Hooligan

The vast majority of my jig fishing is done with either 12 or 15 pound fluorocarbon. I refuse to use braid, having lost far too many fish to bites on the fall; can't see them and can't feel them until it's too late to set the hook. Fishing jigs on braid in deep water leads to the line acting like a sail and moving the jig, requiring me to upsize jigs. I use braid for a few very specific things, casting jigs is not one of them. Some will say that fishing jigs on braid have improved their rates tremendously. I say the same thing of high quality fluorocarbon.

Very seasonal? I catch spinnerbait fish, with regularity and consistency, from ice out to ice up. If that's what you mean by seasonal...yeah. The reason it's worth it to buy better baits is because the components will last, the hooks are better, and the baits will last longer in general, not to mention I'll catch more fish on what I buy than I would on a $.99 bait.

I don't disagree with that at all, Wayne. That's actually one of the biggest selling points of the Bird units, they're far easier to navigate; one might even use the word intuitive. They're easier to set for specific things we do as anglers, and they're easier to deal with if they do malfunction. A reset won't wipe the unit, just the custom user settings.

It's very much a Ford V Chevy argument. I won't ever again own a Lowrance Product. I had a 10 and an 8 on my ride and within three months got so furious with software issues and ethernet incompatibilities that I ditched them and went to Humminbird and have had no issue. I had a lot of trouble with customer service, I had a tremendous amount of trouble with the units themselves and the transducers. Three brand new transducers in that short a time period had bad crystals, which was verified by Lowrance on all three occasions. Lowrance insisted that the issue, however, was in the mounting of the units and the LSS1. When a tech rep finally looked at it, the installation was exactly to their spec, yet they maintained there could be no problem with the units, it was the install. Sent both heads and both transducers back to Lowrance, and I get a call asking what 'd done to them as they were unable to update them. I asked how that was possible as I had just updated the units to their most recent release, and both were running simulation fine, as well as running without GPS. The issues started with the transducer cable connected. They said they were unable to even get the units to turn on... Terrible, terrible tech service. I told them to box the units up with the new transducers and send them back to me. I got the base maps to load individually, wiped the waypoints from the units, did a factory reset and sold them individually. Oddly, I'm not the only person that I know of that has had this, or similar, issues. I know of two people that had linked HDS10 with Insight Maps (which Lowrance is losing because of Johnson's acquisition of Lakemaster. That technology alone is worth its weight in gold, and will be available in Humminbird units only...) both people lost all of their waypoints and any saved data on multiple occasions due to Lowrance software issues. They both had to run only one unit because the units were not linking properly... All kinds of issues. I'm an anti-Lowrance and have a hundred reasons why. Not to mention the costs just don't compare.

They've been flat deadly through the fall. Unfortunately, as of now, our lakes are locked. I'm inn a southbound mode for the remainder of the year. See ya on Falcon next month.

The Dobyns is a killer rod. Their flip sticks are among the best out there. I have a 795 and the 766. Superb rods for the purpose.

There are gigantic differences in spinnerbaits. From wire gauge to head design to the way the skirt rides in the water. Northstar makes the best bait for my money, bar none. The head and profile are clean and the skirts are excellent. The colors are dead on, as well. The wire diameters will let the blades vibrate without deforming the frame every time you get bit. They're easy to tune because of the head design, as well.

I don't disagree, Norcal. The other thing, I believe, is that they're a fully finished blank. That alone will add some weight; we shall see what they are bringing forth.

Borderline worst hook ever made for moving baits. I've bent and broken more of the VMC than I have of ANY stock hook. The standard VMC 9650 or 9651 is a fine hook. Sure set? Total and complete trash. I use more Gamakatsu Round Bend than anything else anymore.

They're a different rod entirely, I'm told. They're supposed to be an upgraded blank and all. Haven't seen them yet, but they should have started shipping in the US today I believe.

I'm one of those people that considered the 844 GLX to be the best jig rod ever made. You have no idea just how huge a statement that is coming from me. I don't think the 893 is out of the question at 3/4 at all. I use it for that very purpose quite often on several of the lakes I fish.

The NRX 854 blows the 844GLX out of the water, there's just no comparison. The NRX is my favorite deep jig rod, far and away, particularly in that 3/4 ounce weight. The 893 will also handle a 3/4 ounce jig very well, and you gain additional length to generate tip speed on the hook set. The Cumara is also a very good rod in the class. I don't really like to draw comparisons wit it, but let's say that it fishes like rods that are well into the $350 range.

I have several spares, and several identical setups. For instance I have three Chronarch 51MG on three Cumara 72MXF. I have two Core101MG on two NRX853. My most commonly used rods have a second in waiting. I have, usually, five replacement reels on the water. I have a Core, two Chronarchs, two Curados. Usually those are in the locker at all times.

Personally, the Alphas Ito is the most versatile and one of the most fascinating. I couldn't care less about the bling factor, but want a reel that works. The Ito does that as well as, or better than, many other models. I like some of the other reels, but at a point you reach sheer show factor and gain little or nothing in terms of performance. I own severl Pixies and they're an OK reel as well, but I still prefer my Alphas to them. If I want a light line reel, I'm using either an Alderbaran MG or Conquest 100. Both outperform my higest end Daiwa reels without question.

I've read the same thing a number of times, and based on sales alone I'd be willing to believe it.

They're a phenomenal shakey worm.

Didja hafta?! I've been looking forward to this day for a very long time. I can't wait for the new revolution.

Before you call everyone broad handedly, why not paint the real picture as to what happened? Look at your original post, man. Besides that, it's still laughable, particularly when you know the warranty is through Daiwa.

Jerks because they won't deal with a manufacturers warranty when the warranty CLEARLY states that you need to deal with Daiwa directly? That's laughable...

You cannot take it back to Bass Pro, they'll tell you that you have to deal with Daiwa Directly. Your best option is Daiwa.

Fair enough standpoint. I can respect what both of you have said.

A lot of it deals with the bodies and the way they're put together. There's a whole lot more to it than just the looks. If they're working for you, great. I'll be mad and fish my box full of severely overpriced baits and know I can count on them.

Love it. Steelies are a ton of fun on the Lakes, but real steel on the Coast is where it's at. I will get up to the Lakes a couple times this winter to fish, and it never fails to be an amazing time.

That fish is definitely a small wiper, the broken, spotted lines are the give. In terms of what to use to target them, shad baits of appropriate size. We catch a lot of wipers on the lakes that hold them on shad cranks like Rapala DTs. If you're up for casting for them, which can be a riot, fishing big bucktail jigs around rock and windblown shore is a riot.

It depends heavily on the lake I'm fishing and the time of year. I will always have two jig rods rigged (I'm counting these as plastics because of the trailers...) I will usually have a Carolina rig and one Texas Rig. Those four are the standards. IF I'm on a plastics lake, I may have as many as 10 or 12 rigged with plastics. If I'm on a body of water that I typically do better cranking on, I may have only two out.