Boomstick

I would suggest just keeping the leader down to around 7 feet or so, so you won't have to worry about it.

Another +1 for the uni. I usually give it 5 or 6 turns, and it works with any line type as well. The only time I ever use the palomar is with braid, because it does cinch down nice and tight with braid, but the uni still works fine too.

I have played since I was 7... Here's my collection. 1981 Les Paul Custom, stock with the Tim Shaw pickups, probably Gibson's most tonally accurate 50s PAF replicas. 2010 Fender American Standard strat with Lollar Blackface pickups (flat pole!)) 1976 Guild F-50 acoustic. Very unique sounding guitar, clean short sustain. One of the best sounding acoustics I've ever played. Same shape and depth neck as the Les Paul as well. 1968 Fender Super Reverb. It's a silverface, but one of the earlier ones before they altered the circuit, so basically a blackface at a silverface price. Not pictured. Later 80s Marshall Studio 15, 1x12" practice amp. The Celestion V30 was actually designed in conjunction with Marshall for this amp. Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret -- works nice with the Super Reverb to give it a Marshall-esque tone. The mids in the alnico speakers give it a real unique sound. Hughes & Kettner Tube Factor -- Jimmy Herring uses one of these with his modified Super Reverb, it maintains the tone of the amp. Wampler dB+ boost and optional buffer pedal Wampler Ego compressor Catalinbread Belle Epoch delay pedal, replicates the echoplex sound Keeley Java Boost - used this when I had a Voc AC30 and '69 Marshall Major. Chandler Tube Driver - bought this with the Vox AC30, doesn't work well with the Super Reverb so I'm probably going to sell it.

The President is a solid reel for the price, I have a size 30 or 35 one, but the BG is definitely a nice step up. Both have solid reputations for holding up for years as well.

You'll love that rod. If I didn't mention already, should you need a reel I paired a Daiwa BG 2000 with it and it balances out nicely and won't break the bank. I didn't even get to use it this year as much as I hoped (because of being tired from chemo), but I did catch this season's largest smallie on it. I may pick up a 703 or something similar at some point myself, but it adds much less to my arsenal than the Avid X spinning rod did so that will be for next year when my bank account has a chance to recover a little bit.

The mojo line has the same blanks -- if you're looking to save some money, go for it. My son has the Mojo Bass spinnerbait rod and it's a solid rod. I got the Avid X since it's for those hot days when they aren't chasing so anything that increases sensitivity helps. I've never got a knot hung on the microguides either, I think that's only an issue if you line that is too thick. I would rent a lot more canoes/rowboats if I wasn't wiped out from chemo, so this year has been more land but usually a bit of both.

Yeah, I have the glass version. It's definitely more of a moderate fast tip to it -- enough tip for a spinnerbait or chatterbait and enough to not lose fish on a crankbait. I do hear the graphite version is fast by most standards.

They labeled that rod as a spinnerbait/bladed jig rod, but heavy seems a but overkill if you ask me. Also from what people tell me, the graphite MH/R definitely sounds faster than the glass version that I have. I don't really notice the weight of the TAT-721-MHRB-G.

Thanks I always say that 7.3:1 is a little bit fast for my liking for moving baits for me, because I find that my "natural rhythm" makes it easier for me to speed up than slow down personally. Some people find they naturally want to reel slower, and that works for them too. In the fall, I could honestly use a 5.8:1, 6.3:1 or 7.x:1 just fine...

That would make sense and actually makes sense in terms of physics as well but I was under the impression they were supposed to be similar action just a different length. So in that case, I'll suggest the 704C.

I would personally go with the Avid X over the Avid unless you're putting an extremely light reel on it at which point it might be a little bit tip heavy. I have an Avid X 6'9" ML/XF spinning rod I use for finesse techniques, and it's a really solid rod.

I have the 704C and found the tip to be what I'd call fast, certainly much faster than moderate and pretty stout tip on it overall, but it is more like a MH/F rod than a H/F for sure. Certainly wouldn't consider fishing a smaller crank on it... I have no real experience with Shimano rods, but some of them do run significantly on the heavy side...

Curious if anyone has tried out the new 7'4" Tatula glass rod labeled as a spinnerbait & bladed jig rod. I have the 7'2" MH/R and it makes a great rod for this purpose. H/R seems like it would be a bit overkill (maybe it's for pulling 10+ pounders on the boat?), but curiosity kills the cat so to speak.

Daiwa's tend to run heavy as well. They did have a finesse model but I decided to pass on that because there have been way too many people saying they broke the tip off trying to land a 2lb bass on the particular model. I believe that is the M/XF model, which isn't quite as stout as the M/F models. I also considered the Brent Ehrler Tatula Elite dropshot model, but I figure where I fish, the St. Croix is more appropriate and also fits the budget much better. I couldn't find it for any less than retail too, but if you get a decent discount it would probably be worth it. My casting rods are Daiwa Tatula's and they're great especially for what I paid for them and even if I paid full retail, I would say they're still very competitive.

I use Daiwa BG 2000 with the Avid X 6'9" ML/XF. Some of the ML/XF rods that run on the light side don't work well, and the M/F rods that run heavy don't work well. That rod is perfect because it runs on the heavier side, so it has the sensitivity to feel the slightest nibble and the strength to pull in the larger fish, and the BG 2000 I would say is on par with reels costing twice as much with the exception of being a little heavier, and the heavier reel balances the Avid X perfectly. If you live in say California where you might get fish larger than 5lbs, you may prefer a M/F, but for the northeast, the ML/XF Avid X is perfect. I would personally go with a similar spinning setup before a M/F baitcaster (and I did the same thing myself). I generally fish heavier soft plastics weighted on my MH/F casting rod and once I get a M/F or M/XF I will use that for weighless heavier soft plastics. Also if I am shore fishing, I will usually use a Ned rig, it's both quicker to rig up and easier to work in shallower water. But when I fish from a boat and have access to deeper water, I will usually rig up a drop shot.

Sorry, I'm used to internet know it alls trying to take things out of context at the moment, but yeah I meant if it's made with the same materials, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Have had no issues at all in freshwater.

I should re-clarify, the same grade of steel is the same grade of steel. I think you know very well what I meant...

I use a Daiwa Tatula 7'2" MH/R glass rod for squarebills. It has a nice and fast rebound for when you hit a stump, and a just extra play in the tip to help land the fish. It's also all-around moving bait stick -- absolutely perfect for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits as well. I can't recommend it enough for these applications. It's a little bit thicker and heavier than your graphite rods, but you'd be surprised how sensitive it is. Typical chatterbait wake vibrations are muted, but you feel everything you need to -- it's a little hard to explain. A lot of them just had the wrong label put on them -- they even tell you on the website on the models that's the case with!

I have had my Pflueger for a few years now, and there is absolutely no signs of rust on the bearings or anywhere else on it. Did you leave it on the lake when you weren't using it or something? Anyway, aluminum is aluminum, steel is steel -- they're going to all rust the same regardless of what brand is stamped on it.

I use a St Croix Avid X, 6'9" ML/XF to fish a ned rig and a drop shot with 10-15lb braid and a 6lb leader -- perfect for those hot sunny days where they aren't chasing, and the light line offers the best presentation for such situations. You can also try a shaky head, but a rod with slightly more backbone is ideal for that although the ML/XF will do if it has to. I have had great luck personally is the Roboworm Alive Shad in 4" or the straight tail worm on a size 1 Owner mosquito hook. They're typically cheap enough too unless you buy them from Bass Pro or Cabela's, who have for whatever reason jacked up the price.

The 703C would be a nice addition, I'm actually in the same boat as you with my MH/F and MH/MF rods now, but what I would add first is a ML/XF or M/F (depending on the make) spinning rod for finesse techniques, which can be highly effective as well.

I was considering buying perhaps the same very rod for the same presentations, would compliment my setup as well as my kids quite nicely. (Of course that will be next year as chemo has generally made me too tired to fish). So yeah I say go for it.

I think my girlfriend said something similar to me when I was in the hospital.

Thanks guys! Today I have to take my girlfriend to the ER out at Mass General. It's crazy stressful driving in Boston to be honest, the lanes are maybe 4" wider than my truck if that, etc. But I'm glad she's got to her senses. I had been telling her for the past couple weeks I think it's time to try the ER, she's in so much constant pain. This would be her first attempt at seeking treatment at Mass General, coming from Boston Medical Center who have just been incompetent and unprofessional in every way imaginable and then some (you guys wouldn't even believe me if I told you all the **** that she went through there it's so bad), so maybe this is a win in the end of things. I hardly drink as it is. I tried to drink a few beers camping around 9pm at night, and end up staying awake until after 9pm the following night! They told me I'd just feel drunker, which wasn't the case. I haven't been able to really fish because I get to the lake and fall asleep. I was better for a few days with a week off, but yesterday I was in and out all day long. I was hoping to try and fish today, but I have to get my girlfriend out to the ER in Boston. Like I said in the prior post, maybe this will be a victory for us. Just hoping I don't fall asleep.

I realize I haven't been around on the forums for a little while, so I figured I'd give an update. After colon cancer surgery back in may, I will have completed round 6 of chemotherapy as of tomorrow. That leaves I believe 6, maybe 7 treatments to go. I had an extra week off, because I was supposed to go to Crystal Lake in Barton VT as I rented the cabin there that came with a canoe, but I didn't go because my girlfriend is also having health issues (she has pseudo tumor cerebri and her shunt has failed for several months and as a result she has difficulty seeing, keeping one of her eyes open, walking and really bad random pains and headaches pretty much all the time). Of all the times for this to happen, when I'm absolutely exhausted on chemo is the worst thing. So with the week off, I feel pretty good right now. The only real notable side effect I currently have is acid reflux, which I'll have for about a week after each treatment. I made it fishing for a few hours on Saturday (got skunked), which I haven't been able to do because I usually get to the lake and fall asleep. I can't play guitar (my other hobby) either because I'm in and out of it, and having a hard time working 8 hour days, and if I don't have to drive my girlfriend to Boston on Sunday, I'll likely make it fishing this Saturday (have a friend's party on Sunday I'd like to stop by at least a couple hours and say hi to everyone), and maybe even this Monday too. Next weekend is an off treatment week, and I should feel even better then so short of an emergency, maybe I'll make it fishing then too! I've been falling asleep throughout the day a lot prior to last Saturday. Not sure if it's all from treatment or stress. My dryer died, fridge died, a drain pipe in my basement burst and dumped sewage all over my basement, my porch roof has a leak, and whole bunch of other stuff. Also the door rods and latches on my '92 Cadillac Brougham were shot, and the only way to lock/unlock it was with the key, but it locked and did not unlock my driver's door. I was supposed to use vacation time from last year to find parts at a junkyard (no luck online), but that didn't happen when I was hospitalized for colon cancer surgery and used my remaining sick and vacation time, and I just didn't have the energy to deal with it when the door got locked so I bought a truck, '14 GMC Sierra with 26.8k on the clock, figuring I'd buy a bass boat someday, but that'll basically never happen now due to my health insurance refusing to ever cover a colonoscopy for me because I have Lynch Syndrome (genetic colon cancer for men) but I didn't, they would cover one every year at least after 50 in full. Then work... they decided to set a completely arbitrary deadline for a large project at the end of July. We were only told this in June, and we technically got it done and management looked at me as the hero. Good for me, but I was barely able to work a full day, on vacation two weeks that month (which they almost asked me not to take but were unwilling to reimburse me for the campsites I rented of course and I told someone if it comes to that, consider those two weeks of vacation my two week notice so they didn't). Meanwhile the other senior on my team and also fishing buddy was working 8am-12am 7 days a week to get it out, so it upset me that management was thanking me instead of him -- I told them that too. Sure, I put in what extra hours I realistically could, but that wasn't a lot. Things have calmed down a bit since, but I don't trust management to not pull the same thing again, the way they see it, it worked for them once... also my short term disability which pays me in full when I am getting chemo treatments is about to expire, and I just can't afford to take a pay cut so after this weekend, I will have to work on some weekends to make up time. And from what happened between my mom and girlfriend in the hospital, I don't think those two will ever speak again. Now my mom's telling my sister that my girlfriend physically assaulted her (which she denies). I asked my dad and he didn't want to get into it but he did say as much as "not exactly". So when it rains, it pours I guess, so I haven't really been around much lately, but yes I am alive.