Columbia Craw

Uh try left to right. Duh!

Reels right to left: SLX 70MGL SLX 70DC Scorpian (70) 2024 Tatula 100 Top SLX150 Bottom Tatula 100 All fit your budget. The Tatula 70 SV is similar size and the Tatula Elite as well but will creep over your budget. You can find Curado MGL over seas at your budget if you shop hard.

I’m fortunate Dwight in that I live 25 minutes from NFC and their pro shop. It’s so nice to be able to handle the product. You get to see the finishing process through large viewing windows. I’m confident you will be happy with your rod. I know I am.

I’m not a hammer. What success I have has been influenced by my view of bass fishing. I look at it in a holistic approach. I commit time to understanding the biological aspects of bass and their habitat. I look a the four seasonal patterns and how bass relate to their environment, and the environmental factors that impact bass behavior and how they locate themselves. i look at maps, google earth or any other data that defines the environment. Being able to define structure, depth, cover and features help the process of illuminating water and ares that don’t fit the seasonal behaviors and those that do. i w as my to know habitat, hard cover, soft cover, current, tidal influences and more. The final piece is to know what lures and techiques to apply in the situations befor me and to have the skills to execute the techniques. I’m constantly evaluating and making adjustments. Doing the little things right. This all adds to success over time.

How about: Caldia. 148 bucks Ballistic 218 bucks Luvius 229 bucks

Tube with a 1/16 internal weight, Senko, jig.

I’m still running my 12 plus year old Dobyns Champion 704CB. You can also drop to a Kaden 610-4 CB. I like cork and full handles for a JB rod.

I ordered an NFC Edge Epitome 764 spin during a sale. The wait was longer than usual but it was worth it. At 3.1 oz. It’s light. It’s the most sensitive rod I have by far. I mated it with my Luvias 4000. Sweet.

Dobyns Maverick 692SF. Best bang for the buck rod series in my view.

I’m trying some Daiwa JDM floro and so far I’m extremely impressed and it’s very affordable. I still think Tatsu sets the bench mark.

Absolutely. Neoprene covers for every reel and mesh socks for rods. My buddy makes socks custom cut to length for me. A member has a set on the flea market right now.

My Daiwa SV103. I just had it serviced and a drag update by DVT. Why Daiwa dumped the platform is beyond me. This reel is a stand alone.

Sieberts for me. I always order wire tied. I also order all my Ned heads, shaky heads, tungsten weights, SK and Missile plastics from Mike. 👍

The potential for abuse is concerning.

There you go!

I have about four or five of them. 🤔

Gammi G Finesse Hybrid is a great hook and I apply it to longer slender baits. The EWG and Superline get the nod on most other baits except when flippin tubes. There is a BKK model I can’t recall that is perfect for that application. I just ordered some hooks from Japan to try. I’ll wait to name them in case they are duds.

I worked the worst possible shift schedule you ca work for my final 18 years. It is brutal. I’ve always needed ample sleep since I was a small child. My sleep rhythm is still messed up.

Helium3 lite

Tight in water under 55 degrees. Wide when it warms up and in stained water where displacement is helpful. There’s nothing to say tight vibration won’t work in warmer temps but I’ll usually factor in clarity. The new 6th Sense Process is pretty slick. The Normans Fat Boy has a real wide wobble. Finally, the Luhr Jensen Speed Trap as a flat side is very productive.

I’m with Catt. 6th Sense Hybrid jig also looks promising.

When fishing a river system, it’s less difficult to find either depended on the season. Reservoirs are a little harder. As stated, Smallie’s are more prone to bite but those might also be the little ones. What’s a bugger is hitting feeding windows.

6th Sense Strike King Normans Rapala

Before you buy domestic, check the options at Digitaka. The Scorpion is a 70 size and JDM offers the SLX 70 DC. Both are great casters.

I’m 70 and can remember teaching myself how to build rods to get something over 6 1/2 feet.