softwateronly

I have a 7’1 Phenix ML on the way thanks to BF and in a similar spot as the OP. What’s the main differences between the Alpha tw Sv 800 and the Air? I plan on throwing 20lb power pro super slick at first because I have it. Most of my thoughts for this combo are 1/8-1/2oz but there’s a couple 1/16 float flys I want to possibly add in for schoolers. 70’ would be my ideal. scott

You can try these instead.... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Nishine_Lure_Works_Original_Outer_Weight_3pk/descpage-NOW.html scott

I have a 904c CNQ and it is by far my favorite swim jig rod. 1/2oz is prime but going down or up in weight has been no problem. I'd bet that it does the job well. scott

Add in the Jackall rerange. I like the MR for my waters. scott

Looks like a title shot to me. scott

Title shot and Yamamoto twin tail grub is big brain level. Thanks for sharing. scott

6th sense has some random baits severely marked down. Worth looking around even with the shipping costs… https://6thsensefishing.com/collections/black-friday-sale-all-products scott

Im also interested in anyone’s success with the 6th sense suspending trap, if you don’t mind me piggybacking. scott

Might make a decent jerk bait rod, I don’t know that rod in particular or know if a 7 footer works for you. In general these days, I use M and ML baitcasting rods for most finesse presentations. I have a strong preference for baitcasting. But if you don’t use it, probably worth selling and putting it towards something you would use. scott

I recently went to 30 and 50lb from 40 and 65lb. I have mostly 100 size reels and think the dig in on 30lb 8 carrier is manageable and the distance/ipt is in my sweet spot. 40lb is still on a couple 150 sized reels and I have no need to change it. Long winded, but yes 40lb would be my one line if I didn’t split it up. scott

I have swam this jig with good results, reminds me of a small hook dirty jigs cali swim jig. scott https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dirty_Jigs_Scott_Canterbury_Compact_Flippin_Jig/descpage-DJSCC.html

Preacher jig started to make sense and catch fish for me this summer, I wanna continue on that. I might try adding a flutter spoon/ large blade bait (4-5”) this year as a 1-2 punch. scott

I’m a fan of the expride A. They’re $209/217 at ALF right now. I have the 7’6 MH and have thrown everything you listed with it and enjoy the heck out of it. Worth considering in my opinion. scott

I need to try the countdown rapala again but my current cold water jerk bait is the nishine eerie darter 115mr. It’s a nose down slow sink that I can work 12-15’ deep. Really helps when they don’t wanna move too far up from the bottom. The pike love it too. Tieable steel leader is necessary. scott

I was playing around with a jackhammer/ kamikaze swimon and noticed the swimon floats a bit. I’m gonna try it as cold water jig trailer, specifically dht punisher. Seems like it could be a nice little feeding panfish profile that moves when still. scott

Try something fast and erratic. I’m a little on the tactical bass in koolaid but their crankbait burned and paused has delivered 3 over 5 with 2 probably more than 6 in MI in 40 degree water the last 2 Novembers. I believe there’s something to the theory that it’s not exactly about food but more about bass doing what it does; react. Attack and ambush anything that fits in its mouth. The last one had 4 of 6 hooks in its upper lip. I think blade baits ripped from grass is another “reaction” bait that can get bigs, but it’s also my numbers bait. If they’re actively feeding, a hard snapped jerk bait. I throw a rigs, jigs, big, and little swim baits too, but the fast stuff gets me bigger bites. scott

I have no idea, but I’d guess yes. I snagged a demo Xtasy 755 last year for a little less than the price of an extreme. I love it a lot more than my champions or fury’s that’s for sure. To me looking for deals on dobyns is necessary because I feel they’re all a bit over priced, which is probably just the warranty cost. scott

Mine too^ Dobyns 734 for the heavier spooks and 99% of my top water is covered. scott

it’s been a couple weeks and I finally figured it out. If you can get on 90/94 either direction for 2hrs you’ll end up in WI or MI where it doesn’t suck. honorable mention to the Lake Michigan smallies, but they’re hard and expensive to chase. scott

It's mid 30's and raining today, my least favorite weather. These gloves are the real deal! Thanks @T-Billy for a great rec. These are also gonna make work a little more comfortable this winter. scott

It can work, but if they do get kinked, you can swirl them in a pot of water on a low boil. Just a few seconds at a time and always moving, they usually reset in one or two passes. I've only done it once but it worked great. I now keep them in their original packaging and keep the soft plastics in various mesh laundry bags. scott

Terrible pics and no scale yet again, but this big girl is about 24". She loved a crankbait burned/paused just before a 10' shelf on one of our few points. The fat 17-18" grabbed a blade as it ripped from some short grass on the shallow side of a steep break. There were a couple other decent blade bait bass and one little guy on a okashira head w/ 3" spark shad. scott

I can't help you on the difference between the internals of the k and 150 mgl. The 7'3XH is definitely enough rod for the 168. Throw with confidence. scott

I decided to get a couple phenix feathers, one a little under $130 and the other a little over $130. I've heard good things from others on this forum, but these will be my first time handling them. I'm hoping for the best. scott

I have 3 expride a's rated to 2oz, 7'3xh, 7'6xh, and 7'7h. I have a bantam, tatula 200, and a curado dc on mine, w/ 50lb, 65lb, and 30lb power pro respectively. They have all handled up to 2oz just fine. I'm about 3 seasons into using these rods and reels for light swimbait duty, among other things. Throwing 6-7" soft swimmers, burritos, s waver 168's and gantarel jrs, are my main swim bait lures. The larger glides and swimmers are fished on a traditional swimbait set up. Pushing your reels like this could make them geary, but I haven't run into it yet. The other benefit of 300 size swimbait reels besides durability is ipt stays more consistent during the retrieve. For me, I can throw these smaller lures all day with the exprides and enjoy it much more. scott