NorthernBasser

Who wants to tell him it's only January 17th?

Make sure they honor their online pricing.

I'd say that's a pretty nice haul!

Copperstate has 20% off gift cards again.

I got mine pretty quick. Placed order at 10pm last night and got the electronic gift card at 1pm today.

Frogs casually swim on the surface all the time. It's when they feel danger and wanna get away quickly they'll dive sub-surface.

Merry Christmas to my fishing family! Appreciate every one of you.

The Black Bass rods are extremely new. You're gonna have a hard time finding someone who not only has a model you'd be interested in, but also put some time on the water with it. I have 50 different rods from more budget-friendly all the way up to higher end, and going through them all, the best rod I would recommend you for what you're looking for is still the Sierra 734 micro guides. Especially at it's current sale price. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-DOBROD.html?from=basres

It's definitely a tad slower than fast, but also has a solid backbone. Most consider it a MH+ than a true heavy. If you're looking for a buzzbait rod, this is perfect. And like I said, it definitely works for frogging as well. I have other frog rods that I use more regularly, but have thrown a frog on this many times. I also like the little softer tip because it aids in walking a frog in open water. 40# braid would be perfect. I've even thrown lipless cranks on it when I really wanna rip it through the grass. Like I said, it's a very versatile rod. Many love it for Chatterbaits as well. Weight-wise, the rod comes in a tad heavy (4.9 oz) like most Dobyns rods (micro guide version weighs a little less). But they balance so well that it's not even noticeable.

I have not handled the Black Bass, so I won't be of much help. What I can tell you is that Sierra 734 is an awesome stick! Can handle pretty much any moving bait, as well as frogs. It comes in micro guides and normal size, so make sure you pay attention and get what you want. I have the micro guides because I don't run a leader on that rod, just straight braid.

Copperstate has 20% off site-wide (Shimano/Daiwa excluded). No code needed. PLUS 20% off gift cards (electronic or physical). Double those up and you have a crazy deal.

I wanted to give these a try. Glad you volunteered to be the guinea pig. Please report back and let us know how they are.

Don't tell me some sassy bass isn't gonna eat this thing.

Just in case the fish is carrying a periscope. Seriously though, to me it's more about the profile. I use a black frog 75% of the time just because I think the bass can locate it easier. But if fishing open, clear water...and it's calm out...the bass can see the side of the bait if it's trailing/stalking it. Not to mention when walking the frog, some will dip beneath the surface a tad. But yeah, the actual TOP of the bait is irrelevant. It' purpose is to catch the fisherman. The amount of colors SPRO offers in the Bronzeye is ridiculous.

They're $2.08 right now at TW.

I just think their sales are usually far inferior to all these other places. I shopped at Cabela's/Bass Pro Shops way more back in the day. Now we have so many more options. I do like physically going through the store from time to time though. I'll still buy from them, just not as much as I used to.

Reel sizes are crazy nowadays. Back in the day the Curado 200K would've felt like a BFS reel of today. I remember this old Curado feeling "small" 20+ years ago. Comparing it now to the new Hundo is is really something. Granted, the Hundo is considered small even by today's standards.

IMO, the Curado 200 K and M are noticeably larger (and heavier) than the MGL 150, and way larger than the Curado 70.

Holy sheeeee. And I'd love to see the look on your better half's face as you were setting all that up on your table for the photo shoot. 😅

Does it look like this?

You're saying the spool tension is tightened to where the spool doesn't have any play in it? Is the actual line guide moving the same distance to each side? I had a new reel a while back where the line guide didn't quiiiite go as far to the left as it did to the right, causing line to build up more on the right side of the spool.

25% off Rapala/Crush City at Copperstate.

Resembles a salamander/mudpuppy. Free-rig that sucker during the spawn.