NorthernBasser

That's why I said some bass would have trouble getting that hook in their mouth. What a gaff! Tho 5+ pound bass wouldn't. And you'd be targeting larger fish with this in the first place.

I could've sworn this was being discussed here somewhere, but I couldn't find it. So if there's a thread that I overlooked I apologize. This thing is ridiculous!! I watched this video and just started laughing once I saw the trailer on it. It looks more like a monster from an old Godzilla movie than an actual bass jig. Now, I'm sure it'll get bit, but your bites are gonna be few and far in between. Some bass may not even be able to fit that hook in their mouth! Retails for $15.99. I wonder how much the trailer costs. 😅

All 13 Fishing baits are heavily discounted on TW right now. And if you go to the Rapala/13 Fishing website, the only baits they show are tiny panfish baits. I do agree they'll likely keep the rod/reel lineup though.

@Bandersnatch I actually got the 7'7 XH Feather today. It weighs 4.04 oz. Lure rating is 1/2 oz-3 oz. That is just mind-blowing light. Lighter than my 7'1 MH Helium (4.11 oz), which everyone knows are super light rods. My 6'11 M+ Poison Adrena weighs 3.76 oz. I don't know how they do it, especially at that price point.

Got a few packages today. I bought my first Phenix rod (Feather). A 7'7 XH (1/2 oz-3oz). This thing weighs 4.04 oz!!! HOW??? My 7'1 MH Helium is super light, and that weighs 4.11 oz. 6'11 M Poison Adrena weighs 3.76 oz. 7'2 MH Expride, 4.60 oz. 6'11 Megabass Levant Jerkbait Special, 4.26 oz. And so on. I'm worried this thing is gonna explode on my first hard hookset. How does Phenix pull off this voodoo wizardry???? Also some great deals on a few other baits. 13 Fishing Scamp 1.5 is an awesome squarebill ($5, reg. $11). The Gordito is tiny (2") medium diver. 13 Fishing baits come with great hardware (Triple Grips on the Scamp, not sure what's on the Gordito) and nice paintjobs. I love the Regurgitated Shad color. One of my most productive colors on my lipless baits from them. Sadly it looks like Rapala might be phasing the 13 Fishing line out. At least the baits. Didn't need the Bagley topwaters, but at $3.70 (reg, $9) they were hard to pass up. Never tried the Duckett Baits Sculpo XD before. But for $3.75 (reg. $12) I figured I'd try them out. Nice looking paint job on them. Pretty wide-bodied. Has quite the bill on it.

I called them yesterday. It had been a week since I ordered. They apologized and said they were super busy with that last sale. I said no worries, just didn't know how long their turnaround was since I never ordered from them before. He said he'd make sure it got shipped out after we got off the phone, and he did.

You're right about catching fishermen when it comes to the top of topwater baits colors. But like I said on rarer occasions I believe the fish can see the side of the bait. Besides, many times a topwater bait is partially submerged. As far as the silver on the side, some bluegill and other panfish tend to give off a silver hue. And I doubt the bass would think too much of it anyways.

Same here. I have 3 rods I throw jerkbaits on. 6'10 M Expride B, 6'11 Levante Jerkbait Special and the 6'11 M+ Poison Adrena. The Adrena is my favorite, tho they're all great rods. And that Adrena is more versatile than the other 2 as well.

Loon and Bone 95% of the time. But the coolest-looking color (and also a good bluegill color), is Yoda IMO. As most know, the bottom of the bait is mostly what the fish sees (many times just a silhouette), so color doesn't matter that much (especially on a plopper-style bait where it's moving and making commotion). But if it's a calm day and you're fishing gin-clear water, a fish can see the side of the bait if it's coming at it from an angle and not straight up. But again, I think this applies more for poppers. Something that sits and a fish can get a good look at.

They were just released but I'm a fan of anything Keitech so I had to get them. Here's some underwater footage.

Just grab one of her necklaces, hang the Megabass from it, and...ah, nevermind. That ain't gonna work.

"Here honey, I got you the new Strike King Gravel Dawg". "The new WHAAT?"

I haven't dealt with this yet. But on some rare days/morning I have to push myself to go just because my body is so beat from my job. And being 49 now isn't the same as when I was 29. But once I'm out on the water I'm glad I went. Mentally, I don't think I'll ever tire of it. Bass fishing consumes me in every way. I can't get enough of anything that has to do with it. Living in WI where I can't fish 365 days a year may help with not getting burned out, as well.

How tight/loose was your spool tension knob? You wanna have it so there's no side to side play in the spool while you're putting the line on.

Ok, let us know what you find. JP is kind of like a Shimano spokesman, so I would think he'd know. But ya never know..

@ghost JP says the previous model was a 150 size frame whereas the new one has an actual 70 size frame.

Those look niiice.

I haven't used that model. I do have the 7' Hammer (previous version) and the 7'3 Money Maker in the new 2024 model. These are great rods, especially at the price. Obviously not same level as the Expride, but still very nice. @T-Billy has a handful of them. Maybe he's fished the One-Eyed Jack.

These are very nice rods. I have the 7'6 H. Looks like they're phasing them out. Kind of surprising since they've only been out a few years. $320-$375 rods. Maybe they didn't sell well. The Envy I and II must have. Were those as pricey as these? Sad to see a lot (all?) of the 13 Fishing baits going away as well. Thanks a lot, Rapala.

I saw those last night. I'll give them a shot. Guessing it'll be similar to the Strike King Blade Minnow. I really became a fan of the Machete Minnow after discovering it last year.

Not my fault TW is still all over the place with their new format. 😅

TW has the 7'2 ML Zodias marked down to $135. Reg. $220. I don't have that specific model, but they're great rods. I think the guys at TB recommend the Expride in that same model.

Upon further review, this isn't the case with all of the products.