UmairF

Have the 852 with the newer twin power FE 3000 and it feels perfect in my hands. More of a do-all rod for me finesse-wise. Picked up a 2023 Vanquish 3000 and paired it with an NRX+ 842S SJR and took it out on it’s first trip today. I think I may like the sound of drag peeling on it better than my Exist… the Exist is like a magnificent painting you admire but the vanquish is like music to my ears lol. All 3 reels are phenomenal and couldn’t recommend them more. I go with the 3000 on all of my spinning reels. T handle takes a little bit getting used to if you’re used to using 2500 sized reels but you’re comparing feathers with leaves at a certain point.

Hey this thread has been super helpful! I have an Expride B 7’2 ML, NRX+852/803S, and P5 Addermine at the moment in my spinning lineup. Dont think I need such a powerful rod (803) for skipping docks when I have the 852 and the Addermine is perfect to me for dropshots/ned rigs instead of the Expride B 7’2 ML. Thinking of consolidating the 803/Expride B 7’2 ML and heard the 842S is super versatile and would fit the bill for what I’m looking to do without being redundant. Needed a strolling rod plus something that’ll complement the 852/Addermine instead of constantly retying one rod for multiple applications. Basically a slightly lighter version of the 852 that can stroll, dock skip when I need to, and throw lighter baits than the 852. Addermine would be my dedicated dropshot/ned rig rod. What do you guys think? On a side note, I also saw some comments about the NRX+ casting rods. What would be the NRX+ equivalent to the P5 Dark Sleeper and would you guys prefer that over the P5? Thanks!

I’m going to Japan anything bass fishing related I should look out for or should definitely grab??

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed

Either is fine! Would appreciate recs for both

Wondering if you guys have any suggestions on bucket list bass fisheries when it’s really hot. Thinking July since the wife and I want to take a trip somewhere. Been paying for a guide every time I go somewhere with the wife but getting kind of annoyed paying $350+ for a guide just to catch dinks. Went to Chickamagua and Okeechobee and caught 2 or 3 okay fish and that was the day both times. I know I’m not paying for “guaranteed optimal fishing conditions” but it just doesn’t make any sense for me to spend that kind of money when I know the season isn’t right. I also strongly dislike when we have to rely on live bait to catch fish. I never use live bait when I’m fishing and would rather spend the time searching for fish on artificials than take the easy way out and throw a minnow on a bobber. At least I get more of a learning experience using artificials than sitting around using something I’d never throw again. Not that it’s the guide’s fault by any means! In fact we’ve created fun memories and the guides we’ve had have all been great and nothing but nice. The fishing just has never turned out as productive maybe because of the season, weather, other factors for that day. That’s just how fishing goes and I get that but I’m starting to get hesitant on dropping that much money on these guide trips unless there’s a higher chance that the season is right. So that’s why I’d like some suggestions on higher percentage lakes during July so at least I know I’m doing my research before booking something. Just using this as a starting point since I know nothing in fishing is guaranteed. Thanks, Umair

Here’s what I got going: https://youtu.be/hymSYxFSJUM Mainly P5s and NRX+

What are you guys rockin with this year? Here’s what I got going: https://youtu.be/hymSYxFSJUM Mainly P5s and NRX+

These rules are almost as important as wearing a PFD! Lol thanks

Oh yeah I’m on top of that. Found out the types of attachments you can mount on the universal plates. Bought a couple yak attack mighty mounts specifically for inflatables so I’ll be able to add a rod holder and paddle holder. Didn’t want to spend the money on an anchor wizard so I’m trying to put a system together using a dog leash and a 5lb dumbell. Just need to understand how itll work once im on the water. Definitely seems like this will be an expanding project to work on this year to see what works best for me but Imm excited. Told myself I wont get any fancier electronics till I get the basics down. (Although I think I’ll probably go with a Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 using the Yak Attack cell block transducer mount)

Going to try fitting both myself and the wife in my blackfoot and fish together. I’ll be paddling for us most of the time but it’ll be worth it getting her on the water with me!

I ended up finding a new Aquaglide Blackfoot 130 Angler! Did a lot of research the last month since I last posted here and it seemed like the best option for the freshwater ponds and lakes I’ll be fishing in. Love how customizable it is as well. Got it in the mail last week just waiting for the weather to warm up a little more for its maiden journey!

Great point about playing around with the fish finders in person! Will do that soon

When I meant “give” I meant my rod is really fast and the braid has no stretch so there’s no give anywhere in that. I understand what you guys are saying though. Was thinking of the 4-strand instead of the 8 purely for being able to saw through grass better Yes I think this is exactly what’s happening. I do like my XH Expride because it doubles as a shorter punching rod which I love. 4-strand 50lb is probably the better solution

What lb test do you guys use for frogs (in heavy vegetation not open water)? I’m using a 7’3 XH Expride B with a Curado 200M this season. I was using 65lb suffix 131 last year on the same rod and noticed I’m ripping holes in the mouth on the 1.5-4lb fish we catch on average where I’m at in IL and WI. My initial thought is that there’s no give in my system. Not that I’d want much give while frogging and flipping into the thick stuff and wrenching them out. Thinking if I switch down to a 4-strand 50lb test that might not tear holes in their mouths. 65lb test maybe makes more sense when you’re fishing places more south where the class of fish and cover are even heavier compared to the fish and cover up here.

Hey everyone, Saw some people asking about this rod earlier and decided to make a quick review on it. Hope this helps answer some questions! Let me know how you like it and would appreciate if you supported by subscribing! https://youtu.be/twmPkjFANXs

You think a Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 would be too big for the aquaglide blackfoot 130 angler kayak (inflatable)? Otherwise I was thinking of the 7. Some ideas on how/where to mount it would be great since Ive never done this before. Does it have a rechargeable battery built in or do I absolutely need to get a separate battery pack?

Following this. I’m debating between inflatable and hard-shell folding. The inflatables within my budget seem a little too unstable based on videos I’ve seen. Looking for something under $800. What other hard-shell folding fishing kayak brands are out there other than Brooklyn?

Used to think that too but here we are neck-deep! 😂

What would your top 6 high-end rods be? Looking to hear what you guys consider “gems” and what you use them for. Can be a mix of casting and spinning. Curious to hear from the NRX+, P5, and Daiwa Steez AGS lines.

If you’re a Pro member you can add it to your cart and use the code CURADO. It knocks 25% off. I also had a bunch of omnia credits which I used towards and got a steal

I ended up grabbing a Curado 200M off Omnia since they got a deal going on right now for Pro members. Thinking to replace my 150 mgl with it that’s currently paired up with a 7’3 XH Expride B for frogging primarily. Secondary applications I was thinking if using it for are punching with 1oz+ into thick mats and larger single hook swimbaits.

I use the plano guide series 3600 with the magnetic top. Best bag Ive ever had for co-angling. How do you guys store soft plastics? Dont really like the idea of a bunch of bags all over the place

Been co-angling for a couple years in my local club. Got to meet/fish with a bunch of great guys and learned a lot. Not a stranger to fishing behind people and co-angler etiquette. What are some strategies depending on the situation you guys use during tournaments in the following? - Docks - Weedlines - Open water behind FFS I’d call myself a dynamic angler. I think I adapt pretty well to the situation I’m given. One thing that hurt me last season was bringing too many options of the same presentation. (Ex. Too many colors/styles of the same presentation, too many “backup baits”). Going to focus on keeping it more simple this year. Looking for more of a methodical response to approaching these situations from your guys’ experience. Anything “sneaky” you guys do to be more efficient on the water? Always looking at more ways to get as many casts in a day as I can. Also, curious as to how you guys select rods/organize tackle into a compact package. I don’t like bringing more than 5-6 rods TOPS and end up catching most of my fish on maybe 2-3 of those rods anyways lol. I’ve been loving the Plano 3600 Guide Series bag with the magnetic top. So easy for me to have things ready to go and leave sitting out to dry since it won’t fall off. Usually bring 3 tackle boxes: - Terminal - Jigs (bladed jigs and swim jigs in here as well. Will stuff a few spinnerbaits if needed here too.) - Hard bait box (topwaters, trebles, etc.) Hardest thing for me to organize last year was my soft plastics. Stuffed my dropshot/ned rig plastics into a roboworm bag, bunch of senkos into a GYB senko bag, and craw trailers/flipping baits into a small bag. This could also be another reason why I felt the need to bring so many options for soft plastics… I can still fit another 3600 size tackle box along with the existing 3 and just organize my soft plastics into there as well instead of the multiple bags but want to hear your thoughts too.

Heard the Winbuster is THE free rig rod. Not to say the 872 wouldn’t be great at it too. I personally love the secondary action that P5s have when fighting a fish. The 852S is my go-to shakey head/shallow water finesse rod. Grabbed an 803S for close-quarter finesse fishing in docks and pads. P5 Addermine is my dropshot/ned rig rod, and 852 is more of an all-around rod. That’s why I figured the Windbuster would be a great addition for my arsenal. Hope that helps