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.

I had a perfect fall record going for 16 years until last summer. I was fishing a new lake that is mostly "regulars" and had heard they try and keep the place quiet and you almost have to have an invitation even though it is a public jon-boat only rental situation. Anyway it was closing time so everyone was in the loading area and I had noticed a few looks like "who's this guy fishing our lake?" I stepped out of the boat onto the bank with the battery and the boat shifted and into the water I went. Nobody laughed out loud but there were plenty of smiles and grins to go around.

I agree that how a reel fits your hand is very important. I would look around and find one that feels good - besides there ara a ton of good choices out there

Soft plastics have been my dominant style...probably 80-90% of the time. The last couple years I have been forcing myself to use all those other lures that lay there and say "throw me please!" It's hard to switch when I know I have so much confidence in plastics and jigs, but I enjoy throwing everything except maybe the drop-shot but I want to be as versatile as possible.

Nothing like sitting on a brightly moonlit lake during a warm summer night and throwing big topwaters. I know that doesn't help answer your question but it brought back some good memories of trips gone by.

Zoom mag lizard

You and I must be getting bit by the same monkey...I bought two of the non DC's for 260 and am waiting on my NRX to arrive anyday. I like the color scheme of the old model better, and after the first one got here I had to have another. I would like to get a 3rd but so far have dodged a third bite from the monkey. I've never used the DC system so I can't comment on that...my thumb should know what it's doing by now. By the way my NRX is a 7ft 5 H for power fishing....go big or go home right? Good luck with your purchase.

This is so true...I would just add that I own almost all of the major brands of rods including a 7 ft MH Duckett Micro I bought 4 years ago just for worm and jig fishing. After missing so many bass it is now a jerkbait rod. Great sensitivity but you need a H or XH for worms and jigs with this rod in my opinion. That and don't forget to eat your Wheaties.

I never make a trip without my Endurance rods...my Duckets are retired and will be sold or given to friends who like them.

It can't be...next you are going to say Santa Clause isn't real either.

This year is going to be a new record considering it's only Feb. and I've already gone over $1000 in just new gear. I don't have a boat which is a huge gas savings but it is still in the thousands I'm sure. Fishing is my only sport now and I look at it as money well spent.