FishTank

Still my favorite.....

I have definitely caught more fish on the +1 so it would be way more productive. The +2 is for those deep spots, like the edge of a point, running on a ledge or an offshore rock pile. In those spots with colder water, the +2 is where I start but in those same spots I could probably throw a deep diving crankbait. The advantage is the +2 will suspend and pause, depending on water temp, while a crankbait, for the most part, will float back up much quicker. Also, if I don't intend to hit those spots or if the fish just aren't there, I won't throw the +2 and I will go with the 110jr +1 and then the regular +1. If I am in shallow water then it's the regular 110.

I want to also add this.... the +2 110 is not my go to for regular jerkbait fishing. It's just one I like to fish under the right conditions. The 110jr +1 has been working the best for me as of late (past 2-3 seasons) and I can fish this bait pretty much all year, followed by the regular 110 and 110 +1. I have certain spots on a few lakes where the +2 is usually the answer but once the water temps hit about 65-70 degrees, the +2 slows down and I go to small, mid to deep diving crankbaits. Another Megabass jerkbait I like to fish is the 110R +1. I fish this in about 6-8 feet of water. It seems to do well around rocks.

When I use the +2, I'm targeting fish in deeper water, around 20+ feet. So if go with the +1 at that depth, the fish need to be holding around 10-15 feet. For the +2, I'm going for fish that are holding in 15+ feet or deeper. This is just a guide line for me. It just depends on where I find them. Again, my retrieve with the +2 is almost like a crankbait but is actually more like how I retrieve a shad rap. In away, I could probably troll with the +2. My favorite colors are Pro Blue/Elgey Bone and GP Pro Perch.

For me, I have had the best success with baits in the 6in range, like the Megabass Magdraft, Deps Slide Swimmer 175, and the 5.5 Volup Swimmer.

I always cut about a foot off when I put on a new leader. I don't change my leader that often though. Its sort of just habit. I might cut more if the line looks really faded or torn up but I could probably in most cases just tie the braid straight to a new leader.

I had a bag rip of Z-man TRDs on a hot summer day so I put the balance in another bag of TRDs but of a different color. I thought nothing major would happen but they sort of jelled/melted together. They didn't really blend color. Based on that, I wouldn't do it.

Go to around 23:45 in this video and you will probably get the idea.

Spend more time fishing off shore in deeper water. I want use my graph to find some good structure, mark it, return to it, and catch some big ones.

Positioning my kayak with a trolling motor. If I put myself in correct spot at the right angle, my success is always higher.

Catching one big bass is luck but catching them consistently is skill (or you're just flat out cheating).

Every Tatula I have purchased or worked on has been bone dry. They definitely improve with a little TLC.

872S SJR NRX+. I only use it when it's windy and only on smaller jerkbaits, 110jr and smaller. I don't care for a full size jerkbait on spinning gear.

Gitzit makes a pearl white and a salt pepper that use to work well for me but it's been awhile since I fished them. I got tired of getting hung up and moved on to different techniques.

Me and my baits... 😁

I have volunteered here and they just don't help those in need, they rescue food from being wasted. Truly an amazing place and organization. https://www.secondhelpings.org/about-us/

Yes the Real Control rods are a two piece but once you put it on, it's super secure. I'm a little confused on the second question myself, as I am new to Daiwa rods and also have not taken a close look at the Steez AGS rods. In the past, I was not a big fan of them. I didn't like the look or feel and then there were people that said they had broken guides but it looks like in 2021 they were redesigned. If I am seeing it correctly the JDM Steez models are a grip joint and there are also regular two piece models in the Shore Competition line. The US AGS models are one piece. Here are a few videos to get an idea of what they have. Hopefully this helps and I got some of it correct. 🤷‍♂️

I have been using Invizx (6lb to 20lb) off and on for years and I have never had line snap mid cast and break. Now I have had a loop dig in, then I try to cast with the loop dug in the spool and have it snap back at me, which is my fault, but never on a cast alone. I have lost more lures on braid and mono than any other lines which is one of the reasons I stick with fluorocarbon.

I had two of fiber blend rods way back when, a crank bait and a spinnerbait. They were some of the first Loomis I bought but once I bought my first GLX rod, I sold them. I never really cared for them but also at that time, I really didn't know any different. I can't think of any rods that are as soft and spongy as these rods were. Oddly I thought the new IMX Pro topwater rods were pretty soft at the tip but that was just holding the rods in store. They seemed similar to the IMX Pro MBR series with the exception of the frog rods. They were pretty stiff. The Valkyrie rods from Megabass come to mind. I have the 7'1'' H that I use for frogs, Magdrafts and topwater walking baits and the 7'4'' H+ for swimbaits and A-rigs. These rods have a softer feel over all but are pretty heavy by today's standards. They are a carbon fiber/glass blend as well and they have adjustable butt handles, which is great on a kayak. They too, I think, have been discontinued.

I use a 110 +2 in early spring and late fall/winter and have had good luck. I don't jerk them like I do a regular 110. I pop them very softly on a stop and go retrieve, sometimes pausing for about 10-15 secs. I can't remember who or where I saw this retrieve but I was almost ready to give up on it and this ended up working well for me.

@woolleyfooley This is an image of my rod from Daiwa JP's website. This is how the rod comes. You join the blank to the grip and you are good to go.

It almost makes me chuckle to ask this.... Have you used the 173H ST for frogs? I almost got this one instead of the 611MH-SV. To think a $1300 rod for frogs. Good to know. This is my first grip joint rod. I have not seen one without a completely closed reel seat. I thought it would be that way to help hold the joint together.

I just picked up the 6'11'' MH Fast and it was a two piece grip joint. The reel seat would need to be that way with this type of build but I don't think it will affect the sensitivity of the rod. I haven't taken it out on the water yet. I have just tossed it around the yard and it feels amazing. We will see when the ice thaws.