Peacedivision

Xzone swammer particularly the 2.75 and 4.75. I fish the little ones on a finesse jighead and big ones on a 5/0 flashy swimmer or as a swimjig trailer. They have a different kick and a lot more body roll compared to a Keitech.

2007 Makita 18v. One of the two original batteries still kind of works but they don't fit on a modern Makita charger. Thankfully new batteries fit on the old drill.

My only Icon is the 610ML BFS rod and I'm a fan but as @GReb said the fit and finish isn't the best. Wraps on the guides are fat and the epoxy around the grips isn't the cleanest work. Nothing that effects performance just a little sloppy for a US made rod at that price point. One thing to keep in mind all the Icons use micro guides so if you run braid to leader better use a slim knot.

Yep any little pintail/fluke style bait should be great. The 3" spunk shad didn't exist when I started using the micro or that might be my pick. I like the tiny fluke because they're pretty easy to source and come in a 20 pack.

zoom tiny fluke

Daiwa/tw also have their dxb frog rod on sale for $97 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_DXB_Frog_Casting_Rod/descpage-DDXBFR.html

Fury 735C can be had for $73.12+tax from ALF right now, that should free up some of your budget Rod is already discounted, stack code DOBYNS25 EDIT: Forgot ALF has a $99 free shipping minimum so maybe add a spool of braid for the new reel

Little spring essentials restock. Temps are supposed to be in the 70s by the weekend, I can feel the bass wanting to bite.

Yeah should have said limited selection of dobyns on sale. My buddy picked up a Kaden 713s for $110 after tax.

Noticed something with the Alf presidents Day sale. Dobyns rods are discounted 25% automatically and the dobyns25 code is still active and stacks lol. Drops the price of a kaden from $180 to $101 in cart. Jump on it before they figure it out and disable the code.

The hookup tackle is doing a 25% off select items spring sale similar to TW. Some good stuff available https://thehookuptackle.com/collections/spring-25-off-sale

A 7" nessie is $10 and you can throw it on just about anything. Test and report back if you get any bites or followers

I've pulled some big rays in from the bay as well, hard fighting underwater sails. They do have a weird leather feel, the sharks are more like wet worn sandpaper.

Feels pretty good after skunking like 5 times in a row to start out. The bass wouldn't play yesterday but that's ok.

First fish of 2025 2 Leopards on Saturday soaking anchovies 3 trout Sunday bottom bouncing a gold kastmaster.

Tackle warehouse has the current line 25% off plus a free aftco shirt

Right handed and all my reels are left hand retrieve. It's what feels natural.

Doubt they are being discontinued, they were just introduced last year. When ALF first put the world class rods on blowout they said in the add they weren't selling, probably the same story with other retailers. Feels like they priced themselves into a corner a bit.

The reels are still available but not via Amazon Japan. The Zillion HD for example is now offered by Ichigo Ichie Japan for ~$100 more than the old Amazon Japan price. You can still find the Amazon Japan storefront but no more cheap reels.

I would say it's a pretty fast tip, bends to between the third and fourth guide then it's all power. Haven't fished the megabass so I can't give a comparison. Mostly used the zillion this year to pitch weightless 6" senkos. Best I can do to show the action. hook stuck in a wooden table on the back patio

25% off in stock Dobyns rods as well code DOBYNS25

Doubt it, I think their pricing is just set by MAP and conversion rates. This just removes the easy mode option and ability to pay with amazon cards/rewards points.

Unfortunately it looks like Amazon has nuked all the Amazon Japan reel listings. All the deals on steez/tatula/zillion are gone and replaced by third party sellers.

I load it up with all the random odds and ends that don't really fit in a backpack or tackle flat when I'm out.

I have one of the non mesh cubes and its been solid so far.