jdr99a

Storm largo shad

If I’m dragging or frogging I’ve got an 8 in my hand.

I have both. I prefer the platinum, but LOVE the lews built in baitkeeper.

I’ve got the itch to build a ‘high end’ combo for fishing a popper. Before I go on I am fully aware that ‘high end’ is 100% unnecessary for popper fishing. That being said, it’s my favorite technique and I figured it would be fun to mess with. I’ve got the reel sorted out (most likely an aldebaran) but really wanted to focus on the rod. I’m looking for something to throw 1/2 oz poppers and something less than 7 feet long. What would you suggest for the rod? I know high end means different things to different people…so all suggestions are welcome.

I’m not interested in the reel and won’t comment on the overall quality of the reel. That being said, since when does having more data about anything hurt? I may not find knowing my precise casting distance particularly helpful but in what way could it possibly hurt someone to know it?

I could have a pretty good day covering all parts of the water column with a handful of baits. A speed worm, fluke, and toad could keep me busy all day long in a bunch of different conditions.

I’m a fan of the red ear color.

I’ve got fury casting rods and a 703sf spinning rod. I like the casting rods but think the spinning rods feel a bit too tip heavy for some reason.

I bought the lews signature series chatterbait rod. I fish 3/8 oz jackhammers and mini-maxes almost exclusively on it. I love the rod and wouldn’t change a thing about it. It’s a 7-3 mh and it’s been perfect for me. I’ve thrown a few tx rigs, spinner baits and paddletails on it and it’s performed very well. I think it was $179 or so.

I take 2 if I’m going for a quick outing and 3 if I’m going to be longer. I have a sling bag with a single rod holder when I’m carrying 2 and a backpack with 2 rod holders if I have 3 with me. I hate walking the banks and constantly having to put stuff down and pick it up. The bags with rod holders have been some of my best purchases.

For bank fishing rod holders are a priority for me. I do a LOT of bank beating and have gone through 2 of the ugly stick backpacks with 2 rod holders. I wore them out pretty hard. I just bought a kastking bait boss backpack with 2 rod holders and it’s bigger and pretty comfortable. Holds more than I would ever need for a full day of bank beating.

I just got a slx bfs reel a couple of weeks ago and it’s been a blast. I have it paired up with a ace hawk double (with the light tip installed) and 4 pound mono. Another rod to look at for a bit heavier stuff is a BOS carbonlite 2.0 ML. Not bfs-specific, but fun for some light stuff.

Spunk shad for me. Looks great and is a fish catcher.

Ive got the 6-10 ML expride a for my Ned rigs and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

I haven’t used the sierra line, but I’ve got a tp1 black 7’ mh that is fantastic. It’s my true do-all casting rod.

I have an old 18 hollow point rod, which I believe is out of production. It’s a 6-7 or 6-8 medium fast and I use it as my popper rod. It’s never let me down. Good build quality and has been durable in the 18 months or so I’ve used it.

I’ve got a reel spooled up with straight 6lb tatsu and have loved every minute of it.

I’ve wrecked a bunch of fish on the 3/16 Booyah Pond Magic spinnerbaits this year. I didn’t have any confidence in spinnerbaits before this year and vowed to learn them. I bought a few of the pond magics as they were cheap and small. I’m so glad I jumped in with both feet because I’ve fallen hard for the spinnerbait.

I bought a BPS carbonlite 2.0 7’ ML casting rod to pair with a SLX MGL 70 to mess around as a semi-BFS rig. I’ve used it a lot for neds and stop shots. I use 1/15th oz ned jigs plus a trd or a roboworm and 1/8 oz ds weight and it’s been great. It’s not a true bfs setup but it does what I need it to do.

Looks ripe for a weightless fluke to me.

Thanks for the input. I buy a lot of tackle from Academy here in TX. Might be one if theirs. Thanks!

Can anyone help me ID this spinnerbait? It’s relatively compact, double willow (gold on top, silver on bottom), red eyes. This one really worked well for me and I’d like to see what other offerings they have, but I have no clue what brand it is.

Nice fisH! I’ve got an mgl 150 as well and it’s a keeper. Those shoes on the other hand…

I use my ML casting rod (BPS Carbonlite 2.0) and Shimano SLX MGL for Ned rigs and light squarebills/lipless cranks. It works very well for light baits. I still prefer spinning gear for Neds but I prefer the casting gear for the moving baits.

I’m a big fan of the hog farmer spunk shad. 4.5 inch on my jackhammers and 3.5 inch on the mini max.