GetFishorDieTryin

I don't think you can go wrong as long as the base color is black. Black/Blue is probably my favorite, but I've done really well with black and red too. That water can give everything a red tint, so that may be why ive done well with red flecks and red claws, but just about impossible to prove.

ML is good for 1/8, but once you get to 3/16 and 1/4 then a M is more effective IMO. Not sure what the budget is, but for the money a 7' M F Tatula is incredibly hard to beat. They just do everything really well, better then quite a few rods close to double the price point. They offer them in 6'6 and 6'8, but Ive only handled the 7'. The 7' M F feels like a lot like a ML in the tip with a little more power in the backbone, which makes the rod really versatile.

It sounds like you pretty much have a good basic understanding of what you need. Most MHs have tips that are a little too stiff IMO, there are some I know of that would be ideal, but the price point is up there. I would look for a stout 7" M Fast (1/4-5/8) that can handle weight in the upper end of the suggested range, because 5" senkos are pretty heavy and some M power rods just dont have enough power to set a hook at range IMO. 7" will give you more distance and help you pick up more line. Switching you're line to braid would give you more power too, as braid doesn't stretch like mono or FC lines. If you tell us what kind of budget youre working with then it would be easier to recommend a specific rod.

I fish often fish out of a yak, small jon boat or a friends boat. As long as the water is fairly shallow, which the majority around here is, I can do pretty well with 3 rods. 1) 7'1 ML F Tatula with a 2500 10lb X9-6-10lb FC (spinning) 2) 7'1 M F Muse Met MGL #12 FC 3) 7'3 MH F Ark Essence SLX DC #15 FC If Im fishing a lake with deeper water then I need to bring at least 2 more outfits to be comfortable. Essentially more powerful versions of outfit #1(7" M F with 3000HG) and #2 (7'2 MH ModF.)

No, as far as I know its just preorder, if that....TW doesnt offer GP and I didt see Zman have a GP at icast. I didnt bother checking TD for FW stuff, but I went through all the SW icast gear. I go to TD to stock up SW gear every spring and fall, hopefully they have them by early thankgiving, ill grab a few then. Thanks for the heads up.

I know, but they dont offer a GP in the EVO line yet. With the way JM does business, I don't like to buy anything from them.

I do much better with black from October-April. Once the fish really start to become active is when I really like JB and use it over black, unless maybe its dark. I dont konw if its just me, but late spring early summer JB seems to produce quality fish consistently. WIth jigs ive noticed I may not get as many fish using black compared to GP or watermelon, but the fish I do get are usually good size. So for me it depends what time of year it is as to which color I prefer. Now, if I had to pick 1 color out of all of them, it would be black.

They look pretty nice, I like the big eyes. I put a similar color skirt on a lot of my chatterbaits and swim jigs called green pmkn jelly, so its nice to see a chatterbait offered in that color even if it by Darth Morris. Hopefully Zman put out a GP Evo so Im not tempted to try one of these.

Never fished one, but theyre rated 1/4-5/8.

The JDM Met 20s have 100 size spools too. I wonder what else is different.

Ever think about a JDM Met 20? I use a lot of M power rods with the same ratings as the ML feather and I really like fishing them with a Met. They're just solid little reels, that do everything well.

Fuego has it. The extra support is nice, but for most FW its not a huge advantage. Its kind of like Magseal its nice to have, but for a lot of situations you can get by fine without in FW. I could possibly see smallmouth wanting that extra support, but I think a bearing in the roller would make a bigger difference IMO. I would buy a Fuego or a Miravel over a BG or Nasci. It may not sound like it, but 1oz or 2 off the total weight makes a big difference. A lighter outfit will give you the sensation of higher sensitivity. BGs a great reel, but since the price increase its not in same price point of the Spheros. The Spheros SW beats a BG in every significant category IMO. Spheros SW is pretty much a stradic fk, its incredibly smooth, outstanding line management and more protection from water ingress. Daiwa makes a good zinc gear, but IDC how good it is, IMO AL is superior to Zinc and thats what you get with Spheros. The only drawback to Spheros is they only make them in a 3000 and 4000.

Ive outfished senkos consistently with a weightless trickworm in early summer. The Shakey Head worms work really well too, but either of can be difficult to cast and work correctly in wind. Mag finesse worms are a good substitute or change up for a senko. Used to love the 5 3/4" GYCB Kut Tail weightless. It was the most versatile size and weight to work any time. Weightless coffee tubes have done really well for me too, but at first I had some issues with keeping fish on.

I like 7'3s for all purpose rods. I really favor them over 7's if for moving baits. I like the slightly longer tip section.

U ever try a pitchin a lightly weighted tube?

I use a M power with heavy wire hooks and stick em, so I have a hard time believing its a power issue. As long as the hooks are really sharp it doesnt take too much force to get a good set.

Its not just you. SC has put out some real sketchy products on the past couple years that have overwhelmed their customer service with warranty claims. There are guys who are on their 3rd and 4th Mojo Inshore because they want to believe SCs claims of the first batch of blanks being defective. It seems like they're innovating themselves into some real problems. I haven't completely given up hope for them, but you wont see me preordering anything new from them. Hopefully they can get it together before they do serious permanent damage to their fan base.

oop didnt see the budget, sry....Rockaways $ for $ cant be beat. They make long cast models, but they are on the lighter side of the lure weight spectrum. Those cheaper blanks needs to be beefed up to handle loading with all that weight over and over again. The Tiralejo is probably the best youre going to get for the $. A lot of guys use those blanks to build custom rods, because theyre light and load well. Ive never used any of them over 10', but for the money I dont think you can beat them. They have a 12' 2-6oz thats right around 17ozs.

Length isnt always the answer. You need a rod designed that has the right blank for that loads well with the weight you need throw and the correct guide layout to give you max distance. Anything faster then a mod fast will beat the hell out of you, thats why true fast action surf rods were a flash in the pan fad. So far the Century rods as a whole have impressed me with the way they cast. The 8' weapon cast as well as any 10'. The one you should look into is the Surf Machine. Like anything else its going to cost you, but the performance is unreal. See if you cant find a Century rep near you. Mike, the Century rep in Avalon, NJ will meet you and let you test out which rods you want before he sells one to you. See if you cant find a Century rep in you're area. These guys actually build the rods, so they can answer any question or concern you have.

I favor a lower gear ratio 2500 for rods that I throw swimbaits and ned rigs on often, which are MLs. For M power rod I do more SHs, JBs, free rigs and other baits that Im using the reel to pick up slack with more then working the bait, which I like a 3000 or even a 3000HG. Even if its a 5 speed the longer handle helps me get the slack out of the line faster before I set the hook. Personally instead of getting 2 Airitys I would swap at least 1 out for a FC Luvias 2500 and use the money saved to upgrade the rods to Orochis. The only issue with going with JDM exclusive reels is parts may be an issue if you do run into a problem. If you want to service them yourself you need to buy a special wrench to get into MQ frame. Wouldnt be surprised to see a new Vanford next year, but in the meantime they are awful hard to beat for the price in the USDM.

Tell me about it. Most of them are decent people, but if I have to pick up after you every time you go fishing, it doesn't matter how friendly you are, you're disgusting.

For me, the most consistent good fishing is late winter/early spring and I suspect Im not alone in that. Early summer isnt too bad, but usually by the 2nd week in July the humidity kicks in and I cant wait until September comes around the corner. As the warm light of day slowly retreats in the face of the cool nights, there is a clear pickup in the bite as the fish begin to transition into the fall pattern. Seldom are the once heavily overpopulated common benny and pennsy, sighted post labor day and once again, us anglers have their wash back. When hooded sweatshirts see the light of day for the first time in months, the leaves begin to change, culminating in the most beautiful days on the water. While the fishing isn't as consistent as spring it can be great. Those first cold days in November have set up some outstanding fishing for me, particularly with a JB. The challenge of the ever shortening fall-winter bite window makes those good days even better. Yeah, I think I love the fall.

If I could only have 1 color it would be black.

Either direct Shimano US or a ton of JDM options for both Shimano and Daiwa.

Spinshots are good idea, but I avoid them if I can. The bait either wants to sit nose up or nose down because the hook isnt fixed to the line. If that line is anything but vertical, baits with density will actually swing under the line, so the hook point is facing away from you. When that happens it makes it really hard to land a fish. Using neutrally buoyant or floating baits along with using the smallest hook possible helps keep the bait in the right position. Ive found that the Trokar Helix DS to be a much better hook then the VMC. The wider gap and longer point are easier to set and they dont come out. I really only use the Helix hooks when I dont have the room or cant carry a dedicated DS rod, like when Im on a yak or someone elses boat. Other then that I just use a #2 Trokar DS or #1 Gama Drop/Split, both stick em.