softwateronly

I bought the Alpha 800S in the early winter for a ML setup. Throwing a 3/16 micro jig on PE.8 in a half frozen river has been good, but no bites before full ice in. The reel feels solid and comfortable and seems like it might fit your criteria, but I don't know enough about the spool and drag for heavier applications. Out of the box, it almost hangs with the zillion g in terms of smoothness, definitely my favorite sub $200 reel that I've tried. I hope I'll say the same thing in a year or two. scott

I fish the silver buddy, ledge hog, and damiki vault, but have the most confidence in the vault. A slow 6-8" lift and drop is my way of covering 40 degree water. The hardware on the silver buddy and vault is slightly questionable, best to take your time playing out a fish or upgrading. Like a ripping a lipless, short grass you can pop free from is often a trigger. scott

The colder the water, the more comfortable I am with a blade bait. Good Luck! scott

Wish I could help, noticed them when I decided to pick up Duel's jerkbait this Black Friday. If it helps at all, the jerkbait seems well made with good hardware, I look forward to giving it a try. scott

Is this my first time reading chatgpt? Thanks, I guess. Didn't expect the future to hit me on a fishing site. scott

All the details! Work and ice are relentless up here. scott

I've gone 7 years in a row without throwing a senko/stickbait traditionally. This year will probably be 8. Stick bait chunks on jigs and neds is my current threshold. I've also almost completely abandoned the drop shot too. It usually comes out when trying to get kids on fish without live bait. scott

Definitely a jig. I think a 3/8oz swim jig w/ a 3-4.75" paddle tail will pull in the most fish for me over the course of the year. It's a bite on my lake that works from ice out to ice in, fast/slow shallow/deep and day/night. scott

4” D walker in white ice // flashy swimmer scott **Edit** apparently I can’t read so good. My biggest bass of '23 will be caught on 3/4 uoze swim jig w/ a 6" gambler GZ at night.

A 904 conquest is favorite of mine for 1/2-3/4oz swim jigs. The longer length and mbr action is perfect for long casts and solid hookups. If I "stole " a nrx+ 903 from my friend I'd definitely try 1/4-1/2oz swim jigs/chatterbaits/spinnerbaits and all weight appropriate bottom contact with it. scott

All my combos are my favorite for one thing, but there's always a close enough 2nd place for having a lighter/heavier or alternative version tied on in case that bait is the winner that day. My heavy jig rod is the only one that has only thrown heavy jigs. When I finally try something else on it, I hope it doesn't get confused. I might need @Catt to help straighten it out. scott

Last year I was much better with long sleeve sun shirts and wearing the hood, but not as good with the face mask. I'll do better this year, skin cancer is no joke. Neck gaiter and knit hat stay with this follicle(y) challenged man from october to may. scott

I get it. I think I just told you what I think the lightest one is, jdm zillion hd. scott

The 21 jdm zillion hd does not seem to be a “big bait” reel to me. I have it on a tequila bacarac and throw up to 3.5oz. The US version is different I think, but I don’t know enough in specific ways. scott

The reason I think the more finesse cut works in the cold is because it allows subtle movement of the skirt while the bait itself is motionless. If a bass swims up on the jig while sitting still, the wall of water is bound to move some of the silicone/rubber. If you don’t trim you might lose this part of the “action.” scott

I tend to do better with slow sink in water below 50 in lakes without shad. Just seeing what I might be missing. Thanks scott

^^^ blade baits, small open hook swim baits, nose hooked flukes, tightlining hair jigs, heavy ned rigs, light weight finesse wire open water jigs, darter heads. scott

Slow sink is my preference in water without shad. Does that align with or against your research. scott

I’m gonna grab a major craft days 360 6’10M/F when they release. I’m hoping it will be a nice split in action/power between the expride and Adrena, but it’s just a somewhat educated guess. scott

If you stay 1/4oz or heavier or using large gauge hooks, the 6’11M+ Adrena might be what you’re looking for. I love mine. But with what baits you listed I’d use the M expride. scott

I bought a conquest used yet it was wrapped in what appeared to be factory shrink. Saved at least $180 and made it possible for me. scott

I have a 904 mbr and it’s good but I would think an 843/844 depending on most common weights. 1/2+ 844, 1/2- 843. scott

I'm about 353 days from my green bass pb, and just shy of 12,600 days since my brown bass pb. Thats 2/12/22 and sometime in August of 1988. I need a menderchuck.

I've found myself liking flipping rods for 6" baits and I throw 6" 2oz baits most often. It's more enjoyable to throw all day and I haven't lost fish doing it, but I'm also not in water with giant fish. I have a tatula 200 w/ 65lb braid on a 7'6XH expride for fatty trash fish, freestyles, 68's, etc. My 8" baits are thrown on a MB Onager w/ a tatula 300. If you're unsure if you wanna get all the way into the big bait game, a flipping rod could be a good option. scott

The bait monkey wants to remind you that A** has a 40% rebate on dobyns right now. Maybe 2 rods for a little more than 1 is the answer. scott