TNBankFishing

Went with the CRR. I’ll make sure to put it through the paces this weekend on Douglas. I still can’t believe how terrible the cork is on these rods. On the three I have they are about as nice as $200 dollar St. Croixs.

I don’t know what it is but my first dedicated jig rod was a Brailist, and so now I’m just used to the length. All of my club fishes 7’3 or less on everything, but it just works for me. Even out of a yak I can pop my wrist and lob a half oz like a pitch. The only time I run into issues is with punching over an oz. Then I’m not able to have the control I need to not create a plop. I really wish I could get a 904 in hand to throw some jigs with. It’s a 3 hour drive for me to lay eyes on an NRX. You’re definitely peaking my interest in that model.

The length on my kayak isn’t as important as I stand over 50% of the time, but isn’t the 803 just a shorter 893? As far as vegetation is concerned I fish the TVA system the most, where submerged grass can get pretty thick. It’s no Florida mat situation but I’m not in clear riprap waters. I do fish GA waters and Chick from time to time but I have a 7’11” punch stick for those nasty areas. I just sold a 903 as it wasn’t what I was looking for in terms of spinnerbait/chatterbait/swim bait rod and didn’t feel right with Trigs. Is the 904 stout enough to handle jigs? For moving baits I’ve been using the st. Croix heavy in cover. I just don’t know if the 844 is effectively the same type of rod but more sensitive for bottom contact.

Hello Bass Resource, It’s your favorite time again! There’s a guy on the internet who can’t make a choice on a rod and needs his fellow anglers advice. This time it’s high end bottom contact from the brand everyone knows. I own a 893, BC2, and Legend Elite H currently for bottom contact presentations. I recently had a close call in my kayak and I’m looking to replace the BC2. I will be throwing 3/8 to 1/2, in moderate to heavy vegetation, wood, and around man made structure. I prefer the Beast Coast Lil’ Magnum and Vanquish jigs, as well as Keitechs footballs. These all have medium to heavy wire hooks, but are usually not full size. They aren’t finesse style jigs, but aren’t Dirty Jigs No Jacks. This lets me use small to medium sized trailers and are what I prefer. On rod choice my gut leans towards the 873, but I’ve got a chance to pickup the 894 or either 904 for a good price. I’ve tried my best to dig into each rod and I’ve come away with a lot of scattered thoughts and brand speak. 873 - More moderate than 893/894, handles 3/8 to 1/2, questions about sensitivity vs other models. 894 - Some have mused it’s the quintessential jig rod, but others scream about being stupidly tip heavy and dead in hand. 904MBR - Great action, might not fit for bottom contact. Could be a great swim jig rod. Conquest 904- Too many questions around is it worth the price bump now with the upgraded NRX. Wild Card - Use the Legend H in this place and pick up a 844 to use for swim jigs, keitech swimbaits, and sometimes throw a jig in a pinch.

I’ve used the MB 1/2 oz swim jig and 5” spark shad and it’s worked well. Puts the total weight over an oz though, so I threw it on a H rod.

The Bar is a relatively difficult place to fish, but the TVA system has it all. If you live in Knoxville or Oak Ridge you have access to so much fantastic water. It is nice seeing the pros struggle on the lake I fish for tourneys. I’m not the only one who’s skunked a fair bit out there.

I’ve used them for years. Order away.

P.E.T.A NRA Ducks Unlimited Just want to watch the world burn when they all need to show up for a big event.

The JDM Zillion is not brass geared. I’d suggest the Steez HLC or Zillion HD. Those I believe have brass gears.

The basic Revo is also a solid reel. One of the few 5 speed lefties.

DT10 on the medium? Interesting. I thought it would be maxed out not by weight but by depth. Do you think the MH could push 15ft like the tactical DD and MB deep x 300?

I support small shops online. It’s so much easier now. Places like Omnia, the tackle trap, the hookup tackle, the reelshot, and ALF as well as others which will not be named. I don’t need one store to carry everything as most places carry most stuff and I can get it in my hand usually in two days. I never shop at BPS or any of the box stores for fishing gear. I’m completely against it, considering how much they just rip off other manufacturers baits, gear, etc. Seeing the new “jig style swim bait” and “gilly” at icast was disappointing in the extreme.

As a heads up Omnia now has a couple good models of the new Steez in stock. Punch has a code for June up and it applies to the rod. I own the BC2, XH Cover special, and ML spin. Can’t say enough good things about these sticks. Easily on par with NRX sensitivity and they have much more usable actions. If this shop isn’t allowed to be talked about I apologize, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone mention it.

If you’re interested in the Orochi line the EMTF is the one you truly want. Its a fantastic reaction bait rod. I own it’s big brother the Javelin and it’s my favorite spinnerbait stick. It can also through shallow to medium cranks, drag 3/4 footballs, and big topwaters. The action is right for chatters, and it was my go to until I moved it into a more Swiss Army role and picked up a BLX. The Brailist which I owned is more focused on bottom contact. While definitely a more moderate action than a Loomis rod it isn’t really soft enough to throw reaction baits. It does well with a swim jig though. Another option for 1/2 and 5/8th jigs is the Perfect Pitch. The top 3rd is limber enough to sling baits but has a serious backend. Would double as a pitching stick and frog rod. My personal chatter rod is a the MH Limber Graphite BLX by Daiwa. It’s just amazing for 1/2 chatters and can throw some decent mid to deep cranks as well. If you’re willing to go super high end the NRX+ 903MBR would be a sick option.

I use sunline fc crank 14 lb for deep divers, and have solid success.

Was poking around google maps and the water level on there looks like winter pool. What is it actually like right now?

I fish rivers as well as the tva lakes and often in less than 8 feet of water. I’ve had a couple close calls but this one was the last straw. I have all of my rods secured with para cord but half of them are in Yakattack rod tubes. Those would just shatter. I’ve never been a fan of Loomis but them and St. croix are the only folks I’ve dealt with that just say $100 bucks and we’ll get you a new one. I adore my megabass stuff but unless I eventually get a boat I’m going to have to sell. And I have zero interest in buying a boat until I’m too old to climb in my yak.

It’s what I prefer for them. I’ve never had a problem moving fish away from cover and I fish the TN tva system. Give it a shot, if you need more power in a lighter rod, I’d almost think you need to go BFS style. Maybe a 7’5 ML casting rod with an Aldebaran or other reel capable of tossing 8th oz baits easily. Just now thinking about it, if the funds allow the 7’6 Steez is absolutely stellar for that task. I’m moving away from sticks without no questions asked warranty’s as I flipped my yak this weekend and almost blew up my entire lineup.

St. Croix MLXF is another excellent choice. I’ve used my Legend X for small swim baits, neds, and neko rigs. The action is definitely fast/extra fast but the tip is just special. Both in casting and spinning it’s one of my favorite actions.

Saturday was normal bar fishing for my club. Out of 60 anglers about 20 skunked, water was crowded but the grass and fish are there. September can be tough if the heat doesn’t let up. If it’s still in the 90s expect a rough showing.

I’ve used JDM Mets and they all have smaller handles other than the XG. Never bothered me in the slightest. For punching or deep cranking I prefer 100 size but everything else is fine between 80-90mm.

How do you think it would handle 1/2 to 3/4 medium to deep cranks?

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I never knew they existed and I’m all about saving our water ways when possible.

I do need me some full size 1/2oz structure and football jigs.

I’ve not had this happen in the ~30 purchases over the last three years. Reach out to them immediately and let them know you’ve been charged twice and need the second charge removed. I always go through PayPal, I’ve never used a card on any foreign website just to cut down on the hassle. It’s almost impossible to talk to them real time since the hours of business are nearly opposite of ours. Lou has fine taste in reels