softwateronly

https://www.digitaka.com/item/4/70/40/4550133159961 I grabbed one of these during my last jdm shopping spree and it was highly effective for me. So effective that I think I forgot to maintain my line during the frenzies and got broken off by what felt like a good one. Anyone know of a usdm version? or some trout spoon styles that I should look into? The key for me (some assumptions here) size, this is 53mm, action, I felt like I could float it at a counted down depth with a slowwwwww retrieve, and silver flash. It was also my only spoon with the single hook style, really liked it. Here's the only pic I took which luckily shows the bend that gave me the action... scott

Others on this site, more informed than me, have said it seems to stem from a culture/practice of part matching/tolerance checking that happens during assembly by the technicians. Seems plausible to me. scott

The "internet of things" is just as insidious. scott

Brass vs aluminum gears^ scott oops. I read your post too fast.

If they're busting the shad at the surface, tightlining a flutter spoon all the way (well almost all the way) down can get your rod yanked from your hand. I've had 2 jigging spoons, white and silver, a tailspin, and a flutter spoon strewn across my deck all weekend. First light/last light and each day, had different 1st choices. Fish are weird. scott

I have both the 7'6XH and 7'3XH in the A model. I pitch/punch with both and I love them. They're actions are almost identical in feel to me, so go with the length that suits the kayak best. If weight is everything the 7'6XH adrena is the lightest punch rod I've ever held. scott

This has been a great November for me as well. First light, been hitting a shad frenzy at a chokepoint leading out to a deep flat at 20-25'. Those fish have been hitting on jigging spoons(war eagle, duh spoon), tailspinners(deracoup), flutter spoons(chinook s laser), or small under spins(dj tb mini). There's been some crazy numbers and some decent bigs in these frenzies. By midmorning I'm usually hopping a blade bait and cranking the mostly weed free lake too. Still trying to get a big bait bite going. scott

I think you're correct. That mojo rod would not be a good choice for 3/8-1/2oz lures. If you absolutely need one rod to handle such a large lure range at an affordable price, here's a suggestion. https://www.digitaka.com/item/29/6/5/4573236260358 https://www.digitaka.com/item/29/6/5/4560350818176 I have the Days 702X, and at $135 its a steal. The Benkei is around a $100 and has good reviews from people on here. I've thrown swimbaits, jigs, and frogs happily with it. If you need it to be a one piece, it gets about $65 more expensive due to shipping. scott

You sure your texas rig, weight, hook, and worm, are going to weigh less than 3/8oz? I bet this rod excels as a big worm rod. scott

Gamakatsu Luxxe Avenge B68H-RF 6.8F This one right? "The ultimate Versa Tile rod born from field this; B68H-RF 3/8-2 (0.5-57 g)PE2.5-5/12IB-25Ib; 2oz has a strong bat that is suitable for heavy action that can handle lures of class, and a tip that fits well when operating the lure. Works great with rubber jigs and Texas around the cover, as well as frogs that are focused on controllability. It is also a heavy versil tile rod that allows you to control your lures in technical big baits up to 2oz class." I don't know the rod, but I'd believe that a 1/4oz wouldn't load it properly for accurate casting, especially at that shorter length there probably isn't enough real estate in the tip. But in a pinch if you wanted short pitches at that weight, you'd make it work. Looks real interesting and would love to hear how you like it. I'm a fan of jdm RF action. You can do so much. scott

The A version, yes. Somewhat new to free rigging, but this year went really well with it. I feel comfortable throwing almost anything in the weight range with it. I do feel 1/4oz is an accurate rating on the bottom end but can push the upper end a bit if needed. It has some power when you put the screws to it. scott

I just had an epic morning, about 30 bass in a little less than 2 hrs, with the blade runner duh spoon 1.25oz fished horizontally. I had first tried throwing a flutter spoon toward breaking shad with some but limited success, most fish came after reel ripping off the bottom. Everything turned when I switched to the jigging spoon and drastically increased how aggressive I was working it, reel ripping the bait 2-3 handle turns when I thought the spoon was 15'-20' down in 25 fow. Being able to bomb a cast and work fast, I was able to cover the water needed to have such a good run. I'm really interested in learning more about this technique so I can learn to repeat it. Here's some pics... scott

Not quite a worm, but this is the only one I've seen recently... 4" https://www.digitaka.com/item/13/70/50/4544565640142 5"https://thehookuptackle.com/collections/deps/products/deathhadder?variant=36347306246311 scott

I have 3 Champs, 734c, 735c, 706cb and one DRX 755. I've always been interested in the 784 jig rod and the 795Flip in the hp lineup based on others' recs. If you're going strictly moving baits, with trebles, the 734 champ is as versatile as advertised but I would be leery paying hp prices for that action when the champion is right there for much less. Personally, I love the 5 power rods. Dobyns "softer tip" action to powerful mid/butt is great for moving single hook and jig/worm fishing but can still keep fish pinned on treble hook baits. I am less confident with the 4 power champion, but hear that the 784 hp is a bit of a unicorn in those regards. scott

I'm on the same mission as you and 2023 is also lining up at 11/11 so far. I'm really on every month since March 2022. I'm not interested in ice fishing so this will be my first calendar year of success if I can pull off a December bass. The reality is that January and February are the most difficult months and I was lucky to slip a canoe in during a couple of those warm spells last winter and find success. A new challenge I'm thinking about is having a 15lb/5 limit day in 9/12 months. Considering I can barely find open water in Jan & Feb and usually only a week or two in March, this one seems considerably more difficult. I'm lucky to fish a healthy and robust lake, but September is a historic dinkfest nemesis and generating multiple bites in December is usually difficult. Even August can sometimes be challenging for me to find numbers of quality fish balanced with time available. Here's to trying! scott

I agree with Tom. I fish braid to leader or straight braid and think 30lb is the sweet spot for "normal spool" reels. Line management/dig can become more pronounced for me under 30lb. scott ps - I can't recommend enough that it's worth learning and using the fg knot.

Someone here pointed me toward Northstar Flip and Swim. I use them in 1oz and have been very happy, has a nice body roll on the swim, stands up on the bottom, comes through cover with right amount of hang up to pop free. I'm sure the 3/8 model would be similar. scott

The A version is my goto frog, heavy jig/swim jig, pitching, and texsposed (magdraft freestyle) soft swimmer rod. scott

If the 7'2h expride isn't enough for what you're doing and you like it, the 7'3xh is the answer. I throw 3/4-1.25oz jigs in cover with it and love it. It's mod/fast, sensitive to me, and light weight. The mod/fast action with the xh power is great at sticking fish in the slop and keeping them pinned during the fight. Also a great rod for frogs, freestyle magdrafts/ texsposed soft swimmers, and heavy swim jigs. scott

I'm not a very good mechanic, but just wanna throw it out there to make sure. My fuel/water separator is way back inline, near my batteries, whereas the clear fuel filter is under the outboard cowling. Might be worth the $20 if you don't know when it was last changed. I'm also a fan of searching out ethanol free gas because my problems have dropped significantly. scott

I have 20lb pp v2 on a curado 71 I have 10lb pp v2 on a Alphas tw 800s I have pe .8 diawa emeraldas on a Alphas air I doubt this helps, just sharing. My next line purchase will probably be pe 1 to cover both of my light throwing reels. scott

I wholeheartedly agree with Rick, 7'3XH. Great frog rod. Great magdraft freestyle, heavy swim jig, heavy jig in cover/pitching rod too. Way more versatile than I ever thought. I now have the 7'6XH just for swimbaits and pitching. scott

There's lots of great ones mentioned. This tightrope fireworks jig is a great lakes killer. Smallie candy that gets through the underwater debris field. scott

Just my perspective, I'm sure Scud will have better info... I've only handled the x-bites in store (far too many times), but it does play in the same ballpark as the sensor. I think a 4.5-5 guess is right on for the sensor. The sensor has a real light tip though, limits bottom contact weights for me when fishing cover, which is similar to what I've heard about the x-bites. Open bottom 1/2oz feels fine, in cover 3/8oz can feel like I have no control when working my bait free of weeds. Love it as a mojo rig, finesse t-rigs, and shakey head rod. In a pinch, more than decent blade, spybait, and small underspin rod. scott

In SW MI on a clear lake, the A rig has been best for me in sub 50 degree water and I use one without blades. It's strange because spinnerbaits, underspins, spoons, and tail spinners are all effective with flash, but much less success with bladed a rigs. My best a rig days have also been when the fish seem to be relating to the bottom. Another confounding experience, as one would think suspending fish should be interested. With how much effort it takes to fish, I find myself chucking it around less and less frequently, about 4-5 weeks during oct/nov and march/april. I won't give it up completely because there is the opportunity for a big big bite. scott