NorthernBasser

I'm looking to replace my current reel that I'm using on my Expride 7'11" punching rod. Right now I have the rod paired with a Curado 200K. Now, while this reel will balance better than the Curado 70 MGL, I really want something a little lighter and more palmable. I realize the MGL shines at throwing lighter weights. But I'm curious if anybody uses it for Pitching/flipping/punching. I'd be using 50# braid on it. Also, does anyone know if there's a difference in handle size between the 7.4 and the 8.1? Thanks.

Quick update. I decided to buy a pair of the Texas Tackle small split ring pliers thanks to the recommendation of some of you here. I've had no issues since. Thanks! One thing I find interesting is the font of the Texas Tackle logo/writing. It's exactly the same as Tackle Warehouse.

Decided to check out the 13 Fishing lipless. The color is called Regurgitated Shad. Didn't even notice the eyes when I ordered it. ?

One mod I always do when fishing thicker stuff, or if I'm fishing open, but dirty water, is add some sound to the frog. Also, when fishing matted vegetation, the extra weight pushes down more on the mat, creating more of a disturbance/profile for the bass to hone in on. I just stick a few bb's and tiny craft bells in the 'butt' section of the frog (where the hook comes out of the body). Some frogs you can't do this with because the cavity hole is sealed. This is the Booyah Pad Crasher.

Booyah Pad Crasher and SPRO Bronzeye are probably the favorites. Each also comes in a popping version. But there's a lot of good options out there. The regular version is better in the really thick stuff. It comes through the vegetation better. A popping frog works better in more sparse cover, like sparse pads...and open water. Regular frogs work great in open water as well, especially around cover. These can also be walked much easier than popping frogs.

Quite possible. I've yet to throw a bait that size on it. Like I said it loads up really nice so you may not have to really lob it like you see with even heavier baits.

Yeah you'll have no issues with those baits. for the S-Waver 200 you'll just wanna 'lob' it more. I really like slow-rolling the Magdraft. I've only caught a handful on it so far (this past fall).

That's the exact setup I have for my swimbaits. Now, I'll admit I don't throw big/bigger swimbaits as much as I fish other techniques, but I absolutely love this combo. Feels great, and it loads great. I definitely don't throw anything 5 oz tho, which is the max weight recommended for the rod. Some of the stuff I use it for are the Bucca Bull Shad (2 oz), BBZ-1 Rat 50 (2.5 oz), S-Waver 168, Magdraft (8"), BBZ-1 Swimbait (2.25 oz), Megabass Vatalion, Jackall Gantarel. Like I said, nothing crazy big. But for these baits it does great and I think it'll easily handle baits up to 4 oz for sure.

2.8" Keitech Fat? Or 3" Easy Shiner?

These rods really intrigue me. As of now they only have the 2 models. I talked to 6th Sense yesterday to see if they'd be adding more, and they said they aren't sure yet.

I agree with the high hookup ratio. Tho 90% of mine are hooked perfectly in the top lip. Maybe I'm just not catching them as big as yours. ?

To be fair, it's a plastic bait and a weight and hook. I do very well with smallies. As some have said, much better fishing a hard/rock bottom. They don't play well with wood, that's for sure.

Lew's TP1 Black rods are great rods for the price. (this one is the 7'2" med-heavy) Most of my rods are on the higher end, yet last year I found myself grabbing this rod quite a bit. My dedicated swim jig rod is a Megabass Orochi. There were a few outings last year where I also had a swim jig tied onto this rod. I found myself reaching for the TP1 more than the Orochi believe it or not. It just feels so good. The action, down to the Winn Grips. Now I'm not saying it's a better rod than the Orochi, but I REALLY like it. It retails for $10 more the Fury (which is also a nice option at that price point). But Sportsman's Warehouse sells them for $105...when they get them back in stock. I decided to pair the new KVD reel with it for this upcoming year.

Oh on a swim jig eh? I haven't tried that. I either throw them as stand-alone t-rig, on flipping jig or on a buzzbait.

4" version? That's the main size I use. I'll throw the 3" on finesse jigs, tho.

Yeah, $12 for an ounce is a small price to pay when you consider how much money it saves you in the long run. That pic I posted had about 75 baits. And it didn't even take 1/4 oz to fix them. 75 baits ain't nothing to sneeze at when considering the cost of stuff like Keitech's, Yamamoto etc.

So many great options out there. If I had to chose, my two favorites would be the Berkley Pit Boss and the Jackall Archelon. The Archelon has a TINY hole in the butt area where you can insert a worm rattle up into the body (there's a hollow cavity) that a lot of people don't know about.

It's supposed to be in between a medium and med-heavy. All I know is it can do a lot of different things. Heck, it's lure rating is 1/4 to 1oz. The tip is a little softer than a lot of fast actions, but the backbone has plenty power. I will throw light t-rig and finesse jigs on it at times, especially if I'm skipping docks/fishing close quarters. It's also a great jerkbait rod. It'll also throw smaller/lighter cranks in a pinch. But I am running a Chronarch MGL with it, so that helps. Mostly tho I'm throwing smaller Keitechs/underspins on it. But like I said, it is very versatile. Oh, and be sure to grab a hook keeper, since it doesn't come with one.

You can easily throw that size t-rig on casting gear. I'd say most people do. Don't forget the added weight of the hook and bait itself. I have a Chronarch MGL paired with the 6'11" med+ Shimano Poison Adrena. I use it for many applications. I've messed with t-rigs on it, but I usually throw my t-rigs on a 7'0"-7'3" med-heavy/fast rod.

If you fish plastics, like 99.9% of bass fishermen do, do yourself a favor and get some Mend-It! This is just a fraction of used plastics I've gathered over the course of the season. Some were more damaged than others because of fish catches. And some just had holes in them from the hook (no fish were caught on them). So if you aren't already using Mend-It, you really should. You'll save yourself a LOT of money. As everyone knows, plastics aren't cheap nowadays. *disclaimer* I'm not associated with Mend-It in any way. ?

In WI, open water fishing season always opened on the first weekend of May (unless river fishing, then anytime). But starting last year, it changed to April 1st. Super stoked about that! But judging by how this winter has gone, who knows if we'll even have ice-off by then. Normally we do.

Man, they saw you coming. You really got suckered in by their 'special' colors, hey? (BTW, I love the TW Black Blue & Green Pumpkin Keitechs) ?

Are you talking swim jig or flipping/pitching style jig? If flipping/pitching, most wouldn't use a Keitech for that technique. Those are better suited for swim jigs. If fishing muddy/dirty water, I prefer a black/blue trailer. Not saying white won't work. But I prefer dark colors in dirty water.

It's unlikely they're spitting it because they feel you putting tension on the bait. Think about when a bass catches a bluegill, perch, crawfish etc. There's likely all kinds of commotion going on inside the bass' mouth. Same thing when you set a hook on a fish and hook them for only a split second. Many people think that fish isn't gonna bite again. But think of the spiny fins that stick into the bass' mouth when they're feeding on other fish. They'll definitely bite again.

On the XT? (casting)