LOZSteve

Those formulas are going to be reasonably accurate but agree with Tom getting the girth is important. I caught a 20 inch spotted bass last weekend and it weighed 5.43lbs.

Can’t help with the rod but a lot of folks like St. Croix. You will enjoy that reel, once you dial it in it is a pleasure to fish with. Make sure you look around for pricing as you can always find them less than retail for a new reel.

Nice bag of fish, I have a wart tied on for this weekend hopefully produces down here as well.

Welcome aboard the forums!

600 -700 you are in the enthusiast range for rod and real if you look around for pricing. Any 7 foot to 7’3” rod will work for a spinner bait rod. You can locate a pretty nice reel for a $120 like a diawa tatula sv or a Shimano k. As far as rods many brands for moving baits in your price range will work nicely

Welcome to the forums.

Hello, and welcome to the forums.

Pretty far out to be guessing but at that time of the year I have had success with: flash mob jr. fished slowly crawled along the bottom on secondary points. Also try Texas rigged brush hog regular and baby. Texas rigged lizard can be a good choice. Also try a shakey head with a senko. Jerkbait could also be effective. If the water warms up I would try spinnerbait and crankbait. Looks like a few tournaments that weekend so the boat traffic will be pretty heavy.

It’s really depends on what size of jig and trailer you are focusing on. 1/2 ounce the 894 nrx is going to be hard to beat. Less than that you could go with either the 893 or 854.

Agree with layering as I have both a Frabill cold weather bib and jacket set and lighter set for the summer. I find myself not using the cold weather gear and using layers most of the time. Layering can cost the same as under layers can be expensive but can be used throughout the year.

Flu this year is rough, never had the shot but next year will do so. I just got over it and was sick for two weeks, though I didn’t miss any work I just dropped when I got home and slept all weekend both weekends. Everyone in my house got sick in the last two weeks and approximately 50% of my office has come down with it. Certainly no fun, hope you get better quickly.

Welcome aboard to BR!

Dobyns Champion XP 705cb is a pretty nice stick for the money and can be located for a discount if you look around.

That's the cheapest arms rod I have seen. https://www.eastackle.com/c-1319-megabass-arms-super-leggera-bait-casting-rods.aspx Fortunately those are listed as out of stock so I lost interest quickly. Guess I won’t start selling off my NRX’s just yet. Someday I am sure I will get tired of them as well. You can only stay on top so long.

Prayers for you and your family during this time, sorry for your loss.

If you think it’s from Rogers Sporting Goods give them a call (816) 781- 9026 and ask for an associate in fishing or get on their website. At the bottom of their website it has a contact us link and you can send them an email with a photo attachment and post comments. These folks are always willing to help in the store so you might get confirmation of your lure.

Agree with iabass8 if using the NRX line you should go with the 894c. I have the 893, 873, and the 894: 893 is a great t-rig rod, but I would not go over 3/8 and plastic. The 873 is great for heavier Texas rigs and Carolina rigs. The 894 is great for 1/2 to 3/4 ounce jigs and can also Carolina rig as well.

Have to chime in and agree with Shimano or Diawa here. I couldn’t tell you if Shimano’s customer service is any good as I have never had to use them in the last 20 years that I have been fishing there baitcasters or spinning reels.

Rods: G. Loomis/Dobyns/Megabass Reels: Shimano/Diawa Line: Braid - Smackdown, Floro - Sniper, Mono - Big Game Hooks: VMC/Gamakatsu Soft Plastics: Zoom/SK Rage/RI/Missle Baits/Berkley Jigs: Omega/Dirty Jigs/Crockogator/Eakins Hard Baits: Megabass/6th Sense/SK/River2Sea/Norman ......who’s this Bait Monkey you speak of?

For the rod if you are looking at a Dobyns Fury, ALF has them 20% off or 87.99 for a 734c. A great choice for the real would be Tatula sv tws, on ebay these can be purchased for 119.99. Combo would be $208 which is a pretty good deal on this right now.

Merry Christmas to me I just purchased a 894c NRX 30% off and also got a Diawa Tatula SV TWS XS on ebay, seller American Legacy Fishing for 119.00. Both tax free with free shipping. Hard to beat either of those deals.

I have that rod and fished large plastic swimbaits like a trash fish and a 5 inch booty shaker on an Owner beast last fall and it did fine. Plenty of hook setting power and just enough tip to cast accurately.

When you step up in price range there are many great options. It really depends on what you are looking for general purpose or technique specific. If you are set for your emphasis on heavier jigs and paddle tails then the 894c NRX is going to be hard to beat. Several great options with MB Orochi rods or higher lines from them. Tactical basin just did a high end guide on utube with some good suggestions on it. I would just make sure you know what you are looking for in the rod (general purpose vs. technique specific) and research your buying options. At these price points you should never pay full price.

Been there, drug the boat up to the ramp until I heard the skag dragging and raised it. No damage done but hurt my pride.

Used to live in Daphne Alabama 20 years ago and Gambinos Italian Grill restaurant in Fairhope Alabama was one of mine and my wife’s favorites. Fairhope is about 30 miles from Gulf Shores, it’s a small little town with shopping, boutiques, and restaurants. Congrats on tying the knot.