NorthernBasser

No kidding! Placed an order to Omnia and CopperState Tackle (6th Sense 25% off) earlier. And now just ran across the TW sale. Eyeing the Phenix rods right now. The 25% off stacks on current discounted prices as well.

Love these. 4" for straight flipping/pitching, and the 3" as a trailer on a Keitech football jig. Makes the jig stand straight up. Smallmouth can't get enough of that little morsel. Had a day last year fishing a gin clear lake where nothing was working. Not even a ned or drop shot. Tied this guy on and caught over 30 smallies in about 5-6 hours. Tank test.

Polish Pete!

Nobody likes a bragger. Signed, Wisconsinite

I use both. I like graphite better is fishing around grass/cover. Overall my favorite rod has been a Kistler Feel N Reel composite rod. Kind of best of both worlds.

Nice write-up. Nice looking bait. I've seen the regular size version with 2 hooks. I didn't know there was a Jr. How solid do the blades feel? I'm just picturing a bass getting the whole thing in it's mouth, closing it's mouth, and then setting the hook. I wonder if the blades would bend at all. Let's us know how it goes once you get a chance to fish it.

I chose this profile pic before I knew about the BRBM (Bass Resource Bait Monkey) and this thread. Maybe it was a sign.

BaitWrx has 25% off 1000 yd spools of Tatsu. 12#, 17# and 20#.

You called??

Is that the $99.99 American Tat XT? You got a sleeve with it?? I grabbed one last year to mess with (7'1 MH). They're really nice for a $100 stick!

Haha I always mentally prepare myself for losing baits to those dang things. Strangely, when I catch big pike they usually just grab the bait without getting the line all in their mouth/teeth. But the little guys just can't help themselves. These bright chartreuse topwaters work great for me on some of my smallie lakes. And in dirty water for LM. Usually tho, black and bone are my 2 favorite topwater/wakebait colors.

Got a good deal on these wake baits so figured I'd try them. Really loud knocker. Anybody ever fish them?

Daiwa has another Tatula promotion going on. Last year was HUK, this year Simms.

What'd you get???

Yeah, guys are pretty sensitive when it comes to muskie. I get in certain conditions you wanna release them ASAP. Especially biguns. But some guys act like if you have them out of the water for more than a minute the world is gonna end. You definitely wanna hold the 40+ inchers horizontally. It's fine how you're holding that fish.

You better hope the muskie guys don't see this. 😅

Could be right. I know I've had some exact models where their weight wasn't identical (heck, even extra epoxy on one rod would make a difference, right?). But even if they listed an average weight or something, that would be nice.

Yeah, I don't get why companies don't give us this info. Well, I can see why some may not want it out there if their rods are really heavy. I don't know if you saw my post last night about Thunderhawk rods. After I posted I sent them a Facebook message asking what the weight was on a few of their rods. He/she said he didn't know offhand but that they're perfectly balanced. How do you not know this info if you're the rod builder? They did get back to me right away and gave me a 20% off code, so that was nice.

I wish rod weights were accessible on websites like reel weights are. Some companies like ALX and Kistler list the weights on some of their stuff, but I've found even some of those were inaccurate.

Yeah, I love Omnia but they definitely sell out fast on a lot of products.

A 3 lb bass up here will still easily annihilate a 6" swimbait. An 8" even. You won't get as many bites on these lures but point is, for me at least, is looking for that 5-plus pound bass. The 6" Cullshad is pretty diminutive compared to some other swimbaits of the same size. 1-2# bass will easily eat that thing. As will pike, as you mention. 😄

I'm in the same boat as you re: the 7'11 Expride. I like it, but just don't love it for some reason. I have the A, BTW. Maybe the B is a little lighter? I got the 7'3 XH Expride B few months back. I know many use it for froggin', but I'm planning on jigs/t-rigs in heavier grass. I know Brian form PunchFishing on Youtube mentions using it for punching as well. I just think that may be too short for my liking...at least for dedicated punching. I'm assuming you feel the same since you're looking at other options? I also had my eye on the 7'6' XH Expride B as well. As of now my punching outfits are the 7'11 XH Expride A and the 7'6 H 13 Fishing Envy Black III. Light punching I sometimes use an ALX IKOS Thunder (7'6 XH/MF).

Anybody have any experience with these? Or at least held them in their hands? I have a few of their baits. I had no idea they made rods as well. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Thunderhawk_Tico_Series_Casting_Rods/descpage-TICOC.html

Yeah, I really hope this isn't gonna be the new norm. Issues with FedEx is widely documented. It's amazing they can't seem to figure things out. Not to mention employ more respectable delivery drivers. I'm sure using them is cheaper than going with UPS. Omnia used them I know. Delay is one thing. But I'm more worried because I have rods coming.

When you guys order from TW, who usually delivers your good? From day 1, a number of years ago, they have always used UPS. Well, for me at least. I notice the order I placed a few days ago is coming via FedEx, which I have had TERRIBLE luck with. Always arriving later than scheduled. Always a delay.