Rodney Smith

I have experience with the 2020 Metanium and the 7.2 MH Expride. Out of these choices, that combo would be my pick.

I always use high vis braid on my spinning reels, but use stealth gray on my casting setups. I did recently switch my Senko rod to 832 Ghost so I can see it. The stealth gray is very hard for me to see and I know I miss some fish that pick up the jig and start swimming with it (especially when they swim towards me). Should I switch over to high vis braid (with a pretty long leader) on my bottom contact casting setups?

I agree with Freelancer.

I have. Love it. If you throw 1/2 and up mainly, I would get the 755c. I think it only weighs one more ounce than the 754c. The 755c will work with 3/8 jigs, but doesn’t cast them as well as the 754. I hope that helps.

The 755 is a 5 power rod, so it is a little stouter than the 904C. I plan to throw 3/8 jigs, carolina rigs, etc. Things 1/2 and under...

I just ordered a 754c today and it will be replacing my Conquest 904. Sensitivity is right there with NRX and Conquest. They are all great rods.

755. I love that rod. I have Conquests and NRX, but I have found the 755 to be a fantastic rod. It weighs a little over 5.3 ounces and balances well. It also casts very well. I use it for 1/2-1 ounce jigs, dark sleepers, 3/4 ounce Carolina rig, etc. I have seen this rod described as more like a 4.5 power rod. I would agree with assessment. I have a Bantam reel on mine. Dream set up.

Expride 7 M glass rod would be great for small cranks. I bought it for that purpose. I have a 6'10 M for jerkbaits/topwater. I am guessing the 7 ft Medium could be used for ocassional jerk baits.

Which reel would be better for deep cranking (6 XD, etc)? Bantam MGL or Chronarch MGL?

Spotsticker casting jigs https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Spotsticker_Hand_Tied_Casting_Jigs/descpage-SSHJ.html

I have been catching a lot of fish of the 1 ounce Dark Sleeper. It is a fun little bait. After a while, a fish ate off the tail. I will order some more Dark Sleepers, but I hate to throw away the specialty weighted hook. Any idea what swim bait I could stuff the weight into?

I just got back from El Salto. On the ride back to the airport, I talked with an older gentleman who has been to both lakes numerous times. He summed it up this way. Right now anyway, if you want strictly big fish, Lake Bacarrac would be the place to go. If you want the whole experience (food, accommodations, service), El Salto is the place to go. I do want to go to Baccarac sometime. With a teenage son who had rather be catching fish than trophy hunting, El Salto is perfect. He did catch an 11.3 on our first trip there. Go to either and you will never forget it.

I have a Loomis 845cbr (and a longer rod for deeper divers). I have quite a few Exprides and love them. I am considering selling my 845 and getting an Expride 7.2MH glass rod. It would be for throwing mainly 1/2 square bills up to a 16 ft divers. I am thinking the Expride with the Spiral x technology and little longer length might be better. Anyone have experience with both?

Well, it happened to me today. Came back from my morning outing to find my back window smashed out. Stole a nice inflatable PFD, my shore tackle bag full of stuff, and a monogrammed camo storage bag my wife gave me. Being the first guy out on the water might be good for fishing, but it also makes you the easiest target...

A 7.2 MH Expride with a 8.1 Chronarch MGL would make an excellent jig and worm set up.

I just picked up a used Conquest 905c. I plan to take it to El Salto soon to fish big jigs with big trailers. I would like to hear from some owners what some other good uses for this rod would be? 1-2.5 ounce swimbaits maybe?

I agree with the post that mentions swapping out to Owner hooks. I lose less fish with those. I find I catch the ones that just slap at it and lose far fish overall less than with the stock hooks. Call me crazy, but I use a feathered treble Owner hook on the back and I feel like I get more bites than before.

I am an all Shimano/Loomis man. I have had several E6x's. They were ok, but I didn't love them and eventually sold them. In my opinion, I would try to find a used Expride for around $200.00 or less. The Exprides are a giant step up from the E6x's in terms of sensitive, weight, etc. The Exprides are light and senstive and just a step below a GLX. I really like the Sprial X technology.

Did well yesterday with Neko rig and jig. All were spots. I usually found largemouths shallower. Targeted them last week in shallow water with hollow bodied frog. Not much success. Spots are easier to catch and fight much harder anyway.

I’m getting ready to go back to Angler’s Inn on Lake El Salto. We will be going back over the Thanksgiving break. I know about the staples like 6 inch Senkos, Power Worms, lizards, lipless cranks, Whopper Plopper’s, Rico’s, jigs, etc. I was wondering if anyone has some ideas about baits I might be missing for that time of year.

I don’t ever really “night fish”, just the hour or so before daylight. I have caught them on jigs, worms, crankbaits, etc. This year, I have had the best luck with a Black Neon Chartreuse Biffle Bug on a 11/16 hardhead. I out a rattle in and use some scent. They hit it hard and the hookup ratio has been almost 100%. A lot of fun.

Ordered the Bone Shad one today as soon as the 15% TW sale went up. If it is works for Tom, I'm in.

This is an intriguing looking new product. Is a wooden Sammy 100 better than a standard one?

The 904C should be plenty powerful enough for a 1/2 jig in heavy cover in my opinion.

I read a good article this morning from Brent Erhler on top water baits. He mentioned that he swaps out the back hook for a feathered treble (and thins it out some) on his walking baits. Does anyone else do this and if so, does it generate more bites?