NorthernBasser

I've heard good things about the Ark Tharp series One Eyed Jack. You can find it on sale often but even at the retail price those Honey Badger rods are impressive. I have the Hammer.

Yessss. If you can't find a color you like, forget about it. The Brown Orange Craw and the Lime Smoke with Purple Tail (I think that's the name) are great. Along with the staple colors.

I guess it depends what you're used to, or what you compare it to. To me 4.7 oz is on the high side for a 6'9 H rod. The 7'2 H Zodias weighs 4.47 oz. My 7'6 XH ALX IKOS is 4.73 oz. But if it balances well you don't notice the extra weigh as much (see: Dobyns). It's funny because what's considered heavy nowadays in rods and reels would feel like feathers years ago.

What are you mostly using the 7'3 MH Ehler rod for? I'm expecting it to be a utility rod for me.

Nice, thanks! I do like the open style hook keeper. 4.7 oz is definitely on the heavy side for a 6'9 rod (tho it is a heavy, right?) but if it balances, that helps. I am a little worried now how heavy the 7'3 MH I ordered is going to be.

First impression of the rod?

Those are so beautiful looking rods, for sure. The fit and finish is top notch.

I recently got some of the new shallow running Hybrid Hunter Jrs. Comparing it to my regular Jrs. I was having a hard time figuring out the difference. Out of the box I figured the L lip on it would be shorter. Nope, exact same size. So then I weighed them. The Jr was BARELY lighter, so I thought maybe that's the difference? But then upon closer inspection I notice the line tie is a little lower on the shallow version. So that must be it. The rattle sound has a little difference pitch on the new shallow version as well. I'm curious on the weight as well. I have the 7'1 med-heavy spinning model (Ben from The Hookup Tackle said it was more like a medium before I ordered it...but it's definitely closer to a MH). It weighs 4.71 oz. Heavier than I like for a spinning rod. And it feels pretty heavy in hand, too.

Got 3 new colors I haven't seen before in the Zoom Z Craw and Z Craw Jr. Obviously plan on fishing them as stand-alone on an EWG hook and as a jig trailer. But last year I really started using them on swim jigs rigged vertically. I'll be using these mostly with bluegill-colored swim jigs. Hot Tamales. It's an orange base with red that kind of bleeds into it. Rocky Top. This is a Tennessee Volunteers orange color with really light orange flakes. Pumpkin Spice. Kind of a brownish-orange color. The top side is darker with gold and black flakes. The underside is more orange with a little less flakes.

I usually don't have issues with delivery times. Definitely nothing that takes this long (if the March 17 dates holds up).

I guess a sloth will be delivering mine. When I placed my order it said there were a few in stock still. I wonder if they are actually all out and the long wait is based on them getting more in?

How long did it take to get your reel? I ended up pulling the trigger a few days ago and estimated delivery is March 17.

But when it finally comes in the mail...

Like others have said, I don't have access to every rod model that's made, so it's kind of hard to handle them before I buy. I'd like to, for sure. But it's just not possible. If I order a rod and don't like it I'll usually just sell it.

Just placed another order for the 7' ML casting. ?‍♂️ I'll call them in the morning to give them the heads-up so they can ship them both together. Does anyone know how they pack their rods? I ordered an Orochi from them once but can't recall if it came in a tube, box etc.

Dang you. I need another rod like I need a hole in the head. I ended up getting the 7'3 MH, along with a few other baits. If you go in the sales section and look around there's some really good deals to be had. What rod did you get? Anybody have any experience with these rods? I have a few regular Tats and Rebellions and I like those. Have never handled any of these before.

Took the words out of my mouth. I fish them weightless t-rigged. They're actually quite heavy. I'll cast it out, let it fall to the bottom, then give it 1-2 short 'pops', letting it fall back to the bottom. Repeat.

I definitely have a handful that see the water more often than others, that's for sure. That one you circled is definitely in the mix. That particular one is 1/4 oz. which I really like for shallower water.

Everyone talks about flat-sided cranks in cold water. And for good reason. But the DTs are definitely great cold water crankbaits as well.

Yes, Teckle USA is the same thing. Can never go wrong with bone, that's for sure. I got the White Walker color, but admittedly I got that color mostly because I thought it looked cool to me. I have the pup version.

I love lipless cranks. Changing out some hooks today when I saw this thread. Right now I have 61 I keep in the boat with another 10-12 still in boxes on the tackle wall. I have a ways to go to catch up to @a1712 tho! Luckily I didn't lose too many this past season. Tho I did lose an LV-500 to a snapping turtle.

Wait, what? All the orders I've placed with Mike and I didn't know anything about this? ?

Dirty Jigs is legit. They're based out of here in Wisconsin. Good people. Their swim jig heads are also very popular for a reason.

Yeah, this one does nothing for me to be honest.