HazeRVA

No, there was no mention of going with an Ikos rod. Man, Alex really is a good dude. I emailed last night telling him about going in a different direction and have been anxiously awaiting his response. "No harm or foul. Honestly I was really concerned about it myself. You keep going back to the more involved plan, so I know that's what you really want. On our end the biggest issue is the amount of labor involved in making these parts fit." So even after going completely stock but with the plain cork grips and a foregrip the price didn't really change. All of the cost was in creating the foregrip. I was trying to create a hybrid Avid X/Deputy. Wanted what I have read is more sensitivity in the Deputy but the handle/foregrip from the Avid X. In the end it just wasn't coming together. Added to the cost was the time involved. Even if I ordered today it would be a few weeks before I had it and I just didn't want to drag it out anymore (considering I first contacted ALX January 2nd). I will definitely be ordering an ALX rod in the future, though.

Yes, I paid $230 for the Avid X at BPS (was $210 when I started looking a couple months ago, of course). Apparently ALX is raising custom prices, they have been short changing themselves as far as labor goes. First go'round was $300 shipped! Then we started paring it down and the issue became not really getting what I was after so the cost was even less warranted. As an aside, the whole custom thing was a learning experience. The base price is the cost of the off the shelf rod ($220). Maybe I'm just being naive but that doesn't make any sense to me, none of the stock parts are being used so why am I paying for them? Why am I not paying for the blank plus custom parts? Sucked sending Alex that email cuz I really do genuinely feel bad and like I wasted his time. He has been great through the whole thing. Very patient with me and all my questions and has offered great ideas. But I can't justify spending that kind of money and not knowing for sure it's what I really want. Even the Avid X is more than double the cost of my next most expensive rod.

Picked up an Avid X to pair with my Tatula SV yesterday!

Just to bring some closure to this thread. I wanted to get an ALX Zolo Deputy and customize it, mainly trying to recreate the cork split grip and foregrip from the Avid X and adding gold accents. Well no matter how much we pared it down, it was more than I was comfortable spending. Yesterday, I bought an Avid X and absolutely love it. Huge upgrade over my Abu Vendetta. Thank you everyone for your input!

New PB! 3.17lbs on a white spinnerbait with nickel double willows.

Same. Definitely looks like stuff they are just trying to get rid of.

Another Tatula SV here, but that Tatula 100 is moving up the ranks.

Good to hear!

Jackall Riser Bait 009PS Bluegill (2) Baby Trash Fish Albino Ayu Weighted Beast 4/0 1/8 3pk Beast Coast Vanquish Flip Jig Elite Craw 3/8oz 6th Sense Divine Swim Jig Bluegill Fire 3/8

Holy smokes that's a sexy reel! Gonna be way out of my price range, but I can admire from afar. Look forward to see members here post their pics. Hoping they come out with a SV Tatula 100.

I'm so weak....Just ordered a Tatula 100 for $98.99! Will be quite the upgrade over my Abu UltraMax. Now to get my free Daiwa/Huk shirt form ready!

Thanks. Yeah I can't find them. Standard depth 3700 is 2", and there is a 3701 that is ***/8", but doesn't look like there is a Hydroflo version of that.

I'm starting to change over to these. Do they make a shallow 3700 in the Hydroflo?

My cousin was raving about these swimjigs from Beast Coast that have been discontinued, so I had to order a few before they are completely gone. 2 - Tungsten Dream Balance Swimjig - Lit Baby Bass 3/8 2 - Tungsten Dream Balance Swimjig - Real Money 1/2

Still discussing with Alex. But definitely the route I'm going. Once the order is actually placed it will be about 3 weeks. Will post as soon as I have pics or other updates.

Ordered some new jigs/trailers and chatterbait trailers... Beast Coast Vanquish Flip Jig Cali-Melon Craw 3/8 Beast Coast Vanquish Flip Jig Versace Craw 3/8 Dirty Jigs T.L. Pitch Jig Canterbury Craw 3/8 Dirty Jigs T.L. Pitch Jig Super Matt Brown 3/8 Sweet Beaver 4.20 Big Texan Sweet Beaver 4.20 Main Vein Strike King Rage Craw Bama Craw Strike King Rage Craw California Craw Z-Man Razor Shadz Swimbait Ayu 4.5" Z-Man Razor Shadz Swimbait The Deal 4.5" The Rod Glove Casting Spyder And a red brake dial screw for my Fuego CT from Hedgehog

@rippin-lips This one? I was thinking that was the champagne gold. The gold on the Tat SV seems to be more orange, but not quite HH orange either. BTW, that reel is kinda my inspiration. Plan on doing the cork knobs and working on getting a custom Zolo Deputy with gold instead of blue and all cork instead of the cork/EVA ALX usually uses. Just thinking of adding frame screws and knob caps to the reel with the cork knobs. Spool knob and handle washer will stay stock (hopefully).

How well does the Hedgehog gold match the gold that Daiwa uses on the 6.3:1 ratio reels? Anyone have any pics? Thanks!

That's definitely me right now!

Thanks! That is a good looking rod. Yeah, for mine we are going a matte ghost logo. Trying to match the gold on the Tat SV, which is more orange.

X2

Just an update.....Met Alex from ALX at the Richmond Fishing Expo on Saturday. Spoke with him for at least 20 minutes. As soon as I introduced myself he knew exactly who I was and our email conversation. He seemed as excited as I was and had some great ideas. I think we are going with the Deputy, but with matte gunmetal accents (where it is normally blue) and gold thread wrap, possibly straight cork instead their split cork/EVA, and a cork foregrip. He's going to get some mockups done and I'll be back to share pics! Very excited!

@BaitFinesse thanks! Really digging it. Looks so good on the Abu Vendetta. Yes it is the Ray's Studio knob and screws. Next up red brake dial screw then I think I'm done with this one. Maybe red knob caps.

Latest pickups

Haha thanks guys! And... Done! Love it.