FishTank

I use about 20-30 yards of backing (guessing here) and the 82 yards is fine. I just pick what I have left over from other filler spools that won't completely fill up a reel.

I have fished Keitechs and Spark Shads with it a few times but I haven't used a twist lock hooks with it yet. I would image it would be fine. I usually use a swimbait head around 1/4oz or 3/8oz. On another note, I think it might be overkill for paddle tail baits. For the same price you might be better served for with a G. Loomis NRX+ 844C. I actually bought Evoluzion with a gift card I got for my recent work anniversary and I didn't expect it to be as good or as versatile as it is. The 844C might not be as versatile as the Evoluzion (and the 844C is also a great multi-use rod). It's just as sensitive and comes with a much better warranty.

The rod is actually very versatile. I have fished pretty much everything. It works best for Texas rigged soft plastic, paddle tail swimbaits and light jigs but I have used it for jerkbaits and a few crankbaits. Downside it is soft at the tip and extremely sensitive. It makes a crankbait feel sort of strange. As far as the line goes, it's 14lb Sunline BMS Sniper. It is a little stiff but otherwise it's fantastic. It's durable, sensitive, and you can easily see it out of the water, if you like to watch line. I would say it's not for everybody and not for every situation but I would highly recommend it for jigs and soft plastic. I would order it from a Japan website. The US price on this line is really high.

Megabass Evoluzion Super Diablo Type L. This is the 30th Anniversary edition. It is outstanding and fishes as good as it looks.

Sunfish/Bluegill, they love senkos but they will hit just about anything when hungry. I have caught a ton of small bass in the ponds I fish on 5in senkos. In order to get the bluegill away, let the bait sit on the bottom, wait, pop it off the bottom, then wait again and repeat . Doesn't work all the time but it does improve your chances. Also, the right hook is important, I use either a 3/0 or 4/0 EWG with senkos. I posted this in another thread but when sunfish want to strike something, they will hit hard..... like this 1/2 oz spinnerbait. I caught a ton of largemouth this day but this one is the prize. The hook is the same size as it's mouth. How I caught this thing just like a bass, leaves me scratching my head.

Nice shark. Nothing like that around my world. How do you like the trolling motor? I took mine out to today. Caught about 30 largemouth. One of the best days I have had in a long time.

Just curious, what didn't you like about the Levante Perfect Pitch? I have heard that is sort of a do all rod for things 1/2oz and up to 1.25oz. As far as impulse buys go, I have several that I gave into..... like a Levante Jerkbait Special and a Lew's BB1 (I like this combo) and as of last night, I have a Daiwa Silver Wolf and about $150 in baits head my way. I don't need any of it but now I have to find a rod.

I have the new Aldebaran BFS and it's amazing at what it can throw but I would say a 1/32 oz lure would be too light. A 1/16 oz lure would be the lightest I would go. Also, I have not held the P5 Siglet but from what I have read a 1/32 oz would also be too light for this rod. At that weight you are in trout rod territory.

Gamakatsu swivel shot 1, 1/0, or 2/0 depending on the bait. I use a G. Loomis NRX 821S with a Daiwa Emeraldas 2500 6lb Sufix Elite (FC would be best though).

Nice that you gave it away. Just curious, what did you replace it with? I have handled the new one and it just seems different and a little off compared to the old but not in a bad way.

I have used this one as well but think I have permanently made this rod for the fat ika. It does work great for chatterbaits though.

I went down this rabbit hole a few years ago. I was convinced since it's a jig style bait, it needed a jig rod. So I started using an NRX 853. Great rod but couldn't get a good hook set. Then I went to a 7' MH Fast Avid. It worked great but it didn't seem to load well. Then I read on here about using a crankbait rod so I gave that a shot and used a St. Legend Glass Med Moderate. It was too soft and I was missing fish. Finally by accident I tried a G.Loomis IMX Pro CBR 903C with a mod-fast action and it was perfect for bomb casting and hook sets were also perfect.

True. I have ordered several reels from Japan. My point is that it seems some of the cooler or more specialized reels are JDM and the US market is forgotten. You're not just going to go into a bait and tackle shop and find stuff like this.

The Met. DC but the regular version would be my first choice for the 894.

Cool old school reel. Why don't we see stuff like this in the US.

How light? Have you looked at BFS gear?

Fished it a few times again this weekend for a tournament and not a single bite. I also had an eye pop off, the paint/dye is coming off, and I also can't get them swim straight. They just roll on their side. I love Megabass stuff but this has been a disappointment.

I think when I said that they last a long time, I might be over stating it. They do last longer than most soft plastic. I think I have gotten 5-6 fish out of them but it all depends on the hook, how you set the hook and how much damage is done to it when you fish. As far as what hook I use.... I have tried a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG but it's sort of too long. The 3/0 didn't fit well. I have also tried G-Finesse 3/0 and 4/0 and they are good but the gap is not big enough. So I settled on a 4/0 EWG from Owner. I bought several but I am not sure which one it is. It's a heavy wire hook with a deep bend. It seems to go through easier and it holds in the bump a little better. I will try to post a pic when I can.

I like the BB1 Pro I have so far. No issues, casts well, and its fun to fish.

Too late I bought one....but.

Has anyone caught anything on these yet? I have been skunked with them so far. Also, the hook doesn't seem to be placed in the correct position. It is up and back, almost exposing the hook. The hook will also come out randomly, causing the bait to swim sideways.

I have two of the Shower Blows, one of the 125 and one of the 77. Both are like a walk the dog popper. It is the sort of a bait I go to when everyone else is fishing topwater. It's different once you get the action down. I only caught a few fish with them but they are effective. It makes a different sound from everything else. I would also guess that taking a hook off would definitely change the action of the bait. I would leave it be and be prepared to use a pair of pliers.

My daughter and her phone....?

I went through 3 (maybe 4) Fenwick Elite Tech rods, 2 spinning and 1 casting. All three snapped at the tip about 5 inches down from the top guide. They did warranty them but one of the ones they sent me snapped in the same place as well. I either sold or donated the others.

Same on the white rods. I have told this story here before but we believed when I was a kid that white rods summoned the bad luck lake omen. I thought it was funny as a kid but I still till this day think they are bad luck. The Ultra Light BFS I have is a Sierra Series. I don't know if my rod translates well to the regular bass Sierra line but I have hammered this rod and it's a tooth pick. In around 30 days and only a few trips I am over 120 fish with it. I haven't caught anything over 3lbs though but it has handled them all well. The warranty was also a consideration when I bought this rod. If I went JDM or even with a higher priced US rod that was BFS, the warranties were either nonexistent or they didn't seem to be as good as Dobyns.