Rodney Smith

I have quite a few travel rods. The Megabass Triza rods are my favorite. I have a Diawa Black Label 5 piece medium casting rod. I bought it as a do it all rod I could take on flights. If that interests you, I’ll make you a good deal on that one.

I have owned the 610 ex pride. I have owned the mega Bass 110 special. My favorite is the mega Bass 110 stick. At 6 foot five, you would think you can’t throw a jerk bae a long ways. You can. The action is perfect. It isn’t as versatile for other techniques as the Expride and One Ten Special, but for jerk baits, it’s as good as it gets IMO.

This line intrigues me because it is a little stiffer. I assume it’s more like Sunline Shooter. I used to be a braid to leader guy and I don’t always love this stretch with fluorocarbon and jigs.

Matt Allen from TB says the GLX 843c is his favorite top water rod. A couple on this thread have mentioned it for top water. Is this a great top water rod (mainly throw Shower Blows 105). Of course I would use it for other applications as well.

I am back to square one. The rubber chair leg is heavy (1.1 ounces). I have taped on weight and need to add about 3/8 in weight. I looked at the ALS options, but they don’t list how much they weigh. Any ideas?

I did buy a rubber chair leg. It balances perfectly now. Just doesn’t look good which was the reason for this post. I had also wondered about the comment referenced in the last post about a rod being fished tip down not really mattering. I have always heard that a well balanced rod feels better and reduces fatigue.

I have a Megabass Javelin that just a little tip heavy. Has anyone ever added tungsten putty to the butt cap to improve balance?

This won’t be anyone’s favorite, but at a time of year when we’re throwing big Junebug and Plum worms, does anyone use a Junebug colored jig?

Does anyone have any experience/feedback on this rod? Or at least the Black Label rods in general.

Angler’s Inn at El Salto is my favorite place on earth. Either there or Lake Baccarrac will create memories you will never forget. My son caught an 11.2 Lb trophy at El Salto. The service there is world class and the fishing is amazing. I have been twice and I would love to go back.

Steez A ii.

So as an update to the post, I got enough strength to get back out on the water. My doctor said it was okay with precautions. One of my fishing buddies went with me. He did everything from loading and unloading my boat, to handling my fish. Wore plenty of sunscreen and a big hat. Felt good to get out again.😊

The infusions are back to back on Thursdays and Fridays once a month. Ritaxan + Bentamustine the first day. Just Bendamustine the second. I don’t feel that bad the days of the treatments. They mix in steroids the first day. When the steroids wear off and the chemo has time to get into my system, then I am wiped out. The doctor said not to expect to do much for 7-10 days after the treatments. I’m in sales and I love to work. When I feel a little better, I want to go make a few calls. When I do, the next day, I’m completely wiped out. I can’t seem to figure out where the line is. The doctor says the chemo effects are cumulative and will get worse with each treatment.

I was recently diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer. I had my first chemo treatments 9 days ago. The treatments are 2 days in a row and will last for 4-6 months. I’m still wiped out from round one. Is fishing a good idea? If I can get past the fatigue and nausea, it would be nice to do the thing I love. From Googling it, it seems that many say it isn’t worth the risk of infections (from small nicks and cuts) and lake water. Does anyone have any experience/advice they could share?

The P5 rods are not as sensitive as an NRX. I had the BMG and was disappointed in the sensitivity for a bottom contact rod. The NRX+ 873c and 904c were noticeably more sensitive. I have a 110 special, Landsat and Tequila Baccarrac still, but I’m coming off the Megabass bandwagon a bit.

Yes, those are the specs. It was designed as the one rod you could take to the big bass Mexico lakes on a plane and cover most techniques.

I just got this rod and it is very intriguing. I have a P5 BMG and NRX+ 904C. I was trying to decide which one to keep and then I got the Tequila Baccarrac. I know it is labeled a XH, but it casts a 3/4 jig further than either of those rods and seems to be close in sensitivity. I have a small 15 ft Gheenoe (actually a Riverhawk) and space is a premium. If I can keep one heavier rod on the boat to throw heavier jigs, frogs, heavier top waters and swim baits up to 3 ounces, it seems like the wise choice. Am I crazy?

I have P5 rods and NRX+ rods. I have also had Steez rods. The best jig and worm for 1/4-5/8 jigs is the 873 CRR. It is the most versatile jig and worm rod you can buy. The warranty is also best.

Anyone use the Mark 56?

I tried the Steez and didn’t like the the way it palms. It is too wide in my opinion. I also tried a Zillion. It is a really nice reel, but didn’t cast heavier lures as well as a Bantam. I am a Shimano guy and just like the smaller profile and longer casting. I’m sure the Diawa’s are a little more figuring and versatile for skipping, etc. If I were buying a Diawa again, it would be the Zillion.

I originally posed the question because I had read somewhere that the t wing system can have issues with leaders. The more I thought about it, I hardly ever bring a leader onto the reel. After the responses, I went ahead and ordered a JDM version of this reel.

I am a Shimano man, but I’m considering trying one of these. My main question is will the T-Wing system pass a leader knot (FG)? It would replace a Bantam MGL on a Destroyer BMG. I have Metaniums, Bantams, and an Antares and have never owned a Diawa reel. I’m hoping someone who has experience with Shimano and Diawa can weigh in with how a Steez compares to those reels.

Anybody fish these? I got one from a JDM order and just tied it on. It seems a bit like an old Rapala floater, but I'm sure more refined. I wonder how it will work on bass up shallow this time of the year...

I have a couple of Shimano Exscence reels. I love the reels, but do not like the T-wing handles. I have searched for aftermarket knobs and didn't see any I like. Would it be as simple as swapping out the T-wings for the standard Shimano spinning reel knobs?

Does anyone have any luck throwing red jerk baits (like the Megabass Spawn Killer color)? If so, under what conditions?