5-20

Thanks for the comments, appreciate it! Will wait until I can look at the Expride 7' glass cranking rod in person.

I have the 76H Expride. I actually got it the other day and have about an hour or hour and half of jig fishing with it. Fished mainly with a 1/2 oz jig with a trailer and it's hard to describe the rod exactly, but I think the tip is a little stiffer than most people give the rod credit for. I've only looked at the 76MH, haven't fished with it, but I think it might be the better rod for 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigs.

I would like to pick up a crankbait rod. I throw mostly shallow to medium cranks. Thinking about the Expride 72MH just because it’s a really versatile rod and I could use it for a bunch of other tactics. If this rod would work well enough, I might go ahead and get it. Haven’t seen this rod in person and will need to order it sight unseen. Curious about if any of you have thrown cranks on this rod and if it works well enough? Open to suggestions for other rods. But please note I am not interested in a glass rod. Don’t want a custom rod either. Would prefer a 6’10 to 7’2 rod at most. Thanks.

Hmm yeah, thanks. Not really sure why I'm sort of caught on trying to figure out the regular spook. I think it's just that I really want to try to catch at least one good fish on it! One of those little personal challenges I've set for myself! No biggie. Yeah, there's so many great baits to choose from these days. But sometimes some of those $6-7 baits still are the real deal even compared to those $20+ baits.

Thanks, appreciate the comments. I've got a whole bunch of different walk the dog style topwater lures. Just wanted to ask about the original Zara spook. Not the super spook. Not the jr. spook. The original Zara spook. Thanks.

Love fishing topwaters. One bait I’ve never really done well with is the regular Zara Spook with the pair of metal hook hangers screwed into the bait. I always cut off the hooks and add split rings to the metal hangers but that doesn’t allow the hooks to swing around or rotate very freely and I think that’s why I’ve never really done well with this bait. So my question is how do you upgrade and attach replacement hooks? Was thinking about possibly trying some of those new hooks that come with a braided loop of line. That looks like it could work. Appreciate any suggestions other than “just leave the stock hooks on and fish it as it came out of the package.” Thanks.

Funny. That is my exact favorite rod for smallmouth fishing. The Premier 6'6 MF. If I had to pick only one rod to bring with me for river smallie fishing, that would be it. I've caught so many on my old rod. I think it's about 17 years old now and it was not until only about 2 years ago that an eye guide finally broke off. Fantastic rod. Love my Premier rods. I really don't fish St. Croix much unless its spinning gear or light casting gear with moving baits for smallies. Such a fun and effortless rod to fish. I think I bought mine for like $100 or $110 back then but I think they're now up to like $160 or something like that? Still well worth it in my opinion.

I don't know why but I've always had great customer service. I have one of their saltwater rods and it's absolutely amazing. Nothing else is like it in the entire saltwater industry. I hope they get all of those kinks worked out with how they build their rods. Because the blanks are completely incredible.

Definitely. It can really matter. I don't use spinning gear very much but IPT is important regardless.

#10 does cast a lot farther and a lot more effortlessly than #15 does on a 2500 size spinning reel.

I've always wished I like night fishing more. As it is, I fish for a while until 12 or 1am and then I get tired or feel spooked by how quiet it is. Haha. Never had an incredible bag fishing at night either. Some good fish between 5 and about 7 lbs but that's it. Nothing like the success I've had fishing during the daytime. My club used to have all night tournaments. I hated them. I'd have a hard time staying awake around 3-4 am and then it would totally throw off my sleep schedule for like 2 days. But for you guys that enjoy or love night fishing, more power to you! Enjoy it!!! Definitely a good way to have the lake or some good spots all to yourself.

Thanks, appreciate the comments. Kingfisher, that was what I was afraid of... Would like to get some more input from others so feel free to comment if you would like to share any other thoughts.

I would like to get into a 16' tin boat. I am near the Rt. 30 Bridge and Columbia area on the Susquehanna. Obviously jet boats are huge around here. But I love fishing for largemouth around grass and would really like to be able to fish the Susquehanna Flats a good bit. Just can't have two boats! Curious if any of you fish the Susquehanna Flats regularly with a jet boat? How does that work out for you? Do you just stay on the edges of the flats or do you actually go deep into the flats? I'm just thinking that it could be a nightmare trying to get out of the flats with the jet motor constantly clogging with all of that loose grass especially if you drift or work your way a mile or two into the flats. Is this generally what would happen? How do you do it? Appreciate any comments you can share about your experiences. Thanks.

Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming. And yes, I'm pretty familiar with the Susky. Was born in Lancaster and still have family in the area. Hopefully we get a smart guide that wouldn't put our lives in danger! Lol. Probably looking to fish around Harrisburg down to the Marietta/Rt. 30 area, whatever the guide thinks is best. Last week of March. Would love nothing more than to get on a mile long drift and rip jerkbaits all day. We'll see if that happens.

I would like to do a guide trip on the susky for smallies during the last week of March. Thinking about going with Joe Raymond. Obviously there's many great guides for the Susquehanna and it's hard to pick just one. It looks like Raymond has a pretty awesome boat and has a lot of experience on the river and I thought maybe I'd give him a shot. I am not really looking to learn anything new specifically. I've fished for many, many years. This trip is just because I am flying in from out of town to visit family in town and this will be a great chance for me and my dad to get out on the river and fish and hopefully get on some giant smallies!!! It would be really nice if this guide had a comfortable boat and has really good loaner gear. I will probably bring a bunch of my smallie baits and some reels, but I'm not so sure about also flying down with my bass rods. That may be a little too much trouble for me at this time. Any recommendations appreciated. If you would prefer to keep them private, messages welcomed too. Thanks.