it. I think it's illegal to do this now but it was a sort of hibachi grill place that was off the beaten path in Ohio. Nobody cared. It was fun.

5in Senko black and blue flake 6in Zoom Lizard black and blue Fat Ika Green Pumpkin Geecrack Bellows Gill any color Sweet Bever any color Honorable mention.... 6in Roboworm 8in Power Worm TRD Deps Cover Scat 4in Easy Shiner

I like a lot of Berkley baits but sometimes they tend to copy whatever they want. Here is another new example.... the Cull Shad. Is it another knock off that might actually be good or is it going to be another dud?

Whatever 50lb braid that floats.

One of the Shakespeare kids set ups will work fine. I can recall my daughter catching a truck ton of fish on a Barbie rod and dad caught zero. It was hilarious to everyone around us.

Megabass X-80 Trick Darter. It's a good go between for a crankbait and a jerkbait. It's also great for cold water. Another would be the Flap Slap.

I have used both and regular Defier... Sunline Defier Armilo hands down. Short version, my experience with Advance was just bad. Defier has been great and lasted multiply seasons. I also use Elite and Siege so I am not trying to dog Sufix. Both lines have worked for me but Defier is on another level of quality.

Some of the smaller baits I have actually wacky rigged them, especially the Zoom Trick worm. I have a few packs that never seem to get used much so it got me thinking what to do with them. I had great success with the Jackall Flick Shake so I if I can wacky rig that bait why not a Trick Worm. Both work great.

After reading all of this and owning both Daiwa reels mentioned by the OP, I think the Zillion is set up wrong. First the spool tension (zero adjust) knob shouldn't be need to be touched (maybe a little) once you get a small amount of side to side play with the spool. Second the brakes on mine are set between either 8 to 12 depending on the lure, not 4 or even 2. Not sure why you would go so low, unless you are using your thumb exclusively. Currently I have a Deps Cover Scat tied on. It might as well be a 1/2oz casting plug. I can launch this thing 125 feet easy on the Zillion if I wanted to and that's with the brakes set at 10. Out of the reels I have owned from Shimano, Daiwa, Lews, Abu Garcia, and Quantum, the new Zillion has been nothing but perfection.

That was one of the rods I was holding out for last year and now this year but I ended up getting another Valkyrie instead. JLS had the Evoluzion White Python in stock but only a few and so did Megabass Japan's website. They were gone in minutes.

There is an Arms Super Leggera in my future but the blank I want is unavailable. I have a few Megabass rods but this one is my favorite. Evoluzion Super Diablo II. The addiction is real.

I love the P5 rods but that Amazon fishing trip is worth way more.

Same. Good box. I don't own or use more than 8-10 buzzbaits. I don't think i have ever lost one. I also keep about 20+ spinner baits in this box as well.

I keep them either separated or in their original packaging.

From what I have seen, some of these guys rely on it too much and when they do, the results are obvious. Instinct is pretty much all I got these days. Makes fishing more fun.