gilkeybr

I would put it around 7-8ft on the 10lb FC line that I fish them with. Its a couple feet deeper than the standard 110. For a "deep diver" I like that it still maintains much of the action of the original. Just gets a little bit deeper. Its my go-to jerkbait in most conditions.

My grandpa is doing some "spring cleaning" and offered up his fishing equipment. I didn't expect to find anything of much use, but did find things that were pretty interesting (maybe not so interesting to people more experienced than myself). I thought I would share: The first is a Shimano Bantam Mag Plus XHS. This was the most modern of his equipment to put into context what we're working with. It was paired up with a 5'6" Medium action pistol grip Bantam rod. I thought this matching combo was pretty cool. He had it spooled with what seemed like 4-6lb mono. I respooled it with some fresh line and look forward to taking it out to try to catch some fish! Should make for a fun popper rod. Comparing this Bantam XHS to my Bantam MGL XG is very interesting. Reels sure have progressed a long way The last picture is of his first fishing pole. There is no evidence of a brand or anything on it. He said he found it in a parking lot in 1948, so not sure of the exact age. Its a square (or octagonal) section steel rod! This is where I am green behind the ears as it never occured to me that fishing poles were made out of steel! The rod is about 4' or maybe 4'6" and feels like an absolute boat anchor. The weight belies its power/action as it would best be described as a ML/Extra-Moderate action. The reel on it also is unbranded. It has no anti-reverse and no spool release. I think any cast of 10 yards with this setup would be considered herculean! Maybe this will give some people a trip down memory lane.

You can get a JDM Poison Adrena 6'10" M/F. I assume the action is very similar to the Expride 610. I love it for jerkbaits and poppers. One of my favorite rods to fish.

7 would be my go to. Can even crank with one, as long as you're not fishing super deep divers. But still would pick up plenty of line for frogs and jigs

As many say I look more for value than for outright price. But this in practice puts my limit around 350-400 at the absolute max. It'd be hard to sell a block of gold for that much, none the less a used fishing pole! But if I can find a used Conquest for $450? Why not...

I got the original Riser, I believe its the 007 size. My first observation is that its very small and not at all buoyant. It would be considered a "fast sink" for sure. Second observation is you have to reel it very quickly to keep it on the surface, which would be the idea. If you found a school of EXTREMELY fired up fish, I could see this getting bit. But in your 99% of your fishing applications, I would have no confidence in it. The 009, being a bit bigger, maybe could be worked a bit slower? I have never tried it though and don't plan on buying one. Would much rather use a walking bait

If its possible to get back and the situation is right, i'll swim for anything. I've swam down 8ft to get a Ned rig. But if the water/air is too cold and I don't have a bathing suit...i'll break off just about anything. All situation specific. But I always keep a pair of swim goggles in the boat just in case the mood strikes.

Yeah honestly i'm not sure its intended to be a hook keeper. But it works as one in a pinch

The Antares 70 has a feeling of quality that is a step above all the other shimanos i've owned. The USDM price is hard to stomach, but if you get a JDM version i'd say its worth the small added cost.

That is some seriously impressive damage! I had 1/2 dozen Vision 110s split down the seam once. Learned my lesson and never store tackle out in the sun anymore.

The Poison Adrenas have a hook slot integrated into the reel seat (not a great one, but a serviceable one). Do the Glorious rods not use the same seat?

Gosh danged perfect

20lb braid on the MD? How many yards of line did you put on? Like 300? Sweet reel anyway!

The select pine is definitely better than the common stuff. I think part of the problem was I used a 1x12 and 1x8 for mine. Hard to find any boards that wide that didn't have any cupping. Or maybe your big box store just carries nicer wood!

The poplar is generally much nicer to work with. Almost impossible to find an unwarped piece of pine in the whole stack. My first iteration I got a 4x8 sheet of plywood and ripped it down to the widths I wanted. Much straighter wood that way, if you don't mind the exposed end grain (or you could get some veneer if you were really anal). When the second one ends up too small again, the third version i'll go back to plywood!