waymont

Not an issue unless you’re putting lead jigs in your mouth. Some people do this to moisten them to insert them into soft baits.

Another vote for McCoy! Great line in every way.

Square bill pick up too many weeds. Hybrid Hunter is the only crank I use, and it’s incredible at bouncing through weeds and wood.

I’d say typical bass presentations, but under 8’ of water. Jigs, swim jigs, spinner baits, chatterbaits, swim baits, square bills/flatsides.

Braid to leader on a bait caster is a great way to fish. I’d use an FG knot. Practice it a few times and it will be super easy once you get used to it. IMO you should not be reeling any swivel through your guides.

Yeah, it's weird because their home page says GLX $299, but if you look close, it says "as low as". What’s weird about that?

I used to back reel back in the day, when I got a reel without it I just used the drag. Never had an issue, even fighting 4-7lb bass and big pike. Modern drags are so great compared to older reels. I did like the drag on my old Daiwa ss 700 and ss1300 spinning reels. As far as “pros” pulling the line out of their reels while fighting fish, I have no idea what that nonsense is about. Just loosen the drag dial. The drag dial has to be adjusted multiple times during a long fight with a big fish.

Steez A gears fit.

853 GLX is killer rod I’ve read some people don’t like the reel seat. I find them amazing comfortable and easy to fish all day. My favorite rods. 842,843,844,852,853

Get a set of Steez A gears from Daiwa. perfect fit.

Beetle Spins, Mepps spinners, Original Rapala Minnow Can't go wrong with any of these. Cast them out and reel them in.

You remember which hooks were on that bait? I could see around bend maybe helping in this situation. I use both round and EWG. My Rapala Tiny 4 have round bends, and I almost never have fish come off. Some square bills have EWG some round bends. I guess the way I fish, my set up, and lakes just don't lead to me losing many fish.

This might be a reason for lost fish.

Me too, I prefer graphite cranking rods. I also unconventionally use braid to a leader. My rod is a carbon Dobyns 704cb, which bends really deep.

Cool thank you. I've been using them on square bills and mid cranks for about 5 years, and never had any issues. I guess everyone fishes differently.

I know a lot of people use these as replacement hooks on their crank baits. I have great luck with them too. I enjoyed reading these reviews on TW though. Most say they are great hooks, but some say they lose every fish one them. What in your opinion would be the reason people lose fish on them? Too hard of a hook set? https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustad_KVD_1x_Strong_2x_Short_Triple_Grip_Treble_Hook/descpage-MKVDEST.html

I try to avoid any rod with the name kilster on it!

Red Square bills and flat sides are very productive for me. Never threw a red chatterbait.

I only fish braid to leader, on casting I measure out enough leader line so the knot doesn't enter the reel. Spinning any where from 6'-10', and all connection knots are FG on line above 15lb braid and a crazy Alberto on 8lb-10lb braid.

That's the new Expride light right there.

The original bait in this style is the Magdraft in the Freestyle version.

The new version of the Expride light has the power of a medium light rod. If you can find the old version of the Expride light it's a perfect ned rod. Or at least my favorite ned spinning rod. I wouldn't recommend the new Expride light for Neds, I have it and use it for shaky head and grubs, it has too much power for 1/16oz Neds IMHO. I've fished the Loomis NRR, never noticed any casting issues with it at all. I thought is was a really great rod for Neds. Both the new and old Expride 7' light are excellent rods, I have and use both.

I already have all three! 842,843,844. Probably may favorite three rods, plus the 852c and 853c JWR's.

I saw a seller has all their Loomis GLX rods dropped to around $300.

ALF has Loomis GLX rods all around $300 new. Looks like Loomis might be refreshing the GLX line