Largies4Life

Do you have the 4.5" or 6" Big Bite Squirrel? If you have the 6" I would say the 4/0 would work well. The 4.5" worm would be a bit small for me to use a 4/0, I would go down a notch and stick with a 3/0 for the 4.5" worm.

Hello all! Just recently moved to the Milwaukee area due to my job and also new to Bass Resource. Love to go bass fishing whether it be smallies or largies. Looking to get out on the Milwaukee reservoirs to help my bass addiction. If anyone else is in the area that may want to meet up and fish or if you have any tips for this area, feel free to message me!

We used stay on the far east end as well. Over the past 8-10 years we've been staying more central/west side of the lake. I'll keep an eye out for your message!

Excellent! I'll try that out this spring! By the way, I saw you fish on Vermilion! I go there every year for at least a week in the summer. My uncle is the president of the lake association up there and my family has been going up there ever since my uncle and my dad were kids. Where do you normally fish on the lake?

Let me re-phrase my last post...I do have a 7'2" MH/F for my T-rigs, jigs, swim jigs, etc. My only concern is throwing those topwaters on that rod because of the fluoro I have on it for my T-rigs, jigs, etc. I suppose the line wouldn't be in the water that much if I'm just running buzzbaits and ploppers with my rod tip up...I can ask the Cabela's workers tonight about the Tournament ZX rods when I go to check out the rods, but I can't promise they will have an educated answer!

Great minds think alike, those were my top two to check out!! I don't currently have a 7' MH rod. Would you use only buzzbait and ploppers on that rod or could it be used for other techniques as well? Do you know if they have longer versions of the jerkbait/topwater rods and if that would help at all? Or would the ideal setup be having two topwater rods, one shorter and one longer in the MH range?

Not necessarily a Cabelas rod, but any brand that I can find at a Cabelas like Abu Garcia, St. Croix, G Loomis, etc. I'm open to anything at this point! This is going to be a belated Xmas present for myself but I'd like to stay under $350-$400 if possible.

I decided that I will be going to Cabela's to try out some rods. I just can't get myself to order one online without holding it in person first. Any recommendations on rods/brands through Cabela's?

Yeah I use a M/F spinning rod for smaller poppers and small prop topwaters as well, but would like a MH/M for those larger prop topwaters and buzzbaits like you're saying. What setup do you use for the heavier baits?

I've only heard great things about the Wild River tackle backpacks. I'm in the search for one as well and I'm leaning towards the Wild River by CLC WT3604 Tackle Tek Nomad Lighted Backpack with Four PT3600 Trays on Amazon. The reviews look really good on it too.

For clear water, I would recommend a white/shad style spinnerbait. My favorite colors for a senko are the brighter greens in clear water. I'm talking brighter than a green pumpkin. I fish a lake that's pretty pressured, and I have no problem out-fishing everyone else in the boat with a brighter green senko. As for stained water, black/blue all day. If that isn't working, I even resort back to the bright green senko in grassy areas and then a orange/red senko if I'm fishing for smallies on rocks to imitate the craws in the lakes.

I agree that you can't really put all the topwater lures into a single category. I already have a rod and reel for frogging/heavier jigs. I wanted another rod that will handle mostly buzzbaits, whopper ploppers, and spooks. I realized I can use my poppers with my other gear after reading through these comments which have been super helpful! I think my best bet will be MH/F of some sort. Now time to decide what brand!

What length of rod do you guys prefer for jig fishing? I've heard people say that a longer rod is better for jig fishing so I'm wondering if I should go with a longer rod like 7'6" or stay in the 7'-7'3" range? I am 6'3" if that makes any difference.

I am in the market for a topwater specific rod. I throw a lot of buzzbaits, whopper ploppers (90 mostly, but starting to use the 110 more), and chug bugs (poppers). I don't use the walk the dog style topwater as much, but I am looking to get into that in the near future as well. I realize that there are several different applications being thrown in here, but I was wondering if there is a happy-medium rod that would work for all of these presentations? I did buy a Lew's Team Pro Magnesium Speed Spool ACB Casting Reel 7:5:1 from TW because of the sale and am looking to pair this up with this topwater rod. If there really isn't any way to cover all of those presentations, can you please break it out for me and help me determine if I would need two rods and reels to cover the single hook presentations vs. the treble hook presentations or if I could get away with just one rod and reel for all presentations. Thank you very much!

I noticed that they are all out of stock for most models. If I order it today before the TW sale ends, would the sale still apply do you know?

I am currently in the market for a new casting rod that would handle 3/8 oz jigs as that is what I normally throw along with Texas rigs. I am usually throwing casting jigs, swim jigs, and football jigs. I know these all could be split up and have a specific rod for each category, but from my research, I think I will be looking at the MH/F range. Any thoughts on length? I was thinking either like a 7'2" or a 7'6". I am currently looking at the Shimano Exprides in those two lengths, but was wondering if anyone has experience with the Exprides or have an opinion for a better rod for this application? As a FYI, I'm not sure if this will change any opinions, but I am looking to pair it up with my Shimano Chronarch MGL 7:1:1.