ironbjorn

I'm a self admitted Dobyns fanboy and will recommend their rods for X whenever possible because I really believe they carry something to cover essentially everything, but nothing and nobody is above criticism. Fanboyism has not and will not ever bother me. I will recommend a Lew's reel as often as I will a Shimano reel. For casting reels, it's Shimano and Lew's, and in very specific circumstances, Abu Garcia, for me (those very specific circumstances are the Max reels in that $50-$80 range when somebody either can not or will not hit the $100 mark or commit to something used, then I believe AG gives you the best reels in this price range). For spinning reels, it's Daiwa and Shimano for me. But what is absolutely absurd is holding a company above criticism. They're just so perfect across the board that everyone else is wrong or unlucky if they're not happy with X product. Going so far as to say, with clear evidence to the contrary in the materials used, that something is better than something else because you favor the label. That's a whole different level and you can't have a conversation like that.

Small waist, pretty face with a big bank. Rage Craw.

I pretty much only use spinning gear for Ned Rigs.

The SLX is certainly better, but the LFS is second to me.

It's not that deep to me. I still use and trust Lews. The $100 LFS, the KVD, and the Tournament Pro are some of my favorite reels from any brand.

I'm not sure of the exact hook size. The weed guard is fairly soft in my opinion. Good for hooking bass and prevents most hangups but I've sometimes been shocked by how easily the jig can bite into wood. I've had a random one sitting on my dresser for awhile lol easy to grab for a pic. (Fiance's demon cat took a bite out of my hand because it's mental) Pretty big hook but not super heavy.

I don't think that's obvious at all based on my dislike of one line of reel from one brand. My most used reels are dual braking. Believe it or not Lews is as susceptible to a bad line as every other brand and do not sit upon the holy grail.

If I'm only using one jig it will be the 6th Sense Divine Hybrid Jig.

No I don't. I have a couple of the old greenish models with Trions slapped on them. They're actually some of the very few rods I kept around after switching to all Dobyns awhile back. I love an Eagle in the creeks throwing Neds.

My number one rule is to not follow the rules (not counting legal rules obviously).

A M or ML Fenwick Eagle. It makes for a very good beater rod for wading rivers, where I throw a Ned Rig most of the time.

You're going to want to bump that Sierra up to the 5 power, mag heavy. A Dobyns 4 power heavy is just what you'd expect out of a medium heavy.

Some Lew's reels require the brake dial to be turned up really high, like only a few notches off max. I've found the MP to be one of these reels. This is probably the most finicky reel I've ever used, almost impossible to set up. It's entirely possible that only I had the duds, but I doubt it, and in the past I've had others on here agree with me about this reel. Normally I have my brakes set to almost the bare minimum, but this reel required almost maximum brakes and had poor casting distance. The slightly cheaper KVD doesn't have this problem and performs much, much better. It's a painted over MB. The MP, I'm not even sure what that's supposed to be.

To me the Tournament MP has been a dud. It's not a Tournament MB by any means. The Lew's KVD is better. I really like the Lew's Tournament Pro @ 200, and for truly under $200 I think nothing beats the value of the Shimano SLX XT.

I don't wait. I jack them right away.

It's like a quarterback leading a wide receiver in football. Know your water and throw your bait in such a spot that the current takes it to the strike zone. The current does so much of the work for you. When you stop being intimidated by the current and start trusting it to work for you, you will get a lot more bites and hang up a lot less. An aggressive swim hop retrieve is also very good in heavy current.

Sure.

We're getting late into the hot summer. Also, pressure.

2 things changed river fishing for me, forever. 1 was the Ned Rig. Absolutely hands down the best there ever was, and the guys who talk about other baits that are just like it, that are just as good, that work just as well, that they like better so they'll never use a Ned, are truly missing out. I think Ned Rig users know this well. The 2nd was squarebills. It could be 1 fow. It doesn't matter. Squarebills bashing off the rock and pebble bottom, especially in fast water, is absolutely killer. Oh and here's something I think a lot of Ned Rig guys miss. I throw a 1/10 or 1/15 Ned Rig in extremely fast rapids literally right off dams. There's no such thing as water too fast or too dirty for Neds and Smallies. Think you need a heavier weight or a bigger profile? You don't. But hey as long as people keep thinking so I'll keep catching big ones all to myself.

Yet another moment where I'm going to be way more serious than necessary, but OCD is a serious mental disorder and nothing like the common assumption and usage of the acronym when people like things done a certain way.

Step 1: Ditch the box. Get trays and a bag.

3 power Dobyns Fury paired with a Daiwa Legalis.

How long did you even fish for? 11 hours ago you were talking about setting an alarm.

There's no world in which I keep that rod. I've sent rods back for much less noticeable curvature.

Still need the Paliperidone for when I get home. ?