PhishLI

You'd be right about that.

I haven't fished with or touched a ton of $100 spinning rods, but enough to have chosen the Tat XT over the ones that I have. That doesn't mean there isn't something better at the price point. There are so many choices, then throw in personal preference. Rods are so personal. That said, the MF XT spinning rods I have keep me happy not only because I like their feel in hand and their crisp action, but they've held up to real abuse over 6 years of use. I've dragged in some pretty impressive NY bass through some gnarly weeds with them without one glitch.

Absolutely.

I'm not a bass, but I can't smell anything once it dries which is pretty fast.

The OP is looking for a spinning rig, ABU.

Yes. I'm right handed and prefer jacking the hook or dragging them back through heavy veg with my right arm and would rather not switch hands either way. With jerk baits in clean water, it really doesn't make a difference to me. I actually prefer working jerks with my left arm.

If they're single foot guides, then yes. I've used clear poly and clear nail polish. Just dip the foot in or brush it on, then slip the guide back into the wrap. Clean the excess off the blank and let it dry for at least a day. I haven't had one come back out. This happened with one of my rods last year. It hasn't budged.

I've had the 6' 1/2" and 7' Mediums for the past 6 years. They're durable and feel great in my hand. Love the hook keeper. Good sensitivity too for $100.

Ya gotta dig a little bit deeper. He does have 4 TW Pro Circuit wins, plus 3 FLW AOYs, plus a Bassmaster AOY. Winnings over 3 million, so not really your average complainer.

Last night on IKE live he claimed there's a rumor that MLF will ban FFS for the invitationals and BFLs beginning next season. Conversation begins a 34:38

Post of the century!🤣

I suggest that you pull out the schematic and study it. Follow that up by watching some early Tackle Advisors low profile reel teardown vids on YT. The reel model doesn't matter. They're all built and operate the same way. If after that you still can't visualize how these things work, nothing I can say here will help as none of it will make sense to you especially if I'm calling out parts and using terms that you're unfamiliar with. In the meantime, what might help you loosely get why I recommended what I have is that all non-fixed components in the thumb-bar/clutch cam chain operate as a slip-fit. There are friction points in the circuit, both external and internal. Some are more critical than others where lubrication is concerned. Excluding a weak return spring, which is doubtful, lubing this circuit typically solves an intermittently returning thumb bar. The reason it's intermittent is because sometimes your first crank of the handle is done with more force than others which kicks the mechanism past the dry friction point allowing the cam return spring to do the rest. Good luck.

By yourself? If you look at opening up a reel in the same light as operating on an infant's heart, then don't mess with it. If you don't, then mention it and we'll go from there. If the thumb bar only gets stuck intermittently, then likely nothing's broken, like a return spring. In that case, I don't think of lubrication as something that qualifies as a repair. Otherwise, make contact and send it here. Delaware Valley Tackle - Home

Snuck in a quick boat sesh with my brother between on and off rains. We met a few dudes in yaks packing up at the launch who said it was a brutal bite. Half the place was covered in a thick green mat of snot algae, and there were at least 100 swans milling around. Rain-cooled water had Pickeral on the move again, and we got some bites out in the middle over nearly topped out weeds throwing a Berkely Grass Pig in Swamp gas. After enough of that, we switched over to fishing pads on the edges. Finally got a solid bite throwing the super versatile and effective yet absurd 3.6" Fish Arrow Heavy Poop right before dime-sized raindrops chased us out. Le Poop bass.

In case you don't know, the higher price of a reel doesn't automatically make it immune to glitches caused by lubrication issues. Even expensive reels can come out of the box on the dry side which can lead to symptoms like a sticking thumb bar. I know because I've worked on them. Geary-ness, or pronounced gear meshing that you can feel is often a bearing issue and not always a gear(s) issue. No need to overreact to minor matters. If you lack the confidence to dive in and learn to work on your gear, which I highly recommend, then just send it out to someone reputable. I have yet to come across a problem that couldn't be easily solved other than obsolete parts for older reels. The Tatula 150/200s are proven platforms that are dumb simple to work on.

Awesome!

Lookie here: Amazon.com : Daiwa AIRX662MFB Aird-X 8-17 lb Test Rod, Black, 6'6" : Sports & Outdoors I have the 7'0" MH 2 pc which has been dragging fish out of heavy veg using straight braid for over 5 years. Still like new.

Yup Thompkins disqualified from St. Lawrence Elite - Bassmaster

In fertile pad fields, bait fish are usually loaded up, so bass really don't need to feed up. Here, you'll need to penetrate the canopy of Lillies and you'll need heavier gear and line in order to get them out. In cases like the picture below where the pads are in-filled with coontail and milfoil, you'll need heavy gear even more. In some lakes frogs are simply a low percentage play. My favorite local spot is one of those places. Occasionally I'll get them to eat one, but the juice simply isn't worth the squeeze.

Call them before you give up.

Awesome bait. Usually in stock here: SWIMBAIT CITY STORE

Got ya. But if you only need a thing or two in a pinch and don't wanna deal with minimums for free shipping, it's an option. You're a bait buying madman, so this probably doesn't apply to you.😉

Very easy fix. Just grease the clutch mech and you'll be back in order. 10 minute job if you know your way around a reel.

True. It's annoying. But all you need to do is whip out your phone at the register, show them the price at TW, and they'll price match. I've done it several times without resistance.