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Ok. Interesting. It would just be annoying fishing for salamanders. Lol. I will test it out next week as I am making another trip. If I see one I will run over it....I mean troll over it. Thanks. Ok. I can research that maybe. There were quite a few of those and I didn't want to be mislead to go after a school of salamanders...Will try to do an experiment next week and post back what I find. Thanks. So just looked it up....these are two-lined salamanders and have lungs until they are 3 and become adults before they change and breath through their skin..... So that is really not helpful. Now I need to know the age to determine if they show up....Let's just say I won't be checking them to see if they reached puberty... Dilemmas of life.....Too funny. I suppose I can assume the ones in the water are under 3 and do have lungs and will show on the fish finder. I will still try to test out the theory, especially if it's slow on the water.

So last year I got a steal on the Garmin echo map uhd 73sv. I used it a few times and it's great. Nice to have even when the fish aren't really biting yet...just to map out things etc.. Had a good lime locating some deeper pockets of the SMB and marking some waypoints. So the mile long lake I fish in goes to about 40ft at the deepest point. I know the sonar uses the air bladder to identify....I looked around and couldn't seem to find an answer on.... Small SALAMANDERS! The lake had lots of them darting around a couple of weeks ago and wondering if the fish finder was identifying them as fish. They were about the only thing active in the water, other than a couple of loud, curious and amazing loons. They were about 3-4 inches tops and are super thin, of course. Anyone know for sure?

Sounds like something I would do...too funny. Noticed the ALX rod. I just got the spinning Zolo JPS - arrived yesterday. Will be trying it out next weekend hopefully. Seems like a quality rod in the hand.

In previous years I found smaller soft plastics work well (ned). Haven't been out this year yet. Shiny objects - spinners worked slowly and deeper can work pre/pre/pre spawn. I fish in upstate NY and it's still too early and cold there. Couple more weeks....counting the days...C'mon weather!

Looking forward to some topwater action in the next month or so. I am going to use the WP for the first time and picked up an ALX JPS rod and a Tatula LT 2500 as my dedicated topwater gear. Nothing like the hatch coming up and the surface battle to begin. Adrenaline to hit the spots where the SMB are feasting.

IMHO, I think you should be good with this setup or maybe a 2500 reel. Should be balanced and give you the sensitivity you are looking for with the ML.

What are the reel and rod weights you are looking at? I use a vanford 3000 (6.3oz) and procyon 2500's (6.7oz) with a ML avid-x 6'6" MLF (3.5 oz) and use it for ned etc...Perfect balance. The ML and my combo is great for finesse fishing. If it's a lighter 3000 you should be good but as casts_by_fly mentioned it might be a little heavy depending on the rod weight. If you rod isn't super light you should be fine. I got into finesse fishing about 2 years ago and am enjoying it . Having lots of success with a weedless ned setup.

Well....I only have 2 quality rods - the St. Croix Avid-x (6'6" MLF) rods paired with a Vanford 3000 and Procyon 2500 LT and loving that setup for ned type fishing. Incredible really. They recently stopped making the avid-x so I started to look for something similar....3 higher quality rods would be best... I only fish in 1 private lake about a mile long and up to 40ft deep - upstate NY. Loaded with only and mostly smaller SMB. They range from 7" to just over 3lbs (only a few of those bigger ones). Can pick up 100 in a weekend, so it's action packed and amazing. So....I really "needed" a topwater rod to hit the hatch when it comes up in the summer. Amazing to witness the hour of splashes as the birds/bats/fish/me go after the smalleys rising to the surface to destroy the bugs as they attempt to dry the wings on the surface. Shouldn't have.... but found a deal on the tatula lt 2500 and added an ALX JPS (Jerkbait/Popper/Shakey) spinning rod (6'8" MF). Both arrive this week.... Looking forward to using this mostly unnecessary purchase, dedicated for the early morning and late evening surface fishing. Haven't used a whopper plopper ever, but picked up several - 60,75,90 to use for the mostly the evening mayhem on this new setup. Can the weather please cooperate soon? Still some upper 30's at night where I fish...but was in the 70's a couple of weeks ago as the highs. As the saying goes...I used to be a doctor but I ran out of patience/patients. ?

Reached out to ALX and they recommended the ZOLO JPS (Jerkbait, Poppers, Shakey) spinning - 6'8" Medium Fast. Anyone have/use this? It's fairly new. I love the avid-x mlf 6'6" for ned, so this might be great for the whopper plopper etc...on the smaller size - 60,75,90. Might get some good distance with it too.

Thanks! Helps knowing what to look for....and now I need to look at which brand and model...only 4k of them out there lol...Something similar weight wise like the avid-x - 3.5 oz I believe.

I also have the 60's. Most of the SMB I catch are 1lb with a few up to 3lbs or so. Guess Medium would be better. Any speed recommendations? Moderate for this type of fishing? I use the Avid-x MLF for ned and sometimes spinners and they are perfect for that but I do miss quite a few topwater with this setup. They are smaller fish so some of that is expected but it would be nice to land more. I would still want the rod weight to be fairly light and not over 7' if it's a one piece.

So....should I look for a topwater specific rod? I want to use the whopper plopper 60/75 for smaller SMB at night when the hatch comes up in the evening. I will never really get anything over 4lbs where I fish, so nothing more that medium or even medium light.

All the users? I haven't experienced that or found that in my research. My vanford actually makes some noise sometimes on retrieve and I have only had it a couple of years. Still functions well though but odd. That being said, good luck with your search. So many options out there....I do not fish for anything over 5lbs and fish mostly in smaller lakes so I haven't tested out all my gear to the fullest. Hopefully no issues down the road.

I have the vanford 3000 and the daiwa procyon lt 2500. I prefer the daiwa but both are great. It's cheaper too - somewhere between $120-$150 usually. I am looking at the Tatula myself.

I am really disappointed about this. I bought 2 avid-x mlf 6'6" and they are perfect for all fish up to 4 lbs or so. Used with procyon lt 2500 and vanford. Incredibly balanced and easy to cast all day. I tried the victory line but it was xf and not good for anything surface and none of the other lengths fit what I was looking for. The bottom up reel seat was getting loose for me too. The avid-x is exactly what I was looking for with good sensitivity but still plenty of backbone. Anyone know of another line or brand that is similar with a top down reel seat? I am looking for a 3rd rod and opened up another post a while ago but didn't get any responses. Mostly catch smaller smb but tons of numbers on a private lake.

Ok. I have the Procyon LT not the AL and love it. I only fish for SMB max 4lb though, so drag isn't an issue. No monsters where I fish.

Old thread I know …but I have a vanford and Procyon 2500s (step under the Tatula) and they are both awesome but I prefer the Procyon a little more. Just feels better to cast. I imagine the Tatula is even sweeter. Curious -Darth how do you like the Tatula? I am looking for another procyon or Tatula at some point.

Outstanding! Like a farmer in his field.? Congrats. Looks fantastic.

For a smaller bag that fits quite a bit I just got the kastking bait boss. It fits 2 3600 and has tons of pockets and an outside pocket for the pliers. I like it. Fits all I need for a day trip and is super light. Also has a front pocket for my soft plastics and ned stuff. Up to 5 or 6 bags. Even a drink holder.... Has a handle, shoulder strap....It was exactly what I was looking for. Easy to grab and go with essentials. Zippers are solid. Only $30 or so. I had previous purchased a plano speedbag for softs. I keep my extra stuff in that to replenish this kastking.

I did think about some extension but I wasn't thinking about having large bolts temporarily put in the bunks. I guess the bolts would have to be put in lower and really close to the end so that an extreme angle of the extension bunk doesn't make it stick up higher than the original bunk or the boat would get stuck on it going off and down toward the water. Assuming you meant going through the pieces outside to in and not top down. I have the previous method down and it doesn't take long at all. There is a small flat beach so getting the boat to the water with the dolly is quick. Coming back out I can rest the dolly and attach the tow strap to the trailer and drive it up to a flat area. My boat is light enough to roll even without the dolly on a flat surface. I will think about it but it is more "stuff". I already have the pieces of my removable casting deck and other pieces to convert it to a "bass boat" stored in the old cabin near the launch. Is it me or does everybody keep adding more and more things to their setup each year??? lol Appreciate the idea.

Thanks. It's not really that steep but my suv got stuck one time on the sand/dirt combo and it was uneven. I stay away from that part. I only need to bring it up about 4' (incline) or so in total for about 12' across the land. I can almost pull it up on the dolly my self, but it's easy to attach a tow strap and drive up about 12' forward. The method I use works well and is easy. I did about 6 times last year. This alleviates me having to use my lack of brute strength. ? The dolly followed by the tow strap accomplishes that quickly and easily. I missed the part of an a-frame on the ground when I read it the first time. It would work. Just not sure I could get it to stay flat on the uneven sand/weird bank I have to go over. Thanks for the idea. I keep adding stuff every year....My family is starting to question my sanity...and deservedly so. I have earned it...

No responses at this point so bumping this. I realize there are 1000's of rods to choose from. Just looking for someone who has had experience with the avid-x and has another similar option with most of the criteria I listed. I started researching MegaBass and maybe shouldn't have....

I forgot to let everyone know what I did and how it turned out.... So the dolly I got works pretty well attaching it to my trailer. I can't load the boat up fully but can load the removable sections on it and roll it into the water (basically 1/2 loaded). I use chocks 5 ft or so from the water and get it down where I can push the boat in the water safely. No worries about getting my vehicle stuck anymore. Getting out the boat is a bit too much for me to pull up the whole way on the dolly (manually), but I get it on the dolly and get the dolly out of the water a little (before the hill starts). I attach a 12' tow strap to my vehicle and my trailer and remove the dolly at that point. Up we go over the hill/terrain. Saves me about 15 minutes on the retrieval and unloading (not from the dock). Plus I am not dragging my boat on sand/rocks or anything. Not perfect but this method is pretty easy with one person now and does save me quite a bit of time and aggravation. I did it 6 or 7 times last spring/summer. Appreciate all the input and ideas last year. Looking forward to another great fishing season with a few less headaches.

So I bought 2 Avid-X spinning MLF 6'6" a few years ago. Love them. Catch tons of SMB (under 4lbs), mostly smaller ones. I use them for ned, topwater, spinners etc...Split grip is great and the light weight is perfect for me. Paired with Procyon 2500 and Vanford 3000. Great for my needs. St. Croix has discontinued the product. Looking for something similar but has to have the reel seat tightening from the top down. Also looking at 2 piece or more so I have a great portable option as I might be tracking through some woods to some new ponds/lakes this spring/summer. My avid-x rods are both 1 piece. I did try the victory but didn't like it as much and the reel seat got loose on occasion the way I cast. That's why I like the top down. Although the St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod 6'6" Med Light 4pc SCII Carbon - TSR66MLF4 doesn't meet all my needs it's close I think. Anybody own this one or have any experience with it? Open-minded for another brand but am really happy with my Avid-X's. To summarize what I am looking for: 1. Spinning 2. super light-weight 3. split grip if possible 4. top down reel seat tightening (OR great reel tightening system). 5. 2 piece or more for portability 6. MLF 7. 6' up to 7' max length 8. Around $200 or less Thanks.

Same thing happened to me a few years ago. I went with the 45" Terrova. It's fine on my 1542 Jon boat. No issues. I use the remote though and not the foot pedal.