NorthernBasser

LOL. It was mid-60's all week. Chillier today tho. My friend who lives in northern WI still has some ice of most his lakes. I swear it's like a different country up there.

No kidding! Good eye. No wonder I didn't catch anything on it. Yeah, I'll go with that.

I honestly don't think I've seen any straight green pumpkin.

? That was my first time using a Bassman. Unfortunately didn't catch anything on it that day.

Nice. How fast is the ROF would you say?

Yeah, I have 3 ALX rods. A ZOLO Deputy, ZOLO Dream and IKOS Thunder. All very solid rods. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Dang it. I've been wanting another Black Ops but I need another rod like I need a hole in the head. What you gonna throw on that 7'6?

Attention: If you plan on buying any Bassman spinnerbaits in the near future, do not...and I repeat, do NOT...buy the Olive Shad color. I swear, every dang time I'd bring it back to the boat I swore there was grass on it. I'd bring it up to me to take the grass off, only to realize it was the dang skirt. Drove me nuts. ?‍♂️?

Thanks buddy. Not quite on the level of some of these other beauties you guys and gals have been posting recently, but I'll take 4 pounders all day!

Biggest of the young season so far. 4.7# on a black and blue Jackhammer.

Report back! I've been waiting to get my hands on one.

Where'd you get the Sunshine Gill Magdraft from?

Son!

When I first started bass fishing as a youngster, I would fish this rock quarry any chance I could get. That's where I caught my first bass and where my addiction started. These 2 baits played such a huge role, so when I see them now I can't help but feel nostalgic. #7 Original Floater in chartreuse. Don't remember the brand (Kelly's, maybe). But a pre-rigged worm in natural color. After that, the Slug-Go and Strike King Grass Frog (this thing was amazing...at the time, at least!)

Right. And then things evolved to where bait makers started molding skinnier, hydrodynamic jig heads so you could swim a jig better through grass/cover. Hench, swim jig. I think most bass fisherman knows what a swim jig is nowadays when people mention them.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Swim_Jigs/catpage-SWIMJIG.html

For sure. Caught a few today in 47 degree water on a @Siebert Outdoors Shot Caller.

Because there's legit Daiwa and Shimano products sold on Ali Express. Ali Express is China's Amazon. The pic I posted of those Tatula rods you commented on are from a reputable seller on Ali Express. And these red reels are on there as well. And as I said, Daiwa makes different stuff for China than what we see here. And those knockoff Jackhammers likely didn't say Z-Man Jackhammer on them. There are companies that make knockoffs, for sure. But they don't use the same names as the name brand. They're their own brand. Like this lol.

Daiwa makes some different rods/reels for China and other Asian countries (that Japan doesn't get). You can go on Daiwa's site, click on 'region' and then China and you'll see different stuff. They have a Daiwa Salamandura line which is their version on the Tatula I think. Pretty much same reels, just different cosmetics. Besides the color, there's a Salamander logo on the side plate and tension knob instead of the spider we're used to. And they have the clicking drag like the Zillion...or at least the SV TW 70 does. So that's kind of cool.

I have a few I use but my favorite is the 734 Sierra with 40# braid.

Right. I think they're like the regular $150 Tatula's that have the full grip (casting). Those are sweet rods for the money, but I like these split grips on these.

Sorry to bump this thread. Hey Mike @Siebert Outdoors, I sent you a PM few days back. Was wondering if you got it or not.

I wish my wishlist would just magically show up like that!

Have you ever weighed the XP 734 by any chance? I have the Sierra 734 that I LOVE. It is a little hefty at 4.91 oz. But it balances so well it's not even noticeable. Curious how much the XP weighs, if you've ever weighed it.

My favorite early spring/bluegill imitating spinnerbait. 1/4 oz. Nichols 33 Mini with a trimmed down Rage Menace. I don't always like a trailer on it tho. It does help with the casting.