7 hours ago, pauldconyers said:

When you have had a chance to use them both I will be curious to hear how you compare the Zodias to the Expride.

I fished them both on Sunday. It was my first time to use the Expride. The weather was TERRIBLE. Wind blowing 20-30 with sideways rain at times. I did a lot of power fishing due to the wind but was able to find a couple pockets where I could get out of the wind a bit and fish some soft plastics. I have 3 Zodias rods that I use for bottom contact and I love them, everything about them. I wasn't thrilled about the cork on the Expride or the small cork foregrip. I had heard so many good things about the Expride that I was excited to get it. My plan was to put the SLX MGL 70 on it but when I held it I knew it needed a Bantam. I put one on and it felt amazing in my hand. Tossed a lure around the yard for a little bit and was really impressed with the grip (which was one of my worries going into it). The ONLY reason I bought the Expride was because I got a really good deal on it, otherwise I would have just bought another Zodias. I really didn't think it would be that much better and since I got such a good deal it would just be another tool for me to use. I had tied on a 3/16 oz Buckeye jig with a Reaction Innovations smallie beaver as a trailer. It really only took me about 4 casts before I realized this stick was far better than my Zodias. That is not something I expected or really even wanted to admit. I can't afford to replace all of my Zodias rods with Exprides, but if money were no option, I would in a heartbeat. I could literally feel everything. It was to the point where I could feel my braid blowing in the wind. I wasn't able to manage a fish on it but it impressed me beyond belief. I will definitely be getting a few more in the future. I will be ordering a 7'2 MH as soon as I can to replace my Zodias 7'2 MH. I will more than likely replace all of my bottom contact rods with Exprides. I hate to admit that they are that much better, but I would be lying if I said they weren't. Even if you are paying full price, they are worth the $50 - $60 more that you will pay.

33 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I fished them both on Sunday. It was my first time to use the Expride. The weather was TERRIBLE. Wind blowing 20-30 with sideways rain at times. I did a lot of power fishing due to the wind but was able to find a couple pockets where I could get out of the wind a bit and fish some soft plastics. I have 3 Zodias rods that I use for bottom contact and I love them, everything about them. I wasn't thrilled about the cork on the Expride or the small cork foregrip. I had heard so many good things about the Expride that I was excited to get it. My plan was to put the SLX MGL 70 on it but when I held it I knew it needed a Bantam. I put one on and it felt amazing in my hand. Tossed a lure around the yard for a little bit and was really impressed with the grip (which was one of my worries going into it). The ONLY reason I bought the Expride was because I got a really good deal on it, otherwise I would have just bought another Zodias. I really didn't think it would be that much better and since I got such a good deal it would just be another tool for me to use. I had tied on a 3/16 oz Buckeye jig with a Reaction Innovations smallie beaver as a trailer. It really only took me about 4 casts before I realized this stick was far better than my Zodias. That is not something I expected or really even wanted to admit. I can't afford to replace all of my Zodias rods with Exprides, but if money were no option, I would in a heartbeat. I could literally feel everything. It was to the point where I could feel my braid blowing in the wind. I wasn't able to manage a fish on it but it impressed me beyond belief. I will definitely be getting a few more in the future. I will be ordering a 7'2 MH as soon as I can to replace my Zodias 7'2 MH. I will more than likely replace all of my bottom contact rods with Exprides. I hate to admit that they are that much better, but I would be lying if I said they weren't. Even if you are paying full price, they are worth the $50 - $60 more that you will pay.

What specific model did you get? You mentioned getting a great deal, is it something you could share?

1 minute ago, pauldconyers said:

What specific model did you get? You mentioned getting a great deal, is it something you could share?

I have the 6'8 MH. I really only got it for pitching to targets in creeks or in and around docks, but I think it will see more time on the water than just that. LOL

 

I got it for $205 shipped brand new with tags. It was on the auction site, made the seller the offer and they took it. Might have just been the model though.

8 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I have the 6'8 MH. I really only got it for pitching to targets in creeks or in and around docks, but I think it will see more time on the water than just that. LOL

 

I got it for $205 shipped brand new with tags. It was on the auction site, made the seller the offer and they took it. Might have just been the model though.

Was this through eBay? Do you have the seller's username? If you don't want to share it publicly could you PM it? I may be in the market. 

Reel monkey got me.  Been looking for the right reel for a ML SCV inshore I'm wanting to build.  Another member pushed me towards this.  My first Daiwa in 35+ years.

 

Emeraldas Air LT 3000S-CXH

 

1 hour ago, pauldconyers said:

Was this through eBay? Do you have the seller's username? If you don't want to share it publicly could you PM it? I may be in the market. 

Hey, me too! I'm waiting for the right deal to pull the trigger on an Expride too. Spinning model for me though...

JDM Daiwa Catalina TW.  It''s basically a Zillion HD-lite. Stoked! It even has a drag clicker.

 

 

 

 

On 2/11/2020 at 9:41 AM, WI_Angler1989 said:

Hey, me too! I'm waiting for the right deal to pull the trigger on an Expride too. Spinning model for me though...

 

On 2/11/2020 at 8:31 AM, pauldconyers said:

Was this through eBay? Do you have the seller's username? If you don't want to share it publicly could you PM it? I may be in the market. 

Sorry, yes it was through ebay. I am assuming this seller is a Shimano dealer as all their other listings (not just Shimano) are marked MSRP. However, I just sent a message through the "contact seller" button and asked. I really had to ask around to get the best deal. I would rather not give this particular sellers name because if everyone runs there asking them then they may not give it. Just do the leg work and you can find people willing to make deals. It helps to look at how much product they have listed and how many sales they have along with their feedback.

 

It never ends ~

btw, it's been a while since I haven't needed to upgrade ANYTHING on a bait.

#refreshing

A-Jay

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

 

It never ends ~

btw, it's been a while since I haven't needed to upgrade ANYTHING on a bait.

#refreshing

A-Jay

6th Sense makes high quality lures in my opinion.  Are those the suspending Quake 80s?

8 minutes ago, Tizi said:

6th Sense makes high quality lures in my opinion.  Are those the suspending Quake 80s?

Agreed ~ and Yes, the top 4 baits are. 

6th sense baits have accounted for many nice fish for me the past several years.

A-Jay

d**n monkey, I need just a few of those now.  The lakes I fish are pretty deep.  I’ve read those suspending lipless run about 3 feet deep.  Limited application for me, but what if.  That’s the problem.  Get back monkey!

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, Tizi said:

d**n monkey, I need just a few of those now.  The lakes I fish are pretty deep.  I’ve read those suspending lipless run about 3 feet deep.  Limited application for me, but what if.  That’s the problem.  Get back monkey!

 

 

 

I haven't fished them yet obviously,

but from what I've read about them, presenting them deep may not be something that works well.

My lakes are deep too, but I'm looking to fish them 'over' cover.

And the option of stopping it, and letting it hang there for a while,

is keeping me up at night.

A-Jay

He got me again... This time it was the "better stock up on red crankbaits for early spring" being whispered, and then shouted into my ear. 

 

6th Sense Flat 75 and Curve 55, LC 1.5 and Wiggle Wart to name a few.

 

Now that I have them I'm curious if there's a certain water temp that they excel in?  

 

*I'm in PA where it's 50 one day and 15 the next, but we currently have open water!

10 hours ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

He got me again... This time it was the "better stock up on red crankbaits for early spring" being whispered, and then shouted into my ear. 

 

6th Sense Flat 75 and Curve 55, LC 1.5 and Wiggle Wart to name a few.

 

Now that I have them I'm curious if there's a certain water temp that they excel in?  

 

*I'm in PA where it's 50 one day and 15 the next, but we currently have open water!

Matt Allen & Tim Little got you? They're like the Angel and Devil on the Monkey's shoulders.

48 minutes ago, Dangerfield said:

Matt Allen & Tim Little got you? They're like the Angel and Devil on the Monkey's shoulders.

Sometimes I feel like it’s an episode of Scooby doo, and at the end of their videos someone is going to pull off their masks and expose them as the bait monkey ?

2 hours ago, Dangerfield said:

Matt Allen & Tim Little got you?

They might have had something to do with it? Didn't get any R2S though.   

 

1 hour ago, walleyecrazy said:

Sometimes I feel like it’s an episode of Scooby doo, and at the end of their videos someone is going to pull off their masks and expose them as the bait monkey ?

That…actually makes a lot of sense.

Just placed an order for 2 Shellcracker G2s in Mystery Black and Ghost Bluegill and a Lunker Punker G2 in Baby Bass. Grabbed a replacement tail just in case. I can't be posting in this thread again till ice out ha ha

 

4 hours ago, Dangerfield said:

Just placed an order for 2 Shellcracker G2s in Mystery Black and Ghost Bluegill and a Lunker Punker G2 in Baby Bass. Grabbed a replacement tail just in case. I can't be posting in this thread again till ice out ha ha

 

Shell crackers caught my attention. Only seen them in person once  at a show. I don’t really have anything to throw them on yet. So that was that. 

Split-ring pliers from Texas Tackle, some trebles, and a sharpener. I kinda pulled a fast one on the Monkey and got stuff that will help me saaaave money. Pffft I hope.

 

He already got me for the "Truck Emergency Kit" which was a BPS $20 telescopic spinner rod, a Pflueger Trion reel, and an $11 backback for it.

 

Things I already had: some tackle from my barbless kit and some mixed plastics, a scale, pliers, and reading glasses (dude I keep reading glasses everywhere). It sits behind my seat waiting for me to spot some mysterious fishing hole somewhere.

 

Was gonna add a first aid kit but I already got the pliers, so...

Does color matter for topwater lures?

 

That is the question I hope to answer for myself with these.  I had six Popmax clones painted up in these three basic colors and the plan is to swap out colors with every hit.  My hope is that color does not matter so I can buy garish jdm colorways as they catch my eye instead of having to care about effectiveness. 

23 hours ago, Dangerfield said:

Just placed an order for 2 Shellcracker G2s in Mystery Black and Ghost Bluegill and a Lunker Punker G2 in Baby Bass. Grabbed a replacement tail just in case. I can't be posting in this thread again till ice out ha ha

 

Where did you get them???   I’ve been looking at them 

3 hours ago, Deeare said:

Where did you get them???   I’ve been looking at them 

Straight from Black Dog Baits website. They just sold out of the Custom patterns. I was really hoping for Crappie.

The monkey got me again. I need some open water so I can spend time on the water instead of online looking at tackle before I go broke ? I needed a new T-rig/light jig rod to replace my current one that I’ve never really been truly happy with. Ended up getting a great deal on a Daiwa Tatula Elite 7’3” MH/F. Also figured while I was at it I may as well pair it with a new reel. So I have it matched up with a Daiwa Tatula 100. The only down side is my bone head self wasn’t paying attention and damaged the wrapping on one of the guides while taking it out of my rod rack about 2 hours after I got it. Looks like DVT will be getting some more business so I can get it repaired ?