NorthernBasser

I recently got that Rattle Snaker. That's gonna make it sooo much easier getting worm rattles deep into any plastic, especially the elaztech.

That's the one I have. It's a great rod.

Our December was snowless. Mother Nature is making up for it today!

Are you the same Jmurphy87 who tried convincing us (as well you yourself and your lady) last year that you were done buying? 😅

I think all the main/good ones have been mentioned. Here's a size comparison between some of them. Most people, including me, throw flatsides primarily early and late in the season. But they also do well for me in summer months when the water is really clear or if I'm fishing a really high pressured lake. 1- SPRO Little John MD50 (some have mentioned an MD55. I don't think there's a Little John 55. Might be thinking about the RKCrawler 55). This one has a knocker/rattle/transfer system). 2- Rapala Ott's Garage OG Tiny 4 (silent) 3- Rapala Ott's Garage OG Slim 06 (silent) 4- Berkley Chick Magnet Jr. (rattle/knocker) 5- Berkley Chick Magnet (rattle/knocker) 6- Berkley Clickin' Frittside 5 (rattle/knocker) 7- Berkley Frittside 7 (silent) 8- Megabass Sonicside (silent) 9- 6th Sense Crush Flat 75X (rattle/knocker) 10- Ichikawa Flat Shad 65MD (silent) edit- forgot about the 13 Fishing Flat Daddy (rattles/knocker). It's relatively new to me. TBH I never caught anything on it last year, but I also didn't fish it much. I did like how it ran, though.

Have you guys heard if they've been discontinued? There's no spinning rods listed on TW. They only have 2 casting models. I can't find them on Daiwa's website. It's too bad if so. These were some very nice rods which were made to compete head to head with the Shimano Zodias. For whatever reason I just don't think they took off like they were hoping.

Are you talking about actual double handle, or the T-shaped knobs?

Also released the Duke 55. I''ll definitely try them both out. Love 6th Sense baits. I'm a little surprised they haven't come out with more craw/creature baits by now though.

7'3 XH Expride. I know many consider this one of the best frog rods on the market. I think I'll be using it for jigs/t-rigs in heavier cover and some punching when I don't feel like digging the the bigger rod out. This will be my 5th Expride (3 A's and 2 B's). I can't say enough good things about these rods. I don't know, it may end up as a frog rog. We'll see. Will pair it with MGL 70 or 150. 8 speed MGL 70 has a longer handle than the 6 and 7 speed. Anyone know if the 8 speed MGL 150 has a longer handle? If I put 50# braid on the 70, I wonder if I'll be able to bomb a frog without spooling it. And a mixture of other odds and ends.

Yes.

The screw lock trailer keeper is a nice feature. Definitely saves on plastics.

I am a swim jig nut. And I am a big fan of these as well. They could improve upon them tho by hand-tying their skirts. Even so, big fan. I probably have 15 different brands of swim jigs. But more often then not, I find myself grabbing a @Siebert Outdoors Shot Caller.

What else are you using them for besides bladed jigs? Mid/deep cranks? Bigger Whopper Ploppers?

A-Jay, tell more about those DX Type-H rods. I've heard they're quite the sleeper for that price. You use them only for bladed jigs?

The last Elite I got was from Ali Express. $155. Just buy from reputable sellers.

Another somewhat similar pretty neat little plastic bait is the Deps Frilled Shad. Also fished on a round ball jig head. Very subtle shimmy back and forth. I do great with these on clear water Smallies. I also like that the plastic 'frill' on top also makes it somewhat weedless. Somewhat.

I see some Type R's in there. 👀

The 3.6 Crazy Flapper is a cool little trailer on the Mini Max.

They definitely partner with brands like Dirty Jigs, Hog Farmer and River2Sea. They even have their own line of baits/tackle with those companies. And they used to never talk about Daiwa. But that's not the case anymore. They've been talking about Daiwa quite a bit for a few years now.

That or raise prices on their products. Let's hope not..

I won't be putting the Concept A2 on that rod. Most likely it'll be a Curado 150 MGL. The Concept A2 feels nice in hand tho. For being 7.4 oz and with it's line capacity, I figured it may have a larger frame than it does. But it's a fairly small frame.

New rod and reel. Rod for open water/light grass froggin.

Nice! Is it the same power/action? Very cool!

Thanks for the reply. I love trying out new rods, and this one (the 7' cranking model) had caught my eye a while back. I may have to check it out. I really enjoy my more expensive rods, but there's something about finding a "cheaper" gem that seems like it should cost more (sad that $150 is considered somewhat budget-friendly nowadays). I feel that way about the Ark Tharp Honey Badger rods. And I've heard nothing but good things about these HFX rods.