Tizi

Nice fish! Congrats!

I have both the Fuego and SLX reels, both are very good. If you need a Rod too, get the combo deal, that makes the reel $70. Otherwise the reel is around $100 and at that point I would get the Fuego at $75 or so if you shop.

I have several XTs too, very good for the money. I have the ML and MH cranking rods, flipping stick, and M spinning. Very happy with them. The split grips are nice for certain applications.

It will work for frogging for sure. It does have nice backbone and tip. It should walk a frog easily.

If your priority is frogging, I would get the 7'4". I use it for punching too. It really is a nice frog rod. They are very similar. The 7'4" gives you more leverage. Both are pretty darn sensitive. The 7'1" is one of my favorite all around rods along with the 6'10" MH.

Manually closing the bail is something I have always done, not even thinking about it. It's pretty seamless.

I have both rods, the 7'1" is one of my favorites in the line up (it is paired with a Tatula CT Type R). I use it for all kinds of stuff, even smaller glide baits (S-waver 120). I have only used the 7'4" for frogging and it excels at that job. It could do jigs, t-rigs, etc, but I like the 7'1" for those techniques more.

I love mine too. Tube came in perfect condition from Tackletrap.

I use rod wraps to bind say 3 rods together. I then use a spinning rod sock to cover the 3 rods. I also attach reel covers.

None of my Daiwas sound like that. I do not have a Tatula CT however. I have a CT Type R, but again, doesn't sound like that upon retrieve. Maybe I got lucky on all of my Daiwas?

Yep. I also have a 60th Anniversary 100.

I have 3 100s, 1 150, and 1 200, 2 SVs, 1 Lexa 300, 1 Coastal SV, and 5 Fuego CTs all work fantastic and have had zero issues. Daiwa reels are good bang for the buck in my opinion.

$450 million for 10.

I use spinning to skip mostly: 7’ M/F Tatula XT with Fuego LT 3000, 8 lb Sufix Siege. I have been practicing quit a bit with a dedicated baitcaster: 6’10” MH/F Tatula with Tatula SV TW and 10 lb Invisx. Need to keep practicing.

No question, spinning is a fun way to catch bass, due to lighter tackle. I caught a 2.5 the other day, using a M/F Tatula XT with Fuego LT 3000, 8 lb Sufix Siege - skipping whacky rigged senkos. It was a longer, fun fight, more so than if I had caught that same fish on baitcaster.

I agree, these are fantastic. I caught 2.5 lber on 3/8 haze last weekend. Had several followers. I slow roll and bounce them on bottom.

I’ve been tearing em up via Whacky Rigged Senko: Green/White Laminate. I use a non-weedless VMC Necko 1/0 hook. I got bit 4 times Friday, caught 4 (all keepers with biggest being 2.5 lbs). Skipping docks. The farther under the dock the skip, the better.

Excellent crankbait. I have caught many fish on them. I like the phantom brown and green. Similar action to the 6th Sense Curve 55.

I am not sure about the sportsman, but the Topwater does. I have the standard landing gear. I have not installed it as of yet. ACK recommended the Standard Boonedox Landing Gear.

The monkey made me do it. I cannot lie.

I am very happy with the larger Rapala model.

One is glass the other is not.

Favorite Shallow Crankbaits: 6th Sense Movement L7, Crush 75x, Mann's Baby 1-, Rapala BX Brat

I am 5'8" 150 and I have and highly recommend the Old Town Topwater PDL 106.

My home lake is super clear, they eat that Cut-R ned up in moon juice.