Hogsticker

Which blanks? Magbass, spinjig, drop shot, popping? This is a very hard and subjective question to attempt to answer. I'd tell you the high mod series feels more sensitive in my hands than a Dobyns Champion, yet most rave about that series. Go figure. What rods have you used? To best sum it up without additional information, the standard offers average sensitivity and the high mod offers above average sensitivity.

For deepish running cranks I've really come to appreciate composite rods. I'd recommend trying before buying a glass rod if you've never used one. It was a no go for me. The finest composite cranking rods I've come across is the Phenix X series. Buy or build, gonna run you a little north of your budget. I fancy Phenix blanks quite a bit.

Often, but never for largies. Kinda the gold standard for deeper cold water smallmouth in my neck of the woods.

Well I guess if you're looking for a financial advisor you can start your search on this thread.

I've used it. Worked good during the cold months. During the hot months it gets messy. I really like the application style, and yes, it sticks to baits quite well.

I wasn't referring to the plastic. Though I can tell you there is a significant difference between the plastic on a 15 dollar reel and the carbon composite used on an expensive reel. Zaion, Ci4, etc. Not to mention the R&D that goes into it. I was talking about the quality of those 2 cheap bearings inside, the drag material, gears, etc. I've never ever used a reel in that price range that didn't have or eventually suffer from a choppy, inconsistent, herky jerky drag. I'm not saying don't use the reel, but put it through the paces before you glorify it. There is a reason it costs 15 dollars.

What is the purpose in this post regarding the OP's thread question? The guy said he wanted to treat himself. Are you telling him to save his money cause sometimes persons you fish with who use more expensive equipment don't catch squat at times? I've never understood the reasoning behind these types of comments.

Give that reel a solid 6 months of usage. You'll be pulling the other one back out of the basement.

You can always add outriggers / stabilizers as well.

I'm assuming you're referring to the swing impacts. I like a 4/0 for the 3.8 and 5/0 for the 4.8. That's with the fats anyways. I'd probably go down a size with the standards. Weight really just depends on what you want to do with them.

Amazing action on the fall. I've been slowly swimming them on a 1/8 Oz Owner ultrahead in lieu of a grub. Smallmouth have been getting after it pretty good. Typical Keitech quality. Not the most durable, but that's generally the trade off with softer baits. Looking forward to using them when the fish are a little more aggressive.

13 lb Sunline Defier Armillo

She's a beaut Clark! Is Rusty still in the Navy?

Custom or the Jackson Trickster series would be my suggestion.

The tighter fit the better. The wider pvc tubes will accommodate 3 rods. The size more commonly used will fit two. Just make sure they're bubble wrapped real nice so they don't bang around. You'd be surprised how poorly some couriers handle these rod tubes.

Custom dude, no doubt! Satisfying and a rewarding reminder of all your hard work. The only rod you listed I'd even consider in the debate is the Helium 3.

^^ I see no problem with your theory. If you can afford it, why not. Like ya said, you can't take it with you when you leave.

Any aftermarket handle that runs North of 50 bucks should be of good quality. Avail, Semper Fi, and Basszone are all good.

poisonokie - I have a lefty T3 Mx with 1016 spool and some other goodies for sale at a smoking price if you're interested in adding to the stable.

Allow it to slowly sink, maybe move and twitch it a few times. Reel up and cast it again. Got some current let her drift. You can also dead stick it. It depends on the plastic, but this is generally what I do.

Like DVT said, the power ratings are subjective. I throw 1/8 just fine and dandy on my medium light Recon. How much backbone do you want the rod to have? You may want to look at the Major Craft Corzza line as they should be readily available soon. Most light powered rods I've come across are rather whippy. The Recon us nice because it flexes pretty deep and loads great.

Do yourself a favor and stick with the 832,better yet if you're reel is ready to change line try the Seaguar Smackdown. Super smooth, super quite, and doesn't fray like crazy as SS8 does.

I've had mine on a medium light Phenix Recon, and a medium Major Craft Corzza. I don't think it really matters as long as the rod power matches the baits you want to use. The Alphas SV just wants to cast and doesn't care what it's casting. It's a casting machine and can handle a lot as long as line capacity isn't an issue.

I most always speed or burn my retrieve when nearing the boat or shore. Just in case there is a looker who has to decide they don't want to take the chance of letting it get away.

Ha! Good thread. I often do my jerkbait cadence to which ever AC DC song is stuck in my head at the moment (Bon Scott songs of course), but the fish don't seem to care for high voltage rock n' roll as much as I do. Something I've been playing around with is stroking tube baits. Big, violent hops off the bottom -