T-Billy

7 speed.

That's why I picked it. All my reels give me all the distance I want or need when fishing grass and visible cover, which I do alot with a CB, but I also fish rocky structure with 'em and I'd like to get more distance for that than my current lineup is capable of. The BB1 has a reputation for being able to bomb baits out there.

Tatula showed up today. Exactly what I was hoping for. Darn near identical taper to the B-Hittay, with about a one power step up. Similar in power to a 5 power Dobyns Flip with a softer tip and slower taper. Pretty nice full cork handle, and the Tatula seat is very comfy. I can't wait to hit the water with it. Dang Monkey got ahold of me again this morning, and now there's a BB1 Pro on the way to pair it with.

Lew's Speed Spool LFS reel. $99. Lew's Hank Parker series 7' MH F rod, available at Wally World for around $50. Solid performing combo that won't break the bank.

This will take you a long way with mag braking. Mag brakes like a nice smooth swing and follow through. No sudden start, no sudden stop. Finish the casting stroke smoothly straight out in front of you. Ya can't just grip it and rip it. Centrifugal is much more forgiving in that aspect.

Hold my beer. I got this.

A moderator needs to look into this. I believe @Deleted account may have hacked A-Jay. ?

Another vote for the Phenix Feather L and or ML. Outstanding rods for finesse baitcasting. I've caught bass over 5#, catfish over 8#, carp over 13#, musky up to 38" on them. All on 6# Trilene XT. They're a ton of fun to fish with, and everything eats a TRD Bug.

I agree with those guys above, a 4 power would serve you better for the listed baits, with the possible exception of the squarebills. I like my 744 Kaden alot for keitechs, swimjigs, spinnerbaits, and lipless.

Gotta match the hook to the bait. VMC makes 'em all the way down to a size 1 with a keeper on the shank.

I vote snelled straight shank flippin hook for creatures and most other baits. My hook and land percentage went through the roof when I switched to them. They also make your bait land right side up due to the cam action created by the Snell.

?

There's definitely a point of diminishing returns for our hard earned dollar.

All the bigguns I've caught at night. June through Sept have been best for me.

This time of year? 12:00am - 6:00am.

Do-it sent me a teaser e-mail the other day. They're introducing a new soft bait mold called the Katana Craw. Based on the e-mail pics, I believe I'll be ordering a mold if it's offered in a 3.5" or smaller size. Looks like a dandy piece of smallmouth candy.

^THIS^ The weedguard is pretty durable too. Made of flourocarbon. They grenerally hold up through a bunch of fish.

How does the Tatula compare to the 736 Champ?

10-4. I've checked out the graphite Tatulas in the store. Really nice rods for the $$$. I'm really nit pickin at this point. My hook and land ratio is really good with the Ark and Abu MH composites, but I find myself running back the deck on the hookset pretty often to stay tight. I'd like a little more power in the middle of the blank. The 7'3" H BPS crankin stick has the power but not quite as soft a tip as the MH's. It's also more sensitive than the others and I lip hook and lose more fish. All three are good chatterbait rods, but none of them make me go that's EXACTLY what I want in my CB rod. I dunno, I may be chasing a unicorn, but what the heck, there's worse things to blow money on than fishin poles.

Ark Tharp One Eyed Jack. Jerks, poppers, cranks, smaller Keitechs and grubs etc. It's light, balanced, and sensitive with a nice parabolic bend. Handy little rod to have.

Berkley fusion weedless wacky. It'll come through the jungle.

I like my 744 Kaden for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, swimjigs, and keitechs, but it's a bit too fast for me for chatters. My reflexes are like greased lightning covered in frog snot. ? I could definitely see it working well for some folks though. Nice versatile rod.

I like my Ark Tharp B-Hittay, 7'6" MH Abu Winch, and BPS 7'3" H Crankin Stick for CB's. All work well, but none are perfect, so... What the heck, I ordered one of these Tatula's. Gotta spend your money on something right? Happy early birthday to me!!!

Darn Whipper Snappers. ? I actually saw a pay phone a couple months ago in a tiny little burg I was driving through. First one I've seen in years.

I'd go SD. I prefer mag brake, and my three SD G's have been outstanding with the oldest now on it's fifth year. They got updated this year with P2 and a flipping switch on all speeds. Should be more durable than ever.