LionHeart

Got to agree. Excellent rods.

Dallas TX area, I'd give you some time on a Sat afternoon no problem. Where you from?

It's just hard work man. You will get frustrated for sure. Anyone you know that could help couch you a bit. Even a random dude at the boat launch would likely be eager to give a half hour or so to offer pointers. YouTube is an outstanding resource but can only take you so far. Having an experienced person at your disposal would be invaluable.

'That much' can be relative. If I caught 20 bass in a day, it'd be my best day by about 10 bass. Don't know if I could handle it.

You hunt with a fishing rod? Just let it dry, it's be fine.

If memory serves, the 5xd weighs 5/8 oz. Most medium rods can handle that just fine.

Cool. Wasn't sure how much was glass or graphite, just knew they were both. Feel more like a graphite rod to me (In a good way though)

Medium no doubt. In my opinion those rods run a tad stout. They are also not glass, but a composite unless something changed. Good rods for the money though. I'd definitely buy another one.

3/16-11/2? Don't see that too often. Based purely on advertised lure rating Id go with the pitching rod. You could finesse and punch with it lol.

Were you quoting your friend? Or his son? If his son said this, make the little punk buy his own next time. If your friend said this, why did he buy it? In truth, that's a very serviceable setup, especially for free.

How long of a handle is too long? Most of my rod handles are 10-11 inches measured from the back of the reel seat. They seem about right to me and I'm a pretty average size dude.

Gonna have to disagree. Added stuff to my cart.... no joy

We seemed to have skipped fall and gone to winter and monsoon season in Northern Texas

May be worth a shot. Any wiggle room if the product you want is listed as an exclusion?

Everything I want is on the excluded list.

IMO that Veritas is too stout for a good spinner bait rod (heavy cover or no heavy cover). I have no experience with the Ike rod whatsoever, so Can't be much help there.

Started in June and you caught a hog like that? Happy for you but jealous at the same time. Congrats dude!

What a beast. Get a weight?

Falcon Bucoo SR Trapcaster. My next rod purchase. Keep waiting to find one on sale but that doesn't seem to happen

Left is the original, right is the 'Palmer version. I had an original for a season. I've got no complaints about it at all. For a good price, I'd buy another one. Only reason I sold it was because it was the 9 foot model. It was great for throwing 10XD's (which is why I bought it), then I realized I hate throwing 10XD's. Haven't used the Palmer model but I'm not sure it'd be my thing. I like to keep a pinky behind the trigger.

Nothing I enjoy more than reading (better yet watching) a thorough, objective review. I find it interesting to see what the reviewer likes or dislikes and why. A YouTube channel I love watching is "KeepingitReelFishing." This guy gives some of the most honest and complete video reviews I've ever seen. I get what you're saying though, about getting so many conflicting reviews on a product. Try reading reviews about a dang washing machine. It'll make you afraid to buy any of them.

I enjoy fishing from the bank because of the simplicity of it. Not having to worry about boat control sure can be nice. I typically only take one rod and resign to one type of tackle (usually plastics), so I can cram everything I need in a few pockets. I almost invariably end up wading so there is always a pair of wet boots on my porch. Funny enough, I tend to catch more fish this way than from my boat, if one could call it that.

Ive only owned a few spinning reels but my favorite has been a Shimano Sedona. Ive owned it for over a decade with absolutely no problems. Not proud to say this, but I haven't serviced it once, and still silky smooth.

I had Alex make a few changes to a Zolo Dragger. Had it out a few times and it is obviously a high quality rod. I have been using it for jigs and Texas Rigs and think it fills that role nicely. Still on the fence as to how sensitive it is compared to my OG Diawa Tatula. As far as customer service; Ive never had better. Alex, who is the owner loves what he does and it shows. I'd say I called ALX a total of 5 times and email 10 times regarding slight mods to one of their stock rods. Alex was sincere and patient to put it mildly. I am seriously thinking about getting a custom Deputy next.