waymont

I use 6, 7, and 8 speed reels. I love 8 speed reels for jig fishing when casting, I don't flip into heavy cover. I have never noticed losing much power after setting the hook, when I start reeling the fish in. I have noticed many times bass swimming towards me after picking up the jig, and I caught up to them and set the hook. When I had 6 speed reels I lost fish because of this. That dude is annoying in the video, everyone fishes differently. My 8 32" IPT speed reel of choice is the Tatula SV TWS. Also talking about speed of reels, without taking into consideration the IPT each reel has doesn't have much weight to it.

I have an IMX Pro 852c JWR and use it as a shaky head rod, 5/16 and 1/4oz finesse jig, and belly weighted hook and swim bait combo, and it's fantastic for these presentations. It's a fun rod to fish.

I haven't experienced that issue. I love my 150, it's a power house of a reel.

I keep them in the original bags, and store them in this big Plano storage box. It’s my self imposed limit on how many plastics I can have. 24” by 14”

I fish the Shaky Head in different places than a Neko Rig. The SH can be fished more like a jig, in cover, held in place. The Neko is more effective when it's moving forward, creating a different movement because the open hook is connected in the center of the worm. Neko is more of an open water type bait.

Cabela's has their Guide Wear raid coats for $150 right now. This is really well made gear. I've also had Cabela's regular rain jackets and they have been great too. I don't think anything has changed with the Guide Wear line, if you are feeling gun shy.

It's called the Swim Minnow. It's my favorite swimbait. On a belly weighted hook, on a swim jig, on a spinner bait, they catch tons of bass. I have caught both my PB Smallmouth and Largemouth on them! They have a great combination of roll, and tail wag. As far as swimjigs go, I don't use over 3/8oz.

The G Loomis E6x 803c JWR is a great rod in your range. If you want a longer one they make a 7'1" too.

A beauty of a reel.

I only use yellow Power Pro and tie a leader of 5-6'. You can use a Sharpie to color the last few feet too. Seems like it's about 50/50 on here about straight braid, and bass not caring about it. I go straight with some presentations too.

Do they have the slight rough feeling Curado 70's get after a while?

I had both the newer version of the rods in 6'8" MH jig and Worm, and the 7'1" Plastics rods both balanced about 9" up the blank from the front of the reel seat, and I sold both. I couldn't fish them very long. If the one you had balanced right at the reel seat that's great, I guess some models may be better than others. I haven't fished that model. I have checked a few other models in stores, with reels on them, and none I tested balanced well at all. I love the way they are put together, look , and the components, but overall I think they are not for me.

St. Croix Legend Tournamend is a very tip heavy, unbalanced rod, I would steer clear of that one.

I have handled them in my local store. Holding them next to the standard Tatula rods they felt the same. The Tatula rods have Fazlite guides, and the Kage have Alconite guides, and different style grips. I didn't see any reason at all to spend the $50 more for the Kage rods. I greatly prefer the cork, and the shape of the Tatula grips over the Kage. Pro tip: Sportsman's outfitters has Tatula rods on sale now for $109.00! I am pretty sure the blank is exactly the same in the two lines.

I have three Curado K reels, and notice this too. The two 6 speed reels are buttery smooth, and the 7 speed has a rougher feel. It would seem the higher ratios aren't as smooth. Can anyone else confirm this?

Also, a great shaky head rod.

I use these gadgets. Someone else mentioned it too. I tie FG knots, and this is a necessary tool. I can get my knots super tight and never cut my self. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiichi_Seiko_Finger_Saver_Knot_Tying_Tool/descpage-DSFSK.html

Loomis 843c MBR, and Curado K or Tatula 150 with 30lb braid, to 15lb leader. Sometimes I throw it straight braid too. I only use Boss swim jig heads, and assemble my own jigs. I always use Cabela's 5" swim minnow trailers. 1/4 or 3/8oz sizes, only two colors. I use a white/purplish skirt, with a silver trailer, and a bluegill skirt , with a bluegill trailer.

You are right on the money with your applications for that rod. I have a Loomis 6'8" med XF 802c. I love it for 1/4oz Bitsy Flip jigs, and T rigs with a 3.5" beaver and a 1/8- 1/4oz bullet weight. It's such a fun light weight rig, but still has the power to set the hook. I also use mine for 3.5" swim baits with belly weighted hooks (some with an under spin), and poppers too. It's a pretty versatile setup for lighter weights.

As others have said you must reel your line on tightly. I use 15lb, 20lb, mostly 30lb and up and have never one time experienced the line biting in on casting reels. i only use Power Pro original, and in the 15 and 20 PP super slick v2. Your casting issue may not be biting in, it may be small loops making knots. I used to experience that years ago when I first put braid on my castings reels.

Trailer for bitsy flip jig = zoom super chunk JR., yum Wooly bug or any 3-3.5” beaver with 1/2” cut off. TRD too if the fish are being stubborn.

I have been doing well with 3.5" swim baits in belly weighted under spins, 1/4oz bitsy bug jigs/chunk trailers, ned rigs, and small crankbaits/minnow baits like 3.5" Rapala original. I have seen other guys catching them on spinner baits, but I haven't been using them myself. It's been cold here in the midwest, but I have been catching lots of fish this year.

The FG is not difficult, you just have to follow the directions. Mess it up a few times, and you will get it. By the way, it’s only used to tie a leader to braided line. The SDJ knot is only for tying to a hook or lure. I'm not sure what you are getting at asking about comparing two knots that are used for different applications.

6'6" or 6'8" Tatula medium rod

I store my rods in them in the off season, or when I'm not using them. Keeps them from getting damaged, and dusty.