thebillsman

I originally bought a MH to use it for braid/jigs. The rod itself had no flexibility or sensitivity. It was the very definition of a broomstick. Difficult to cast with, very little feedback no matter the lure, and it was heavy. I eventually gave it to a friend. The Medium was a little better. I hadn't written off the Berkley and figured it was my mistake for getting a cheap/heavy rod. I didn't even get a day out of this rod fishing from a wing dam for a few hours. The blank broke right in the middle in the strangest way I have ever seen. Three huge vertical cracks went up the blank. I was really disappointed. I honestly don't know how it happened. It didn't break on a hook set or a snappy cast. Needless to say I got my money back the next day. I bought a Fenwick Silverhawk on sale for $60 at Cabelas the next weekend and I still have it. Great inexpensive rod with solid components.

I bought a M and a MH Lightning Shock and did not have a good experience with either of them, unfortunately. For a beginner rod chasing after panfish and bass I would go with a 6'8" - 7' Medium.

For a horse trailer and small trailer I would choose the DuraMax. It will get the job done comfortably and be the best daily driver.

I bought some hardware, EVA foam grips and a carbon fiber handle and I don't remember it taking particularly long. The usual 5-7 business days. I'd shoot them a call, they're pretty easy to deal with.

I think the Fenwick Silverhawk is still on sale at cabela's. A great rod, and you could get two.

10-14lb mono or 40+ lb braid.

Take a selfie, bro.

I carry a CZ-75 Compact inside the waistband, and I plan on getting the new P-01 Ω as soon as its available. I can't do polymer.

Poke it until it leaves. Good luck!

Jerkbaits.

Cabelas has Fenwick Silverhawk's on sale for $60.. great rod, graphite, Fuji reel seat, alconite guides, cork split grips.

braid is usually the thinnest of the line choices.. more often than not I'm using 10lb mono or FC.

Love my MB!

For the first time I would definitely go with a crankbait or soft plastic swim bait. I wouldn't expect a beginner to be thrilled about slow fishing a senko. When introducing the sport to someone the patient waiting game is the stereotype that turns most people off. Keep them busy burning cranks.

Who puts their jerkbaits away?!

Cabela's has the MRs and DRs for like 4.99 or something ridiculous.

the naturals and breams are awesome.

Funny you say that. My two Pop-X's are sexy shad and they kill it for me.

I never understood the importance of a popper's color.. as long as it's dark and casts a good silhouette it should do just fine.

"YUPP"

Agreed. The new natural and bream colors are fantastic.

7 Trick Darters for $52!

no comparison there, E6X.

Yes, 100%. It was my first go with it, 14#. I spooled it straight, I spooled it with a mono backing, I adjusted my centrifugal and magnetic brakes along with spool tension, used line conditioner.. I wanted this to be the line for me so badly. I never try to slate products, but Sniper just didn't work out for me. I've gone back to InvizX, and while it does stretch a bit more I can at least cast without any issues 100 times over.

I tried Sniper after hearing all the positive reviews. I got 14# for my jig set up and it was just a tangled mess. 1/2oz jig and trailer weight, plenty of line conditioner, constant reel tuning.. didn't matter. It was completely unmanageable. Ive since gone back to InvizX.