Ifish a loomis 844 and p5 fmj on most of my texas rigs. heavier ones that is. in spring we catch alot of fish shallow on light texas rigs. they go on an xbites or loomis 843 for me . the p5s are a polarizing rod ,seems you either love them or dont. i actually prefer them to the loomis beacause they just feel better to me though they probably arent quite as sensitive.

7 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

One of my main Texas Rig rods is also a Helium. 7 MH/XF. It's the previous model built on the NFC blanks. Not sure how the new model compares, but that thing is insanely sensitive. It also only weighs 4.11 oz. Awesome rod.

That's really good to hear! I might just get one of those in either a medium or medium heavy for my coastal reel for general red drum/bass usage.

4 hours ago, Lead Head said:

I would suggest looking into a custom rod. At least talk to a local rod builder or call up site sponsor DVT before pulling the trigger. A good custom rod builder should be able to get you a rod that will do what you want, and look exactly how you want it to.

I've thought about doing that. Although I am going to be 10x more cautious about that because usually warranties aren't as good and while I know, in general, custom rods are better quality, I do worry about quality concerns. Its just that nagging in the back of my head like: "What if it breaks?"

Plus I wouldnt really know how to go about it. I much prefer calling as a last step, once I've done the research and feel like I know that rod builder is a shop that's completely reputable and I plan on actually buying from them.

4 hours ago, Lead Head said:

Im braid to leader on most of my baitcasters to help counter the sharp rocks I regularly fish. Its my opinion that SUPER sensitive rods are overkill with braid. A quality "sensitive" rod matched with a quality fast sinking floro leader, and good slack line management should have you feeling everything and missing very few strikes. This is what my time on the water has taught me for how I fish, YMMV

Yeah, thats a fair statement I'd say. I don't know if im ready for the dive into fluoro yet, though. I'd have to trust myself to tie the san diego jam knot and while i can tie a good fg and palomar, thats with mono and braid, i know fluorocarbon can be a different animal. Plus, fromthe shore, I need any advantage i can get with casting distance lol. I love braided line if you cant tell. Lol.

4 hours ago, Lead Head said:

I can't imagine needing more than 40lb 832 and that's mostly for line management. If you're using leader you will likely never come close to failing 30lb 832, and anything sharp enough to cut 30lb will probably cut 50lb just as easily. Again this is more of my opinion, YMMV

Thats good to know! I will definitely bring it down to 40lb braid for my jig rod. Although if i ever get a punching/frogging setup, I will definitely up it to 65lb straight braid.

1 hour ago, rangerjockey said:

Any questions you have about Kistler call the shop and talk to Trey or Ruben and get answers. Trey is one of the genuinely nice guys in the business.

Awesome to know! Will do if I have a question that needs answering! Thank you, ranger.

1 hour ago, rangerjockey said:

As to the NRX vs Steeze hold them side by side and you will see the difference in build . Doesn't mean one will catch any more fish but NRX is no Picasso and I've fished them since they were introduced.

I believe I was actually talking about the St Croix Xtreme rods. To be fair, I mentioned the AGS guides it has which is usually related to Daiwa rods when talking about them so I can see the confusion there.

1 hour ago, rangerjockey said:

By the way, what rod are you fishing now ?

For my current casting setup it's an older model of the abu garcia vengeance pro series. Its a blue model and matches the blue of my daiwa coastal. Got it on marketplace originally paired with an SLX XT. But the reel was sadly broke and I didn't notice until i got it home. It's "functional" but the braking system is stuck in one place and the side plate lock is broke. I even brought it in for repairs but i guesshow its broke, they cant get the parts to fix it. So in came my daiwa reelwhich i actually got an amazing deal on. It was a bit over 50% off.

1 hour ago, Drew03cmc said:

I throw 100% of my 3/8 and 1/2oz jigs and swim jigs on a Megabass Destroyer FMJ. It is sensitive and powerful while still having the tip to skip and pitch Texas rigs in and around grass and pads. It might be my favorite rod I own and I have a Curado MGL on it with 17lb fluorocarbon. It's the rod I've come to judge a jig rod by. My son has a Shimano Expride, I believe, 7'3" MHF that he throws jigs on that he loves also.

I've heard of that rod! A lot of people seem to love it! Although I'm just not sure if it's the right fit for me.

1 hour ago, Don Preller said:

Ifish a loomis 844 and p5 fmj on most of my texas rigs. heavier ones that is. in spring we catch alot of fish shallow on light texas rigs. they go on an xbites or loomis 843 for me . the p5s are a polarizing rod ,seems you either love them or dont. i actually prefer them to the loomis beacause they just feel better to me though they probably arent quite as sensitive.

May I ask what you mean by it being a "polarizing" rod?

P5s are a strange animal. I loved mine for their multipurpose use but hated the spinning rod grips.

One thing to consider is how patient you are with this purchase as well. I use higher end gear but I’m happy waiting 3-6 months to pickup something I’m looking for. If you can source used for St. Croix you’ll save a ton. Loomis is usually a call around until you get a shop willing to make a deal sorta thing.

So the Steez AGS Bottom Contact rod would be about perfect for what you want. Power wise, it sits between a 873 and 874 in power. For G Loomis, the 873 is probably what you want if you're still casting and not pitching. The 844 would be better with more weight or thicker grass (which you'd probably want to pitch and flip anyway) but won't be as sensitive with a heavier power.

what i meant was people either love them or hate them. the grips are a little different and the actions can be decieving. they feel stiffer than they really are. the fmj feels pretty broom stick like but when you load up on a fish it has a beautiful deep bend that helps keep fish pinned. i fish p5 loomis and high end st.croix but something abouth the p5s just really tickle my fancy.Although i prefer the actions of some other rods for certain things.

2 hours ago, Don Preller said:

what i meant was people either love them or hate them. the grips are a little different and the actions can be decieving. they feel stiffer than they really are. the fmj feels pretty broom stick like but when you load up on a fish it has a beautiful deep bend that helps keep fish pinned. i fish p5 loomis and high end st.croix but something abouth the p5s just really tickle my fancy.Although i prefer the actions of some other rods for certain things.

This was what I noticed about the FMJ. It feels super stiff, but when I bury the hook, it bends almost to the midpoint of the blank, right into the meat of the rod's power. It's a phenomenal rod.

On 4/6/2026 at 9:18 AM, TNBankFishing said:

P5s are a strange animal. I loved mine for their multipurpose use but hated the spinning rod grips.

Yeah. Thats why asking for rod opinions can be so conflicting. The best rod for one person may not be the best for another. And for various reasons. The reason someone may NOT like the rod, may be the reason the other person DOES like the rod and vice versa

On 4/6/2026 at 9:18 AM, TNBankFishing said:

One thing to consider is how patient you are with this purchase as well. I use higher end gear but I’m happy waiting 3-6 months to pickup something I’m looking for. If you can source used for St. Croix you’ll save a ton. Loomis is usually a call around until you get a shop willing to make a deal sorta thing.

Yes I could be patient with it, but I was hoping for a rod I could use this (late) spring/summer.

20 hours ago, Boomstick said:

So the Steez AGS Bottom Contact rod would be about perfect for what you want. Power wise, it sits between a 873 and 874 in power. For G Loomis, the 873 is probably what you want if you're still casting and not pitching. The 844 would be better with more weight or thicker grass (which you'd probably want to pitch and flip anyway) but won't be as sensitive with a heavier power.

I was looking at that rod! It does look pretty sweet. I have heard that it doesn't do well in heavy cover situations, though. Although maybe that was just a bad opinion? Lol.

Right now I've narrowed it down to 4 options:

• NRX+ 873

• Something from the Steez AGS line (bottom contact, utility, Heavy Cover Special, Power pitch)

• St. Croix Xtreme AGS 7'4

• And for the last option, a custom 7'3-7'5 rod from Kistler using their KC9X blanks (same blanks used for the Z bone rods) and an added carbon handle to improve the sensitivity even more.

19 hours ago, Don Preller said:

what i meant was people either love them or hate them. the grips are a little different and the actions can be decieving. they feel stiffer than they really are. the fmj feels pretty broom stick like but when you load up on a fish it has a beautiful deep bend that helps keep fish pinned. i fish p5 loomis and high end st.croix but something abouth the p5s just really tickle my fancy.Although i prefer the actions of some other rods for certain things.

That does sound very nice. Although I do worry about that first broomstick feeling hindering the casting. For flipping/pitching it sounds great

Just now, Rocky998 said:

3 minutes ago, Rocky998 said:

Yeah. Thats why asking for rod opinions can be so conflicting. The best rod for one person may not be the best for another. And for various reasons. The reason someone may NOT like the rod, may be the reason the other person DOES like the rod and vice versa

Yes I could be patient with it, but I was hoping for a rod I could use this (late) spring/summer.

I was looking at that rod! It does look pretty sweet. I have heard that it doesn't do well in heavy cover situations, though. Although maybe that was just a bad opinion? Lol.

Right now I've narrowed it down to 4 options:

• NRX+ 873

• Something from the Steez AGS line (bottom contact, utility, Heavy Cover Special, Power pitch)

• St. Croix Xtreme AGS 7'4

• And for the last option, a custom 7'3-7'5 rod from Kistler using their KC9X blanks (same blanks used for the Z bone rods) and an added carbon handle to improve the sensitivity even more.

That does sound very nice. Although I do worry about that first broomstick feeling hindering the casting. For flipping/pitching it sounds great

So the first Bottom Contact had a G Loomis MBR kind of bend to it, which is like 30% tip, but the tip is still quite strong. That's what I have and it works in most cover I come across. The Bottom Contact 2 is the same power but with a shorter tip, so it will do a little better in heavy cover. Either way, it's competing with the 873 on your list but it can throw 3/4oz jigs.

The Power Pitch is getting much closer to a broomstick of a rod that's used for pitching and flipping. Now I had the Tatula version of it until my kid dropped it off his kayak and I ended up getting the Bottom Contact and not really needing it. I largely used it for flipping, pitching and frogs, but it would cast lighter weights exceptionally well for a stronger rod. T-Rig with 1/4oz weight? No problem! The St. Croix Xtreme AGS 7'4 should be more inline with the Power Pitch in overall power, although if it's like the other St Croix rods it's still more of a 1/2+ jig and frog rod and not as good for lighter weights.

The heavy cover special is basically the Steez's frog rod, which I'm pretty sure is definitely more rod than you're after.

My reasoning going for the Bottom Contact is in the northeast is that a lot of our lakes have no cover to moderate cover, but heavy cover is generally either very isolated or non-existent and the few shallow lakes that are drowned with heavy cover, I can bring the frog rod and pitching rod and still can usually throw a T-Rig instead of a jig on the bottom contact as well. If I throw a jig on the outside of a thick weedline, it still has enough power to turn their heads and direct them out of the weeds. I'm one to generally take the stance to use the least amount of rod as I can get away with but within reason (I don't want to bring 2 rods to throw jigs when I have a limited number of space for rods on my kayak). I imagine that you have thicker grass than we do, so by the same logic something like the Power Pitch or a 4 power NRX+ (844, 894C) might be great.

On 4/5/2026 at 4:18 PM, Rocky998 said:

I love braid because I can cast further and get more sensitivity.

For me it goes: 10lb mono backing, braided line, and then a mono leader if necessary.

And no, I dont really have any other reels laying around to use besides an old daiwa lexa 100h. I loved it for when I had it, but my coastal is so much better and lighter, lol.

Are the helium's nrx sensitive?

Right now I'm really just going in-between either getting a st croix xtreme 7'4, or going with an NRX. Because the Xtremes, at least from what I've heard, match the NRX's sensitivity. I'm just wondering if that's true and if the 7'4 will cast a 3/8 oz jig.

They have AGS guides and they also seem better balanced. On paper, it seems better than an NRX, but I know that changes on the water at times

Appreciate the tip on the line! I might go with 40lb braid to a 6ft(ish) 17lb mono leader then. That will hopefully help with casting distance while keeping a good strength for heavy vegetation

Have you handled a Legend Xtreme? I finally held several at the Classic expo. They aren't light...especially the 7-4. My 873 nrx is great, but it isn't versatile like its fast taper implies. 844 is hard to beat...just does several things well. I'd maybe even save a dollar and get a new GLX during the next TW sale.

I would go either the 873C or the 904C NRX+. Both great rods. I like the 873C for the free rig, jigs, and topwater. I use the same stuff on 904c but just slightly heavier baits.

On 4/5/2026 at 5:18 PM, Rocky998 said:

I love braid because I can cast further and get more sensitivity.

For me it goes: 10lb mono backing, braided line, and then a mono leader if necessary.

I have to disagree. Braid is very sensitive when you are tight to a bait, but for slack line sensitivity, like on a jig or Texas rig, fluoro is far superior. Braid is too limp to translate enough vibration on a slack line. I finally convinced my son of this over the winter fishing jigs for big smallies here and he won't even bother throwing a jig on braid anymore. If it works for you, go for it, but for jigs and Texas rigs away from the heaviest cover, fluoro is my choice. If I'm flipping heavy, heavy grass or pads, braid gets the nod, especially a 4 strand braid as it will saw through some of the vegetation.

5 hours ago, Boomstick said:

So the first Bottom Contact had a G Loomis MBR kind of bend to it, which is like 30% tip, but the tip is still quite strong. That's what I have and it works in most cover I come across. The Bottom Contact 2 is the same power but with a shorter tip, so it will do a little better in heavy cover. Either way, it's competing with the 873 on your list but it can throw 3/4oz jigs.

The Power Pitch is getting much closer to a broomstick of a rod that's used for pitching and flipping. Now I had the Tatula version of it until my kid dropped it off his kayak and I ended up getting the Bottom Contact and not really needing it. I largely used it for flipping, pitching and frogs, but it would cast lighter weights exceptionally well for a stronger rod. T-Rig with 1/4oz weight? No problem! The St. Croix Xtreme AGS 7'4 should be more inline with the Power Pitch in overall power, although if it's like the other St Croix rods it's still more of a 1/2+ jig and frog rod and not as good for lighter weights.

The heavy cover special is basically the Steez's frog rod, which I'm pretty sure is definitely more rod than you're after.

My reasoning going for the Bottom Contact is in the northeast is that a lot of our lakes have no cover to moderate cover, but heavy cover is generally either very isolated or non-existent and the few shallow lakes that are drowned with heavy cover, I can bring the frog rod and pitching rod and still can usually throw a T-Rig instead of a jig on the bottom contact as well. If I throw a jig on the outside of a thick weedline, it still has enough power to turn their heads and direct them out of the weeds. I'm one to generally take the stance to use the least amount of rod as I can get away with but within reason (I don't want to bring 2 rods to throw jigs when I have a limited number of space for rods on my kayak). I imagine that you have thicker grass than we do, so by the same logic something like the Power Pitch or a 4 power NRX+ (844, 894C) might be great.

Thank you for the very detailed response on that! Really appreciate it!

Alright. So either the bottom contact 2 or 873. And I'd prefer a shorter rod when itcomes down thethe little details, so I'd probably go with the 873 between those. Especially if the sensitivity is matched. Plus I wouldnt have to worry about guides on the loomis.

I actually just visited the lake I normally fish today. No weeds growing yet. But I know in prior years, the weeds come in and grow quickly and very thick. Pollen lightly sprinkled on the water. Sparse branches and wood with medium-large sized rocks spread throughout on the bottom.

Saw two giant bass but couldn't catch them lol.

3 hours ago, KP Duty said:

Have you handled a Legend Xtreme? I finally held several at the Classic expo. They aren't light...especially the 7-4. My 873 nrx is great, but it isn't versatile like its fast taper implies. 844 is hard to beat...just does several things well. I'd maybe even save a dollar and get a new GLX during the next TW sale.

Have not handled one. We have an expo coming up this June or July (I forget which month) near us. But I'd prefer not having to wait to POSSIBLY find the rods I'm looking for there just to handle them and try to decide in the moment. Especially if other rods I'm curious about arent there and i can't compare.

Good to know about the Xtreme not being light. Although, the 894 is "light" compared to a steez ags, but I've heard that it feels lighter because it's better balanced, so I dont know if that's the same with the xtremes.

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

I would go either the 873C or the 904C NRX+. Both great rods. I like the 873C for the free rig, jigs, and topwater. I use the same stuff on 904c but just slightly heavier baits.

Thank you for your input! I have thought about the 904, but it may be too moderate and too long for my liking.

1 hour ago, Drew03cmc said:

I have to disagree. Braid is very sensitive when you are tight to a bait, but for slack line sensitivity, like on a jig or Texas rig, fluoro is far superior. Braid is too limp to translate enough vibration on a slack line. I finally convinced my son of this over the winter fishing jigs for big smallies here and he won't even bother throwing a jig on braid anymore. If it works for you, go for it, but for jigs and Texas rigs away from the heaviest cover, fluoro is my choice. If I'm flipping heavy, heavy grass or pads, braid gets the nod, especially a 4 strand braid as it will saw through some of the vegetation.

Hmm. Interesting. I've never heard that. I've always heard braid is best for sensitivity.

Maybe now it's time for me to learn how to properly tie knots with fluorocarbon lol. Ive been dreading the San Diego Jam because i know fluorocarbon doesn'tlike the palomar knot. I'll probably keep it as a leader though so I still get better casting distance. I'll put enough on so that when there's "slack" the slack is moslty within the fluorocarbon.

Thank you for your input! I have thought about the 904, but it may be too moderate and too long for my liking.

1 hour ago, Rocky998 said:

Hmm. Interesting. I've never heard that. I've always heard braid is best for sensitivity.

Maybe now it's time for me to learn how to properly tie knots with fluorocarbon lol. Ive been dreading the San Diego Jam because i know fluorocarbon doesn'tlike the palomar knot. I'll probably keep it as a leader though so I still get better casting distance. I'll put enough on so that when there's "slack" the slack is moslty within the fluorocarbon.

For knots, I normally tie the improved clinch, but I will also tie a Uni with two wraps through the eye, just make sure to lubricate before cinching down.

If you are considering st croix, I would look at the new X2. Supposed to be a better blank, and from what I have handed balances very well.

I hasn’t caught any fish on my spinning rod, but it balances better than the Extremese I’ve held and if the blank is actually a step up, it will be real similar to an NRX.

Any votes for the steez AGS power pitch?

2 hours ago, Rocky998 said:

Maybe now it's time for me to learn how to properly tie knots with fluorocarbon lol. Ive been dreading the San Diego Jam because i know fluorocarbon doesn'tlike the palomar knot. I'll probably keep it as a leader though so I still get better casting distance. I'll put enough on so that when there's "slack" the slack is moslty within the fluorocarbon.

The sdj knot is a really simple and effective knot. You'll master it in a day. Now it's all I use to connect to my baits and hooks.

48 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Any votes for the steez AGS power pitch?

My 2 bottom contact/jig rods are steez ags power pitch 7'2H/F and MC Days 360 6'6MH/F. They are so good at bottom contact that I've rarely even have anything else tied on. The power pitch is versatile though; swimbaits, swim jigs, big spinnerbaits, frogs, and spoons. It just feels so good w/ a 1/2-3/4oz jig on it that I rarely don't have one on. The Days kinda lives in the 3/8-5/8oz jig world and sinker less jdm baits. I have a conquest, xtasy, and older poison adrenas and the power pitch and days 360 just outclass them in sensitivity and action for me.

scott

26 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

The sdj knot is a really simple and effective knot. You'll master it in a day. Now it's all I use to connect to my baits and hooks.

👍

The Rod locker has several used Steeze on the web site now. It would be worth a call to Brian to see what he can do.

I'm sure he could find you an NRX also if you decide to go that direction.

the san Diego jam is so simple. its kind of like an upside down improved clinch but you go around both lines. if you tie it 5 times youll master it.

17 hours ago, Rocky998 said:

Although, the 894 is "light" compared to a steez ags, but I've heard that it feels lighter because it's better balanced, so I dont know if that's the same with the xtremes.

The new Steez AGS rods are light, like 4 oz or so.

The Bottom Contact 1 is like 5.5oz and I believe one of the heavier of the first gen. However, it balances perfectly with a light reel like the Steez SV I have on it, so I'm not complaining.

17 hours ago, Rocky998 said:

Alright. So either the bottom contact 2 or 873. And I'd prefer a shorter rod when itcomes down thethe little details, so I'd probably go with the 873 between those. Especially if the sensitivity is matched. Plus I wouldnt have to worry about guides on the loomis.

The AGS guides will break, but they do take a bit to break. If you never bent a guide on a rod, you won't break one. Based on your initial description, the BC2 or 873 would definitely be the way to go. The Power Pitch would work, but that's designed more for pitching and flipping and will be less sensitive due to more power.

The ideal answer is both - if I ever come across the money or a good used deal, I may add a Power Pitch as well someday, it would be a nice addition for those lakes I want a football jig and a pitching jig for different spots.

22 hours ago, Drew03cmc said:

For knots, I normally tie the improved clinch, but I will also tie a Uni with two wraps through the eye, just make sure to lubricate before cinching down.

I'll take a look at those! Thanks!

20 hours ago, Loomis13 said:

If you are considering st croix, I would look at the new X2. Supposed to be a better blank, and from what I have handed balances very well.

I hasn’t caught any fish on my spinning rod, but it balances better than the Extremese I’ve held and if the blank is actually a step up, it will be real similar to an NRX.

I've seen those X2s! I wasnt too sure about them though. How does the sensitivity compare to an NRX from what youve experienced?

19 hours ago, softwateronly said:

The sdj knot is a really simple and effective knot. You'll master it in a day. Now it's all I use to connect to my baits and hooks.

I tried doing it a lot last night in the garage... i just got frustrated with it. I was doing it with 20lb mono. Maybe I was doing it right, but the knot felt very large and it didnt look fully cinched. The area where you bring the line to the top loop was partially arched outwards. Also, when you cut the line for it, do you cut close to the knot or leave a little? I've been tying the palomar for a long time, so I'mused to cutting it very close.

19 hours ago, softwateronly said:

My 2 bottom contact/jig rods are steez ags power pitch 7'2H/F and MC Days 360 6'6MH/F. They are so good at bottom contact that I've rarely even have anything else tied on. The power pitch is versatile though; swimbaits, swim jigs, big spinnerbaits, frogs, and spoons. It just feels so good w/ a 1/2-3/4oz jig on it that I rarely don't have one on. The Days kinda lives in the 3/8-5/8oz jig world and sinker less jdm baits. I have a conquest, xtasy, and older poison adrenas and the power pitch and days 360 just outclass them in sensitivity and action for me.

It sounds like a very nicerod! I just don't know if I'd want it for my purposes as i want to be able to cast far and that sounds like its more of a shorter distance one.

8 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

The Rod locker has several used Steeze on the web site now. It would be worth a call to Brian to see what he can do.

I'm sure he could find you an NRX also if you decide to go that direction.

Thanks for letting me know! Ill take a look!

I just don't know if I'd want to buy used or not.

8 hours ago, Don Preller said:

the san Diego jam is so simple. its kind of like an upside down improved clinch but you go around both lines. if you tie it 5 times youll master it.

Ive never don't a clinch knot I don't think.

But yeah, I was trying in the garage. All I got wasfrustration lol. Ill try it again today.

6 hours ago, Boomstick said:

The new Steez AGS rods are light, like 4 oz or so.

The Bottom Contact 1 is like 5.5oz and I believe one of the heavier of the first gen. However, it balances perfectly with a light reel like the Steez SV I have on it, so I'm not complaining.

Nice!!

5 hours ago, Boomstick said:

The AGS guides will break, but they do take a bit to break. If you never bent a guide on a rod, you won't break one. Based on your initial description, the BC2 or 873 would definitely be the way to go. The Power Pitch would work, but that's designed more for pitching and flipping and will be less sensitive due to more power.

The ideal answer is both - if I ever come across the money or a good used deal, I may add a Power Pitch as well someday, it would be a nice addition for those lakes I want a football jig and a pitching jig for different spots.

Yeah, I could get a power pitch down the line, then. I could use it in tight areas where I'd benefit by pitching/flipping rather than casting.

And yeah, I've never bent a guide. I'm pretty careful with all my rods

Can’t really comment on the sensitivity, as I have only used it for a couple hours this past weekend when it was 38° and raining. However, I didn’t notice it being any better or worse. The blank is SCVII and the elites and extremes are SCVI. If it’s not just marketing and the blank is actually more sensitive than the elites it will be a phenomenal rod. It is definitely lighter, or balanced better than the elites/extremes.

3 hours ago, Rocky998 said:

I tried doing it a lot last night in the garage... i just got frustrated with it. I was doing it with 20lb mono. Maybe I was doing it right, but the knot felt very large and it didnt look fully cinched. The area where you bring the line to the top loop was partially arched outwards. Also, when you cut the line for it, do you cut close to the knot or leave a little? I've been tying the palomar for a long time, so I'mused to cutting it very close.

The thing that comes to mind is heavier line needs less wraps. I'm 7-8 wraps on 10-16lb and 5-6 on anything heavier. When seated properly I clip the tag end with about an 1/8" left to help not get hung up on weeds.

scott

4 hours ago, Rocky998 said:

I tried doing it a lot last night in the garage... i just got frustrated with it.

Tying it to something heavy makes it easier with heavy mono. If I'm only tying to a hook, I hang a 1 ounce sinker on it first.