NorthernBasser

Love my Exprides. I'm sure these will be a step up. Monocoque handle just like the Zodias and Poison Adrena. Shocked that the price is the same as the current models. Can't wait to give them a try. When exactly will they be released?

You check out any of the GrandeBass worms?

Which model did you get? I have the Jerkbait Special. It's a really nice rod. My only gripe is I don't like how short the trigger is. Definitely shorter compared to all my other casting rods. I feel I don't have as much grip and control with the rod as I do others. I normally have the trigger between my pinky and ring finger. I'm curious if other models in the lineup have the shorter triggers as well. Of course it may not bother others. All depends how you hold it I guess.

Easily, the Strike King Pork-O. Lasted forever and had a movement I've yet to see anyone duplicated to this day.

Isn't this the truth. My friends and family always ask me "what do you do to get you thru the winter months?" (frozen lakes up here). I answer "buy fishing stuff."

That too. But I think they're even less durable wacky rigging.

If you're planning to wacky rig it, you'll run into durability issues since there's less meat there.

Got this little crappie nugget today.

Good luck with that.

If anything else, I can confirm that white bass LOVE that Elegy Bone Trick Darter. Not usually the intended target, but a school of white bass can be lots of fun!

13 Fishing Fate Black Crankbait rod is around $80 and has gotten good reviews. My friend has one and he just loves it.

Dang, that's a bummer. I've ordered from them a handful of times.

I'm all over the place. Shimano- 5 Megabass- 2 Kistler- 4 Dobyns- 3 ALX- 2 Lew's- 3 Daiwa- 1 Evergreen- 1 Fenwick-1 Jenko- 1 13 Fishing- 1 St. Croix- 1 Cabela's- 2

When I'm looking at purchasing a rod, appearance isn't nearly as important as other traits. But I agree. If I'm spending a decent amount on a rod, it's a major plus if it looks nice as well. Hopefully the white on there doesn't make the final cut. The current Expride's are some of the best looking rods around IMO.

That or maybe I'll just sell the rod. I bought it on a whim when it was on sale and I had been wanting to check those Techna's out. Of course if I sell it I'll probably just buy another rod and be back in the same boat, no pun intended.

I love Sniper. I use it for many applications, including t-rig (16#) and jigs (16# and 20#). Also, KVD line conditioner always helps with any fluro.

I have a few. But mostly I'm just a gear/tackle junky who spends every chance I get out on the water. Which is why I don't know why I haven't moved down south after all my years in WI and dealing with iced-over lakes 4 months out of the year. ?

Wow. Where's he going??

Awesome. Thanks for all the replies, guys!

I've never bought a rod from either of these places. Anybody have experience with either/both? Curious who well they pack their rods and if they ship them in heavy tubes, boxes etc? Thanks.

I guess Kistler was ahead of the time with their steep price bump a year or two ago.

As of now this is what I've got. I do plan on adding/replacing (likely in the spinning dept) some and probably selling a few before the ice gets off our lakes. As you can see, nobody can call me a fanboy of any one company. Haha.. Casting Shimano Poison Adrena 6'11ML+- Shimano Chronarch MGL (jerkbait, light t-rig, finesse jig, smaller swimbait) Shimano Expride 7'2MHF- Shimano Curado 70 MGL (free rig, swimming worm, bladed jig) Shimano Expride 7'2MHF- Shimano Curado 150 MGL (all-around, jig, t-rig, swim jig, swimbait, fluke) Shimano Expride 7'11XHF- Shimano Curado 70 MGL (punching) Megabass Levante Jerkbait Special 6'11MF- 13 Fishing Concept C (top water, jerkbait) Megabass Orochi Diablo Spec R 7'2MF- Daiwa Tatula SV TWS (swim jig, lipless crankbait) Kistler KLX Feel N Reel 6'11MHM- Daiwa Tatula CT (squarebill, lipless & shallow-diving crankbait) Kistler Helium 7'1 MHXF- Daiwa Tatula SV TW (t-rig) Kistler KLX Feel N Reel 7'2MHM- Daiwa Tatula Elite (bladed jig, med-diving crankbait) Kistler KLX 7'3 HMF- Shimano Curado 200i (heavier jig, swing-head) Dobyns Kaden 7'1MAGHF- Shimano Curado 200K (swimbait-Booty Shaker/Miyagi, heavier jig) Dobyns Sierra 7'3HF- Pflueger Patriarch XT (all-around, buzzbait, walking, ripping lipless thru grass) Dobyns Fury Swimbait 7'9MHF- Daiwa Tatula 200 (larger swimbait) ALX Zolo Deputy 7'1MHF- Shimano Curado 200K (spinnerbait) ALX IKOS Thunder 7'6 XHMF- Daiwa Tatula CT (speed cranking larger, deep-diving crankbait) Lew's TP1 Black 7'2MHF- Lew's Tournament Pro LFS (all-around) Lew's TP1 Black 7'4HF- Lew's KVD LFS (flipping/pitching) Lew's Custom Speed Stick 7'6MHMF- Lew's BB-1 Speed Spool (slow cranking) Jenko Savant 7'9MHF- Daiwa Tatula 200 (glide bait, swim bait, a-rig) Cabela's Tournament ZX 7'3HF- Daiwa CT Type R (frog/toad) Fenwick Techna 6'8MF- Needs reel (lighter lipless crankbaits, light topwater) Spinning Shimano Zodias 6'9MLF- Shimano Vanford (ned rig, finesse swimbait, jerkbait) Daiwa Tatula 7'1MLF- Daiwa Tatula (drop shot, neko rig) St. Croix BassX MLXF- Pflueger President (finesse swimbait, tiny crankbait) Evergreen Combat Stick 7'1MHF- Piscifun Carbon X (all-around, finesse jig, shaky head, wacky rig) 13 Fishing Omen Black 6'10 MLXF- Pflueger Supreme (ned rig, finesse jig) Cabela's Tournament ZX 6'10 MXF- Abu Garcia Revo X (wacky rig, shaky head)

FYI, 6th Sense stock hooks are much better than most stock hooks.

One of my favorite Texas Rig rods is a 7'1" Kistler Helium med-heavy/x fast. Now, not all rod manufacturer's rating are created equal. But I really like the x fast on the Kistler.

I usually use straight fluro or straight copolymer for my cranking. But I do like using straight braid (40#) if I'm ripping lipless cranks through weeds. Makes it so much easier.