MrFrost

I have cork, Wynn, and EVA. My personal opinion is cork, split grips. I'm too OCD though, so when I pick out a new rod, I try to pick out a reel with matching handle material. Except on the EVA rod I have, it was my first bait casting combo, and with the trouble/pain I have in my hands, I notice more discomfort when using that rod. So I haven't given much thought to any rods with EVA handles since that discovery.

I have the Trion, and I would absolutely recommend it. The reel is in your budget, but for another $20 you could get the reel/rod combo at Cabela's. If it is at all possible to stretch that budget a little, the Summit XT in Cabela's online Bargain Cave... pFlueger Summit XT - $49.97 Or the President... pFlueger President - $49.99-59.99

I recommend you try this forum...there are a LOT of guys local to your area. The Hull Truth

I think what he meant to say is, "they barely get any discounts on anything anymore EXCEPT Cabela's/BPS brand."

I like 3 and 4 personally, but I'm a little biased towards Fenwick, as they're one of my preferred Rod brands. Aside from brand preference, the only real comparative reason for me choosing the Fenwick's is I prefer a M/F or MH/F setup. Again, just my personal preference.

I have a couple and really like them. 7'3'' H/F and 7'1'' M/F.

For the first time ever, I participated in this Black Friday, but not like most people. Walmart had some things the wife and I wanted, but NONE of it was a must. So we definitely did not want to partake in the hyped up frenzy of that initial rush crowd, lol. Sales started at 6pm on Thanksgiving, we got to Walmart at 10pm, lol. Everything was picked through, and a mess, yet we managed to get every thing on our "want" list with the exception of a $8 step stool. Got my 28'' Blackstone Propane Griddle Cooktop, and wireless bluetooth earbuds and the wife got her bedding sets, sheet sets, and towels, lol. No crowds. No lines. No hassle. Also, I did grab a fillet table from Cabela's, a "deluxe" BassPro model, after cleaning and filleting fish for the first time ever on a cutting board on my tailgate, the table was a must. And a pFlueger Summit XT. Both of which were apart of their 5 or 6 day sale.

Couldn't agree more!

Looks like it was November 2-11th...

Since the yellow perch have made their way into the Chicago harbors and Navy Pier, I'll be heading there Saturday to try and get some for the first time for me. Had to get some perch bait, lol.

That was the Cabela's model. The BPS model changed that, and let me tell you, the people that put in their time to reach the Summit Level, were not happy, lol.

YouTube is what blossomed my addiction to fishing. I can't deny that finding the Googan Squad's video's when having ZERO fishing knowledge, they managed to teach me a lot of good info. Their videos are not how to videos, they are entertainment, however, they throw tips in there. When you know nothing, their care free seemingly laxisdaisicle approach took the intimidation factor out of fishing for me. Now that I have a knowledge base of my own built, I watch their videos purely for entertainment. They've managed to put themselves in a great position, like them or not. You can hate their "fishing" but you have to respect their business sense, lol.

Is that a knock on LakeForkGuy's cancerous brain tumor removal?

I do not own this rod, but if my budget should ever allow, I would be all over the St. Croix Avid. I have spent a good amount of time getting familiar with St. Croix's rods, and I really like the Avid.

I've met guys that fished for panfish on MH rods, so it really comes down to your feel and preference. I tend to like lighter all around, which is why I went L/F, but if the ML felt good to you, I see no reason to not go with it! I was the same way with the Trion too. Once I picked it up, it just felt right. I have no regrets.

Since the baits/lure's you'll likely be throwing will be smaller, lighter is better in my opinion. I have a Light/Fast setup, it's a Pflueger Trion and I love it. Many people go Ultra Light also. I'd recommend 8lb or less line as well, but 4 or 6lb would be best.

Yes. Reviews like this one are why. Their marketing is on point. This is likely a teenager, who doesn't care what the cost is. YouTuber's are the new "rockstars."

On Sunday, I was casting my current favorite rod/reel combo, and I'm not too sure what happened, what caused it, or why, but on a cast, I had an explosion of line. Hand lined my texas rig back onto the bank, cut it off, and cut out the big ball of wasted line. Retied. Same. Stinking. Thing. Only difference, when I casted, I hear d very distinct and loud grinding noise from the reel. Hand lined my texas rig in once again, only this time it wasn't far, lol. Cut it off, threw it in my bag, cut off all the line, and threw it all in my bag and went home.

I favored baitcasters when learning, but not favor spinning, for most of my fishing. I have three baitcasting setups, and don't think I'd change those technique specific setups, becasue for me, they just work best. Frogginh/flipping, top water, and heavy swimbaits. For finesse, and crankbaits, I much prefer spinning now. I just upgraded my spining/finesse setup, to a Fenwick HMX 7' M/F paired with a Cabela's branded Daiwa reel. I've only thrown a few casts, but so far, love the feel and response from this Fenwick. Most sensitive rod I've owned yet, but take that lightly, I've only been fishing since June so I aven't had many other rods to compare it against, but I have spend a lot of time in Cabela's, lol.

Thank you! This is MUCH appreciated!!!

Welcome. I'm about a hundred miles south, in IL, but my Wife's family has a house just north of Portage, in Oxford on Jordan Lake, so we're passing through Madison all summer long.

Actually, the i90 overpass. I was told that in November and December the crappie are hitting there like crazy. On Sunday I watched a guy catch a bunch. By the time I switched to a jig like he was using, the bite was gone for him too.

I have the SG100, in Yellow Perch and think the action is absolutely amazing. I don't throw it nearly as much as I should.

After Black Friday, Christmas, and the hunting season, I am willing to bet if you go back in late January or early February, you will see even more BPS branded items. The one positive to that, is you will begin to see a lot of the name brand items that have been either BPS exclusive, or colorways that Cabela's never carried, in your Cabela's store.