Peacedivision

It's worth checking Amazon resale for returned rods from time to time as well. They have a returned like new xtast 725c for $285 at the moment. I scored a champ extreme 795 for $155 through resale recently.

Much better the second time around, rod is still a single piece. For $79 I think these might be my goto rec for friends who don't like expensive rods. At least locally, I've never had DSG ship a rod.

Bought the frenzy 735 again haha, flexed the hell out of the tip and blank in store so I'm relatively sure this one won't explode under its first load, fingers crossed.

Not sure exactly why but the Shimano Japan sites list the Aldebaran and Calcutta BFS as being plastic line only reels. I've personally never messed with braid on my BFS combos, all are spooled with either 6lb ultragreen or 6lb daiwa samurai fluoro,

Lots of tiny striper recently but the bass bite from the bank has died for me. Just these two dinks since mid November.

I've stuck to my plan of only buying during sales or discounts. It hasn't slowed me down much, I'm just better at finding deals now haha.

Couple keepers on the spook

Found in the rocks today, unfortunately I don't think a new set of hooks is bringing this one back from the dead. Looks like it baked in the sun for a while.

I have a googan spinner bait somewhere that I snagged and dragged out of the forebay. Never used it.

Owner ST, owner STX are my favorite lines. Testing some BKK hooks also recently and they have performed very well. Fang 62/63 for striper, spear 21 has been a great finesse hook.

I don't mess around anymore plastics are always bagged even worn out discarded baits. Not just elaztech will mess stuff up, and things you don't always think about can be highly reactive. I recently had a discarded rapala mayor just tossed in my tackle bag before I could trash it eat all the soft touch rubber off my scale and completely melt into a BKK hook pack.

If you're really planning to throw 5oz baits I think the Fury 795 will be overloaded, probably better off with an 8oz rod like the 806.

Amazon has the Simms Challenger bibs for $175 prime at the moment, retail price $249 (some shops still showing $229 but generally out of stock everywhere.

@GetFishorDieTryin no the 701 is a standard tubular tip fast action.

Dobyns Sierra UF 701c, basically always has a 1/16 #2 head and 2.5-2.75 swimbait tied on. Probably caught close to 1000 fish with that combo just this year.

@HawkeyeSmallie the Arizona shops also don't charge sales tax. That's effectively another 9% off for me.

Copper state tackle 25% off through 11/30

@ATA I ended up with a Tatule elite P/F from Amazon for ~189, braid from TW during their 15% off line sale. Full rigged combo for less than MSRP of the rod.

Buzz bait and whopper plopper. I'll keep trying but my time investment is minimal because I catch other ways.

@MississippiPug spunk shad, d bombs, magic worms, baby d stroyers, mini swim jigs, warlock heads.

Taking advantage of copper state 30% off missile baits sale to stock up some essentials.

One solid striper today probably 5-6lbs on the spook

Decent 6 pack today

Decided to roll the dice on a used rod from Amazon, that price was too good to pass up with their return policy. With some Amazon points it came out to $155 shipped. Rod showed up in brand new condition, still in the plastic and still has plastic on the cork, the only missing item was the Fuji paper tag on the guides. Had a previous customers return label in the tube so I assume it was just a model mix-up.

@zell_pop1 I haven't handled one yet but it's definitely a different platform than the old CT. Looks more like a slightly detuned Tatula elite, 2 fewer bearings and probably a heavier spool.