NorthernBasser

No, just on my own. Would've felt too guilty keeping it. Tho some friends said I was nuts.

You messed up or they messed up? Last year I had a $500 or so TW order arrive. Few days later another box arrives of the same stuff. TW had accidentally sent me my order twice (but wasn't charged for the duplicate order). I ended up sending it back.

Are you sure there's fish in those lakes?

A few more new baits. 13 Fishing has really come on in the last year or two with all their new baits. They first caught my attention with the Jabber Jaw (they now have a deep diving version). Since then I have bought a few of their lipless cranks, which I had a chance to use last year, and a few new ones I recently purchased. The Scamp 60 (squarebill), which I've showed here previously, and now the Flatty Daddy (flat-sided crank). Right out the box I was super impressed. Very nice paintjobs, oval line ties, sticky trebles (Scamp comes with KVD Triple Grips and the other two come with VMC. I also like how they have the depths printed on the lips. Also pictured, the Rapala OG Slim Tiny, Strike King Chick Magnet, Jackall Bounty Fish, 6th Sense Trace and the PB Rat 2-piece.

Whatever you get, grab yourself a bag of gel packets. Add 4-5 in each one to help prevent rust. https://www.amazon.com/Dry-Premium-Packets-Desiccant-Dehumidifiers/dp/B00DYLR3Q6/ref=sr_1_5?crid=Z2NMCTL2LXP8&keywords=silica+gel+packs&qid=1643440522&sprefix=silica+ge%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-5

' Signed, northern guys

And this is why I need to do this. I remember losing a 5XD in Black Back/Chartreuse to a pike on one of my last times out this fall. So I ordered 2 more in one of my TW Black Friday orders. Come to find out I already have 2 hanging on my peg board, and 2 more in in a cardboard box with other tackle that I ordered who knows when. ?‍♂️ That's one hell of a tip. 'Hey man, don't die'.

I don't have issues with the bail hitting my finger. The issue is my knuckle rubbing on the stem where it starts bending downward. There just isn't nearly as much of a gap there now as there are on other reels. All my years fishing, I've never come across this issue. Now, if you are a person who holds the stem between your pinky and ring finger, it likely won't affect you at all. But if you're like me and hold it between you ring finger and middle finger, it will. It's a great reel tho. So I'll just try to get used to holding it between my pinky/ring finger when using that setup.

I see a lot of people rig it from the side. Either with a pegged bullet weight or weightless. It still swims vertically, but when you kill it it falls down on it's side, looking like a dying gill.

I've been quite lucky up until now. All my other rods that were ordered online over the years have come via UPS or FedEx. This is the first time using USPS. So far, they're batting .000.

I have 2 Curado 70 MGL's and love them. They cast great, and they're extremely palmable. If you have giant hands you may not like that as much.

While the tube they used isn't quite as stout as the tunes TW uses, it's solid enough where it would take some real force to break it in half. I did call the retailer I bought it from. I mentioned how USPS has had this issue for a while now. They said they offer UPS, but then you have to pay for the shipping. I went ahead and ordered another rod (last one they had left in stock). They're shipping it via UPS at no charge, so props to them for that.

Wanna give a huge shout-out to the United States Postal Service for turning my new Orochi from a 1-piece into a 2-piece travel rod.

Oh man, The Hookup Tackle are clearing out their Exprides this morning. 25% off, but only one model left now, and only 1 left. 7'3" XH. edit- Oops, just saw the post 2 above me.

The Levante Jerkbait Special is a really nice rod. The trigger is a tad shorter than I like, but that may not bother you.

In hand, it's quite impressive. Carbon bill. I like how it lists the diving depths on it. Beautiful paint job. And comes with KVD Triple Grips.

A few new baits to try this year. Megabass I-Loud Valley Hill LV 500GP Kingyo Anekin (definitely didn't NEED this) Berkley Stunna SPRO Flappin Frog Jackall TN60 6th Sense Quake Thud Megabass Dog-X Diamante 13 Fishing Scamp (very intrigued by this one)

Sadly it's that way on a lot of lakes.

I'm happy they didn't add any colors to them. Especially any gaudy colors. I have NO idea what St. Croix was thinking with the new BassX. ? Rod looks obviously isn't nearly as important as other traits. But still. I guarantee, if anything, this will hurt sales.

A 7 or 8 speed reel is a huge difference over a 5 speed. Especially when it comes to certain applications.

Where do you go in WI?

I haven't but I've thrown 3/8oz spinnerbait/chatterbait/swim jig and they all worked well. I think it'd do just fine with a 1/2oz. It's such a great, versatile rod.

I have two 7'2" med-heavy. For 1/2oz jigs I'd 100% go for the heavy. For 3/8 oz Texas Rig the med-heavy may be a little more ideal, but I think you could definitely get away with the heavy. Assuming the new rods feel like the current model.