T-Billy

Congrats on the boat. I also agree with Corey. A heavy cover pitchin rig and a crankin stick jump out to me. If you're happy with the Lancer, I'd recommend getting the 7'6" HF for pitchin. I have that blank in the Tharp series "King Cobra", and it's my favorite all around heavy cover stick ever, and I have quite a few. BPS crankin sticks are also great for the $$$.

Of the three you mentioned, Carbonlite would be my pick.

Nice one. That pic is a great example of why I quit using EWG hooks. Too many lost because they were only skin hooked or hooked through the membrane. Not knocking those who like them, just found straight shanks and offsets to hook'em better for me.

I buy some baits in bulk from ebay sellers. Never had an issue and always recieved quality baits.

Maybe I'll bring one out of retirement next week for throwing A rigs.

I was properly equipped in the 80's. Not so much anymore. LOL.

The marketing team at Berkley could sell ice to an Eskimo!!! Lol Edit to add: Just dawned on me. SMH. Good one. I shoulda watched the video this morning.

Personal preference. Gotta try em and decide for yourself. I prefer F over XF for everything but skipping.

Another Alberto fan here. I also make an extra pass through the loop as @FryDog62 mentioned. Haven't had one fail me yet, and I find it pretty easy to tie.

I like the idea, until I think of the giant flatheads that occasionally like to eat my jigs and trigs. Those beasts would turn a flippin stick into kindling if you couldn't get that thumbar down fast enough.

Lew's LFS or another Fuego since you liked the first one.

Every rod I've broken has been my fault. Poking snags loose is the #1 culprit. Some of us never learn.

^^^The solution.^^^

Thanks for the heads up.

Getcha some Senkos, Trick Worms, and Beavers of some sort. Straight shank, and offset worm hooks, bullet sinkers and stops, and go learn to fish a Texas Rig. Most important rig/technique in bass fishing IMO.

Lack of love is the greatest problem we face in this world. If everyone could just be kind and love their neighbors.................

My 4601's have been relegated to catfish duty for several years.

Ask them to send the other rod. You know you need them both.

The point I was making, is what started as a few week backorder has turned into a few months. They keep pushing it back. You'll probably find an Expride in stock elsewhere before TW gets them if you look around.

Lancer and Cobb series have the same blank material as the more expensive series. Guides are generic aluminum oxide but seem to be good quality, and the seat, again generic but good quality is very similar to the fuji used by many companies. Absolutely better blanks than the Curado, guides and seats are probably a wash. $29 gets you an upgraded reel seat and Fuji K frame guides with the Tharp series. $50 gets you an unsanded blank, upgraded seat and zirconium guides with the Invoker. I bought the Lancer because my Pro SP palms better with it in my hand vs the Tharp Money Maker, and I bought the Cobb "One More" because that blank isn't available in the Tharp or Invoker series. I think the Tharps are the best value of the bunch, provided they have the blank you want in that series, but they're all very good for the $$$.

Yeah...... My flippin hooks I ordered in Dec were supposed to be back in stock in Jan........ Maybe next month.

I checked out a Curado rod at my local shop. I put it back on the rack. It was OK. I own a dozen ARK rods. 10 Tharps, a Cobb, and a Lancer. All purchased since last June. Best rods I've ever owned. I have more expensive rods that are collecting dust since buying these.

My vote. Same blank Material as the Invokers @KP Duty mentioned. 40 ton Japanese Toray. Different guides and seats. $129 for the Tharp series, more options in the Invoker series. Both outstanding rods.

Not a fan of the reels. Neither of mine stayed smooth very long, and weren't all that smooth to start with. The rods are pretty decent for the price, comparable to the Abu Veritas. I'd spend my $199 on an ARK Cobb or Lancer series and a $99 Lew's LFS. Better rod and reel than the carbonlites.

The Phenix Feather 7'1" L and ML rods are outstanding finesse bass rods. Neds, Mojos, small swimmers, small jerks, light Trigs....... The only spinning rods on my deck since buying these are UL's for crappie fishing. I have my L paired with a Curado BFS, and the ML paired with a Curado 70 MGL. Awesome little combos.