MissouriMark

Id be sad if I didn't have a Lobino Rio Rico popper and a Megabass Pop Max They both just get bit when I throw it on the 4 lakes I fish.. The Berkley bullet pop 70 size is a good one also.Between those poppers, a Lucky Craft Sammy 100 , a D&M easy roller buzzbait and a Berkley Choppo 105 , those cover my top water needs. But the Rio Rico is the most fun and productive $25 bait I've ever bought ! Low light , shady side of docks , isolated cover , I'll throw a popper any time of day with those scenarios.

I recently had the same decision to make between the NRX 853C or the 854C. I have had a GLX 783C for many years and it is my 1/4 -3/8 oz jig rod .I love this rod. I pitch and cast jigs about 75% of the time . I wanted an NRX for 3/8-1/2 oz jigs and had to decide between the 853 and 854 . The 853 being MH power has an extra fast action, the 854 is Heavy power with a fast action . My personal preference is a fast action as opposed to the extra fast, so I chose the 854 . Back in June I had a great day pitching jigs into brush piles along boat docks in 12 fow and the NRX was flawless and amazing . I think you would be real happy with the 854 for your jig duty, Burke !!!

Jig & pig,(Seibert Outdoors Dredge Mata Brush Jigs) 1/4 &3/8 oz . Texas rigged plastics,( brush hogs , lizards , craws) , square bills , Keitech Fat Swim baits , Vision 110's & Pointer 100 SP's late fall amd winter .. Mainly target main lake and secondary points , pockets ,humps , channel bends , transition areas , standing timber, laydowns and brushpiles .

The Lew's Tournament Pro G is an excellent reel, perfect for your jigs. I have 2 of them and would love to have 3-4 more . They handle about 75% of my fishing spring, summer and fall . As for rods to pair with your reel , I'd suggest the Lew's custom speed stick and the Dobyns rods . They have some great rods for under $200 that I think you would be happy with . For jigs , check out the Seibert Outdoors line of jigs . I have many of his Dredge Brush Mata jigs in both 1/4 and 3/8 oz and they are the highest quality jig in every aspect I've used in 40+ years of bass fishing . Mike Seibert is a sponser on these forums and a great guys to deal with . Good luck in finding your rod and jigs . You will get great opinions and knowledge on these forums !

If your finances allow , give her some $ so she can go shopping , have her buy something nice for herself , and / or take her out to dinner at a nice restuarant. for some us time . As said before , she needs to pick her own hobbies . Good luck !!!

Lots of great soft plastics available. Just recently bought some baits from Jaks Custom Baits. Hand poured, unbelievable color selection, great quality, and very reasonably priced. He has a beaver style bait called, "The Beast". Can't wait to throw it this spring. Also very fond of Zoom, Reaction Innovations, and Net Bait.

I don't have that particular rod, Carl, but did get an E6X , 6' 6" medium action rod to use with jerkbaits this winter. It did awesome! Will use it this spring and summer for squarebill crankbaits. I have a few G Loomis IMX rods, my favorites, but for $179 I love this one too!

Zoom 6" brush hog in watermelon candy. 7 lb. 2 oz., May 23, Truman Lake.

Dirty jigs 3/8 oz. tour level pitchin jig - magic craw swirl, with a Reaction Innovation kinkys beaver in magic craw swirl for a trailer.