softwateronly

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

Hopping a lipless/blade bait and a heavy scrounger have opened up some 25'+ areas for me. I've been reel ripping a blade runner duh-spoon recently with good success, but it's still new to me. scott

I've been able to get out often the last couple weeks, but success in size or numbers has been elusive. Most have been open water, bait ball followers, except for the LM on the 7" spoon was pulled off a deep weedline in 17'. scott

September is my most challenging open water calendar month. Structure is practically useless, and bait is seemingly aimlessly roaming. I look forward to October and the end of the massive weed die off. scott

Nice! I don't disagree with your assessment either. 1oz is either steez power pitch or expride xh depending on how thick the weeds are. My guess for your situation would be to lean toward the 7' model. When comparing the same powers in different lengths, I would think the tip would allow for more control in heavy cover because when it pops free there's less tip flex in the shorter model to move the bait away from the "snag." scott

I have a few 2nd gen and love them, the 6'11M+ is my favorite so far. I'd be really happy to have run into the deals you did. scott

I have and love my exprides, but haven't ever tried any of the H/F. I doubt you could go wrong with either. I use the 7'3xh for that purpose, love the mod/fast action for heavy jigs in cover, hook up/land ratio is tremendous. Also super versatile with frogs, texas rigged swimbaits, heavy swimjigs. Might be worth considering. scott

I only have the Tequila Baccarac, super versatile and a lot of fun. I think it does almost everything well, but it's my favorite for slow rolling 1oz spinnerbaits, spro chad shad, bacca burrito, and magnum flutter spoons. scott

I have a 904, and it's my favorite swim jig rod and almost always has one tied on. The conquest is a fun rod to fish and I also got mine on a deal, would definitely do it again. I've finally found my 110jr +1 rod. It's a great lure when I work it properly, and the mc days 692 M/F fits the way I like to hit it. Hope you have the same luck. scott

I throw the same colors as I do during the day. Sometimes on new moon nights I can get superstitious and move toward black if I'm getting short strikes. scott

^^This^^ I find anything from 1/4oz to 2.5oz feels right at home. Under a 1/4oz might be possible but the rods I have it mounted on can't load that low. The only thing to consider is winter fishing, the aluminum sucks the heat right out of your hand. scott

Late summer has kicked my butt, it feels like 3 weeks since I've been able to pull a decent fish off structure or cover in the daytime. Fast, slow, big, and little, from the top to the bottom have all played a part in me not getting quality bites. I've turned to spooning, under spinning, and tail spinning for the pelagic fish out in no man's land, and have put some decent fish in the boat, but armed with only a flasher and technique inexperience my learning curve feels steep. The main takeaways have been; I now know what a roaming honeyhole looks like on a flasher, a ben parker mini mag spoon will get bit by any size bass, and nighttime with a swim jig is still my favorite. scott

I love my power pitch, favorite jig rod. For me, it felt much more balanced with a heavier reel, bantam and Zillion HD are the 2 that have cycled on and off it. Just my preference that might be useful info to you. scott

Duckett BD shad throws well on it too. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Duckett_Baits_BD_Shad_Slow_Sinking_Swimbaits/descpage-CBD.html#customer_reviews scott

I have the A model, it's rated to 2oz, but I've been comfortable up to 2.5oz. The 5" burrito is perfect, a-rigs, 6" soft swimmers on open lead heads, gantarel jr, s-waver 168, flutter/jigging spoons, scrounger heads, heavy swimjigs, heavy chatterbaits, deep cranks, carolina rigs, preacher jigs, lightweight pitching/flipping, and football jigs are the types of baits I keep tied on. I fish braid to leader most of the time and find that the 7'7H's mod/fast action does most everything well. I usually prefer a faster rod for 6" soft swimmers on beast hooks and jigs in cover, otherwise it can really handle a wide range of abuse. scott

I picked up 3 major crafts in early spring, Days 692M & 702X, and a salt/rock fish Triple Cross 792MH. These are my "travel" rods and my least expensive rods, yet they all instantly became some of my favorites. They are definitely a steal at sub $150. I think you're gonna be happy and would love to hear about it when you get some time in with the MH. I might be able to swing a southern road trip this winter, and definitely have my eye on adding either or both the MH and H. scott

I'm in the same boat at times and looking for other options as well. If you can and want to go up to a 2+oz bait, I fish this like a big jerk bait and it does work. scott https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ima_Glide_Fluke_Glide_Bait/descpage-IGFG.html#customer_reviews

I have a 7'7MH and taking a guess, I think it could be a jerkbait rod at 6'9. But I think you'd be limited to jerks that like to be hit harder and/or are heavier/larger. A vision 110 seems like it would not be ideal with this action based off my guess. I have a Major Craft Days 692M that is real close in feel to a 6'10M expride and under budget. I'm confident this can go down to a vision 110 and also up to a rerange MR and would be something I could definitely recommend. https://www.digitaka.com/item/29/6/5/4573236260310 scott Edit: I didn't fully read your post about looking for a light MH, my bad.

I'm with @MN Fisher @Pat Brown and @Buzzbaiter Direct tie and trim the skirt. Don't give up on the slow roll either, that's a killer retrieve. I like a reel chop every couple turns as well. I fish those specific jigs and trailers, and it's a top level technique for me, keep at it a little longer to find when and where it works. Best of luck! scott

The power pitch completely changed my opinion on diawa's higher end offerings. I wasn't a fan of the BLX 7'2H+. Very happy I gave them another shot, the PP is my "best" jig rod. scott

I over reel way more often than I under reel. Try the 1/3-1/4 turn every other twitch. I'm throwing a 7:1 bantam, should be similar enough. With the bully wa and non symmetrical leg length on glass I can almost sit in one spot and walk. Helps give time for some bass in deeper water to come up. scott

I've been using creatures that kick and alternate between dragging and hopping, but I tend to hop first and more often. I do a pretty big double hop, 7-8 then 8-10/11 on a 6'9-7' rod. That's probably 3-4' at a minimum. Been really effective for me both in cover and open water. scott

Like @Reel said, trim the legs so one is 1/2" shorter. If your frog has any keel to it, this will dramatically help the walk. I do much better with a really light hand on the twitch, less slack, and an up and down (3/4 really) motion, the hard part is reeling too much while twitching. Wind and waves can make it a losing cause as well. This year I've only really thrown the R2S bully wa and have had great success. scott

I’m a recent convert to the Gammy G-finesse hybrid worm hook. So far perfect hook up ratio w/ 8-12” worms on a M+ rod w/ 16lb leader. 5/0 is a big hook, larger than most. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_G-Finesse_Hybrid_Worm_Hook_4pk/descpage-GFHW.html scott