softwateronly

It certainly is up against the top price wise and I feel many underestimate it, including myself in the beginning. I found a 755 in the low 3's last year and feel very lucky. It's become my deep water, big worm rod. For me it has a sneaky, less sharp sensitivity, that seems to help me detect bites with lots of line out. Took me awhile to get the feel for it, but now I love it. I have a couple feathers on order, looking forward to trying them out. scott

STOP IT!!!!! scott

To me Dobyns are somewhat unique actions. They all seem to have a light tip, but when you get to the backbone, it’s there and it’s real. I enjoy them a lot. My only complaint is that their sensitivity is somewhat muted in the champion line up. I don’t feel that way about the Xtasay. Haven’t had the chance to fish an extreme yet. scott

I feel like a 7’6 MH expride fishes a half power heavier than a 734 champ. scott

Maybe there's a resonance with the chatterbait and the 735cb glass, either way, sounds like you found a sweet niche for a single hook bait and a glass rod. I'm sure that the glass rod will put em in the boat if they hit it. scott

I live a lake version of this life! scott

I'd be as surprised as you, to be honest. I have a Tequila Bacarac and an Onager, and they both seem rather sensitive for big bait rods. I also have a few champions that I like a lot, but sensitivity isn't what I would consider their strength. scott

Really appreciate the knowledge you two, and everyone else, are willing to share. A lot of this is very foreign to me and probably others as well. My original post was supposed to be about the '22 JDM Alphas SV TW 800S vs the '20 Air TW, but Diawa's naming system still gets me at times and I forgot the S, which I assume means "shallow". With this info, feels like the 800S and PE#.8 might slot in nicely at a price I'm more looking to spend. I currently do most of my catching leaning toward power fishing, but I always want to get better. And it wasn't too long ago that I used to only fish spinning and now, I'm looking for every reason to leave them behind. I think I overcorrected, haha. Many thanks... scott

I’m excited for the 5” burrito. Seems like a perfect size for my waters. scott

I have a 7’1 Phenix ML on the way thanks to BF and in a similar spot as the OP. What’s the main differences between the Alpha tw Sv 800 and the Air? I plan on throwing 20lb power pro super slick at first because I have it. Most of my thoughts for this combo are 1/8-1/2oz but there’s a couple 1/16 float flys I want to possibly add in for schoolers. 70’ would be my ideal. scott

You can try these instead.... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Nishine_Lure_Works_Original_Outer_Weight_3pk/descpage-NOW.html scott

I have a 904c CNQ and it is by far my favorite swim jig rod. 1/2oz is prime but going down or up in weight has been no problem. I'd bet that it does the job well. scott

Add in the Jackall rerange. I like the MR for my waters. scott

Looks like a title shot to me. scott

Title shot and Yamamoto twin tail grub is big brain level. Thanks for sharing. scott

6th sense has some random baits severely marked down. Worth looking around even with the shipping costs… https://6thsensefishing.com/collections/black-friday-sale-all-products scott

Im also interested in anyone’s success with the 6th sense suspending trap, if you don’t mind me piggybacking. scott

Might make a decent jerk bait rod, I don’t know that rod in particular or know if a 7 footer works for you. In general these days, I use M and ML baitcasting rods for most finesse presentations. I have a strong preference for baitcasting. But if you don’t use it, probably worth selling and putting it towards something you would use. scott

I recently went to 30 and 50lb from 40 and 65lb. I have mostly 100 size reels and think the dig in on 30lb 8 carrier is manageable and the distance/ipt is in my sweet spot. 40lb is still on a couple 150 sized reels and I have no need to change it. Long winded, but yes 40lb would be my one line if I didn’t split it up. scott

I have swam this jig with good results, reminds me of a small hook dirty jigs cali swim jig. scott https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dirty_Jigs_Scott_Canterbury_Compact_Flippin_Jig/descpage-DJSCC.html

Preacher jig started to make sense and catch fish for me this summer, I wanna continue on that. I might try adding a flutter spoon/ large blade bait (4-5”) this year as a 1-2 punch. scott

I’m a fan of the expride A. They’re $209/217 at ALF right now. I have the 7’6 MH and have thrown everything you listed with it and enjoy the heck out of it. Worth considering in my opinion. scott

I need to try the countdown rapala again but my current cold water jerk bait is the nishine eerie darter 115mr. It’s a nose down slow sink that I can work 12-15’ deep. Really helps when they don’t wanna move too far up from the bottom. The pike love it too. Tieable steel leader is necessary. scott

I was playing around with a jackhammer/ kamikaze swimon and noticed the swimon floats a bit. I’m gonna try it as cold water jig trailer, specifically dht punisher. Seems like it could be a nice little feeding panfish profile that moves when still. scott

Try something fast and erratic. I’m a little on the tactical bass in koolaid but their crankbait burned and paused has delivered 3 over 5 with 2 probably more than 6 in MI in 40 degree water the last 2 Novembers. I believe there’s something to the theory that it’s not exactly about food but more about bass doing what it does; react. Attack and ambush anything that fits in its mouth. The last one had 4 of 6 hooks in its upper lip. I think blade baits ripped from grass is another “reaction” bait that can get bigs, but it’s also my numbers bait. If they’re actively feeding, a hard snapped jerk bait. I throw a rigs, jigs, big, and little swim baits too, but the fast stuff gets me bigger bites. scott