r83srock

Haha, got my dad a 3x huk, he loves it. He says his middle section is earned. I’ve yet to buy any nice ones for me. I’ve never taken the sun seriously at all, but since developing more sun spots I wear these shirts more often. Got some house brand ones from Gander before the rebranded, for $5, and a tackle warehouse one(Hanes) for $20. I wear em all the time now.

My best days are when I have just one rod out and in hand. I tournament fish, not super competitive stuff, just local opens and club level stuff. When I practice I bring a ton of stuff, usually my normal array of tackle up by me, and spare stuff in the back in case I want to try something. Im less tempted to just tie it on, but it’s in the boat if I feel the need. Come tournament day I narrow everything way down, 6 rods in the boat tops, with my 3600 size tackle bag. It’s not a whole lot different if I’m in someone else’s boat, or just fun fishing. For me, less is more. One thing is for sure, I will always have some form of a jig on, usually a flipping jig as it’s pretty versatile and I can fish it different ways. I will also always have a Texas rig tied on. It’s so versatile for me, especially with an 1/8th oz bullet weight. I can go from a creature, to a worm, to a swim bait in no time. Other baits could include spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, frogs, cranks, jerks, swim jigs. It really could be a lot in one day, but if I have any clue what’s going on I try to keep it around 5-6...but preferably 1.

I don’t disagree with you on the legend tournaments, some of those models are terrible tip heavy. I actually like my 2nd gen mojos more that many of the legend tournaments Ive handled. I’m in St. Croix country, so natural I’m only going to recommend tools that I use. I’d love to handle some of those Tatula rods locally, everyone on here raves about em, but unfortunately I have no place locally that handles them.

I fish dingers and stick-os and I feel they are basically the same. Durability is good and they both catch plenty of fish. I feel the Gander brand may be rebranded yums and a good value too. I’m still using wave worms and senkos purchased years ago in insane quantities(think dooms day preparation) and use those on derby days. Those both are for sure softer and less durable, with wave worms being the softest, but they catch em when the others won’t.

A shorter rod can help with walking any bait including a frog. I find I can get in a rhythm better. I use a 6’6”mh mojo for any walking bait, I don’t walk a frog in real heavy cover though. I throw a frog often on my 7’1”mh bass x, and if it’s real heavy cover I throw it on my 7’4” H mojo. All rods mentioned are available in the St. Croix BassX lineup at $100.

A frog of some variety, a pop-r, and a buzzbait

Yeah, I totally agree. Spring is easy pickings and fall is flat out fun. August into September does limit how you can fish for them.

As you may have seen with the latest MLF, Green Lake is high on the list for big smallies, and would be something to consider if the weather is iffy. It’s a bit of a drive from sturgeon bay, about 45 min south west of Oshkosh. When Angler’s Choice has their tournaments there, it can take 25 pounds to win a 5 fish event.

I had friends that fished Crucials, loved the feel of them. The new Curado rods seem very nice too, I would consider that model.

I’m in the used jig camp, love the 1/4 oz bitsy flip as well.

Same!

I’d get a Curado, or any Shimano over $100. I have Shimanos outperform every brand I’ve ever owned, by a long shot. I don’t think you will tax a 70. I have caught 1000s of bass on my 100b, it’s 17 years young this year and can outcast just about any reel I’ve used.

I throw a 1/8oz bitsy bug on a st. Croix avid 6’9” ml casting rod, Curado 100b and 30lb power pro. Works for me.

The jig n baits Mojo has a softer tip and is lighter in hand than the Bass X equivalent. I actually prefer the Bass X, I like the handle on it better too. I own both. I think the mojo version is a great swim jig rod. Both are quite sensitive.

The Avid is St. Croix’s IMX. It’s the benchmark in their lineup. The Alconite guides and guide spacing, the Ecs seat, and sc3 blank are proven. The finish has changed over the years, croix used to not gloss the blank, which I preferred. I have owned many, one is 17 years old, and I bought used when it was 10, never broke one. The X is just the split grip, snazzed up version. I have used the X with braid and it fished well. Not sure on the 7’, but I have a 6’9” ml casting that I use for drop shotting and it’s probably the most versatile finesse rod I’ve used.

That boy carries a certain confidence, rightfully so with a tank like that!

I don’t know Sturgeon Bay super well, but I’ve been out there a few times. I’ve been on Mille Lacs once, in spring, and it was very good. Sturgeon Bay is known for the spring bite, but it can be good year round. Throughout the year I have caught them in 15’ or less, but August into September can be funky. The fall bite really turns on in October, and some guys fish out there till early December. An east wind makes the sturgeon bay side of the “bay” tolerable, a west wind of 10-15 will produce 4’ers. It’s a tremendous fishery, but it takes time to learn. I’d say if it were spring, then it would be on a short list of places to fish, it’s a free for all. The rest of the year not so much. One other place that comes to mind that will produce Sturgeon Bay fish is lake metonga. It’s in upper central WI. You would have a solid chance at a PB smallie there.

I use Repel Max or Off deep woods. Recently I’ve been trying bull frog and I like it, has 50 spf in it too.

Lightning rod shock and a black max will do the trick.

I agree with this. The mojo he’s describing will have a softer tip than the triumph you have. For 1/2oz jigs is definitely go to a heavy power as well.

If you want to try a mojo the 7’1” mh will work well for the jigs described. It has a soft tip. If you liked to Dobyns though, I’d just up it one power. I’ve heard their customer service is great, I’d call them about eyelet.

Some great responses, and like others have stated it varies a lot. We have big northern pike and muskie, and they will eat the most expensive lure in your box. I throw a lot of the trophy scum frogs as I love the soft body, the beefy owner hooks, and the value. While not as beefy of a hook, I throw the Booyah poppin pad crasher a lot too. I usually save my spro for tournament day. I think spro is the most durable, the kvd is also durable, followed by the Booyah and the scum frog. I have tried some real duds and these are the best performers for me, with the spro and Booyah popping versions being the most versatile. I probably have over 50 bass one one spro.

No, I cannot say I have. I know that model gets a lot of reviews. My bass club gets 25% of st. Croix so that is my first choice. If it helps, or makes things worse rather, my dad owns a Powell Inferno 7’3” Heavy Fast. That rods is a touch lighter than the mojo, but also a bit lighter on power. It’s very nice in its price bracket as well. Rods in the 100-150 range are going to be pretty good regardless of brand.

I think I loads very well, but prefer a bit stiffer rod. Throws a popping spro 50ish yards with 65lb power pro and a Daiwa Fuego CT. I’m sure I could cast further with a full spooled reel. I have thrown 3/8oz jigs and it’s as light as I’d go. It’s perfect for jigs in the 1/2-1oz range. I have fished the Avid X version and the power and action is very similar, with the avid x being a bit better balanced. Throw a full sized reel on it though and it will balance fine. It’s not nearly as stiff as the first gen mojo slop n frog, which was a 7’ heavy. It’s actually pretty parabolic on the hookset, which I like.

I’m in Wisconsin. The biggest baddest Flippin stick in the world won’t get em out some days. That said, I use a heavy most of the time. The important thing is to have a rod that has power to pull the fish from cover, but still stay loaded up when the fish is free from cover. I’d say a heavy fast will do the trick almost anywhere. I’m using a 7’4” H fast St. Croix Mojo and really like it for all heavy applications.