RyneB

Pflueger President is tough to beat. I got a Abu Garcia Revo X at the end of this season and loved it, but only used it 3 outings before winter came.

Rod-ALX Enox Arcus Reel- 8.0:1 Abu MGX Line-20 lb sunline sniper Hook-4/0 straight shank HD trokar Bait- Rage Bug or Gambler Stinger Weight size will vary, but I stick with Reins or Hawgtech weights.

I was going to suggest an ALX zolo. Kistler also makes a good stick, but I have only used the older Magnesiums, but they're still a great rod. I was a Loomis IMX guy until i used my first Zolo. Now currently switching all rods over to ALX. As far as reels go, get the best one within your budget. I prefer ABU because I have small hands and they're just more comfortable for me for a fulls days fishing. An Abu ALX series can be had on ebay now for around $120. Its just as good as a reel as am MGX, and for much less money.

It's been a rough couple weeks. Ultrex gen 4 revo premier ALX Enox The rod and reel were on sale, Ultrex unfortunately was not.

most of my jigs come from Seibert. I buy unpainted heads and pre made skirts from him and then just build my own as needed. Cuts down on cost and gives me something to do in winter months. My favorite style of jig is the Seibert grass head. It's the closest thing I've found to the head of the Hack attack. And being that I can buy the unpainted head and pre made skirt, I can make my own for a lot cheaper than buying a Hack Attack. I go through A LOT of jigs.

no clue what actually broke. But this is what it currently looks like. My buddy told me it's the outer shaft. I'm debating putting that money towards an Ultrex.

Thinking about putting that money towards a new Ultrex. Anyone running an Ultrex? any feedback would be appreciated.

I have full coverage on my Skeeter. I pay 110/month. I bent the shaft on my minn kota the other day. they gave me a check to cover full cost of motor plus taxes and install and they waived the deductible.

good news is Progressive gave me full cost of motor, plus $200 for taxes and install and waived my deductible. So I'm very very very lucky.

didnt hit anything. I forgot to put the trolling motor up and got on the Yamaha. bad bad bad move

my season came to an abrupt and expensive end.

I have yet to find a topwater I like more than the Shower Blows 105 in Natural Gill. Too me, it's worth every single penny, and then some.

I learned that I will never ever ever again forget to pull my trolling motor up before getting on pad.

Yamamoto Shad Shape worm is by far my most successful drop shot bait. If there is a better bait out there, I havent found it.

as long as it floats, and meets the rules and law. Fish it. I have had my arse handed to me by guys in Jon boats and 9.9 kickers more times than I'd like to admit.

I like them because I have small hands and they just fit my hands better than other reels. Of the 4 brands I have, I dont hsve anything negative to say about any of them. I have had good luck with all of my reels, I had one Curado that i sent the hook and the drag stripped. But that's really the only issue I have had.

I have 4 Ikos and 3 Zolos. The Ikos line seems to be more versatile, while the Zolo line seems to be more technique specific. The Ikos promise 7-3 is very versatile and great rod for the price. People have commented they arent very sensitive, but one day I dragged a C Rig with a Loomis IMX and a ALX Dragger. Sold my Loomis the very next day. I think they are very sensitive rods, but the only other high end rods I have used are Kistlers and IMXs. The build quality and customer service are second to none. I dont feel there can be a better rod found for $150 price range than the Ikos. my .2 cents

Reels: Mostly Abu Garcia, but I also have a few Curados and Lews. I have 1 Daiwa Tatula that I just cant seem to part ways with. It's just a reliable reel that casts a country mile. Rods: i prefer ALX, that's what most of my rods are. I have a couple Kistlers and an old BPS Rick Clunn topwater rod that has done well for me.

I prefer a straight shank heavy duty flipping hook with a Snell knot. It's what I have confidence in and my hookup ratio is great, seems my only misses are short strikers where I have half a bait missing. I like to have a few presentations handy if I'm punching. 1. Gambler BB cricket or Baby D Bomb. I like to use these as search tools, but dont let the size fool you. 3 of my biggest 5 fish came on a cricket. 2. Punch skirt with a creature bait. I prefer a Gambler Why Not, D Bomb, Double Wide Beaver, Rage Menace. 3. last but not least, a Gambler Ugly Otter. I have a quick change skirt handy and will skirt it and unskirt it throughout the day. Some days they want the skirt, other days they dont. As far as colors go. I stick to black blue. junebug, and green pumpkin flash.

glass is louder. I have both, I havent noticed whether one catches more fish than the other.

I fish a lake similar to what you are describing. Early fall late summer there are 2 main baits on my deck. A drop shot rigged with a Yamamoto shad shape worm, and a good size swimbait. I find the fish with the drop shot, and then work the area with the swimbait thoroughly. putting that drop shot near a school of shad is almost a guarantee fish. I will not leave a school without showing them my swimbait though. Not sure if there are corn fields around, but a topwater mouse worked in real shallow water as close to the bank as you can get can be deadly once they start cutting the corn. It can be a deadly technique during that time.

Too me, it came down too money and performance. I was able to sell my used IMXs, spend the money on a ALX Ikos rod and still have $50 left over. I think the IKOS line is some of the most versatile rods I have ever used. Especially the Hammer and Promise. There just isnt much i cant do with either of those. Great build quality and sensitivy for half the price of a IMX. Dont get me wrong, the IMX Pro is a great rod, but I didnt see the extra $150ish dollar difference. That's my view of the IKOS line. The Zolo line, IMHO is a better rod than the IMX pro, and still cheaper. Feels lighter, and more sensitive. The zolo line doesnt seem as versatile, more technique specific compared to the IKOS. Although, the deputy can do a whole lot. I prefer really light low profile reels like the MGX and ALX from Abu, the Zolo line just feels more balanced and comfortable in my hand with those reels compared to the IMX pro. I dragged a point with a Carolina rig with a Zolo Dragger, and a IMX Pro. Same reel, line, weight, bait, hook etc. The Zolo was more sensitive. That's really the only back to back test I have done between the two. I also dont believe there is a better rod on the market today in the $150 price point that can compete with the IKOS. I do not own a spinning rod from ALX or Loomis, so I cant speak on that line. I hope this helps.

ALX is the only rods I use. I was a Loomis guy until I used a Zolo. Next day, all Loomis rods got sold. As long as Alex makes rods, they will be the only rods i will own.

tackle warehouse. Can get HawgTech or Reins to your door in 2 days. They arent cheap, but IMHO they are the two best. HawgTech is about a dollar cheaper.

Had a little tourney. Finished dead last. But caught 12 fish between 17 7/8 and 4 between 16 and 17. Biggest was 18 1/4.