Scud_Muffin

I’m literally looking to use this as a method to help improve versatility on the kayak. For instance, put braid on the mad bull so it can do top water then a super long fluoro leader to make it do well with crankbaits. And on spinning, take the Windbuster and add long fluoro leader for finesse cranks/jerkbaits but short fluoro leader of something stiffer for shakyheads etc.

I’m thinking I need to try a couple of these. Thanks for the recommendations!

How do these lines like YZH and soft steel affect diving depth? I’m thinking about jerkbaits and crankbaits in particular. How does leader length play into that equation? Appreciate all the help y’all, it’s great having places to explore questions.

Why do they make leader fluoro less stretchy? Are they just trying to maximize abrasion resistance since they don’t have to worry about how it manages as main line?

If I was looking for stretchy leader fluoro for treble hook baits, are there any that are particular good for shock absorption. I’m guessing something like FC Crank or Invizx. Hoping that going for something stretchier can help provide some of the benefits of straight fluoro while still using braid. May even try using it with a long (20+ foot) leader, never tried it. But also just looking for an extra hit of stretch even on shorter ones. thanks!

I find them to be more moderate, often with a slightly stiffer backbone than most other rod makers. That’s actually what I like about them, it works for me. I do have one rod though that calls itself a MH XF and is very noodly that to my tastes takes it too far without enough backbone behind it.

Oh that’s clever. I really enjoy jerkbait fishing too, will have to keep one tied on as the water starts to clear up around me.

That’s cool, I really wasn’t thinking about the benefits of moving baits. What do you find the advantage is that the drift gives you?

I really dig that idea, I grew up on curly tail worms.

So lets say that you are in a light boat or a kayak, one that doesn't have spot lock. Your rod is going to be drifting around relative to the placement of a bait after you cast it. It strikes me that this gives an advantage to some baits. Semi-stationary soft plastic presentations like a ned rig could be a big advantage with drift. Drift a little as it falls, pop it up a foot, repeat. If you are patient, that bait will simply meander naturally around in an enticing action without the angler applying much action. What other baits are advantaged by being unable to stay perfectly still in a drifting boat?

I’ve been trying to get a sense of this question too. The problem is that I often hear opposite advice. Some say go for an XF rod with an XF reel so you can quickly reel up line and get snappy hook sets. That makes sense, especially with kayak drift. Then I hear other folks talk about the challenge of landing bigger fish while seated, and how it’s advantageous to have a more moderate rod so you don’t lose slack close to the boat. I totally think that makes sense. So apparently I need an XF rod that bends deep into the blank. Got it. Plan to see what my own preferences are on the water before I buy anything else. Still new to kayaks.

I’ve been trying to figure this out too. I went for a glass rod because I hear it’s better for landing fish. Then I hear some people saying they just use a medium heavy fast graphite rod with a decent bend to throw cranks on a kayak because it’s more sensitive. I’m not particularly experienced with crank baits or kayaks, so I will just try both and see where I land.

Yes I don’t think I would pay full price. But if it can be found at a reasonable price point, I’m apparently willing to splurge occasionally. I really can’t get over this thing, I’ve not owned another rod like it.

I could see this being a thing. I’m confident I will find a way to justify more.

I went back to the store and they had an 873. It was definitely closer to my heavy rod than to what I wanted in a MH. Unfortunately I now also want either an 873 or an 894 for dragging slightly bigger stuff but for now I’m tapped out. The 853c came home with me and I just spent 2 hours on the lake in the rain. I reaalllly like this thing.

Interesting, why the switch? Those Adrenas always feel great in hand.

Does it do well with lighter jigs/texas rigs? I heard this rod has more power than the 854. I wish they had one to test locally but the shop I go to didn’t have one of those to test.

I was in the market for a North GA highland reservoir kayak rod to pair with a heavy rod (7’4” HF St Croix Legend X) and a moving bait rod (7’1” MHXF St Croix Legend Xtreme which is surprisingly moderate). The H rod will handle 1/2 oz+ jigs, Carolina, heavy duty everything and the current MH rod will focus on moving baits/trebles, with a spinning rod for finesse applications. The new rod will be the bridge between the two, really focusing on lighter (1/4-3/8 oz-ish) weight jigs and soft plastics with just a toe in some “all purpose” versatility. Looking for target casting in shallow water and bottom contact in deeper water. Was thinking the 853C fits the bill nicely. I’m also wondering if it’s fast to the point that landing fish in a kayak will be more difficult. I can tell this thing seems crazy sensitive and I could see loving it for the baits in its wheelhouse but keep hearing that jig rods should be slower for landing fish, especially for kayaks to which I am very new.

We need more banana leaf cooking in this part of the world, for sure.

I cook for a living so I got excited seeing this topic. So I like a lot of different techniques but feel that SE Asian methods are my preference for most freshwater fish. I have one in particular that I like best. I make a marinade with coconut milk, Red Boat fish sauce, minced chili, ginger, cumin, and coriander. Marinade filets for at least 1 hour. Dredge in seasoned cornstarch, rice flour, and/or white flour pending your preferences and shallow fry in a hot pan with a little layer of your preferred neutral oil. For the sauce, mince ginger, garlic, chilis, shallots, lemongrass (ultrafine minced) and scallion whites. Sauté in a little oil and add 1:1:0.5 ratio of fish sauce:brown or palm sugar:lime juice. Simmer for a minute or two until it’s thickened from evaporation, finish with sliced basil and scallion greens, maybe some cilantro. Top over the fish. I find it works best with spotted bass over largemouth, but it’s also great with catfish. Too far south for Smallmouth so no experience preparing those. I also like to blacken or fry whole with skin on after scaling—paired with a number of sauces ranging from Mexican Chile sauces to sauces like the one above. You can also roast some garlic and fold it into room temperature butter with some breadcrumbs and herbs, top it over the fish, then bake and enjoy as is of paired with a lemon cream sauce. Freshwater fish is an underrated resource IMHO. I really enjoy using it.

Small bass that are also long and skinny? That lake is bass heavy, take out slot sizes bass. Though one guy fishing and taking out bass may not be enough to turn the tables and rebalance the lake. The Fish North Georgia podcast has an interview with a fisheries biologist named Shan O’Gorman that is worth your time on this very subject. And he explains it in a way that is designed for you to understand it instead of demonstrate his knowledge of $5 words.

I’ve never had issues with the guides. The avid x were particularly small and those were annoying with double uni connections. I tend to tie the Alberto as my connection knot, which is great for slipping through the guides. But when I get lazy I tie double uni knots and they still go through without too much of a problem. I do plan to switch to the FG knot because the Alberto tends to be the breaking point when I get a snag. I am fishing from a kayak so the shorter length is fine for me. I like the Legend X, it’s one of my favorite rods on the market. Plenty sensitive and I am one of the few who likes the color.

Since you mentioned the legend elite, I would just note that their 610MLXF in elite, x, and extreme is one of my favorite rods of all time. Have not tried the 7’MLF so I can’t speak to it. Also of note, the extreme model of the 610MLXF is slightly softer with a touch more parabolic of a bend.

Spoon, yes that’s right and it doesn’t happen much. I was testing it with a Shakyhead in some grass and it would occasionally catch then jerk back in my direction. That’s when the line, while slack and coming back faster than it normally would, caught the groove 2-3 times. Not saying it whole happen much while fishing, but the groove’s existence is enough to annoy me. Mick, I’m thinking you are right. I happen to have both Sally Hansen and UV Cure Resin from fly tying.

So because there is resin on the metal and on the other side on the blank, but just not in the exact spot they connect, it effectively creates a groove much larger than there would be otherwise. Just trying to see what product I should use to fill the gap.