Rockhopper

I use Poor Boy's almost exclusively now.

That Okuma is one nice rod for sure. Don't discount Edge either with the 55% off sale going now. You can currently get one heck of a rod for about $250.

I have only ever liked the Bass SI rods from Lamiglas as far as their bass offerings. Those are some pretty nice rods, too. They just never really caught on. I bought my last two SI's from my buddy when he left Lamiglas to go run social media/instagram for Edge. He had to unload his Lami's so I got them cheap. I have since sold them, but really wish I didn't. I did love those rods.

That is an accurate statement. They are still going strong in the offshore world, and make a lot of salmon/steelhead rods. Not known for bass rods at all. In very recent years, Oscar moved from Lamiglas to Talon, got some XMW blanks from Brad Loomis, and made some killer bass rods. Another great model which they sold out of is the 7' light spinning rod. Very close rod to the 822s dsr. I already own two of the 822s', so didn't need that model. I did really want to try one of the 7'10" swimbait rods they had, but I was late to the party on that and they sold out too. Well, we are obviously getting conflicting info on the subject. Maybe he told me wrong. I will get a pic after work.

Would a picture of mine help identify them? I would not know what they are made of looking at them personally. But I do trust the guy that built them to tell me the truth. The 7' rod is crazy light weight.

I just called Oscar to get the answer for @F14A-B. I know him personally. He said SiC/Ti. Straight from the horse's mouth. Oscar built the rods fyi.

You are getting awesome components and a fantastic blank for the money. Brad Loomis (Gary's son) makes these blanks. BUT.....I am not going to lie...expect a little bit of fit and finish stuff. For example, one of my two 7' rods has the very first guide and the hook keeper slightly tilted to the right and not inline with the other guides. Annoying as I am OCD and like my stuff perfect, but it does not affect performance. My 7'5" has a little bit of sloppy epoxy on the very front of the reel seat. Again, annoying to look at, but does not affect performance. If you can get past those little things, you are getting absolutely one hell of a rod for CHEAP. For me, that is extremely minor stuff considering the blank quality and the componentry you are getting for the price. They did have about six or seven models to choose from. All that is left now is the 7' and 7'5" casting models. Website is showing 7' has only 5 units left.

Spinnerbaits catch probably 80% of my bass. One of the best producing baits ever created imho.

Titanium K frame with SiC inserts. It really is an incredible rod at $150 on sale. I cannot stress enough how good these rods are for the money.

But yet you want a high end rod. High end and cheap do not go together. Exprides are nice, but not high end. Interested in a rod that fishes exactly like the 893c nrx+? Buy that Talon I just linked for $150.

This is what I'm rocking this year. It is a very nice and very light stick. https://talonrods.com/products/xmw-carbon-79-casting-10-20lb-5-power But, it is hard to beat the nrx+ 873c or 893c.

spinnerbait buzzbait football jig

This might work well https://talonrods.com/products/xmw_carbon-spinning-10-30lb-710

Fish wake baits, glide baits, and multi-jointed hard baits with the same rules you would any other type of bait. Follow water temp. When water is colder, a slower glide/wake bait with a more gentle side to side action. When it starts to warm, a faster choppier wake bait. When its full on warm, move to the multi-jointed baits that have lots of chop/darting action. When the temps start to cool in the fall, reverse the process.

I know most everyone here has never heard of this company. Talon rods are literally built across the street from Edge rods and just down the street from Loomis rods by the guy who built rods just a stones throw over the freeway at Lamiglas rods for 30 years. What a crazy place I live. These are built on Patriot Factory blanks which are made by Gary Loomis' son also just down the street. The below rod is an absolute gem. But the whole line is on sale for $150 right now. That is half off. Looks like most have sold out already. The rods are nrx+ light, and to me, just as sensitive. Build quality not quite as good, but that is all relative. For the money savings over an nrx+, I can deal with that. IMHO the below rod is every bit as good as an nrx+ 843c mbr, and is currently $500 cheaper. I have zero affiliation with any of these companies. I am just in love with this rod right now. It is a total gem. I bought a second one, and also the 7'5" too. At $150 take the gamble (although it is not a gamble). https://talonrods.com/products/xmw_carbon-casting-8-15lb-7

As long as JDM is cheaper, it's an advantage. 🤷‍♂️

Today's donkey from the yak in the rain.

Had my rod in the truck with spinnerbait tied on. No other tackle with me. Stopped by the lake for a second. Caught two in the first three casts. 4th cast broke off my bait. Not bad for 5 min of fishing. These little dudes only cost me $10 to catch. 🤣

White 1/2oz spinnerbait

For what its worth I ordered a Cashion and hated the build quality and immediately sent it back. I now have the Expride 6'8" on the way.

I like slower speed reels for all moving baits ~ under 7:1, and higher speed reels for all baits that are worked with the rod, not the reel ~ above 7:1 90% of the reels I own are 7:1 as it will do both.

I use the bass mafia dangerous

RIP brother bass head.