wet_dream

Awesome! I sent in one rebate earlier this year for Gulp. I guess after these 2 forms I can claim one more. I'll probably go back to dicks before they close tonight. Thanks for confirming @adrenalnjunky

So, living across the street from a Dick's Sporting Goods may be a blessing and a curse. Always seem to walk out with something. Powerbait plastics are 4 for $10, and Dick's/Berkeley is running a $10 rebate when you buy 4 bags. So did I just get these 8 bags of worms for $1.40 (tax)? I guess we'll find out in a few weeks when/if that rebate comes in the mail.

Thanks @Bluebasser86 It looks a lot like that! I dipped it in Spike-It. I'm going to have pick up a couple bags.

I've looking forward to fishing today after working all week but forecast called for t-storms all day. Got some more lures in the mail from my DSG order last week. Forecast kept changing, and I figured I'd tie on one of my shiny new lures and make a couple casts at my usual spot. Third cast with favorite striped bass topwater lure and this little guy whacks it! Feisty lol No other blow-ups on topwater so I decided to go to my trusty yum dinger and caught these guys: That was my last worm in that color, and after I lost it, I decided to clean up some garbage some inconsiderate people left scattered. I keep an extra plastic bag in my car and try to make it a habit to pick up some litter every time I'm out here. This quarry is on private property and people come out here to drink and take a dip in the water, often leaving bottles, cans, and other trash. As I was picking up the last bit of trash in the area I was fishing, I saw some fishing line with a t-rigged worm laying on the ground. Hook was rusting, but the plastic worm was in good condition and the same color as the ones I've been having so much success with recently. Figured I'd rig it up and fish til the rain finally came. Proceeded to catch a few more fish before I had to leave. Anyone know what kind of worm this is? Been fishing senkos and yum dingers exclusively but I'll have to pick up a couple packs of these? PowerBait? Sorry about the long post, this gloomy weather inspired me.

Received a couple more lures from my DSG order from last week. It's a mix of my freshwater and saltwater lures. Love these Skitter Walks for back bay striper fishing. Maybe I'll try them out at my local pond and see if I can get a bass on it. Still waiting on those Whopper Plopper 110s.

HAHA! I don't know though, from everything I've read it seems to be a win/win situation. (Get out of my head Bait Monkey)

None, yet. I've been eye-balling this reel for a few weeks now. I'm very tempted to try one (or 2) out. Lots of great reviews. Bait Monkey might get me soon.

No problem. Also, the EMTF has the full cork grip. I should have mentioned I have S/H 734c. So the weight could be a lot closer if you go with the F/H. Good luck with your decision. I don't think you'll regret it either way.

*DC734c vs EMTF

I own the XX EMTF, but cannot speak for the Champion 744. Also, to clarify are you considering the DX 744c or DC 744c? I own a DC 734c and I believe the DC 744c is a faster action rod made with jig fishing in mind. The Extreme DX 744C is more in the lines of the DC 734c as a versatile do-it-all with a more forgiving tip. I've been using the EMTF as my dedicated t-rig senko rod and love it for that application. The tip is soft enough, making it a versatile rod. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for other applications. If you're looking for a rod with a faster tip, the DC 744c would be the better bet.

I've been throwing senkos and yum dingers a lot recently and it's really the only thing I've been able to consistently catch fish on. I also predominantly fish from shore. The set-ups I've been using are: Weighted T-Rig (90% of the time) -Orochi XX EMTF, Chronarch MGL, 15lb fluoro Weightless T-Rig -7' Mojo Bass Medium Fast, Lews LFS, 10lb fluoro I like the longer EMTF and weight to make longer casts from the bank especially in windy conditions. I also just recently started experimenting with fluoro and prefer it over braid for worms.

I'm the complete opposite! lol I also mostly fish from the bank and seem to do much better when I have some sort of weight. I currently use lead but am looking to try tungsten. Maybe the more compact tungsten weights will help you from getting caught in he weeds. I've personally shied away from them so far because of price. I don't peg my weight and I try to choose the lightest sinker I can to keep contact depending on the conditions. I tend to run into trouble with weeds getting caught up on the hook/weight when I go heavier, but I personally haven't used anything over 3/8 oz. The sinker also helps me cast further and cover more water. ^Also, this. If you're doing well with a weightless presentation, then stick with it. Some of the areas that I cast to from the bank will drop off into 20-25 feet, so weightless would take forever to get to the bottom. I've recently picked up on this trick of quickly popping the rod when I feel like there are weeds hung up on my hook and it's helped tremendously.

Can't wait to try these out! I've been trying to concentrate on jig and t-rig fishing since I started earlier this year with success. Looking to expand my repertoire. Also have some Whopper Plopper 110's on the way from that order. Heard great things about those as well.

Hey BR, It may prove to be trivial and completely normal, but I was cleaning off some of my gear today and noticed the thumb bar on my Exsence DC (2012) does not stay fixed in the down position when depressed. It's the only reel I own that does this, is this an issue? Do other/older reels have thumb bars like this? It hasn't had any adverse effects on the performance of the reel. It engages when I turn the handle and it has been a non-issue so far but I just wanted to make sure. I bought the reel second hand, its in excellent condition and just noticed this detail. Maybe someone with the same reel can chime in. Thanks, Cy P.S. Hopefully I was clear with my explanation, I'll post some pics when I get home.

Placed an order on DSG during their "buy 4 get 2 free" and "$20 off $100 purchase" sales a few days ago. Some baits have started to trickle in. Have never thrown crankbaits and I figured I'd give it a shot. Hope I get the rest of my order soon.

Not really remembering the specifics of why, I've read baitcasters in general are tougher to seal than spinning reels due to their mechanics. I wish I could remember where I read that so I could link the source. Maybe @Delaware Valley Tackle can chime in. If you want to perform minimal maintenance, a quick rinse after each outing, I'd suggest looking into spinning reels. There are a couple that come to mind at the $100 price point, the Daiwa BG or the Tsunami Shield. These reels have received great reviews from saltwater fishermen. If you are deadset on a baitcaster, I'd suggest learning how to atleast perform basic maintenance to make sure you're reel doesn't seize prematurely, especially if you're intending to "abuse" it. I do saltwater inshore fishing in my kayak, and most of my set-ups are spinning. I have tried a baitcaster for bottom jigging flounder, and it's held up well, but I try to clean it as best as I can and reapply grease often to keep saltwater intrusion at a minimum. I do this on my spinning reels as well, but just less often. Good luck!

Just started another topic before I saw this in the search, noob move! Lol I was wondering the same thing, the white minnowz dissolved in my Spike-It. Someone has a bunch of Z-Man's for sale in the Flea Market, that is like to pick up, but I can't dip em, then I'm probably not going to use em often.

x3 on green I don't own a pair of Costa's yet, but have been doing some research on them. I'm leaning toward's a pair with the green 580g lenses myself, for inshore and freshwater. The blue lenses are nice, but they're more suited for the offshore guy's fishing in deep water.

It's been a slow summer for me, I admit, I've been doing more saltwater fishing recently but finally caught a decent fish (decent for this little pond atleast). I'm loving this combo for worms, it's all I've been able to catch fish on recently.

I'd recommend the medium. I was in the market for an inshore rod earlier this summer, I was considering the e6x Inshore but came across a ML Avid Inshore (rated to 1/2 oz) on sale. I love the rod, but I think it's too light for the inshore fishing I do. I regret not getting a medium, but the bait monkey got to me lol. For reference, I fish from a kayak as well in New Jersey. My intended uses for the rod was light jigs and plastics (1/4-3/8 bucktails+gulp). It can throw those weights ok, but felt like the rod was maxing out. I wouldn't hesitate to use it in shallow water, but at times have to jig in 25+ feet. The Medium would have been a better match for me. I now use it as a drop shot/keitech rod in freshwater. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Avid Inshores, and my kayaking buddy actually just bought a Loomis Greenwater Rod, which he loves so far.

I don't have any experience with any of these reels but if it was in my budget, I'd get the Steez. I use a 6.3:1 Tatula CT as my chatterbait reel and it works great for me, so I'm sure the Steez could handle it just fine

I picked up a 6'10" MH from the Flea Market earlier this year and have used it for T-Rigs and jigs (1/4-3/8 mostly). I think it's plenty sensitive for me, I don't really have much experience and cannot compare to a ton of rods yet. I've recently picked up an XX Orochi EMTF, that ive been using as my dedicated worm/t-rig rod and now use my Zodias predominantly for jigs. The 6'10" is more maneuverable on my kayak, but prefer the longer EMTF when bank fishing. For the lighter weights you're planning to use, I may consider the medium, but don't have any personal experience with them. I do have a medium power Mojo Bass that I use for my lighter t-rigs and jigs. So my vote would be for a Medium power Zodias.

Thanks, I actually own that reel, bought it earlier this year for that price and love it. I just thought it was odd the newer Tatula SV is priced even lower than that CT Type-R. Wanted to try out a reel with the SV spool, maybe the Zillion SV's price will start dropping lol, wishful thinking.

If anyone is looking to try a Daiwa Tatula SV, looks like the price keeps dropping. Only in RH retrieve though. I fish lefty Is is there a Daiwa refresh coming soon? These reels just came out this year and they're already 40% off.

Perfect timing on this post. I just got my MGL not too long ago and have wondered about optimum settings as well. It was my first Shimano reel. I currently have 2 brakes on, outside dial anywhere between a 2-3 depending on lure weight. Tension knob is set so spool does not overrun when lure hits the ground. For reference, I have 15 lb fluoro on the reel currently. Curious what "really loose" means. Any side to side play on the spool?