JackstrawIII

My best fishing day of 2024 was April 28th here in NY... which happened to be the first day that I brought my boat out (it was a cold spring, and I don't like being cold). Hoping that things warm up quicker this season, as I'm itchy to get out and start the party. We still have ice around the launches in many places, but it's disappearing steadily. All that to say, I'm guessing I'll catch my first bass (from my boat) around April 15th. I'll likely hit up a few shore fishing spots on my way to work before then, but that's when I'm going to "officially" start the season.

March (Walleye) through October (deer season). Bass doesn't get good until mid April around here, so I focus on bass from mid-April through around mid-September.

I use DC reels for techniques where lots of drag is NOT needed, such as crankbaits and things, as they're generally not a super strong drag, but you should be able to find the drag rating for your particular reel online so you can compare it to others. With that said, if you want the drag tighter, then tighten it. Don't be afraid to crank it up to where you need it.

Hey, welcome to the forums. We'd need more info to give you a good answer (what you're using it for, etc). With that said, that's a great price on the Daiwa.

I live like 30 mins from Cayuga, but don't fish it very often. It's so big, I'm intimidated and unsure where to start. I guess I'm missing out!

White works just fine in the Northeast... especially topwaters and spinnerbaits.

Whether or not you meant to... you have further complicated things haha. That Tatula Elite 7'2 MHR is very tempting.

Brian, very helpful post, thanks. Also, I was looking at a screenshot of the Victory rod guide that someone had posted elsewhere on this forum, and had no idea the real rod guide was so extensive. Very helpful, thank you!

Ahh, I didn't see that. Thanks for the clarification! Yeah, seems like I was looking at the wrong rod. I think the 72MHMF is a better rod for what I'm looking to do. Thank you.

Yeah, that's the exact rod I'm looking at. How would you describe the sensitivity? Can you feel the vibrations of the bladed jig at low speeds? I like to work it as slow as possible while still feeling the chatter, so sensitivity is important to me. How about power? I use a texas rigged paddletail around grass and structure a lot. Would you say this rod has the horsepower to pull fish out of vegetation as needed? Lastly, I'm hoping a slower, more "medium" action rod will help with casting distance a bit, as sometimes the paddletails aren't all that heavy and casting distance can be a challenge. Thanks! Ps. I'm a big fan of copoly line. I'd probably use 12lb YoZuri on this rig.

Hey, trying to find someone with some feedback on the St Croix Victory VTC72MHM. This rod seems like it would fit a good niche in my arsenal (smaller paddletails, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits), but I can't seem to find any comments on the forums about who has it and what they use it for. Even the graph that St Croix provides with their victory line doesn't show this rod being good at anything, which is a bit confusing. What do you guys think? Anyone use this rod? I would love to hear someone describe the tip, action, and power of this rod. Do you think it's a good fit for the presentations I'm thinking about? Thanks!

I fish underspins a LOT, but never that deep. I'm not patient enough to let them sink that far and will normally choose something with a much heavier weight/bulk ratio for a quicker sink. For me, underspins are a go-to technique in like 12' of water or less. If you ever have questions about their use in that scenario, I'd be happy to talk.

I always keep a MH spinning rod or two on the boat for when I have guests that aren't comfortable using a casting rod. I let them use the MH spinners for topwaters and swimming baits.

Heck yes haha. Here's my favs: 1. "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole is my favorite album. It has a lot of the "classic" Christmas carols that I love so much. 2. "A Family Christmas" by Andrea Bocelli, his son, and his grand daughter is one of our favorites too. I can't listen to it on repeat, but it's very precious a few times a year. 3. "Smoky Mountain Christmas" by Al Perkins. Very nice, upbeat bluegrass instrumental album I used to listen to as a child and still enjoy. Honorable mention to Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Saw them live as a teenager and still love remembering that moment.

Now you just have to figure out how to choose which one to fish haha. Enjoy.

Awesome post. Thank you.

That's exactly what I thought when I read the OP. I refer to carp splashes as psychological warfare... they mess with your head!

I'd fish a paddletail swimbait on a weighted swimbait hook. Very snag-proof and can be fish deep or shallow effectively.

Biggest eyes I've ever used are on the Dobyns. I like them because my leader knots go through much more smoothly than other brands.

Usually 7'1.

I have the 6'8 Heavy Dobyns. It's a good rod. Pretty sensitive for a short & heavy rod. It's pretty light too. I've also used 6'8 Mediums from St. Croix. I couldn't find much use for them at the time, but that probably reflects more on my style than on the rods themselves.

Thank you so much.

Chris Reeve Sebenza 21. Every single day for many years. That's about it.

I make knives (@danfreda on IG) and enjoy shooting/reloading. I play guitar and do some golfing when I can't fish. Also back in grad school, which puts a damper on all of the above.

The SLX XT is way better than it has any right to be. Highly recommend.