Klebs01

Got word the my 10e NXT shipped. Going to be interesting to see how this compares to the crestliner I used to have. The nice part about this is that my GF lives two houses off a small lake so it will be nice to just wheel it done to the water instead of trailering 45+ minutes. Excited to get back on the water after a few years away.

St. Croix has 4 rods in the avid line at 6’6 or less that could be good options.

I picked up a tbs610mlxf on Black Friday. Love the new reel seat. Not sure about the balance with the split grip vs the full grip on the avid it will replace. Too bad the boat is in storage. Can’t wait for the spring to use the rod.

? Fished them on both and they both work. Don’t have to worry about backlashes and slack line on spinning though.

Any particular reason you built the rod? My wife is spinning only and has St. Croix Rods rated up to 2 oz. and plenty of inshore rods if there isn’t a freshwater specific on that would work. I kinda laugh at the finess only idea. Caught sharks, AJs, Goliath grouper and a ton of other stuff with big baits on spinning gear and there wasn’t an issue. I use casting gear at times for fun, but it’s not inherently better, just user preference.

I tend to get the fish back to the boat as fast as I can. If I end up skiing the fish, so be it. I’ve really gotten into salt water fishing lately and go that direction if I want to battle a fish. Bass fishing is more about the game of getting them to bite an artificial for me.

I have a couple of the ardito spinning rods that I have used for salt water fishing. They are very light and sensitive, and have no problem fighting fish in the mangroves. In fact, I just bought a 7'6 mlxf for light lures for bonefish. I wouldn't hesitate getting a casting version.

Interesting. I have a multi-species boat so the hull design may be the cause for the difference.

Little better AJ. Tag team action with my wife.

That seems really low. I have a 115 on my 17'6". What type of boat do you have that they wouldn't put more than a 75 on it?

25 pounds of drag is actually a lot. Should be ok for a small tarpon or a jack. It really depends on where and how you are fishing. Could be good for snook, large tarpon could spool you, tuna would be real tough to land with that. More specifics on your location and fishing would make it easier for recommendations.

The surgeon knot has been my primary line to line knot for three years and I haven't had a single failure. Like you said, it's the easiest to tie on the water and it works. No need to go to a different knot unless there is a special application.

My wife is spinning only and has a St. Croix Premier that's xhf and she throws some small swim baits (<3oz) with it. If you need to go heavier, look at saltwater rods. Should be plenty of options.

Seems to be aimed at the off shore crowd, where this isn't much compared to the boat. The large screen would be useful to show radar (other boats and weather), nav, sonar, and gauges/auto Pilate at the same time.

Looks nice but I'm disappointed they changed the knobs. I really like the round foam on the older ci4+ and sustain. Might need to pick up and older one on sale it see if they can be swapped out.

I was in a similar spot to the guys wives above. I started fishing a couple years ago with a $15 cabelas Combo, the upgraded to an ugly stick, then tried a st croix avid and it was a game changer. The ability to feel what was going on with my bait changed my fishing and has definitely put many more fish in the boat. In you analogy to golf the $500 driver is like the $500 rod. Both tend to be for the avid enthusiast. But the $100-200 rods are like a decent set of clubs that fit you. Yeah, you can hit the ball with some Walmart clubs, but getting clubs that are appropriate to a persons swing will make a big difference even for high handicaps.

That's odd. I've never felt the need to use glue or anything else with TRDs. Are you using the zman jigs?

Beetle spin with a grub or a small spinnerbait. The senko sounds like a plan to turn her off from fishing. Painfully slow and have to detect bites. Stick with a moving bait to keep her active and make her reaction to a bite less important.

LTBs have cork grips?

I haven't caught anything on the 6"+ baits yet (probably not sticking with them long enough), but have caught some of my best on 5" hard swimbaits.

Looks similar to a surgeon knot. I tie it differently, but it's a very effective knot.

I was out on pewaukee for the opener and it seemed like bumper boats at times with the wind and people seeking some calmer water. My wife and I did pretty well. Definitely double digits for bass and I got a bonus walleye out of a lift with a ned rig. It was an odd day. Didn't see too many others pulling in fish. Most were cought on shallow weedless areas. Finess in the morning (Ned and float and fly), then dead for four hours, then I had 5 in about a half hour plus my wife lost a few all on spinners in the afternoon.

Look at something like a stealthcraft drift boat. They have powered designs that are a lot less than $40k, and are designed for the rivers and use that you are describing.

I use a 7' mhf rod with braid to flouro leader. I've tried softer actions and other lines and really like the extra feel with this setup.

The reel can absolutely handle the load. Bass fishing isn't hard work for that reel. I've used them salt water fishing and the held up just fine with heavier lures and much bigger fish. The baits might be pushing it on that rod though. Most 1/2 oz spinnerbaits are really closer to 9/10 oz with the wire and blades. I've thrown spinnerbaits on my 6.5 avid mf rod, but really don't feel comfortable with it unless it's like 1/8 oz. The mhf avids are a much better rod for the weight and resistance.