Triton20XSD

How is the bend on the rod with the treble hooks. It just seems stiffer to me then what I would think for a mod fast. But again I have not used it yet.

Just curious what techniques you are using this rod for. I primarily bought it for 1/2 oz.bladed jigs and some light flipping. It's a heavy power mod fast action. I'm in PA so I have not had a chance to use it yet. I thought the tip would have a little more bend to it. It almost seems more of a fast action than a mod fast. I know St Croix tends to be on the stiffer side. Thanks in advance.

I own the Mossyback 854 and that is my dedicated pitching rod. I have it paired with braid though. I use the 853 with 12# fluoro for around the weed edges. Both the 853 and 854 are great rods.

topwater & hard jerkbaits

I don't think you lose any sensitivity in a longer rod. Just about all my rods are 7' or 7'1". You can move more line on the hookset with a longer rod and have more leverage in fighting the fish.

Have been using the Trokar 4/0 flippin hook on beavers and have not lost a fish yet.

As some of the others have said, experiment with the retrieve and let the fish tell you how they want it. One retrieve may work one day and not the next. Sometimes the fish may want it fished fast, next time they may want it slow.

X-raps are very good right after ice out until the water hits the mid to upper 50's. You can still catch fish on them after that but I think that is the best time. As well as the fall when the water is falling back into the 50's and upper 40's.

I have 2 Sol 2500's and like the CI4 just as much as my Sol's. You won't be disappointed in either.

2500 for sure if you are bass fishing. The reel is quite small for a 2500 size.

I like finesse jigs whenever the bite is tough and the bass won't hit a bigger jig. My favorites are Booyah bed bugs in 5/16 & 7/16 oz and also Eakins jigs. Match up your favorite craw or twin tail trailer and fish like you would a normal jig.

For those of you that own this rod, please advise how you like it and what else you throw on this rod. I think it would be a good deep water grub/tube rod as well. Looking to add this rod to my aresenal.

The winch is an awesome reel. I have only caught fish up to about 3-1/2 lbs. The drag on this reel is good. I also own 2 STX's and 1 older model Premier. I did have the drag updgraded on the Premier but no issues with the STX or Winch. It is more suited to throwing heavier cranks. Like it was said in a previous post, not too good with 1/4 oz or less.

My main pitching rod is a G. Loomis Mossyback Heavy power fast action 7'1" with a Curado 201D, 65# power pro braid.

Zoom super hogs, Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver, etc. I use these for pitching to weeds/wood cover with a 3/8-1/2 oz weight depending on wind/cover. I normally pitch it out let it hit bottom, twitch is 2-3 times and flip it back out. Sometimes the fish will hit it on the fall as a reaction strike. Sometimes they will hit it when you are hopping/twitching it.