Dangerfield

Looking forward to the 3.5" Largo Shad coming out, the 4" is huge compared to the 3". The 3" pairs nicely with an Owner 3/0 Flashy Swimmer or 1/8oz Guppy heads with the smaller hook. Tried em on the Okashira Screwhead, no results. I picked up a 6' 8" MF Daiwa Tatula Spinning rod to replace a snapped Zodias. Really enjoyed the shorter rod handle from the kayak, but miss the casting distance. I heard rave reviews about silent jerkbaits, picked up a MAT SHAD Vision 110, should be a producer in clear and stained water. Grabbed a nice shad patterned (Kohoku Reaction) S-Crank 1.2 for rocking docks and some 3" Spark Shads because why not and mend-it does wonders to them.

I'm enjoying it, every 2.5lb-3lb bass feels like a new PB! It's a good drop shot rod, I've had success using the screwhead/spark shad combo which probably means it'll be good for light reaction baits too.

Thank you for the feedback, I'll feel them both out in store but likely will pony up the extra $$ for the Tatula cause I need a finesse rod. Sensitivity is king.

Fuego Fury combo, spinning or casting are both fantastic combos

Have you handled one yet? I'm debating between the new XT or moving up to the Tatula Bass.

I'd buy a million of those. The Tatula XT rods look fantastic, can't wait to pick up a couple. I've made my own by ripping the rattler off an old Strike King Pro Jig, taking the TRD and baiting the hook where I want to insert the rattle. Back the hook out, ram that rattle inside your TRD and go. Grab the TRD like a kid by it's collar and pull over the rattle as you push it in.

The redesigned Tatula XT rods look very promising and $10 cheaper over the previous generation. The design elements were definitely lent from the Fuego, which is a steal at $79.

Stopped into a decent JDM shop earlier today looking for Sleeper Gills, walked out with 2 Sonicside GP Pro Perch and PM Ghost Shiner for cold water and a pack of dropshot baits in Goby Bryant. By far my most productive finesse pattern for ned, wacky and now dropshot.

Geecrack Gills are awesome, caught a fat smallmouth using it as a trailer on a swimjig. Great action, I've had success on the swinginghead too. My journey to hoard/collect all thing's GG Perch, I present: Vision OneTen+1 Jr, FlapSlap & X-Wave. Apparently there's a distinct retrieve for the FlapSlap, I spent the afternoon with it, and still haven't figured it out.

My only issue was the weight and it being double what my rod is rated for. The 125 is easier to manage.

Swapped that monster Evergreen SB150 for the 125, still bigger than I'd like but was curious to see how the clear pattern would do and I caught 2 on Saturday. The Giant Dog-X (GG Perch) on the other hand, put on a clinic caught me 12 smallies from 2.5-4.5lbs in 2 hours. I fished it before without any luck, so I added a #2 Owner Tear Drop Split Ring to it and that seemed to awaken the bait.

I crush smallmouth on the Giant Dog-X, caught 12 yesterday from the kayak but I'll tell you what it doesn't fish like a traditional walking pencil. If you get one try the jerkbait method and from what I learned using it all day yesterday - they crushed it on the pause or right after the first twitch. I've had success on the Duo Realis Pencil 100 and Evergreen SB125. I've got the Diamante Dog-X and River2Sea Rover to try out.

Hit up BPS and a local ma n pa shop with bass opener on Saturday. I walked away with a with a bag of Z-man mini max compact chatterbaits, a 75 Bone Whopper Plopper. Megabass i-Jack Crystal Shad, Evergreen SB 150 Bone - definitely grabbed the wrong size, some Berkley weighted wacky hooks, a Spro Flapping Frog and a Daiwa Fuego 6' 9" MR Casting rod for topwater duty. I bought the Feugo after much deliberation, I was considering a St Croix Bass X 6' 8" MXF, current and last gen and Shimano SLX 6' 10" MF. The Fuego was as light as the others, with Titanium guides, a shorter handle and ~$40 cheaper. I took the Tatula 100 off my spinnerbait rod - 7.3.1 gear ratio was a bit too fast, seemed like a good excuse to pair it up with a Fuego CT 6.3.1. Still waiting for that one to arrive in the mail.

I'm eyeing that for topwater/jerkbait duty, but I think I might cheap out. I like the borrowed style from the Zodias line.

From a dollars perspective, I think the Curado would be a fair comparison. The Zodias is $75-100 more depending on on model.

Lew's TP-1 Black 6' 10 MHMF Spinnerbait rod is one I would consider. I've got the custom lite and it's a treat to fish, very light, awesome grips and can take a beating. I take care of my gear but I can be hard on it too in the kayak.

I was surprised by the backbone on the 6'10 MLXF, but it's no medium. I echo the soft tip comments, and double down on what Francho said - it's light.

I was hoping my 6' 10" MHF Lew's custom lite spinnerbait rod could dual duty for topwater but no matter how slow or fast I worked it, I could not get a diamante dog-x to walk. Wondering if I need something with moderate or mod-fast action to over come the use of braid.

I really liked the feel of the 6' 8" MXF SC Bass X (new model) casting rod, I checked it out for topwater purposes but I think it would be better served fishing t-rig soft plastics and small swimbaits upto medium gauge jigheads. I walked out of Cabela's with a SC Victory 6'10" MLXF spinning rod for drop shots and ned rigs, worked really well with a 3" sparkshad on okashira prop head.

I want one for a texas-rig rod.

maybe my wording is off. I meant any kayak, not Hobie as they alllow it. I would confirm the warranty before purchasing a scupper cart.

I'm a few years shy of 40 and I SUV-top my 95lb WS Recon 120 on a Nissan Rogue with roof rails and no crossbars. I use x2 foam blocks and x2 NRS 12' cam straps to secure, and if I'm going on the highway, I'll tie down the hull to my hood. It's a process and once you get it down pat, it's easy peasy. I reckon you look up Chad Hoover, he did a video with his wife suv-topping a Bonafide SS127 on a Nissan Murano. If she can do it, you can too. If you're running solo missions, I strongly advise you invest in some kind of portage cart/kayak cart. I think the FeelFree Lure V2 has a wheel built-in for dragging - pretty cool. There's some carts that use the scuppers rather than bunks, I would thoroughly review your warranty before engaging in one. I think Hobie does allow them, but I would confirm before purchase. The Hobie Lynx is on my radar for my next pedal-drive kayak ~45-50lbs without the seat and drive is impressive and you could probably get your wife out on one as a SUP.

Is that the Zillion with the click drag?