poisonokie

dude that rod might be overkill. Not sure what they mean by med-heavy sounds more like an xxhvy. Getting the tip to load with a frog might be a trick, but you could punch through 3 ft of slop with that thing.

That's the only thing I don't like about my tatulas and lexas. I don't want to move it, I just want to remove it and put a Fuji one between the split grips. I was just afraid I'd trash the blank somehow. What's the best way to do that?

There are at least 5 academy's, 4 dick's, and a bps in my town. Getting a cabela's on the 17th. I'm glad because they carry different tackle. I'm also a TW guy who doesn't mind a trip to BPS, but that parking lot is almost always full because it's one of the few free places to park in Bricktown and all the cheapskates fill it up without even setting foot in the store. Cabela's will be a smidge closer to me and won't have that problem.

I finally got to use my volkey bfs rod this morning, and i can tell it would slay for dropshotting and really anything finesse oriented. They go for $150 and are a heck of a rod for that price. The reel is a different story. There is no cheap bfs reel. To me it's worth it to put down the spinning outfit, but if you don't fish a lot of finesse baits, I'd stick with spinning.

those are sweet spots.

To me a light should be for ~1/8th oz, a ML ~1/4, a med ~1/2, a MH ~3/4, and a Heavy ~1 oz.

you again?

I really want to fish one of those. I love the flip stick. I bet the frog rod is just as versatile. I wish I could get one each of the tatulas.

do you know how the frog rod compares to the flip? I agree on your assessment of the flipping rod. It's great for a lot of things because it has more of a mod fast tip, unlike most flip sticks, which tend to be way to stiff for my taste. The power is definitely there, though, IMO. It's a very lightweight rod for its length/power, so I think that's part of it too.

my terminal knot always breaks before the uni-uni, so what's the point of using a knot that's any stronger?

You know, I really liked the fluoro they had that came it the white box. It was inexpensive and had very low memory. It was kinda stretchy, but I used it on an xf rod for skipping, so it worked great. They quit making it, though.

Haven't had a chance to take good photos, but I fished it for half an hour and it was awesome. The rod is very light, ultra sensitive, casts 1/16 oz jigs further than my spinning rod, and balances perfectly on the clamp nut, and has a perfect, braid friendly mod-fast taper and plenty of backbone. Not a whippy rod at all. It's crisp, controlled, and refined. If they sold these domestically, they would exceed $200, no doubt. In a quick 30 min session, I had 3 light bites that were unmistakable, and had a dink on for a second, but since I neglected to turn up my drag I didn't get a hook set and he jumped off. I had one backlash, but that's because my jig grabbed some weeds on the back swing. Upshot: Excellent bfs rod. Better than I hoped. Straight blank, aligned guides, comfortable, high quality cork handle. A steal at $150. So if you're contemplating a bfs setup, the volkey 68L won't let you down. As for me, Bye bye, spinning reel!

that's why I tie uni-unis. Forget those fg's. Ain't nobody got time fo' 'dat!

I bet they're awesome. I wish I could allow myself to spend that on a rod. I'd be all over it. I think it's the same blank as the tatula, but has lighter k series guides, a lighter zaion reel seat, lighter foam split grips. I think it lacks that nice contoured butt grip to balance better. They also look nicer overall. The only thing about them is that they can't be found for less than msrp. If you get one, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it

Well, there's your problem right there. Your spool tension is too low for a fast spool and light baits. Turn it up until the lure falls slowly and stops halfway to the ground. After that you can turn it back down a fraction of a degree at a time until just prior to the point when the line wants to fly off the spool.

If those were black instead of green and blue instead of white with those orange tips that would look almost exactly like the craws in my area.

for sure. I tried using a low ratio cranking reel that only came in rh and hated it. Did not feel natural at all. Just got a long handle for a 6.3 reel and called it good.

Yes sir! No ex fast for me. Mod fast is where it's at.

Daiwa Tatula for sure. Lightweight, easy casting, powerful, sensitive, and built to last.

That is definitely not normal. There must have been a defect in the blank, or it was mishandled at some point during shipping or while being handled by a novice while on the store shelf. I would just return it to the store you got it from for a new one.

Ah, the can of worms this will open... In my experience as a right hander, it's much better to retrieve with my left. The reel palms more comfortably, I have more control over the bait, I get stronger, faster hook sets, and can control the fish with more authority. I would definitely land fewer fish if I tried doing all the hard work with my weak hand. I've tried doing it the other way and couldn't stand it, so in answer to your question, I would absolutely seek out a LH reel.

So you're saying a medium rod shouldn't have 1/4-3/4 lure rating? Every daiwa rod I've ever used fishes within its rated range. In fact, the medium heavy tatula throws baits just fine at the lower end of its rating and I can pitch 3/8 jigs no problem with the flipping stick. Plus, I've heard more than once that 1/8th is well within the capability of the ML. The medium cranking rod I use has a 1/2 oz sweet spot right in the middle because it's made for 1/2 oz cranks. They feel "high strung" as tackletour put it, but that's because of the density and construction of the blank. They still excel at what they were built to do.

get a load of this.

That's a nice rod, huh? It is an awesome worm/jig rod if you use braided line. I smack em down left and right with that bad boy.