Bass Rutten

Just an fyi there an illinois thread around here called "where are all the illinois guys", you may want to post there, you'd probably get more responses from local folks

Hate to do this to you but if you have a bass pro nearby they have the US made premier series split grips on sale right now, you can get the 7' medium for $128, smokin' deal https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/st-croix-premier-split-grip-spinning-rod

I’d choose the medium power for the senkos and jigs with standard hooks, but with fine wire hooks you should be ok, just make sure any jigs have an easily collapsible weed guard, thin out if needed. With the senko use owner twistlock light hooks and you should be able to get all that done with the medium light rod as st croixs typically run a bit heavier, especially if using braided line.

Put a tiny split shot above the front baits swivel and they’ll cast more like one unit and stay closer together

I think split shot would be fine, a mojo weight allow you to quickly experiment with placement.

Only way to find out is to try it, I’ve never used it that way but I have a feeling it wouldn’t be the same and would lose the glide and be less erratic. You’d probably be better off putting weight in front of the leaders above the swivel if you’re trying to get it deeper.

Not exactly the same rod but I own an older green series 6’8” heavy/fast gloomis nrx which is really more like a mh or mh+ compared to other brands and contrary to the trend of fishing jigs on longer 7’+ rods I prefer the shorter length for jig fishing especially when targeting cover such as fishing around piers and docks, skipping and pitching accuracy is worth the trade off to me, I have a curado 71 on it and its like a feather in the hand. Also like to use that setup for soft jerks either mojo rigged or with a weighted hook.

If you leaders are breaking off near the lure then it isn’t your knots or guides, it seems to me like your hookset is the culprit. If I was you I would simplify and go to a 15-20lb mono or copolymer line and use a hard but smooth sweeping hookset.

1. Where are you breaking off exactly, the leader knot or along the leader somewhere? 2. What kind of leader to mainline knot are you using? 3. What kind of hookset? Up? To the side? Snapping? Sweeping? If you're breaking the leader off clean at the knot the try the crazy alberto, it's as good as it gets. If you're not feeling the line or rod load up you shouldn't be setting the hook, when you feel the bite keep reeling and only when you feel the weight of the fish should you slam the hook home otherwise you're shocking the leader/knots due to slack line. You didn't mention your hookset but think hard sweep to the side like in carolina rigging rather than a snapping or upwards hookset.

That line is probably going to be around 12 pound diameter, you should get you a solid 220 yards onto it according to that chart, I wouldn’t worry about it, I’d actually put mono filler first then top it off with 150 yards of braid to save cost. With the tatula being as light as they are I wouldn’t rule out the 4000 size either.

What size do you use 5/0? That’s a good sized plastic

My current ride, a gen 1 Wavewalk, 10'2" long, very light, about 60 pounds give or take, very stable for standing and maneuverable. A true twin hull kayak, the bench seat down the middle makes for an upright sitting position making it very comfortable for them long days. It's for sale too for anyone interested near Chicago. Going to be hopefully upgrading to a native this next spring.

Lol there’s always somebody. You ain’t getting off that easy sir. Please allow me to paraphrase the question... if your local bass club had an open tournament in which you had to use a single lure all day for a million dollar grand prize, what would it be?

Zman zinkerz, watermelon candy.

Disregard, I misread title as mono, I'm speaking to advance mono below. How to delete comment? I tried the 20 lb for only a month or so last fall on a swimbait rod, very similar to p-line cxx to me, a bit smoother casting, larger than average diameter for it's given test rating, could benefit from line conditioner as it seemed to have slightly higher than average line memory. I liked it enough that I'll leave it on and probably test the 17 lb come springtime on another rod.

Considering a dc this spring... Forgive my ignorance but what kind of casting distance improvement could one expect over say a standard curado or is the only benefit backlash prevention?

If I had a $300 budget for rod and reel I'd spend no less than $200 of it on the rod, the reel is just for line management and is not nearly as important for overall performance as the rod is. You can pick up a daiwa fuego for around $75 off ebay, or a daiwa exceler (a fuego minus magseal) for $50 off ebay, spend the rest on the rod.

I fish from a kayak a lot as well and like a 6’8” heavy, I find I don’t need much “tip” for this presentation and prefer the extra beef to pull fish away from cover while the length or lack thereof makes for very accurate casts and pitches and easy handling around piers, boats, trees, etc. The rod I use is a nrx 804c who’s heavy is kind of in between the average heavy and medium-heavy (got it real cheap), if I was to replace it with lesser quality I’d probably get a st croix mh/f in same length as their rods tend to be slightly stiffer than the average mh.

Toxic Baits wake n crank, $120.00 after shipping. I’d include a pic but I’m busy practicing knots ?

Action: how fast the tip recovers Power: how much pressure it takes to bend the rod Taper: how much (of) the rod flexes under pressure All ratings seem to be arbitrary and relative for any given manufacturer.

For soft baits keitech fat swing impact in the 4.8 or 5.8” rigged on owner beast hooks is very effective and cheaper than the huddelstons (not to mention they’re weedless too), but you’re going want to have him beef his line up to at least 12lb, 14 would be even better as you need a strong hookset to drive through plastic.

I'll be in so florida at the end of january, any chance the guide you used is near del ray beach or okechobee area? Edit: nevermind found his contact info

Both are very good reels, can't go wrong with either, I've owned both and now own only the tatula. It's just preference, I happened to like the feel of the daiwa better and it's cheaper too, Ive seen them on amazon as low as $130, the 3000 is on there right right now for $144

I just put a full season on mine tossing various baits from 3/4 to around 2oz, it’s been rock solid and an outstanding value imo. The only hitch you may run into is if you use a heavier braid with a leader it might be a tight fit for the knot coming through the line guide. Might tinker with some upgrades for next season just for shins & giggles.