FishTank

Depending on you look at it... I've thrown a 3/4oz with a 4in Rage Craw and a 1/2oz with a Beaver. They kind of weigh about the same.

I keep mine in thier original packaging and put them in Plano 3700 deep box. 3731 I think is model number. What I don't take with me (can't fit in the box) gets hung up on my peg board.

I have Legend Elite version and I use it for jigs but to me this rod is stiff and fast at the tip. I find the only thing it's good for is close range jig fishing. It doesn't load really well and I wouldn't call it tip heavy but in terms of action it's seems faster than most X-fast rods. I like it but it's probably the least versatile rod I own. As far as comparing it to the 843c (I have the NRX+ version), it's way different. The 843c is softer and lighter in power. I would call it not quite a MH and the St. Croix more of a MH+. The 843c is definitely the more versatile of the two. I use mine for paddle tail swimbaits, Texas Rigged soft plastic, the free rig, and the occasional topwater lure. It can also handle spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and jigs but it's not my favorite for those techniques.

I would go #2.5 or #3, which would be closer to the 30lb Power Pro your using. Granted the breaking strength will be greater but the line diameter will be more familiar to you. I would also recommend a leader. As far as which one to use, I have not tried Varivas 8 yet but I keep hearing that it's pretty good line. I have had good luck with most of the Varivas lines I've used. My personal favorites are YGK Upgrade and Zone Cover.

It does have a deeper, more moderate action. I usually fish from a kayak and I really like how this rod keeps fish pinned, especially deeper fish. If you do get this rod, one different thing about it.... the blank itself feels more like a medium in hand than a heavy. It's really thin.

I have the 903C. It's my dedicated 3/8-1/2oz square bill rod. It's not bad but I wish it was a little softer at the tip. I really don't care for it when it comes to deeper diving baits. For that, I use the 866C Deep Flex. I have used it for all the baits mentioned above and pretty much anything that runs deeper than 6ft. Despite the rod being rated from 1/2 to 1 3/8oz, it can handle some baits that are lighter than a 1/2oz. I am not 100% sure but it may have been discontinued or updated. I saw a few places that were out of it, now have it in stock.

I've tried it and it's ok but I actually prefer to throw these without a trailer. I tend to get more bites.

Evergreen Combat Rat

I agree with the water clarity idea. Red craw crankbaits work better for me in dirty water. If I run into some less stained or clear water I go with a ghost craw that is either green or dark brown. Something like these..

I can't speak for all the rods in the Real Control line up, just the one I have. Which is the 6'11'' MH SV. In hand it feels stiff and super light but once you put a lure on it, it softens up. It's definitely different from any other rod I have fished. When it comes to sensitivity, it too is different. The rod has this soft and stiff but hallow feel to it, unlike the NRX+. Which is stiff throughout the blank because of the Spiral X design. The Reel Control has too many techy terms to list but all of them make it perfectly balanced and sensitive. The model I have is not exactly a do all rod but I have used it for jigs (may still prefer the NRX here), Texas Rigged plastic, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, Dark Sleeper, and some topwater. I would not use it for crankbaits. It really excelled at jerkbaits and the Dark Sleeper. I think if the tip was faster, it would be perfect for jigs because the sensitivity is definitely there. Overall, it's so unique that it's hard to compare it to another rod, maybe the Megabass Evoluzion but it's still way different. I think I still need to fish it some more to really understand what it's all about but I do like it and I will probably look at getting the 7'3'' Heavy or the 7'1'' MH with the solid tip. It's supposed to be extremely sensitive.

I would say the same. I have a Med Fast and it's just so so. Nice rod but I would agree with @Bandersnatch list with one exception. I would put the Daiwa Real Control I have above the NRX+. It's taken me about 4 trips and some soul searching to admit it's just a fuzz better.

My three top fish have been caught in Spring and Fall. I caught them on a Zoom Lizard, a 5in Senko, and a BFS trout lure.

Cool bait. I will probably end up with a few. The thing I want to know..... How does it compare to the 110jr? Looks like it runs at a similar depth. Is the action different? Will the bigger profile of the regular 110 be better? I have had such good luck with 110jr that I'm wondering if I need it.

My routine is generally big bait followed by a small bait. For example, 6in Magdraft and then a 5in Senko or a big spinnerbait then a small bfs trout bait. I just remember short strikes are not accidents. If they hit or follow a bait, you just need to throw something they can attack and swallow.

I've seen them but can't remember where. I couldn't figure out why they cost so much. They didn't seem much different from other spinnerbaits. I tend to like Picasso, Megabass, War Eagle, Nichols, and especially OSP. With that said, the spinnerbait bite has started to disappear in my neck of the woods.

I fished my Met 100 and 883C yesterday. I caught two nice keepers with a spinnerbait. It was a blast to fish. I hope you enjoy yours.

I tried it years ago and it was bad. So it's a no for me.

I have the 894 but not the 893. I love the 894. It is by far my favorite jig rod. The extra length has never bothered me on a kayak. If I had do it all over again, I might choose the 893 instead of the 853 simply because I like the 894 so much. If you can get the 893 new for $400, I'd jump on it.

I have fished the X-bites and own the Daemos. Both these rods are not close to the sensitivity of the NRX+ rods. If I was buying a rod for sensitivity and just for jigs and worms, I would get the NRX+. But the best bang for the buck is a JDM X-bites. The downside would be no warranty. While the NRX has one the best rod warranties in the business. A few other things, I have the 853C and while it is a great rod, it tops out around 5/8 -3/4oz. The X-bites seemed a little stiffer but softer at the tip. It felt like it could handle a little more weight. It also has a more versatile taper. You could probably throw more than just jigs and worms on it.

When my daughter went to Japan, she picked me up some stuff from Sansui. She said it was fun and intimidating but the staff was a big help.

JDM Zillion HD. It has plenty of power and can handle bigger baits.

I have been using TSI 321 on bearings and Bantam oil on everything else. I also use the BFS oil Shimano supplied with a reel. This stuff is good but can be short lived.

I have a few and they're great. I really like the ones I have on my Daiwa spinning reels. I purchased the double handles and they really help balance them out.

It's more like a beaver. There's not much action to it but the fish still hit it.

So here is the Compact with a 3.5in Adrenaline Craw and the full size with 4in Adrenaline Bug. I usually don't throw black/blue with a green pumpkin jig but I couldn't find my packages of Bama Craw so hopefully you get the idea. Also, I usually cut the tip off just enough to get them to fit flush but didn't on these. To me you should be good with a 3.5in trailer. Also, the SK craws to me are really slick and have a hard time staying on anyway. Good trailers though.