Rodney Smith

The biggest benefits of the Conquest over the NRX are power and accuracy. For a rod so sensitive, it feels like much more solid than the NRX. It does balance better. With the MBR taper, it is also more versatile. If I was going to a body of water and could only take two rods, it would be a Conquest 843C and 842S SJR.

Matt Allen has a good video on rods out now. Very informative. He’s positive on several different rods/brands. He then says that the NRX was and is the benchmark for sensitivity. Get you a new one at a good discount or buy a used off off one of the forums. You won’t be sorry. If you want to spend the money on a Conquest (I have a couple), you will get some additional benefits. I don’t think they are more sensitive than an NRX.

Looks like we are heading to Miami, Islamorada, and Key West next week. Where do I need to go fishing? Will get a half day trip somewhere.

I agree with NHBull. I love Megabass lures, but haven’t been overwhelmed with their rods. I have all G.Loomis and Shimano. G. Loomis takes some heat (right so in some cases) for sloppy quality control (mainly cosmetic), but it hard to see them sending out rods and having to recall all of a whole series because they break too easily.

I’m not sure why I quit fishing the Biffle Bug hard head/Biffle bug, but after breaking it back out this weekend and having success, Im going to throw it more often. I’m thinking about trying some of the Rock Badgers. Anybody use those?

I would recommend a Gheenoe or Riverhawk. You can fish ponds, rivers, reservoirs, and lakes too. Find you a good used one and have some fun.

If you can get a great deal on the 903c Conquest, do it. I have a 843c and love it. It is primarily my jig (3/8) and T-Rig rod. The beauty of the Loomis MBR taper is that is is sensitive and powerful enough for the bottom contact baits and yet soft enough for all the other baits you mentioned. I’m not a fan of “one trick pony” rods. I think you would love it. If not, you wouldn’t have any selling for at least what you pay for it.

I got the email also. As far as temptations go, this is one I may not be able to resist. I currently have a Helix 10 GN2 Mega SI and have looked at the 360. It currently is mounted to the trolling motor. The 360 is more suited I think to the kind of fishing I do. I have a buddy who wants to buy my Helix. Do I need SI and 360 MEGA? It seems like I could just use the DI version and MEGA 360. What do you think?

Awesome video. Looks like open water. Different applications. The PopMax work great as a walking bait/popper. Not as good as the Pop x in a true popper situation with calm water and structure/cover (in my opinion). They both have their place.

I’m going to respectfully disagree with the post that says that the bigger PopMax will catch as many fish as the little Pop x (or Rico. Yellow Magic, Splash it, etc). For me, the little catches not only more fish, but also bigger fish. I like the PopMax, but it must be fished on a bait caster. I think the small poppers are deadly when fished on a spinning rod. This allows for long, precise casts. You can put the little ones into tight places around cover that you can’t with the bigger baits. It is also creates a more subtle landing.

What is your favorite popper?

Get the Expride/Stradic Ci4 2500. You will love it. I have had Zodias and the are nice rods, but the Exprides worth the difference. Light, sensitive and very comfortable to fish. It would be perfect for the applications you mentioned. It also makes a great rod for throwing small poppers. I have higher end spinning gear, but the Ci4 is the best spinning reel you can buy for the money.

The Megabass Pop x in Sexy French Pearl is one of my top 5 baits. I have Rico’s, Splash it’s, and Yellow Magic’s, all of which are good, but that one little bait is special. I have not only caught a lot of numbers with it, but many fish in the 5-8 lb range. I throw it on an Expride 6’10 ML spinning rod. Catching a nice fish on that set up is a lot of fun.

If you only want something for where you stand, you can get a helm pad. I thought about a kitchen mat, but I’m not sure they would hold up to the elements. http://www.seadek.com/p-782-dual-density-helm-station-pads-small.aspx

Just Hydroturf. I got the 5 mm. You can find thicker materials on line if you want something thicker, but I think that thickness is the standard for materials like Hydroturf, Seadek, etc. I bought 3 large sheets, cut them and did my whole boat.

I just put down Hydroturf I my boat and I love it. It comes in various size sheets and has a 3M backing, so it is easy to install. It is soft and quietens down the boat. I fish barefoot now most of the time.

Shimano Conquest. Check with the on line retailers (call them) and your local tackle shop. I have never paid full price for a high end rod. Also check several forums. There is almost always a Conquest or NRX (and the others you mentioned) on there. Good luck!

I am a 100% braid guy (even on crank bait and swim bait set ups). I use Tatsu as leader material (also helps mitigate the high cost). It is my understanding that it’s construction makes it better than standard fluorocarbon as a leader. Is this true? I have also used the small spools of fluorocarbon leader material. That is expensive and isn’t practical for long leaders. Thoughts?

I really like the 6.5 on a Neko rig post spawn. The head is perfect for using a screw. Makes a nice flat head and catches a lot of fish.

I decided to press on with the Hydroturf DIY project. Not custom by any means, but I was pleased with the way it turned out. I was suprised how much I liked it on my first trip out today. It is quieter and considerably more comfortable to walk on. For anyone considering a project like this with SeaDek, Hydroturf, or similar projects, I would highly recommend it. I ended only needing two large sheets and I did the whole thing in about 3 hours.

AJ, That sounds great. If you get a chance, can you send me a pic? Did you glue it down or does it just stay in place? Where did you get your yoga mats and outdoor carpet?

I have a 15.4 foot Riverhawk boat (Gheenoe style) and I want to quieten it down for to help when fishing for big fish. I did a lot of research and ordered some Hydroturf sheets. The come in larger sheets than SeaDek and seemed better suited for my DIY project. When I lay it down in the boat and walk around on it, I can't tell all that much difference in noise. I know it isn't cut and applied with the sticky backing, but there will be quite a bit of templating work, etc. The cost for two sheets was only $260, so that isn't bad. My question is, is the worth the cost and installation hassles?

I live in North GA. I would love to catch a smallie, but they will be hard to here. You will need to go up a little further North to Lake Blue Ridge.

If I wanted to remove all the variables and put the same line on both reels and use my crankbait rod to test both, I suppose I wouldn’t have had to post asking for someone with on the water knowledge.