5by3

I prefer the older version

Trigger. I have large hands and it just felt awkward for me. Ended up selling the rod. Fantastic blank though.

Looking for suggestions for hook size/weight for owner flashy swimmer on a Scottsboro tackle 5” swimbait. Will be fishing mostly around scattered grass in 5-12 fow. Thanks in advance!

I’ve had the stock jackhammer snaps come unbuttoned while fishing but they weren’t badly bent. Didn’t notice until I casted and sent my bait halfway across the lake and reeled in to find the snap still tied to my line.

That’s kind of what I figured! I tried the aftco hydronaut bibs today... incredibly built bibs but about 4” short on me.

I’m 6’5 and have a hard time finding good rain bibs that don’t look like women’s capris on me. Seems like most bibs are 32” inseam, but I need more like 34-36”. I normally wear a large tall or XL tall for most of my clothes. Looking for suggestions on brands that offer extra length. Thanks in advance.

Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone fished the expride 6’10 ML spinning vs the 7’0 L+ ? Was curious how they stack up in terms of the backbone.

I have a mix of alx zolo/enox and exprides. I can say that the exprides are more sensitive than both models of alx in my hands, although the enox and expride are close. The exprides have more of your traditional “fast” taper whereas the alx rods are on the slower side of fast (like a loomis mag bass taper). I mostly use the zolos for moving baits now. Still keep a few enox for pitching and swim jigs. The guides are different on each brand. Alx uses mid-micro guides and the expride uses traditional size guides. I fish a lot in near freezing temps and the larger guides play more nicely with ice, but the alx guides worked OK. I haven’t had to deal with shimano’s customer service yet, but I’m willing to bet ALX is much more personable and a better overall experience. I wish the expride was made in the U.S., but it is what it is. I use to think the alx rods were the best bang for the buck, but the exprides are quickly changing my mind.

I own the 7’2 MH and just bought the 7’2 H a few weeks ago. I haven’t fished the 7’2 H yet, but ive caught quite a few on the MH. I like 1/4-3/8 oz jigs on the medium heavy rod. I actually fished a 1/2 oz football jig on it the other day in a pinch and it felt good too. I don’t think you’ll regret either rod... very hard to beat for the money.

Used it on red label for years with no issues.

Recently got into some really nice crappies after dark at a local lake. All fish came when it was pitch black out on a crappie tube about 2 ft under a bobber. The only problem is that I was having trouble seeing my bobber while standing on the dock... any suggestions for light up bobbers/floats so that I can see my bait?

After owning the 705cb glass and 736 cb glass rods in the champion line up, I’d say go for the 736 cb glass. The 705 rod was too soft for ripping the bait out of grass where I fish. If you don’t have a lot of grass in your lakes, the 705 would be fine but if you have a lot then get the 736. I mostly fish 3/8 oz jackhammers + zako trailer. These are both composite rods, which makes them a handle a bit differently than your typical graphite rod. They are a bit heavier, but not annoyingly so.

Looking to pick up a few wiggle warts to try this spring. What are some popular colors and where are you throwing them? I know the original baits are expensive... but are the new ones any good?

7’ M spinning 7’ M casting 7’ MH casting 7-7’6 H casting 2500 reel on the spinning rod and 6.3:1 reels on the casting rods. This would cover about any technique you want to throw. The lengths can be adjusted based on your preferences.

I’ve had some really good days on the rapala x-rap prop. Seem to have my best luck on it from the bass spawn through the bluegill spawn, which happens from about mid-April to may/June where I live.

This is my exact set up. Don’t have much time on it yet because of the ice, but it feels great in hand. Also used to fish the dobyns 736 cb glass rod and really liked the way that rod loaded up.

Expride 7’ medium. Hard to find in stock but wonderful rod. Haven’t fished the Zodias, but I’d imagine it’s similar for a little bit less $

It really depends on the rod itself. No two “medium heavies” are exactly alike. I’d say that while 1/2 oz technically falls within your rod’s range, the drag of the spinnerbait or chatterbait may overpower it. You also have to factor in the trailer too, like on your chatterbait. The best thing to do is to try it and see how it feels.

I just bought a few exprides last fall. Only have limited time with them, but was very impressed to see it holds its own against more expensive rods like the glx. Great value for its price tag. If you go with the GLX, make sure you hold one in the store before you buy. The reel seat on the GLX feels different than the nrx or conquest. Some like it and some don’t.

Really depends on the weights you’re using. I throw a lot of 3/16 and 1/4 oz on a 6’10 ML spinning rod. It’s the same rod I use for drop shot. If I’m throwing 3/8 oz or more, I switch to a 7’ M or MH casting rod.

They feel great in my hands, but it will be a long time before the lakes thaw and I can try them out!

7’2 mh glass, 7’2 mh, and 6’10 M

Bait monkey got me for a few shimano exprides recently. Always been on my bucket list to try because of all the great reviews.

6” bull shad

In the wise words of Gerald swindle, we’re bass fishing not drag racing. Sounds like you already answers your own question in your original post ?.