NorthernBasser

I've really been liking the 4" Largo Shad this year for a bluegill imitator.

I really, really wish companies would stop using FedEx. I have no idea why they're still in business. Anytime I'm expecting something from them, it gets delayed..and delayed...and delayed. I'm waiting on an order from Omnia. I'm in WI, they're in MN. I was supposed to get a package on 8/18. Then it got changed to 8/19. Then that didn't happen so it was then 8/20. And now it just says "pending, no scheduled delivery date at this time". Pathetic. Rant over.

I've always heard good things about the Savage Gear Shine Glide as a cheaper swimbait option. I decided to pick on up, and I notice on the package and on top of the bait it says Shiner "Glider", not "Glide". I've never hear it called that before. Also, why does it say "Roach" on the package? What's that all about? I don't see that being mentioned on any site. On Savage Gears own website, along with every other website I checked, they call it Shine Glide. Did they change the name recently and just haven't updated the sites? Did some intern royally mess up at Savage Gear headquarters? Just curious, that's all.

The heck is TTT??!?!?!?! ? Oh I know now....not sure if it's on the naughty list so I better not say it..shoot, they don't have my favorite color tho.

Omnia has the Fenwick Techna PX (casting) marked down to $130, regular $230. Only a few models available. I have the 6'8 medium/fast. Nice rods. They also have their World Class (casting & spinning) on sale. They're regular $330 but the casting is marked down to $200 and the spinning $230.

Black Dog Baits Shellcracker G2. PB Rat. 6th Sense Speed Wake. Megabass I-Loud (not a traditional wake bait tho).

Yeah. I was pretty bummed. Glad you had better luck. Have you fished yours yet?

I know nothing about those. But I know my nephew has a 13 Fishing Fate Black that he loves. It's about $20 more than the Defy. Labor Day sales will be coming up. The Ark Tharp Honey Badger series of rods are reg. $130 but will be marked down to $110. Great rods for that price. The Hammer is an awesome all-around 7' MH. And they look beautiful on top of how well they fish.

Yeah, that is last years model. Which still sounds like a great deal, tho I've never fished those rods specifically.

Got my hands on 2 of the 7' MH Fantasista's. I'm not really an Abu guy, but couldn't pass up a good deal ($300 rod for $160). I have to say. I'm rather disappointed. They're nice looking rods for sure, but the guides on both rods were not aligned straight. Some can overlook that, but not me. And it was much heavier than I'd expect a 7' MH rod to be. And a $300 one at that. It weighed in at 5.08 oz. For comparison, my 7'3 Sierra Heavy weighs 4.91. That's a H and 3" longer, and everyone knows Dobyns are on the heavy side. My 7'6 ALX IKOS is an XH and it weighs 4.73 oz. Heck, my old Cabela's 7'3 H Tourney ZX weighs less at 4.68 oz. If it weren't for the guides being off I'd fish them and see how they fish. But I can't look past that. Maybe I'll see if my friends or nephew would like them.

The next 2022 Daiwa Tatula XT looks like a killer deal at $99.99. Not sure how readily available they are at the moment, tho.

I have a dresser dedicated to all my free t-shirts. ?‍♂️ The quality of them have gone down the tubes compared to what they used to be. But they're free, so I can't really complain.

On those Largo Shad's if you tear off that flange by the tail you'll get a wider kick/more thump. I'll usually do that in dirty water and/or during summer months. In spring I leave it as is. The 4" makes a nice swim jig trailer as well.

Cheaper rod option. Midway has the 7'1 med-heavy Tatula XT casting (not 2022 model I don't believe) on sale for $61, reg. $100. Also the 6'6 medium spinning rod for same price.

On topic- Today I rigged up possibly the best bluegill imitating spinnerbait I have.

Still one of my favorite pictures.

Just kidding. I bet you really love that reel now, tho. ?

Hearing "bass will eat anything", and then going out and getting skunked, sure is a nut shot to the 'ol ego.

The spinnerbait would've gotten hung up more in the stuff I was fishing. And a regular jig isn't as streamlined to come thru that stuff. I will say tho, I did throw a flipping jig for a little bit and did get 2 on it. But the swim jig was the ticket on that particular day/location.

This 100%. The other day I was fishing this particular swim jig (Santone jig with 4" Largo Shad) along weed edges and even through some thick vegetation. Many times either after ripping it out of weeds, or when I would just kill it, it would elicit some ferocious strikes. I like running straight braid on a 7'3 heavy/mod-fast rod when doing this. This 5 pounder (ok, actually a few ounces shy) was the biggest of the bunch. I love the Largo Shad. It has a little tighter shimmy to it, but if you want more thump, just tear off that thin flange you see in the first pic.

Sierra 734 (micro guides) is sooo good.

I never punch with a skirt. I'm worried the other fishermen will laugh at me.

For that price point, these look great. TW does have some models in stock already. Another GREAT one coming in at only $130 (cheaper on sale) is the Ark Randall Tharp Honey Badger Series. Definitely should be priced higher IMHO.