10,000 lakes Bassin

Thanks guys! I’m going to go with the zillion!

That’s what I’m hoping! I also like the wide rating range on it. 1/2-3/4oz jigs might be the sweet spot.

Anybody else end up with these rods? What did you think?

This is copied directly from @Kevhead19 on his post on the new zillion rods thread. “I'm no savvy reviewer but I bought the 7'2 Heavy/Fast. I have been using it for 5/8oz spinner baits, 6 inch magdrafts, heavier plastics to pitch, etc. I have been more than impressed. It has power, a fast tip but sneakily becomes more moderate under load. I bought mine to directly compare to a Steez power pitch (7'2 Heavy/fast). In my hands they are incredibly close in performance and I would happily buy the Zillion again.” This is the only review I’ve seen on this rod but that is looking very promising. His description is very similar to how Ive heard people Describe the power pitch. After reading this I am leaning towards the zillion.

That Okuma definitely looks good. I guess we could also throw the 7’4 heavy exprides in here too. It’s a modfast but I’m not sure exactly how slow it feels.

I know, these rods a hardly comparable being that one costs almost 2x more than the other, but I still want to compare them. I’m basically looking for a $300 power pitch being that I can’t bring myself to buy one for $550, and I don’t want to buy used. I also don’t love the idea of AGS guides even though it would probably be fine with an FG knot. (Knowing myself I would always be worried about braid to a leader wrecking that rod.) Ive heard great things about the exprides sensitivity and balance but I’m wondering if its overall action is similar to the Steez. 1/2oz jigs, swimjigs, t-rigs, up to 3/4oz jigs and t-rigs would be what was tie on to that rod most of the time. Maybe 3/8oz every once in a while. I know this is towards the bottom of this rods rating so I’m also wondering how it will handle those lighter weights. I guess the 7’2 heavy zillion is also an option but ive never heard anything about this rod so Ive got no clue about it’s sensitivity is or how it feels to fish.

Is the 904 less balanced? Ive heard a lot of people on here mention that the 904 was poorly balanced and not that fun to fish but I think they were referring to the NRX/NRX+ version. I would pair it to a met 100 with 40lb 131 and a long fluoro leader.

@Dwight Hottle Thanks for the input! I’d love to hear from someone who has used both the 844 and the 904 to see if the two models fish differently. @softwateronly I think you’ve mentioned using the 904? Have you ever used a 844? Thank you!

What would the cons of going to the 904 be? I’m use to 7’3-7’4 rods so it might be more normal for me?

Ive got a couple of questions the IMX pro MBR line. First off, does the unique MBR taper end up being less sensitivity compared to a standard fast action? I’m not sure why I'm worried about less sensitivity but for some reason I am. Secondly, I’m curious about what IMX pro MBR will fit my needs. I want to pick out a MBR that will effectively throw the following: 3.8-4.8” swimbaits on a jighead or flashy swimmer 3/8-3/4oz bladed jigs 3/8-3/4oz spinnerbaits 3/8-3/4oz football jigs 3/8-1/2oz swimjigs. Also in a pinch it would be nice to know that I could tie on one of the following: 3/8-3/4oz grass and arky jigs (around lighter cover) T-rigged plastics with up to 5/8oz of weight buzzbaits walking topwater. I know, I know, that’s a crazy variety of baits to fish on one rod but from what I’ve heard about that MBR action one rod should be about to throw all those in a pinch. So what one would do those things best? I’m leaning towards the 844 because I feel that the 843 would be underpowered but I’m also very intrigued by the 904. If there are no cons like loss of sensitivity by adding that extra half foot, I feel like that might be the way to go for extra casting distance and line pickup. Thanks everyone

Tight lines! I’m curious to hear how menderchuck 2.0 turns out

I just checked a couple hundred acre lake near my place and it looked like it still had around 50% ice coverage. It will be probably a week longer that that one until the bigger lakes are finally open.

What are your go-to rod socks? The TW brand or do you pick up nicer ones?

Is that a bait that you’re using to do the bottom hopping technique?

@WRB and @GetFishorDieTryin thanks guys! If you are taking off jig skirts that means you’re not using wire tied skirts I’d assume?

What top waters do you like throwing on it? Walking baits or poppers if you’re running braid?

I’m also curious about the 844 for bladed jigs. I’d love to hear more about this

What ten baits work in the areas that you fish? Someone could say a deep crank but if you fish ponds that are less than 10 feet that’s not going to be very helpful. Somebody could say a punch rig but if you fish clear rocky water then that wouldn’t be the most effective either. And most importantly what ten baits do you enjoy fishing the most. Most of us fish for fun so there’s no point in using something that you don’t like using.

I bought a couple living rubber jigs years back. All that I remember about them is that they melted and made a mess in my tackle box even though they weren't any crazy hot temps. I'm considering getting a few more to try out and I was wondering about storage. Will I need to get a separate box for living rubber jigs only? Or can I just throw them in the Plano edge box with the rest of my jigs, separate them with the dividers and not have to worry about any melting issues?

Still plenty of ice up here but some of the tiny lakes have an open spot in the northwest corner. I’m fine with the ice coming out at the normal time, the more prespawn I can fish the better.

I’m curious about the issue with reels getting cold. I normally leave my reels in the boat all winter, that’s 6 months below freezing and 4 of the below zero potentially. I never realized this might be an issue.

At this point I’m not ready to spend as much as the NRX+. I know it’s ment to be multi purpose but what are your favorite things to throw on the Medium heavy version?

Are those all evo minies or are some of them baby jacks?

I've heard the 844 recommended for many things including football jigs, spinner baits, top water baits, and medium size grass jigs. I haven't heard very much about the 904 for anything except bladed jigs from @softwateronly if i'm remembering right. How do they fish compared to each other? In my mind the extra 6" would be an advantage in casting distance for football jigs and walking baits. I'd like to throw bladed jigs as well as the other 4 things I mentioned and I'm trying to weigh out the pros and cons. I'm thinking about the IMX pro line but I might consider the GLX line if there is a big jump up in quality.

How does it hunt compared to the mini max?