Junger

Just FYI, the braking profile of the SV105 is very different from the SV103. @fishwizzard educated me on that when I first got my first SV105. The SV105 spool is very free, I pretty much keep it set 3/4 of max brake dial (no numbers on it), and the tension 1/4 turn tighter after removing side to side.

PM him on Youtube, he's really approachable and responsive.

Just FYI, the DC form factor is probably not the same as the non-DC version. Side by side, the Curado DC is a bit wider than the Curado K to fit in the DC mechanism.

Yep, the heaviest one I have is a 7/8oz Booyah Toadrunner.

I think as long as you understand the expectations, any day on the water is good. I take my 80 year old dad fishing a lot on my little bass boat, and we didn't grow up with much and primarily bank fished. So his experience as a bank fisherman is vastly different from fishing new waters on a boat. He's pretty stubborn and won't listen to much advice I give him, so while it's frustrating to watch him try to fish pads with a noodle spinning rod, I know he's happy to be out there with me and that's all that matters.

TackleWarehouse has the ICast products up on their page now. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/icastordering.html?from=icast&utm_source=front_page&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=190710_icast_video_coverage&utm_content=new_product

Daiwa BG's are heavier than the other Daiwa LT style counterparts. The BG's are salt water resistant, so they're kind of overkill for fishing a small stick bait...although I was killing it this weekend on white perch using a pink TRD in brackish water. Fuego, Legalis, Exceler...basically any of the Daiwa LT reels in your budget will be more than fine. Step up to the BG if you want some salt resistance, but expect about a 1.5oz heavier reel.

I got a couple hours to fish last night and decided on Widewater, it's usually cleaner than other water after a good rain event but when I got there I was not expecting this. It was basically a debris and duckweed field that went out 10-15 yards all along the bank. I was planning on paddletails, spinners, and maybe some topwater, but that totally changed and I pegged a 1/4oz t-rigged GY Cowboy on and basically used it to punch through the debris. Nothing along the first stretch of bank where the debris was heavy, but past the walking bridge, the debris became more sporadic and I started to target nooks in the rock wall, and isolated debris cover. This 2lber hit the Cowboy almost immediately and took the line sideways. I also lost a smaller one a few yards away while hoisting it up the embankment. Water level is still down, even after all the rain and I'm not sure how all that debris is going to clear out with such low water level since there's not much flow. It's going to take some strong winds and a lot of time I think. I don't think I'm going to hit Widewater again for a while, unfortunately.

I think the SV105 is more palmable than the SV103. The new Alphas CT is probably more compact and palmable, and can be had on eBay from JDM stores for $250ish.

I just watched the BR/Garmin Facebook livestream, the $3,100 MSRP seems like a good deal for all the features you get. Gesture mode...just awesome.

When the SV103/105 went on sale at TW in 2017, I had just gotten into bass fishing and they were out of my budget. Eventually the tackle monkey made his home in my house and I've acquired 2 SV103's (H/XS), as well as 2 SV105's (P/HS).

It'll be interesting to see if there is a niche market for DC reels at $189 MSRP.

To the OP, I had a couple of the ~$50 entry level baitcasting reels (Okuma Stratus, Abu Silver Max) and they were garbage. The Okuma consistently had issues where my line would get caught between the body and spool, and the brakes were finnicky. The Abu had no issues with the the line, but I felt like I had to set the brakes pretty high to get a controlled spool. Both reel bodies would flex under load due to plastic body parts. If you're frogging, I presume you'll be fishing heavy cover (pads, grass), I think you'll want an aluminum reel. My only experience with KastKing reels were their spinning reels (Summer and Mela II) and I was not impressed and sent both those back.

It's KastKing SuperPower 50lb, no backing but enough electrical tape to cover the arbor knot and most of the spool once for some line to dig into. Per KK's specs, it should be .40mm.

20% off at Dick's today, worked on Yeti products.

You can find very good used condition Megabass Orochi XX rods for $200 or less. Also the reviews of the new generation Megabass Levantes are good, MSRP $199. Tatula Elite is $179 with 15% off at Tacklewarehouse. The 7'3 MH/F is a good light cover jig rod. I have the 7' M/MH AGS Tatula Elite and it is an amazing all around rod.

I have a Powell Max3D 714 spinning rod, and it's very sensitive for the price point. I've never had a Dobyns, but from what I can gather about them, they're a little more moderate than other brand's flexes, and very well balanced rods.

So sounds like you just want a shorter tip for your topwater rod, what lure range are you looking for? What did you hate about the Duckett rod?

Well now you're definitely the conductor of the crazy train!

ITT: People's unsolicited opinions about how to take care of other people's gear.

I just picked up the 7'4 Ish Monroe Tatula Elite AGS frog rod, it's lightweight. I only wish it was 1-2" shorter.

Lew's has a bunch of rods in the 3/16-5/8oz range. There'a also an interesting rod, a 6'9 "Inshore" casting rod rated 1/16 to 3/4oz. https://www.amazon.com/Lews-Fishing-LCPI-MC69-Custom-Casting/dp/B075MY8NRX I have the 6'8 Custom Plus Speed Stick for poppers, rated 1/8-1/2oz, but it can handle a bit more on the upper end since I sometimes throw 3/8oz spinners + trailers on it.

Yeah I think they just tagged on $1 onto war eagle spinners that I had on my wishlist.

Any Megabass news? Waiting for them to come out with a $30 bladed jig so they can take my money!