softwateronly

Just in case you didn't know, ALF has model A exprides between $215-$231, but the MH is only avail in 6'8 and 7'6. scott

Grab the 4" and try it normal and chopped down. You're probably gonna end up buying quite a few when you find what ya like, so it's a worthwhile experiment. ? scott Edit: I chop rage bugs and beavers for jigs in cold water all the time and don't notice any hindrance in performance.

I might be wrong, but my time with the thick weeds has taught me that the big pike, walleye, and bass all seem to use the same areas, sometimes at the same time. It's probably just the prime feeding location, held by the top predators. I use the steel leader or get twitchy on my hooksets when using mono to try to eliminate the pike bite offs, doesn't always work. If you like a lighter approach for the milfoil, maybe a tokyo rig. That seems to slip through most any sort of weed. I just started trying it last year, still new to me but so far so good. scott

With milfoil that thick, I would peg a 1/2-5/8oz worm weight to punch through and get me to the bottom. I'd lean toward H-XH and straight braid or braid to heavy mono if there's zebra mussels or tieable steel leader for the toothy critters. A flipping tube and a beaver would also be on my try it list because I would think you're opening yourself up to more SM bites. Dirty Jigs punching jigs or SC flipping jig, 3/4-1oz, w/ a grub or beaver has also been effective for me for LM. With the jig, I usually throw past the weedline, and shake and or bulldoze my way through horizontally. The milfoil in MI can get almost as heavy as what your describing. scott

I haven't experimented much, but found the hog farmer spunk shad to be my favorite. I have the 6.5" and bite 3/4" off. Almost all of by bladed jig success is night fishing. Zako, swimmon, and super fluke have also produced for me. The swimmon being the 2nd best "hunt" in my opinion. scott

Funny how it got back up to $385 with a silent killer, boogie back, & tiny bull shooter, d**n monkey. scott

digitaka as well. This is the perfect bait monkey excuse for me to finally try something above a tatula. scott

I know you didn't quote me, but thought I'd chime in with my neurosis. For me, I have more confidence in brass in terms of longevity. It probably doesn't matter, but the added weight is also a benefit for what I know about this particular rod. Thanks for the insight, that's a great comp and set up . I am not dogmatic about ipt, in fact, I fish uphill quite a bit and if I do "speed up" on the back half of the cast, it's probably a benefit. Because of the TB's length, I do want a reel that helps me get some distance. The Bantam is slightly above average at best, most heavier baits get out there plenty, though I wouldn't mind an easier fling to improve accuracy. The TB is a strangely versatile and more casting distance would improve it's perceived usefulness to me in clear water. scott

I have mostly upper mid-range Shimano reels and want to try a Diawa version. Thinking of JDM 22 Zillion TW HD 1000HL, and looking to pair it with a MB Tequila Bacarac. I use a 18 Bantam on it now, but would move that over to a different rod. Is this the smooth, solid frame, long casting, brass geared reel I think it is? I would definitely be junk fishing with medium to large baits, from frogs to glides to swimmers to heavy jigs. I usually throw braid or braid to leader, but might move away from that with this one. Any insight appreciated. Thanks, scott

This was my problem. I do 3 groups of six, tightening/tugging the leader at each interval, to allow the entire knot to cinch properly at the end. This has solved my issue. scott

This is my main chatterbait rod and I love it. The PA7'2H & Dobyns XP 735 work really well for me too. scott

Them some tanks.....Nice fishes!!! You remember if that 8 was under/at 23"? scott

I use a PA 6'11M+ w/ an owner 7/0 owner oversize offset worm hook w/ 8-13" worms and have great hookup ratio. That Tat looks very similar in specs but I don't have any direct experience. scott

I think this is the real decision, and honestly I think you should have both at some point.... @Captain Phil's M/F spinning rec @ironbjorn's (X)H/F casting rec If the banks you fish are weed choked most of the year, maybe froggin, pitchin, and punching with a XH or H is more useful. If you're dealing with pressured public water that's relatively open, maybe finesse tactics, neds, split shot, drop shot, etc are gonna get more bites. Good luck and congrats! scott

I like a longer jig rod with braid to 20lb shock leader. I use 2 different ones, one rated to 1.5oz and another rated to 1oz, both 7'6. I've had too much trouble with zebra mussels nicking my braid to not use a leader. scott

3/8oz and skirtless; grub or paddle tail. I've had some success mostly waking them over deeper water in low light conditions. Maybe a trailer upsize is something I should play with... scott

Leaders for me a majority of the time. I have 30 or 50lb braid on all my setups and long mono or floro leaders on all. I just retie like any other bait. Zebra mussels are the main reason. scott

The punisher jigs have exceeded my expectations, highly recommend. scott

Definite agree with 2.5 years of use.... scott

I have this and love it. Super versatile, single hook/trebles, reaction/sensitivity, 5/8-3.5oz, it does all of it really well. I wish they made a 7'6 version, maybe the Mark 56 will be it, but the literature makes it sound a touch too parabolic for me. scott

Obviously a tough decision. Where I fish, you will only see authorities on the water memorial day weekend and maybe a saturday or sunday near the 4th of July. I've killed my fair share of fish over the years, but much less frequently the last 4-5 years since I gave up on the weightless senko in windy conditions. I attempt to release them all, if they kick away and I don't expect them to make it, I'll hang in the area for another 20mins. If they come back up, I keep and eat them, legal or not. scott needle nose pliers are the first thing I need to go fishing up here if I want to practice CR....rod, reel, and baits are secondary.

Thanks! Pic doesn't do justice to the shoulders she had, easy double digits in weight. The death rolls at the end were a little nerve wracking for me and my line. scott

Got out at night for a couple hours and then a couple hours late morning the next day. Night time was the right time for the bass, but this by-catch was fun on a M rod for sure... scott

Count me in as a fan of fishing in the rain. The low light levels definitely seem to help the bass chase down baits. I follow @GreenPig's advice, Go to - My usual start fast and slow down til they eat scott

I'm a fan of both Dobyns and shimano for rods, and don't think you can go wrong with either. I will say, with the sales going on, you might be able to look at Exprides for your price range. TW and ALF have model A's and I think they're exceptional for the price. scott