LootyDjibouti

Question on a BuCoo spinning rod, specifically the "Finesse MH" (BRS-5-173)... It's listed as a 5-power but with lure weight 1/16oz-1/4oz and 6-14 lb line. I'm intrigued as I posted this in another thread, but I'm looking for a spinning rod to chuck weightless 3" pit bosses across lily pads. I guess I'm a little confused by the MH/5-power label but very light lure rating. If that's truly the case where it has a soft tip but plenty of backbone that's actually what I'm looking for. I don't see this rod in any of their other lineups. Anyone have this one?

Even in my limited time here I’d come to recognize Tom. Why? Because if there was ever a thread where someone wanted help, insight, or knowledge, he was there, eager to lend his expertise. His legacy is defined by helping others, and that is something we all should strive for in our own lives. And even if he is no longer physically with us, his spirit lives on not only through his tips still widely accessible on BassResource, but also through the anglers he’s helped become the next stewards of fishing. RIP.

Unforuntately you are not the first person I've heard have issues with Ark customer service. Glad you were able to sort it out yourself, although you shouldn't have had to.

Took advantage of the Kistler 70% off reels sale. I know the Feather Chromiums are likely rebadged from a Chinese producer (although their website claims Trey Kistler and Beau Reed helped develop the updated ones?) but been wanting to give a LH reel a shot for frogging and a 6 oz, 200-size reel with 19 lbs drag for ~$90 seems like a good place to start.

I’m good with either. Would logic suggest a spinning setup provides further distance, but a baitcasting setup more power? Even for this relatively lightweight application? There are times where I will drop the lure into the holes in the pads. I will add a 1/16-1/8oz pegged weight for those instances but that does make it harder to then retrieve over the top. Up to me to figure out what they prefer on any given day.

Note to self... do NOT place Amazon Haul orders when you'll be out of town the following week as all the boxes arrive and your wife is the only one to bring them in.

Thanks fellas. I love throwing a frog. However the bass here in south jersey (like elsewhere) are very pressured and in my experience there are times the steady retrieve of a tiny pit boss generates reaction strikes that the frog just doesn’t. I throw a horny toad too, but it has a tendency to get stuck in the pads more. I also like the pit boss’s ability to be dropped into and then out of the smallest of crevices during the retrieve.

To be honest.. I broke the tip off the rod I use now so it’s more of a 6’8 or 6’9” haha I’m just using the 10 or 15 lb braid I had spooled on it already, that’s probably doing me a huge disservice.

Very interesting. Might give it some time then and weigh options. I saw a JDM thread and now I’m also looking at SLX DC XT’s. Those are maybe a 1/2 oz heavier but I wonder if Shimano’s DC5 is a step above the Chinese alternatives, or if you think they’re all pretty much the same.

I’m searching for rods to throw small, weightless soft plastics over pads. I like throwing 3” pit bosses weightless but they’re quite small. Im currently using a 6’10M spinning rod rated 1/16-1/2oz. They (Halo) make a casting rod of the same length, power, and rating. It works, but I’d like more casting distance since I’m steadily reeling these across the top and sometimes they’re way back in the pads. But it needs to have enough power to get them out of there, hence the dilemma. TIA.

This reel interests me as its digital control but only 6.3 oz. It’s die-cast aluminum, unlike most Bates reels which are the CNC’d aluminum. But it’s also half the price ($200). I’d totally moved away from DC reels but now kind of want at least one again for skipping and pitching in the kayak. ICAST release so doubt anyone here has one yet but the combination of DC + a lightweight, small frame is appealing.

So I just tried something and it worked… if you have a newer iPhone, use the Visual Intelligence feature. It’s the bottom button on the right exterior side of the phone. Press and hold that button, it will vibrate and camera will pop up. Take a photo, then hit search. I’ve used this for plants many times, and it just recognized my DT series crankbait and Storm Aruku shad down to the specific color. It even nailed the Crush City Mayor small swimbait. However it gave vague results for my berkley spinnerbait. EDIT: Just re-read that you lost the lure, sorry disregard.

I saw HellaBass on YouTube uses a Vmc crossover ring and puts the hook through that on the back end right where the “tail” starts. Haven’t tried it myself.

This is a shame. ALF had great customer service and promotions.

A lot of discounted apparel in here too

Hell of a deal, though the tail fell out of mine on one bad cast. User error for sure but keep that extra tail. Wondering if there's a way I can secure it in place better.

Killer setup for throwing 3" weightless pit bosses over pads just like a toad tho!

Man they’ve repackaged these same products across three different kinds of sales. Looking like a Taco Bell menu 😂

Ike is obviously in a class of his own, but pro anglers Greg DiPalma and Adrian Avena are both also from South Jersey.

I chuck a popper and/or a wacky rig at it a few times. Last weekend I saw a bass come a foot out of the water chasing bait, the entire fish was airborne. Threw a popper over there, worked it aggressively and got him. He was obviously actively feeding in good conditions but I also throw the wacky in tighter corridors. It’s worth the 5-10 casts to find out.

That “YouTube Goober” runs one of if not the single largest JDM retail shop in the U.S… just saying.

Where do you shop for spools? (Daiwa & Shimano) I’d love to get another spool as my Magdraft/Frog rod does double duty. Thx.

I enjoy watching the anglers have to grind it out. They’re the best in the world, so who’s gonna go prove it when it’s tough… Ike and GDP are both from south jersey and doing well - water looks pretty similar to home!

Finally checked my roster and Dakota Ebare caught just a single fish yesterday? Oof!

Crossing my fingers ALF will get back to running secret sales and (additional) used discounts. Seems like they've been focused on working out some issues with the site redesign first which is fair.