Sonik

I'm looking at a few options for a custom rod. Has anyone built any rods off the Elite Pro Series blanks? If so, what's your opinion? The description says it has the best parts of the standard and high-mod MHX blanks but I just don't know. I'm looking at a standard 7'-7'2" MH fast action rod for jigs, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, etc. I've read the standard is about like the IMX and the high-mod is around a GLX. Just wondering where that new Elite Pro sits.

Well, I did some checking and it looks like group 27 is the biggest I can fit in there. And I lied. There are 2 group 27 sized batteries in there now (cranking and deep cycle). The group 24 was on my jon boat. I don't know where my brain was on that one. Sorry about that. It is a shame I couldn't just grab 1 more Interstate SRM-27 and call it good but the old one is from May 2013. I'll look into some AGMs. I know Cabelas has theirs on sale for like $170 for the 27 size but I think the quality is a little suspect. Probably fine though. I don't really tournament fish so the smart money is probably on just buying two nice flooded batteries. That Edge is tough on the one group 27. I'm hoping the digital maximizer in the Fortrex helps out quite a bit. Oh, and the lift assist is the main reason I spent the money on the Fortrex over a Maxxum. I have a real bad lower back so I'm counting on the lift assist and a metal pull cable to provide some relief.

I'm getting ready to install a Minn Kota Fortex 80 on my Alumacraft Pro 175. It came with an Edge 45 and one group 24 Interstate on the deep cycle side. I suppose I could buy another identical group 24 but I worry that those won't hack it. Or they will but I'll get about 2 hours if that before they go empty. Obviously bigger is better but not being very experienced in these bigger motors I'm not sure it really is needed. I'm not even totally sure a couple group 30s would fit. I would really appreciate some advice on this before I make an expensive mistake.

I'm looking to upgrade my trolling motor to a Fortex 80 and I figured I'd trick out the whole smash. I am pretty inexperienced on stuff like this. I like the Fortrex's lift assist due to a herniated disc in my low back. One of the items is a recessed well. Seems like it'd help my back some. I've seen a bunch and I like the ones that metal. Has anyone seen problems out of the fiberglass and plastic ones? Any recommendations? I am concerned about support clearance on my 2012 Alumacraft Pro 175. At least I don't have carpet (spray on liner) so won't have to deal with that. I'm a little concerned with wiring it up. I have a 12V Edge right now so I'll need another battery. There's a group 27 in there now and I have a spare group 24 but I figure they need to match. I also may need to upgrade breakers/fuses and wiring (#6 ok?). I also have a 2 bank 20 amp on board charger, will I still be able to use that or will I have to go to a 3 bank? I'll probably throw a Troll Perfect on it to help with whippiness and the wind in my aluminum. Probably will get a G-Force handle too to help my back. Lastly, what's the consensus on transducer shields? I have an 898 DI up front and want to takeep care of the transducer. Sorry for the pile of questions. I just have so many things to consider and I know so little. I appreciate any information.

Just as a follow up,I agree on the PQ even though I have the previous gen Extreme. Last Christmas they were $50 I think. That's less than the current clearance price of the old Extreme. But if you can't wait, it's an ok reel. I run mine loose and you can definitely feel it. But so far it hasn't flown apart and put my eye out, exploded and took my hands off, or sucked in and cut off any other appendages .... yet.

I ended up added a 7' MH and another 7'6" MH. I'm a taller guy so I feel like I can handle a 7' rod and still maintain accuracy. I thought about a 6'6 MH but that just seems short to me.

I would like to say, I'm not looking for brand and model ideas. More just length, power, and action for applications. I don't want to get into a post about who has the best rod.

I currently have a 7' medium and 7'6" medium-heavy cranking rod set. Do you have any recommendations for a 3rd and 4th cranking rod in a lineup in terms of length, action, and power? I throw square bills and smaller divers on the 7' and other plugs on the 7'6". I've thought about doing another 7'6" MH so when I'm cranking I can swap between rattling and silent deep divers. I've also thought about a 7' MH. Thoughts?

I like it. I use it on a BPS Tourney Special for my bank fishing combo. Works well. I cleaned and lubed mine this spring for the first time and it was smooth all year.

I don't get too crazy either. I use a Zoom Fat Albert grub most of the time. If I want a little more action, I go to a twin tail grub. If I want some thump, it's a swimming/boot tail minnow.

Well, first off, I have to say that my rod lockers is full of first gen *** Blacks (which I need to sell), Cabela's Tournament ZX, and Lew's Tournament/Tournament Pro/BB1/BB1-Pro reels and most are spooled with P-Line Floroclear (some don't like it, I do). Just so there is a frame of reference to what I normally fish with. But, I bank fish with 2 cheap combos. I mainly use a 7' MH/F BPS Tourny Special/6.3:1 Tourny Special reel. I do most everything with that. Rarely I will use the 6'6" M/F Tourny Special rod/size 20 Tourny Special spinning reel combo. I spool the baitcaster with 12# Big Game and the spinning setup with 8# Big Game. On Saturday, I cought a 5 ½ pounder off the bank. The night before I caught a bunch of dinks but a couple of 3's were in there. Those cheap combos didn't miss a beat. Had them for a long while too. On Sunday, I took the boat out and the square bill I wanted to use was tied onto my cheap BPS rod so I just threw it in. As soon as the boat was in and off the ramp, I just got lazy and threw the Tourny Special combo instead of retying the crankbait onto my normal BB1 Pro/Tournament ZX crankbait rod. It just tore them up. That poor Square A is chewed up and beat to pieces now. I guess it just dawned on me that I feel like I wasted my money on the more expensive stuff. Granted the Omens and the ZX's aren't Loomis or Megabass stuff and the Lew's reels aren't Chronarchs. But each combo cost me about $70 total before tax. And Big Game in the ¼ pound spool? Pennies. The Square A was maybe $3 after tax. I could have filled the boat with Tourny Special setups and had duplicate rods for stuff for way cheaper. I know I have caught more and bigger fish off the Tourny Specials. Drives me nuts. If I had it to buy all over again, I would have filled my boat with those Tourny Specials. Maybe 12 setups. The reels come in a low 5:1 ratio up to a 7:1. The rods go from medium to heavy power. The have smaller but I could have had 6' up to 7'6" and the 7'6" would telescope to fit my locker. It's just what I should have done in hindsight. I would have had more money for gas, insurance, bigger trolling motor for my Alumacraft with another battery, etc. I guess that cheap stuff just really fits me. Would you have done anything different with the setups or gear in your boat?

Anyone had any experience with these? They definiely are the same design as some of your Big Bite Baits, Bass Pro, and I think Netbait plastics. Limited color selections but definitely more than you need. I am concerned about their composition though (plastic formula, salt content, scent, durability, softness) and how the action and fall is. They seem like they're going prices and I've heard LPO has excellent customer service. Anyone have experience with the plastics specifically?

"Let the fish decide" is the correct answer, right? But what do you start with? I have a feeling this may go similar to the same question someome else asked about jigs a while back. I always fish them with rattles but I'm going to try them without this year with some KVD 1.5 cranks. I think Bass Pro has the rattling version but I have plenty of rattling squarebills already. I've heard some people start with rattles and then go to silent and they'll pick a few more fish up. Then, I've heard people say that all they fish with is silent versions because the hooks and rings make enough racket anyway so it doesn't matter. Just looking for some thought on the matter.

I've been trying out plastics with scent already on them the last couple of years. Right now I'm working with Bass Pro plastics that have their "8up" scent impregnated. They are pretty slick out of the pack compared to my standard Zooms. Oily compared to what I am used to. My Zoom Z-Hogs kind of stick or rub together on the smooth body portion of the bait and have a faint rubber smell where a BPS River Bug feels oily and the dang things slip and slide all over the bag and have a little bit of funk to them. I also bought some of their 8up stuff in the 8 ounce spray bottle. I think it washes off pretty quick but I do think it covers up my scent well enough. I will shoot a bit onto my Zooms or a jig and get more bites. I don't think it's actually attracting fish though.

My two cents: 1. Start watching Bassresource's videos on YouTube. 2. For soft plastics, I know and like Zoom and Bass Pro brands. Zoom is really good and available everywhere. I have been buying more Bass Pro brand plastics in certain styles. They have salt and their 8up scent on them already and so far this year, they've beat my Zooms heard to head. Green Pumpkin Watermelon Red June bug Zoom/Bass Pro Trick Worms/Fin-Eke Worms Senkos/Stik-O (5-6") Super Fluke/Sassy Sally (pearl color) Baby Brush Hog/Crack Craw Z-Hog or UltraVibe Speed Craw/Riverbug