softwateronly

I use mostly Shimano and definitely prefer the reels with the mgl spool. To me, cast control, line management, and distance are all better. scott

@A-Jay From Michiana; with love

If only we could figure out the gravity of this tangent....

3/8oz 3/0 dj guppy head w/ a bit off gambler ez in hammond's herring slow rolled on the bottom. scott also tied on or backing up; because I'm a junk fisherman jerkbait 1/2oz blade bait 1/8oz gambler ned w/ 3-4" plastic (hula grub, jerky j, stick bait) 8" glide bait 1/2oz jackhammer gp/shad 3/4oz swim jig crappie A-rig no blades w/ 3"& 4" swimbaits

I have 3 Medium to High end rods that I would personally use and really enjoy, but I usually top out at 3/4oz grass jigs in cover. Expride 173XH Megabass Tequila Baccarac Diawa Steez 172H Power Pitch I barely used the Steez before ice in, but that rod seems perfect for the 3/4oz grass jig use that I want. From my limited experience, 1oz is doable and way more pleasant than your 844 and DX 745. The Steez is slightly tip heavy, but has amazing sensitivity. I have a jdm bantam 8:1 on it, approx 225g, and it feels much more neutral in hand than a lighter reel. I like 7'6 rods for football jig dragging and would definitely consider the Poison Adrena 7'6XH. I find the PA line to be crazy comfortable and sensitive, but I don't have experience with the XH model. scott

Out of what I've used, a Dobyns 734 can do all those baits very effectively. If you desire a shorter rod, I'd be inclined to drop down to a 3 power. scott

Me too! scott

@WRB Take your time, but hurry up! I love gleaning everything I can from your experience and skill and hearing a history I know very little about all while being entertained. The internet is simultaneously the best and worst of humanity. scott

I would definitely follow everyone on this thread, but I wouldn't leave the water without spending some time mid-lake, just W of the large rounded point, on that 6-9' flat on the N shore, concentrating on the sharp 3-6' breaks. It's the type of do nothing water that has continuously surprised me over the years in prespawn. scott

big fan of...

Throw anything real heavy on that yet? like 2.5-3oz? scott

You're not wrong, but these ain't cheap either. Currently, in my world, these are high end and you definitely know what he's asking. scott

I have no idea because I've only used 1 from that list, but I really like the JDM Met MGL and own 5 of them. I do have a gear monkey that keeps telling me to buy the usdm Zillion SV G though. scott

I definitely need to try it now. Moretti's/Nonno is what my SIL/BIL get when we're there, decent to good. Condolences and nice new tradition. Mecca was always a quieter weekday watering hole, more my speed.

Break in? too soon? scott

I know I'm looking forward to the video of those footballs on topwater and I doubt I'm the only one! scott

Never had it. It's on the list, thanks! scott

It really is. It's like holding a feather in your hand. The first time I got a bite on it I was afraid to set the hook. But like you said, it has power that you wouldn't think it'd have. Early Feb, I hooked and landed my PB with that rod between 2 docks and a gnarly brushpile. It was able to really lean into her the 2 times she went for the cover and lead her out to more open water for me to lip her. I wasn't real sure how to utilize it, but now I know it can do almost anything. scott

Moretti's? d**n! That's some crazy and real sad. I've got family w/ kids on one of the "O" streets between NW highway and Touhy. They had a attempted break in on their block a week ago Thursday, neighbors heard the screaming and wrestled the dude to the ground and handed him over to the cops. That guy wasn't right in the head either. Did some facility shut down recently? That neighborhood is literally nothing but CPD, CFD, and teachers. Not a place to get out of line at all. I know the CPD soft strike has sucked resources from the good hoods, but this more just mentally ill type stuff. scott

The PA 6'11M+ is just incredible. So light and still powerful. scott

This is just too much of a match the hatch opportunity for me not to try. We get these coming/going out of the creek/marsh in spring and fall in large schools. scott

My experience is very similar to everyone else's. 4-5" soft swimmers on beast hooks or flashy swimmers. I'm liking Scottsboro swimbaits in 4in, D walkers in 100mm, and 3.8-4.8 keitechs, also gonna try some miyagis and largo shad as well this year. Also, A-rigs. The exception is a big swim jig, 1/2-3/4oz DJ in crappie w/ a 120mm D walker. This might be unique to my lake, but I've run into wolf packs that have cornered juvenile crappie. The swim jig slays at this time. The 6-7" magdrafts and scottsboro's seem to deliver best for me on deep water feeding flats post spawn and shallow flats at night in the summer. scott

I'm running out to Arlington Heights for an errand tomorrow and know nothing about fishing out that way. I have a couple rods, finesse jigs, jerkbaits, and small keitechs with me. Looking at stopping and throwing around Busse, Songbird Slough, or Bode Lakes. I know this is sensitive stuff, but I'd love a chance at something. If anyone wants to recommend somewhere near there, it'd be much appreciated. scott

Another vote for 7. I can keep aware enough to reel slow for a bite, but I absolutely hate losing a fish that's rocketing toward me because I can't pick up line fast enough. scott