ABrugs

GP Pro Perch + Northern Secret.

I’ve tried several different rod and reel brands since I started bass fishing in 2020 and have come to the realization that I’m a G. Loomis and Shimano guy. I made the mistake of selling a NRX+ 842C MBR and learned my lesson. So, I decided to redeem myself and start a new G. Loomis collection. G. Loomis GLX 842C MBR + Shimano Curado MGL 70 HG G. Loomis GLX 844C MBR + Shimano Curado MGL 150 HG

Depending on the size, I'd recommend a G. Loomis 842C MBR. I had the NRX+ version and sold it, which was a mistake and lesson learned. I recently purchased a GLX 842C MBR and will be throwing smaller swimbaits (1/4) on this.

I started bass fishing in 2020 and have been on the pursuit of catching one over 5#. Well, I was on vacation last week in northern Michigan and ended up accomplishing this goal… 2x! I caught my new PB, which is pictured below, of 5.24 and 20.5”. The following day, I caught another one over 5 at 5.15 and 21”. I caught both of these largemouth bass on a Zoom Trick Worm in ‘Candy Bug’ Texas-Rigged (1/4). ^ 5.24 | 20.5”

I’m pretty sure it’s the 6th Sense Provoke 97X.

I ended up w/ a top 5 of 19-7: 4-4, 4-3, 3-13, 3-10, and 3-9.

I decided to sell both of my rods and reels to invest in one high-end setup. I got a 6th Sense Sensory 7’2 M/F + a Daiwa Zillion SV TW 100H.

12# Tatsu.

Thanks for the suggestions! I've been primarily looking at the Lazer TroKar DS hooks + the Owner Mosquitos in size 1 or 2.

I’m not sure if a Zoom Trick Worm qualifies as ‘finesse’ here, but I throw that on a Texas Rig w/ a 1/8 weight and a 3/0 EWG hook.

I'm going to be using the DS for the first time this year and picked up 4 bags of the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worms (3.6") to use for smallies after doing a lot of research. What specific hook and size would you recommend for this bait? Thanks!

My favorite tube by far for smallies is the NetBait STH Finesse Series 2.5" in 'Green Pumpkin'. It's my confidence lure and the thing I fish the most!

I bought my first spinning setup and I'm amped to use it! I have the G. Loomis NRX+ 842S SJR paired w/ the Shimano Stradic FL 2500. ^ This + my NRX+ 842C MBR paired w/ a Shimano Curado MGL 150 are my 2 setups going into the 2023 season.

My confidence lure for smallies on LSC is the NetBait STH Finesse Series Tube in the 2.5" size and the 'Green Pumpkin' color. I'd like to break my PB of 4.60 and catch one north of 5 on this in 2023.

I decided to sell my Aldebaran MGL 50 HG and replaced it w/ the Curado MGL 150. I'm really liking the balance of it paired w/ my NRX+ 842C MBR, the increased line capacity, the feel of it, and the aesthetics.

I have the NRX+ 842 MBR and it’s excellent for the lures you listed in lighter weights, in addition to jerkbaits and crankbaits. This works for my style of bass fishing, but you might need the 843/844 if you’d like to throw a larger variety of weights. ^ Regardless, the NRX+ is a sweet stick!

I’ve only used Smallmouth Magic so far and it worked well for me. I’ll be adding the Perch color this year too.

I agree completely w/ @Fat Ika. I tried the NetBait STH Finesse Series in the 2.5” size last year and it was by far my best producer for smallmouth bass. I highly recommend them.

2022 was my 3rd year bass fishing, primarily for smallies, and I ended up w/ a total of 20-6: 4-10 (PB), 4-7, 3-14, 3-12, and 3-11. I fish Lake St. Clair from shore most Saturday mornings for a couple of hours as I don't have a bass boat yet and have a young family. One of my goals for 2022 was to catch a smallie over 4# and I was able to do that twice. In 2023, I'd like to catch a new PB over 5# and have my top 5 smallies all be over 4#.

I have quite a while before I'll be retired, however, I currently live in SE Michigan about 20 minutes from Lake St. Clair and plan on living in this area for my entire life. I recently started bass fishing back in 2020 and have been fishing from shore over the past 3 years. My first step will be buying a bass boat within the next couple of years to get out and explore all that LSC has to offer. Until then, I'm completely content waking up early on Saturday mornings before my wife and our boys are up to watch the sunrise and chase some smallies. ^ One of my dreams is to buy a cottage up north as that's my favorite place on earth. I think that living near LSC and having the place in northern Michigan would be the perfect lifestyle. There's a variety of lakes up there and the idea of towing my bass boat back and forth while spending time w/ my family makes me happy to think about.

I have the NRX+ 842c MBR and have used it for the following: NetBait STH Finesse Tube (2.5"), Megabass Vision 110 Jr./110+1 Jr., Keitech SIF 3.3", Megabass Dark Sleeper 3/8 (3"), Rapala DT6/DT8, Nichols 33 Mini Spinnerbait (1/4), 4"/5" Senko, Zoom Trick Worm, Z-Man Chatterbait Mini Max (1/4), and Dirty Jigs Finesse Swim Jig (1/4). It's an awesome and versatile stick.

I just started throwing a spinnerbait for smallies this year and similarly to @TOXIC, I also am throwing a Nichols on LSC. I’m specifically throwing the Nichols 33 Mini Double Willow Spinnerbait in ‘White & Chartreuse’ and in 1/4 oz. I primarily throw a finesse tube, but reached for a spinnerbait recently and it was smashed by a nice smallie. That was the hardest hit I’ve felt from one before.

Mine is my NRX+ 842C MBR. This is my first high-end rod and it’s blown me away. It weighs 3.42 oz and is incredibly comfortable. I’ve only fished it 6 times this year so far and have tried a handful of different lures w/ it. My favorite, by far, has been using it to slowly drag a finesse tube for smallies. The sensitivity combined w/ the performance when fighting aggressive smallmouth has been phenomenal. As impressed as I was when I received it, it’s only getting better and better as I get used to it.

^ I caught my new PB smallie yesterday morning as the sun was rising over Lake St. Clair. That was a truly epic feeling! This one was 4.43 lbs and 20". I caught it on a NetBait STH Finesse Series Tube (2.5") in 'Green Pumpkin'. My new NRX+ 842C MBR handled it amazingly.

Gorgeous. I’d love to hear your feedback on that rod once you’ve used it for a little bit.