I modified the foregrip on my 11' heavy surf spinning rod and added a casting thimble - it's for casting 6 ounces on spinning rod while keeping your skin - some of you might like this device for casting giant swimbaits.  Most people just zip-tie these to their surf rods - I made a permanent mount.

 

Also added a shorter grip and rod blade (Resion + Rotton Frogger), 5'3" to match my favorite Headhunters Isuzu 620 in river kayak.  

On 2/7/2025 at 6:24 PM, JohnFromLisbon said:

 

I have that 783, a 785 GLX, and an E6X 745. The only thing I think is worth pointing out is how [relatively] short the handle is on the 7' models. Apart from that, they're the perfect blend of moderate action and sensitivity.

 

I need to correct that: the shorter handle is only an issue on the E6X. How did I find that out?

 

Stopped by my favorite tackle shop on my way to Alqueva, just to grab some last minute stuff. Came in, went straight to the rod racks to see what they had in stock, and then went to pick out a few baits. Made my way back to the rod section and struck a conversation with the clerk about how difficult it is to get certain models here in Portugal. Talked about the 845C CBR, he went to grab his calculator and told me the best price they could do on that particular model, and... Well, here's me on my way out the door, texting my buddy, telling him why I was going to be about 20 minutes late.

 

 

Like @KP Duty said, these are the best crankbait rods Loomis has ever made. The 903 I got last month is great as a DT-6 rod, a genuine please to fish with. And the IMX-PRO basically solves the issue that kept me from really liking the E6X 845C: handle length.

 

 

I don't really throw big heavy crankbaits like the 8 or 10XD so the 903 and the 845 basically cover all of my crankbait fishing.

I’ve tried several different rod and reel brands since I started bass fishing in 2020 and have come to the realization that I’m a G. Loomis and Shimano guy. I made the mistake of selling a NRX+ 842C MBR and learned my lesson. So, I decided to redeem myself and start a new G. Loomis collection.

 

G. Loomis GLX 842C MBR + Shimano Curado MGL 70 HG

 

G. Loomis GLX 844C MBR + Shimano Curado MGL 150 HG

On 3/30/2025 at 5:12 PM, ABrugs said:

I’ve tried several different rod and reel brands since I started bass fishing in 2020 and have come to the realization that I’m a G. Loomis and Shimano guy. I made the mistake of selling a NRX+ 842C MBR and learned my lesson. So, I decided to redeem myself and start a new G. Loomis collection.

 

G. Loomis GLX 842C MBR + Shimano Curado MGL 70 HG

 

G. Loomis GLX 844C MBR + Shimano Curado MGL 150 HG

 My Man!

I needed a reel for the 903 CBR and found an SLX 71 A on sale for less than a 100 EUR (108 USD, give or take) from a tackle shop in Germany. Today I'm at the office and reception says they have something for me.

 

I'll run straight 12lb fluoro on this one and leave the Curado MGL running 30lb braid to a fluoro leader paired with the 845 so I can also bottom hop LV-500s, or tie a mono leader and fish bigger walking baits. I used an 844 MBR for that last year and although it did get me my PB I lost a few good ones near the boat, too. After they're hooked I don't really see a big difference between a crankbait or a topwater, so here's hoping.

 

Found another one. Just my second. I haven't decided yet if I'll swap in a Rays inductor on the spool and use it for cranking, or put 8.1.1 gears in it and put it on my second jig rod.

 

i'll have a couple nice things to post here soon

hmm, made me look

Kage 7'3" MHF All-Around rod

Kage 150 SV TW 8.1 gear

 

Been waiting to put these together for months 

2 hours ago, thediscochef said:

Kage 7'3" MHF All-Around rod

Kage 150 SV TW 8.1 gear

 

Been waiting to put these together for months 

 

Falcon SC-8M 8' Medium Coastal Xg "Outtasight"

 

Daiwa TWH150H Mangetsu 7.3

On 12/3/2009 at 8:51 AM, RWSCHMITZ said:

HERE IS MY ;D ;D

Where did ya find that ad? 😂

6 hours ago, TxBassin said:

Where did ya find that ad? 😂

That post was from 2009, and that guy hasn't visited the site since 2014.

On 5/1/2025 at 11:49 PM, KP Duty said:

That post was from 2009, and that guy hasn't visited the site since 2014.

Yes but the Pocket Fisherman is.....

 

 

 

One of my newest projects.  I was given this almost mint Abu 3500C, which I'm going to convert to semi direct drive.  On the way, I have a 5500D drive gear, driveshaft, drag plate, and click wheel along with a TNT Craft spool and a drag knob and smooth clutch from Simon Shimomura.  I have to modify the driveshaft to work with the 3500C press arm, but that's easy.  It'll be a riot playing fish with this as the handle will turn backwards when a fish runs.  I'll post up pics when it's finished.  I won't have the spool for a few more weeks .

@redmeansdistortion I really enjoy the project reels you and @bulldog1935 share on here along with everyone else but the round reels you 2 in particular share are really amazing.

Which reel are you guys taking for 6'10" MH spin??

• Daiwa Saltist mq
• Shimano Stradic 5000

16 hours ago, Captainhook22 said:

Which reel are you guys taking for 6'10" MH spin??

• Daiwa Saltist mq
• Shimano Stradic 5000

I have a 3000 on my MH Spinning rod.  What line are you going to use?  What fish are you targeting? 

@KP Duty @Captainhook22

Comparing mid-frame 3000 Stradic to large frame 4000/5000, there's no need to go to the large frame unless the rod tip weight will balance better.  

 

I fish C30000MHG on 7'3" inshore MH

 

I fish 4000 on 7'2" Legend Glass MM, because the heavy rod likes the balance.  

 

My 5000 is on an offshore "ML" kingfish rod, throwing 1-oz plugs

On 4/3/2025 at 11:53 AM, Lead Head said:

Found another one. Just my second. I haven't decided yet if I'll swap in a Rays inductor on the spool and use it for cranking, or put 8.1.1 gears in it and put it on my second jig rod.

My favorite all time Daiwa reel made.  I own 11.  6 in 7.9:1 and 5 in 6.3:1.  Nice score!

11... nice!

I'm really late to the party. My two are a little rough on the outside, but very nice mechanically. I stripped them to the bare frame and completely cleaned and lubed them, replaced most of the bearings. 

The 6.3 currently has 7.1.1 gears in it and both have clicking drags.

Show and tell of a few recent mods to a river kayak Japan Underground trio.  

My 1-power weightless-senko BFS got a new half-offset grip that matches the small-frame BC420 reel best, with a bakelite grip that matches the handle knobs - the bakelite is the grippiest texture I've ever grabbed.  

The half-offset Rivermaster grip places the spool height and Gorilla Thumb rest at the exact right height.  

The 3-power crank rod, medium-frame Isuzu BC 620 - It got a 4-prong drag star that covers less of the green Target pattern than the fat 5-point star that came on the Headhunters L/E reel.  

My 5-power frogger and swimbait combo, BC720 (same size as Ambassadeur 5500) on Bright River Hogan got an ebony wood head cap on the Chucker grip, to replace the shiny aluminum.  

My latest score, going to turn it into a BFS reel. I have a shallow spool enroute, new spool bearings, handle, star wheel, spool cap, brake blocks, and carbon drag.  It even came with the velvet carrying bag, pretty cool. 

SLP Zillion decked out in all SLP parts (95mm handle, power round knobs, purple zero adjuster set, purple boost spool.  Rod is Steez RC 7'1"MH ST.  Rod came from JLS, reel from Backlash Tackle.