byram bassturd

my vote for dumbest comment of the year. no one cares how many double digits you've caught dude. no one cares what you caught them on either.

The F7-72X THP would be the best frog rod of the bunch. The F6-67X SD would work for close quarters frogging under overhanging trees/brush.

The BD is a great light to moderate cover jig/plastics rod. Has a true fast action unlike many MB sticks which are more moderate. The SD also has a true fast action and more power than the BD. Good for plastics in moderate to heavy cover. Also good for heavier spinnerbaits. The F4-67T is a shorter version of the Tomahawk and good for shallow cranks/topwaters/jerkbaits.

That's a pretty good intro set of older MB sticks. Is the F7-72X THP a telescoping model? It is a good heavy cover plastics pitching rod. The F4-610XDti is the 'Elseil' and great for topwaters and jerkbaits especially. Still have mine. Good with spinnerbaits as well if you like a more moderate rod for the technique. The tomahawk is for crankbaits primarily. Great find!

Megabass XX 25% off when you put it in the cart. https://www.tacklesupplydepot.com/product-p/parent-megabass-orochixxemtfc.htm

x3

You don't "need" it but it will definitely put a smile on your face. It does a lot of things very well... Have quite a few pricey sticks but still one of my all-time favorites for sure.

If you dont mind the length at 7ft, the GLX 842 MBR is a great jerkbait stick.

defier armillo 13#

I had one for a couple of years. Was a good all-around stick. Sensitivity was very good but not amazing like the 893c or the 852s that I have now. Dont think it is worth MSRP but for 40% off it would be a great deal.

you might have stripped some teeth off of your idle gear which is attached to the worm shaft. not hard to do if you get something like cloth or paper stuck in the worm gear as it's made out of plastic. part 25 in the diagram below. http://www.ereplacementparts.com/abu-garcia-black-max-1701-ambassadeur-parts-c-187196_194578_194580.html

which model is that?

tackletrap.com great guys to deal with

you're fine with the FC for small crankbaits and jerkbaits but I would recommend using mono or a copoly for topwaters as FC sinks. you could use braid with either a FC or mono leader or go the more "enthusiast route" and get another spool for your sv105

not sure about a specific line type for bombing jerkbaits but i think something that is more supple without memory and with a thinner diameter will be easier to cast for distance especially with lighter jerkbaits around 1/4oz. i use sniper 6-10# and defier 11# for most of my jerkbait fishing in really clear water and have never thought i needed more distance. my 6'8" and 6'10" jerkbait sticks are used the most

7 MF for open water and 7-74 MHF-HF over submerged grass to heavy cover

here's an is71hl for around $550 shipped. good luck and post some pics when you get your reel! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Megabass-289989-Reel-IS71HL-Hyper-Lariat-Left-Handle-/132090972774?hash=item1ec13c4a66:g:6W0AAOSwr~lYnAT8

i hope you know what you're getting yourself into! plunging into the "dark side" is very addictive and a potentially slippery slope! it's hard to say which of the two reels is "better". i think it'll come down to which one "feels" better to you depending on how you palm your reels and also what rod/applications you intend to use it for. you prob already know but the lauda is based off of the alphas platform and is basically the megabass version of the sv105 or a zonda sv. the fx is their version of the daiwa t3. i'm not a fan of the hood on this reel so i would personally opt for the lauda but both platforms have their respective fans. both can be used with lures down to 1/8 depending on the rod up to 1oz + but i wouldn't consider them the best tools for heavy applications. i personally would try to find a lightly used zonda 68l or an is71hl actually.

pinpoint casting with spinnerbaits, but mainly under overhanging brush and skipping under docks with jigs/t-rigs

no fees yet for me on reels. rods are a different story.

i've received everything from hook bonnets to megabass lures. nice gesture on their part for sure. but then again i've definitely given them more than just pocket change over the years...

your son is one lucky kid. $300 reels at 8 years old!

armillo is stiffer with less stretch than regular defier but far from unforgiving in my experience. i prefer regular defier for crankbaits/jerkbaits but really like armillo in 13-15# for topwater especially 1/2oz poppers and also in 15-17# depending on cover for spinnerbaits.

Thanks for the feedback guys! Looks like the DSR will be the next stick I pick up.

Looking at these two sticks to use mainly for 3/8oz bladed/swim jigs + trailer and 3.8-4.8 keitech fat swing impacts with a 1/8-1/4oz weighted hook in sparse to moderate weed growth. Would love to get some feedback from those of you that have used both of these sticks. Not sure if the Diablo Spec R would be slightly underpowered but I like the shorter length over the EMTF for more precise casting. Thanks in advance.