Fishin' Fool

Go with the Loomis. Is that the redesigned 2017 model though? I have the 892sjrw and I love it.

Nice rod but a lot of choices at the $200 price point. Get it on sale if you can.

Yes that Daiwa is good. The suggestions above are lesser quality than what you have. Wait out a sale then buy.

Good to know. The price seems to good to believe. I bought mine for $210 off eBay and it retailed for $270 at the time. I really like my Zillion rod. I bought it for bigger crankbaits but I just like it for the 3.8 to 4.3" Keitechs. Good luck with your search.

I don't know anything about this place but this is a great deal. https://www.tacticalwholesalers.com/Daiwa-Zillion-77-M-1pc-ZIL771MRB_p_132719.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwh7zWBRCiARIsAId9b4qkv61CRw4J4qNK1ylrgsz7GSCU1xvWnIe8AgSz1xQNAeZyhviaiJwaAv5SEALw_wcB

I have the 7'7" Medium Zillion and I love it for the 3.8" Keitechs. I fish Lk St Clair so just chuck it out there as far as I can and wind it in. Scott Martin uses a 7'11" Okuma rod for his paddletails. Just chucks it out there a mile. Just don't set the hook when you feel them bite keep reeling and the rod will load up.

Let me restate that they got rid of the open season for catch and release for bass only. I'm not sure about the walleye regulations. But you definitely can go fish Muskegon Lk for bass tmrw if you want. In fact I've got a buddy that has already been out to Lk St Clair 3 times and I don't think the water temps are even 40 degrees yet.

Papajoe Michigan got rid of the closed season several years back so you can catch and release bass in Michigan year round if you want to.

I'm shocked no one mentioned lipless baits like the Strike King Red Eye shad or XClaibur XR50'S which have a new manufacturer now. Also check out Bandit 100 & 200 size crankbaits.

I use it for crankbaits too but I really like it for Keitech type swimbaits. I watch a lot of Scott Martin videos and he's using a 7'11" crankbait rod for his Keitech rod too. Hope this helps.

I'm in SE Michigan too you won't find Dobyns locally. I'm not sure how close you are to me to I own 2 Furys the 705cb and a 733. For the price they are great rods. I'm in Macomb, Mi. I also have 4 Daiwa Tatula reels that I've acquired within the last 2 years. I wasn't much of a baitcast guy either.

I have a 7'7" Daiwa Zillion medium crankbaits rod and I love it as my swimbait rod. Just keep reeling until the rod loads up.

Depending on where you live the challenge with summer and lipless baits can be heavy weeds. You can still fish them in the weeds too but you might consider throwing them on braid and a heavier power rod.

I love bass fishing but then you combine that with going fast in a boat, pressure to catch the fish in a certain time and race back to the launch that was like a shot of adrenaline for me. In fact tournament fishing almost ruined fun fishing for me. I see you are near Lk Champlain I'm sure there are plenty of bass club options out your way. My closest big water is Lake St Clair.

I say rod also. Go with a company that offers an accident forgiveness warranty such as G. Loomis or Dobyns has something similar if you're worried about breaking them. Also, have you considered joining a bass club before? That way you can get out on the water and fish and not have the expense of owning a boat.

The downfall of the Ned rig is it is a small fish bait. For sure you won't catch any good ones on such a tiny little bait

I've always had more luck with the paddle tail trailers than the fluke type. Even in cold water.

What do you guys like for replacement hooks? I looking at the Gamakatsu Aaron Martens Nano something or other hook. Thoughts?

I consider myself a pretty serious bass angler but I'm not really up on when situations call for replacement of the stock treble hooks/hardware. Is it something like the cheap crankbaits it should be an automatic and the Lucky Craft and Megabass have good hooks or is this not always the case?

Go get Tatted up!

It happens. I've broken a few rod tips and I'm thankful for the Expeditor program.

There is just the regular warranty option also. If G Loomis determines the break was due to the rod being defective you will get a new one sent at no cost. If you broke off the rod tip in the car door or the rod locker that's when you use Expeditor when it's your fault.

I see so you are saying you'd have to buy an NRX through them and then they would get you your replacement rod too. Yah that would cost alot.

Here you go. https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/gloomis-warranty-program

I don't think you can upgrade. I believe they switch you out for exactly what you have or comparable if that model is no longer available. However I believe if you check out American Legacy Fishing you can run the Expeditor through them and potentially upgrade. Check out their website as this may be an option to do what you are requesting.