standman

I’m eventually going to put the xt-30 (or get another one when they are available for $33) on a medium powered rod, but right now it’s mated to Duckett Ghost 6’9” MH rod). Love it! Actually like it better than couple Presidents I have. The 30 is surprisingly compact and balances very well with the Ghost.

In for 1.... Hopefully it’s on the smaller side of “30” sized reels. Should pair up well with the $40 Ducket Ghost that’s been sitting in the corner of the garage.

Still cold in Chicagoland, so fishing is definitely a challenge. My go to in this situation is an UL Whoopin’ Stick with 1000 Sienna, 10lb braid, and a crappie jig under a bobber. Haven’t caught anything of size this year - yet, but I’m catching dink BASS all day long. My 16yo nephew (eats/sleeps fishing) just caught a 5+lb on a 1.5” Marabou jig.

Not technically in Chicago, but here’s what I found(all SW burbs) Orland Park - nothing, Bridgeview had the rods I picked up, but not much else, Darien had some lures, but nothing else, Lockport is usually pretty good, but they’ve been picked clean by now; same thing with Romeoville. Stores in Huntley and Crystal Lake seemed to have pretty good selection, but someone posted the findings on FB, so by now it might be too late.

It’s definitely hit or miss as far as brands go. Some Walmarts around Chicago have slimmed down their inventory to basically half an isle, and they usually have nothing of substance (basic beginner stuff). So far, ive visited about 5-6 of them, and only couple have decent gear.

Pickings are rather slim at local Wallys, but found couple W&M Skeet Reese Spinnerbait 7' BC rods for $21/each. They still had couple Jimmy Houston Camo 7' MH BC rods for $9, but I left them. They should go well with the $25 Dick's Okuma Stratus V reels (got 3 in the last month or so). Heck of a combo for $50.

Already mentioned - inline spinner. /end thread

I picked mine up at the store probably 2 years ago. Not sure if they still have them, though.

I bought the UL 7’ Whuppin’ Stick from Cabelas for like $20. Not the lightest or most sensitive, but nearly indestructible and works like charm with panfish.

Stopped by local Dick’s (Chicagoland). Not much in teems of buy 5/get 5, but couldn’t say no to Duckett Ghost 6’8” MH spinning rod for $50. Also picked up a closeout Okuma Stratus V BC reel for $25. Already have couple of these - not bad at their usual selling price ($40), so a no brainer at $25.

I have couple (7’6” MH BC, and 7’ MH spinning). They were definitely worth the price - but I only paid $32/each when Abu was clearing them out couple years ago. Some people have had them break for no apparent reason, but thankfully I haven’t had any issues with mine - and they get quite a bit of work - especially th 7’6” broomstick. At $100, I’m sure there are better rods out there, but if you can get one at significant discounts - I wouldn’t hesitate to get another on.

I’ll go against the grain and recommend you switch to braid (even cheap KastKing or similar). I switched to bait casting gear couple years ago and also had “occasional” birds nests with the mono with resulted in line being cut/damaged (in the middle) and basically useless. After going to braid, I still get occasional backlash/birdsnest (mostly when hitting a branch or something mid cast), but I have yet to get one that I can’t pick out in little to no time.

Since I fish mostly ponds (shallow with lots of bottom vegetation), one of my favorite techniques is Ned rig under a weighted bobber, err... I mean float.

I have couple Shimano Siennas and white not the smoothest, they’ve held up to quite a bit of abuse in the past 2 years. Also - the Okuma Stratus (Dick’s exclusive) can be had for $30 when on sale (just last week).

Be careful with “carry-on” and rods. I’m not sure how common it is, but a friend traveled to Dominican Republic and on the way back put his son’s 2-piece Ugly Stick in the carry on. The “friendly” customs officer from DR would not let them through (it was too late to put the rod in their checked-in luggage). So my friend did what every self-respecting traveler would do in his shoes - snapped the rod into pieces right in front of the officer and threw it in the garbage.