BassmanDan

Great job Hootie!! Now just go and get you a new PB!!

One thing to look for is northwest coves and banks with cover or hard bottom composition. The points leading into those areas are staging areas where they should be holding until it is time to move up shallow. There are already fish on the banks around here and probably some early bedders according to some of the local reports. Good luck and I'm sure you will get more good info from other member.

That was what I was thinking. For that kind of engineering I will be fishing mine and adapting to the way the rod is balanced, not the other way around. My high end rods and reels will stay stock and are works of craftsmanship that shouldn't need modifications...but to each his own.

I think EVA looks nice on a mid-price rod like the red on the Halo Twilight I picked up this year but cork has a better feel and look on high end rods. I really like it on the NRX and Orochi rods I also bought this year. I have never owned a more balanced and great looking stick, especially for half the price of the loomis.

I bought the tour KVD 150 cranking reel and rod this month. I've really only owned a couple Quantums over the years, the Accurist and tour PT burner (back when 7/1:1 was as fast as you could get). I still have them both but they are very heavy compared to today's reels and I am a Shimano guy now anyway. My main reason was I wanted a 5 gear ratio cranking reel and to try the fiberglass/graphite rod....besides if it's good enough for Kevin who am I to disagree? I haven't had them out yet but the combo feels good in my hands. Time will tell.

Great job on the review. I feel better about buying the three XG reels at the price I paid...the difference alone paid for a NRX and line. As far as casting goes I have already flew a jig into the neighbors yard without any effort other than some thumbwork. Maybe one day I will spring for the DC system but like I've said before I like to keep the skill of the hands involved..besides a good thumb education is a terrible thing to waste lol. Enjoy your new reel...hope it puts many hawgs in the boat for you.

Money craw Rage craw and I ordered some craws from Profound Outdoors but haven't gotten out yet this year. The UltraVibe speed craws are very popular around here also.

After just getting my 3rd Metanium XG I am officially D O N E!! Gotta say it's a relief to be ready for the season. I was expecting them to be long gone at the prices the JDM sites are selling them for.

I haven't read all of the responses yet but where is One more cast with Shaw? ROFLMAO Anyone else noticed that Timmy Horton is starting to sound a lot like Shaw when fighting a fish? I enjoy MLF, Bassmaster, FLW, Scott Martin Challenge, good ol Bill D., and the Bass Pros to name a few. It's a good thing they are in full swing right now or my wife would have stuck me in temporary housing until I can fish again.

Hey fellow North carolinian,good to see another NC basshunter.If you have fished the springtime around here much you know it is getting close to that magical time...and it can happen overnight. There might not be may not be many places or times to get bit during a day, but hang in there and remember you may just be fishing for one bite..but it's time for that once in a lifetime fish. Good luck!!!

The worst years for Vanish were the first few years IMO...I broke off many a lunker in heavy cover with it. I've heard it is "new and improved" but my experimenting with it is done. There are too many other great line choices out there.

Sure I want you to buy one...my budget was blown a long time ago.

I have two of the Accurists that are probably 7-8 years old. Solid workhorse of a reel but heavy compared to today's reel market. If the weight doesn't bother you it will make a good "fish it hard and put it away wet" reels.

What a cool co-incidence...I got mine today too! I previously had the 894 and sent it back because of the weight and balance. When this rod arrived I was nervous but after putting a new Metanium XG on it and pitching a jig around I am very happy with the balance of the setup. The true test will be on the water but I expect to feel brilliance in the palms of my hands. Hope you come to like yours as you get familiar with it...that's waaaay too much money not to be 1000% happy.

I am sitting here looking at my new GLoomis NRX894C H and its about 70 degrees outside. I cannot think of a more cruel and unusual punishment.