Michigander

It was defective and Abu Garcia eventually covered it under warranty, eventually. He made a short 20ish foot cast and the rod snapped a few inches above the reel seat. I'm not sure how much force it would take to break a rod but I feel like the reel's drag would kick in or guides would start getting ripped off before the blank would snap if there wasn't prior damage or defects. That's just a feeling though.

Oh ok, then you know what you're in for. For less than $100 the best airbrushes, in my opinion, are either going to be a Badger Patriot 105 or an Iwata Eclipse HP-CS (if you use the Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon). I have had both in faithful service multiple times a week for several years. The Eclipse is slightly superior but takes more maintenance.

My buddy broke his new heavy Vendetta rod casting a frog, I don't think rod power protects anything if there's damage to the blank unfortunately.

My tracking number says delivered today, but no loot thread post yet...

There's plenty of good airbrushes out there that don't cost a mint, but as far as best.... ? I tend not to steer new painters into the cheapest option. It just causes frustration if you don't already know what you are doing. The Master G2 series airbrushes are fine from Amazon but I don't recommend them for new painters.

The most expensive one you can afford. What's your budget and what kind of paint are you going to shoot? (Enamel, acrylic, ink, etc.)

Night fishing is the only time I can get bit on these, and even that's rare.

My very first actual pitch was with one and I caught a bass. Nothing since then and they have been abandoned for better producing baits.

Fair enough!

Pit Boss is low action. I like some flap and wiggle on my swim bait trailers

That swim jig in the lower right looks delicious.

When Whopper Ploppers first came out, it seemed like cheating. But the last couple years I can't buy a keeper bite on one. It makes me feel like every single bass over 12" has been caught by one and they all vowed to never again bite one.

Do they catch grass? Because that's all I ever catch when a treble hook gets even close to the lake bottom. ?

I'll stand with my Michigan folks and join the no luck on a jigging spoon club.

I also don't remember ever catching a bass on one of those. Haven't thrown one since I was little though...

Ned Rig, deep diving crank bait, and Carolina Rig.

I've got the 7'10" XH Browser because they were basically giving them away on TW two Black Fridays ago. Figured it would be a cheapie rod to let me know if I liked that length. I haven't replaced it because it's actually kind of excellent. It's very powerful and it has enough sensitivity to notice subtle bites. I think the H version will probably be much the same.

I've been getting by fine with a 6' heavy in the kayak. Just built a 6'6" H to replace it. Now I won't be jabbing myself in the stomach as much because I made the handle section appropriate for me while sitting. 8' is way longer than I would want to deal with in a kayak, lol.

I have a 3/4H, a H, and a XH for my pitching needs. Just depends how gnarly the cover is. For the OP, one big reason I wouldn't use a medium is because it probably won't have the power to get the fish out of the junk before it gets you wrapped up in it. A good size fish is going to feel the hookset and run as deep into the cover as it's able. By the time the medium fully loads, it could be too late.

You'll probably be undergunned. And might have hookset issues if you use too heavy a wire of hook. But it will certainly toss them in there.

Looks like a soldering iron works to remelt the splits back together. Obviously use in a well ventilated area. #SafetyFirst

Depends on how you rig, but if it's to a jig head, the bait is usually fine except for the nose getting wrecked and being unable to stay on the hook. If I'm conserving baits then I put a section of silicone tubing on the nose and it's back in action. Basically the same stuff as the G7 wacky rig system. I get mine on eBay instead of paying the 500% markup to have a company name on the package. MendIt is a lot of work to do on a bunch of little baits. Big expensive swim baits sure, but I'm not going to waste my time gluing a bunch of Keitechs back together. A better bulk idea might be to try dipping the heads in clear plastisol when you get home to rehab them.

So I'm hearing that the Gold Label was a positive experience so far?

Me too. So much vegetation around that most of my day is pitching to targets not bombing casts out. I barely even throw anything with a treble hook anymore.