Rodney Smith

All of my casting reels are Metanium MGL’s except for one Chronarch MGL. It is used for cranking. I’m always looking to eke out a little more distance with my cranking set up. Does anyone with knowledge of both know if I can get greater distance with the Metanium than a Chronarch MGL?

I haven’t tried any of the other’s mentioned, but I have a Gill rain suit and they are very high quality. Not the cheapest for sure, but should last a very long time. I highly recommend them.

I’ve had ALX rods. They are decent rods. Much better off with Loomis.

Thanks for the input. I ordered the single chargers from K2. It won’t be as convenient as an on bank charger, but at least I know it will work.

Tom, My friend was leaving his 4 back charger in the boat he was selling. I order the chargers today from K2. It won’t be as convenient as the on board, but at least I know it will work and will be safer.

I have a Minn Kota 330D digital charger.

I just bought 3 slightly used K2 Group 27 batteries from a friend who is selling his boat. The price was too good to pass up. I have read enough about fires, safety, etc to be concerned, so I want to make sure I get a charger that is meant for these batteries. I park my boat in the garage which Is directly connected to my house. I have read about “lithium profiles” and have been told that I can send my Minn Kota 3 bank battery charger back and have them reprogram it. I have also read it will work at 95% of the optimal levels. That doesn’t seem too bad. Minn Kota’s website says the standard charger will work on the AGM setting. I have heard not to do that long term. I don’t want to spend close to $500 on a 3 bank lithium battery charger. I don’t want to get into a “lithium batteries are too expensive” debate, but I would love some advise from lithium battery users.

I am looking to shed some weight in my 16 ft Riverhawk Pro-Caster. The itself boat weighs only 220 lbs. I now have about 150 lbs of batteries. I have two group 27 batteries that power my Minn Kota 80 lb Terrova. When I upgraded to a new Humminbird Helix 10 Mega SI , I added a group 24 (46 lbs) instead of the small tractor battery I had always used. I feel like the group 24 is too heavy and overkill just to run a fish finder and crank my 20 HP Tohatsu motor. From my reasearch, it appears that a battery like the one below (12 lbs) would work. Would it? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KC39BE6/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

I have never owned a glass rod, but I am considering an Expride 7.2 MH glass rod. I always thought glass was heavier and not as sensitive as a graphite rod. I currently have an IMX PRO 845CBR for squarebills and mid divers and a 906CBR for mid and deep divers. They are good rods. I only own one Expride, which is a 6'10 Medium. I like how light it is and especially how far it casts. I think it is the Spiral-x technology. I am thinking that would help with casting cranks. Does anyone has experience with these rods?

I have gotten into off shore fishing this summer (mainly deep diving crankbaits). I want to try fishing bigger worms on heavier shakey heads. I am getting ready to order some 9 inch T-Macs and 1/2 stand up jigs for starters. Anyone had success/advice with this technique?

Ordered one today.

Would it handle DT 20’s, 6XD’s equally well?

I currently am using a G. Loomis IMX PRO 906CBR for deep diving crank baits (up to 1 ounce). My limit is the 1.25 ounce Spro Super DD and Berkley Dredger 25.5. It works great, but I would like to get longer casts. Does anyone have a Dobyns Champion XP Cranking Rod 8' MH 805 that you use to throw 6XD's, Spro DD's, etc. I have never had a Dobyns rod, but this one seems to meet the specs very well for what I want to use it for. I would love to hear your thoughts.

I know. I have some. I don’t understand why more people don’t make that size. They make a 5/16. Seems like an in between size would be doable.

Pretty much everyone sells the standard sizes. I have some 5/8 barrel weights in lead. Seems like that is a sweet spot weight wise and someone would make that size...

For my particular particular Carolina rig set up, a 5/8 tungsten weight (I prefer the barrel swivel type), would be ideal. I can’t seem to find that anywhere. Does anyone know of a source?

I was wondering if anyone has experience with these rods. I currently have the 845CBR and use it to throw mainly 1/2 Spro squarebills and mediums divers. I am beginning to throw some of the smaller deep divers. I was considering getting a second rod, a 906CBR for throwing deep divers and making longer casts. I wondered if maybe the 864CDR Deep Flex rod would be a better choice. I might also throw a lipless in open water on it. What are your thoughts?

Too late. I sold the Shaky Head rod last year to buy a Conquest. I could buy one just like what I had, but I thought I might as well see if there is something better.

One of my favorite ways to catch bass is on a little 1/4 Rico or Megabass Pop x. I fish bigger poppers on casting gear, but I prefer spinning rods for this technique. Last year, I tied a popper onto a Loomis GLX 6’10 Shaky Head rod. I caught more fish on that set up and almost anything else last year. I always felt like I was using the wrong rod though (I guess because it was an extra fast tip and was a little long). Since then, I have tried other rods and haven’t found the right one. I am considering the Loomis IMX Pro 6'9" Med Jerkbait 812 JBR. What are your thoughts?

I checked it out and I like the specs. Let me know what you think. I have an Expride 6.10 ft Medium casting rod that I could use, but it will generally have a larger popper or walking style bait tied on. A 6.8-6.9 spinning rod with a fast (or slower) taper is what I am looking for.

I have a question regarding the Loomis IMX-PRO Jerk bait spinning rods. I like to throw little poppers (MegaBass Pop-x, Ricos, etc) on a spinning rod. The 7 medium I have now is a little long for that technique. What do you think about an IMX-PRO 6.9 Jerk bait spinning rod for that technique? What else besides top water and jerk baits would that rod be good for?

I fish primarily Lake Lanier and a local reservoir, neither of which has heavy grass. I have a G. Loomis IMX Pro Casting Rod 7'1" Heavy 854C JWR that is used for throwing hollow bodied frogs and Carolina rigs. Do you think a longer rod (like the IMX Pro 7.3 Carolina rig rod) would be better for these two applications?

Definitely the 3000.

Maybe I'm the only one, but I am not finding the Neko be very successful (not just in grass, but anywhere). I can fish other finesse techniques like shakyheads, drop shots, weightless stickbaits, mojo rigs, etc and get plenty of bites, but I haven't had any luck with the Neko rig. I am going to keep tinkering a little longer and then give up go back to what works.

Has anyone tried these? I saw them at the Bassmaster Classic and was impressed. I ordered the Retro Kits and those didn't work out so well. I would buy the real Lure Lock boxes if they are worth it.