NorthernBasser

Toads in open water work great. Like a more subtle buzzbait.

I definitely use casting setups way more than spinning. Shimano Expride/Shimano Curado 200 K- Jigs ALX Zolo Deputy/Shimano Curado 200 K- Spinnerbaits, swim jigs, etc. Kistler Helium 3/Shimano Curado 200 IHG- Texas Rigs Shimano Curado/Pflueger Supreme XT- Toads, buzzbaits, etc. Daiwa Tatula/Daiwa Tatula CT Type R- Frog St. Croix Mojo Bass/13 Fishing Concept C- Topwater, jerkbait, etc. Dobyns Fury Swimbait/Daiwa Tatula 200- Bigger swimbaits Kistler KLX Feel N Reel/Daiwa Tatula CT- Chatterbait Dobyns Fury Mag Heavy/Abu Garcia Revo SX- Punching Fenwick Elite Tech/Daiwa Tatula SV TWS- Keitechs, Senkos, etc. Kistler KLX Feel N Reel/Daiwa Tatula CT- Squarebills, med diving cranks, traps, jerks Dobyns Sierra/Pflueger Patriarch XT- Misc. Lews Custom Cranking/Lews BB1 Speed- Deep cranking Cashion Elite Flipping/Daiwa Tatula CT- Heavy cover pitching/flipping Then few others I don't use as much, as well as a few spinning.

Tackle Warehouse Labor Day Sale is now LIVE!

I always do. Make sure you get one of these as well. https://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Fishing-Ring-Rigging-Senkos/dp/B07CCZQ9R2

I have an Expride (7'2" med-heavy) that I use primarily for jigs. And a 7'1" med-heavy Helium 3 that I mainly use for Texas rigs. To me, the Expride is more comfortable in my hands. And the finish on it is a thing of beauty. With that said, the Helium definitely feels more sensitive to me. That thing is VERY sensitive. I love them both, but if I had to choose one, I'm going with the Helium.

Yeah, I figured that was gonna happen when they announced they were gonna be part of the Powerbait line. Which is why I stocked up on them a while back from various sites. I am curious if the Powerbait versions are the same density, etc. Or if they're harder/softer.

Pit Boss is in my top 3 favorite plastics to throw. Funny, just the other day I was struggling a bit. Then I threw on a Pit Boss (in the Perfection Blue Fleck, coincidentally) and started catching them.

On Wisconsin!! I have not on a river yet. Which part of the state are you from?

The only 2 that I use are the Pompadour and the jointed Jitterbug (in these colors). I like them both equally. I'll throw the Jitterbug more on calm water.

Not sure what the norm is (only ordered from them this one time). But I placed my order at 11pm Aug 14. My package arrived Aug 17 at noon. I was quite pleased.

So, everyone knows black/dark baits show up better in stained/murky water. Or in low light conditions. So why are people always wanting their braid to be black. Why do people use Sharpies on it when it fades? Doesn't that just make the line more visible?

Like the others have said, send it back if you can. I have 3 200K's and they all work flawlessly.

As some may know, I started a thread last week complaining about Dick's shipping methods/busted rod. Well, I had a great experience with a different retailer. So I figured it was just fair that I give praise when it is due. I ordered a Lew's cranking stick and a handful of chatterbaits from Sportsman's Outfitters. The rod came in a hard tube. The rod was wrapped nicely in plastic and the tip in bubble wrap. Similar to TW. The lures were even given caution to. All the lures were rubber banded together nicely (which I don't expect). You can tell they actually take pride in their shipping methods. I will definitely be doing more business with them, that's for sure.

Well, I got my replacement rod in the mail yesterday. And again, it came in a flimsy, bent cardboard box. These guys just don't get it, do they? Thankfully this rod was in great shape. They did shove tons of crumpled up paper in with it tho, so that may have helped.

Yeah, TW knows what they're doing with the tubes.

I ended up calling them to let them know. I also told them that it sounds like this is an on-going issue with them. I doubt anything will change though. I wanted that rod still, so the guy took my order over the phone so he could apply the '$20 off $100' deal they had going on at the time I ordered, but is now over. So we'll see what kind of shape that one comes in. I'll have to return the broken one to a store. They better not give me any hassle.

Hell of a deal they have going on.

I've never order rods from Dick's before. But this weekend I ordered a Tatula frog rod. As I came home today, I see the package had arrives. A long, flimsy box, barely taped, with a crease through it. Right away I had a bad feeling. I mean, who ships rods like that? I open the box and see the rod laying in there. No kind of wrapping to protect it even. Nothing. I pull the rod out, and sure enough, the top foot of the rod is snapped off. Is this the norm for Dick's? Do they ship all their rods like this? Unacceptable if you ask me. All companies should be using the long PVC tubes by now. And if you are gonna use a box, make it a more durable one, and wrap the rods up in something for pete's sake.

I use a handful of different rod companies. Shimano, ALX, Kistler, Fenwick, Daiwa, Cabela's, Dobyns, St. Croix. Plan on getting a Cashion and possibly a Lew's in the near future. Of all of those rods...and I like them all...if I had to choose my favorite, I would go with my Kistler's (Helium 3 and KLX Feel N Reels).

Nice! Have you tried the 75 size? Or the 110? Both much better than the 90 IMO.

Personally, I have the most confidence with baits that are cross-eyed.

I hear ya. I'm the same way. It's a sickness. Any time I take a friend out on my boat, I hear this every time: "Do you even use half of this sh--"?!! Or, "how many rods can you even use at once"?!

What stores have the selection of a TW tho? Also, TW has a great, free return policy.