NorthernBasser

The majority of my rods run between $200-$350. But when these rods were first announced, they definitely made me raise my eyebrows. It seemed like this rod should be more than the listed $99.99. Lately I've been testing out rods on the 'lower end' of the price scale. Either just to have as utility rods, or to test out for friends and my nephew. Lately, the Ark Tharp Honey Badger Hammer has been a really nice surprise. As well as the 6th Sense Lux 7'2 med-heavy/mod-fast. So after seeing more coverage on the new Tatula XT from iCast, as well as PunchFishing's (he generally has really expensive taste) video review on them, I decided to get my hands on one. I have yet to get it on the water, but in hand, and just the cosmetics of it, it indeed feels and looks like a rod that should be more expensive than $100. I got 15% off, so at $85 I'd say it's an absolute steal. If anyone is interested, I'll report back after actually fishing it. Here's PunchFishing's video.

Lethal Weapon IV Swim Jig comes thru grass better than any other jig I've used.

I was watching earlier. One thing I always wonder is, when they're live fishing, how are they getting these weights in real-time for the BassTrakk? They aren't being weighed right away like they do in MLF.

My favorite color today has been Bone and Pea Soup Green.

I haven't used it, but the Dobyns guys rave about the Champ XP 736 for froggin'.

You have to pay $30/year to be a premium member.

Not so fast. I got a text update this morning saying it's now made it's way across the border to Eau Claire. It's now "delayed" there. But hey, at least it's in the correct state! Baby steps. Literal baby steps. Maybe I'll get it before the lakes freeze over. ?

I've really been liking the 4" Largo Shad this year for a bluegill imitator.

I really, really wish companies would stop using FedEx. I have no idea why they're still in business. Anytime I'm expecting something from them, it gets delayed..and delayed...and delayed. I'm waiting on an order from Omnia. I'm in WI, they're in MN. I was supposed to get a package on 8/18. Then it got changed to 8/19. Then that didn't happen so it was then 8/20. And now it just says "pending, no scheduled delivery date at this time". Pathetic. Rant over.

I've always heard good things about the Savage Gear Shine Glide as a cheaper swimbait option. I decided to pick on up, and I notice on the package and on top of the bait it says Shiner "Glider", not "Glide". I've never hear it called that before. Also, why does it say "Roach" on the package? What's that all about? I don't see that being mentioned on any site. On Savage Gears own website, along with every other website I checked, they call it Shine Glide. Did they change the name recently and just haven't updated the sites? Did some intern royally mess up at Savage Gear headquarters? Just curious, that's all.

The heck is TTT??!?!?!?! ? Oh I know now....not sure if it's on the naughty list so I better not say it..shoot, they don't have my favorite color tho.

Omnia has the Fenwick Techna PX (casting) marked down to $130, regular $230. Only a few models available. I have the 6'8 medium/fast. Nice rods. They also have their World Class (casting & spinning) on sale. They're regular $330 but the casting is marked down to $200 and the spinning $230.

Black Dog Baits Shellcracker G2. PB Rat. 6th Sense Speed Wake. Megabass I-Loud (not a traditional wake bait tho).

Yeah. I was pretty bummed. Glad you had better luck. Have you fished yours yet?

I know nothing about those. But I know my nephew has a 13 Fishing Fate Black that he loves. It's about $20 more than the Defy. Labor Day sales will be coming up. The Ark Tharp Honey Badger series of rods are reg. $130 but will be marked down to $110. Great rods for that price. The Hammer is an awesome all-around 7' MH. And they look beautiful on top of how well they fish.

Yeah, that is last years model. Which still sounds like a great deal, tho I've never fished those rods specifically.

Got my hands on 2 of the 7' MH Fantasista's. I'm not really an Abu guy, but couldn't pass up a good deal ($300 rod for $160). I have to say. I'm rather disappointed. They're nice looking rods for sure, but the guides on both rods were not aligned straight. Some can overlook that, but not me. And it was much heavier than I'd expect a 7' MH rod to be. And a $300 one at that. It weighed in at 5.08 oz. For comparison, my 7'3 Sierra Heavy weighs 4.91. That's a H and 3" longer, and everyone knows Dobyns are on the heavy side. My 7'6 ALX IKOS is an XH and it weighs 4.73 oz. Heck, my old Cabela's 7'3 H Tourney ZX weighs less at 4.68 oz. If it weren't for the guides being off I'd fish them and see how they fish. But I can't look past that. Maybe I'll see if my friends or nephew would like them.

The next 2022 Daiwa Tatula XT looks like a killer deal at $99.99. Not sure how readily available they are at the moment, tho.

I have a dresser dedicated to all my free t-shirts. ?‍♂️ The quality of them have gone down the tubes compared to what they used to be. But they're free, so I can't really complain.

On those Largo Shad's if you tear off that flange by the tail you'll get a wider kick/more thump. I'll usually do that in dirty water and/or during summer months. In spring I leave it as is. The 4" makes a nice swim jig trailer as well.

Cheaper rod option. Midway has the 7'1 med-heavy Tatula XT casting (not 2022 model I don't believe) on sale for $61, reg. $100. Also the 6'6 medium spinning rod for same price.

On topic- Today I rigged up possibly the best bluegill imitating spinnerbait I have.

Still one of my favorite pictures.