Burntorangefan

Jackall Cross Tail Shad. They absolutely slay on a DS.

I agree with this sentiment. There are better rod options around $200. If money is less of an issue, I'd recommend a GLX 852S JWR for a versatile spinning rod. Alternatively you could also do their Dropshot rod in the same family...

Under 300 my two favorites are the XX Orochi Flat Side Special or for you "keeping it in the family" a Loomis 845 (the orange blended crankbait rod - orange colored, not actually blended with oranges). Problem with the Loomis is getting one, I've been waiting for another for a couple months. Hoping the April ETA on another batch holds true.

Value: X-Rap and Shadow Rap. They catch fish in places I'm hesitant to throw a 110 or some version of Pointer. Money on the line: Vision 110. Boring answers, I know, but truthful.

Thanks Shimmy. Will try the link and go from there.

Well, dang! I'm gonna have to remember that in the future. No season for bass out here so it didn't even cross my mind. Thanks for the heads up guys.

Hoping to get some brief advice on fishing in WI. I'm headed out there for a week starting Wednesday and my brother-in-law said that the ice was probably out far enough to fish. Was thinking of filling a 3700 size box and throwing it in my luggage. Any advice other than the obvious: fish it SLOW, Ned Rigs are bueno, etc? Not accustomed to fishing anywhere that's had ice on it in the winter. Colors?

Avid X easily. At that price point, the St Croix feels much better to me. Not a huge fan of the E6X, though I'm a Loomis guy in general.

Watermelon or Green Pumpkin with red and black flakes. The color crosses lots of brands as "California." That one kills up here in the NW. And blue/black seems to do great as well.

We're neighbors and we have no shad in WA lakes. That being said, there's not a lake in WA I wouldn't choose Pro Blue first with a gun to my head...all of its variants work great in the PacNW - GP Skeleton Tennessee, PB 2, GP Sexy Shad, etc...

You won't regret getting Pro Blue. Probably the best overall color and the benchmark staple. From there you can play around with others. You "checked the box!" Mine by depth: Flash Minnow Pointer 78 Pointer 100 Vision 110 Staycee v2 Shadow Rap Deep Curveballs: X-Rap Flash Pointer

I'd start worrying when your MB / Duos stop catching fish. A-Jay and 38 SF are right.

Senko or spy bait. I voted plastic for the Senko...

I'm also a fan of the spinbait 80 and its cousin the G-fix. Our water is so clear in WA that they're very effective. Been meaning to try some of their other products, but so many options out there and so little time...

Staysee 90, Crystal Blue or Pearl White Flake.

Define "timeless." To me that generates a certain must have been created and fished by date. If a 15-17 year old lure can be considered timeless my vote would go to a Pro-Blue MB Vision 110. It seems like for every latest and greatest can't miss lure/bait, there are always exceptions. Thinking of what I've read lately, see: Bluebasser86 and the Shadow Rap. The ONLY lure I've seen with no exceptions is the 110. They have their detractors for other reasons like their fragile nature or their overall price point, but I've never been with anyone nor ever read from anyone that they didn't catch fish - in bunches.

I have a similar setup to what you're looking at...6-3 St Croix Legend Tournament Shakey Head rod in MXF. CI4+ running 5 lb Sniper. I've never had the issues described with FC Finesse using Sniper. This rod is really powerful for its size and I also use the spy baiting technique which is why I opted for 5 lb test...that and the store was out of 6! I REALLY enjoy this setup. Edit: add which version of St Croix

I've done best on the West side of the mountains, as well as Potholes and Banks using Vision 110s. The two colors that are undeniably the best in the circles I run in are Pro Blue and French Pearl. Orange bellies on either is optional.