Drawdown

Decided I’ll return the Tatula XT. I went ahead and just ordered a Shimano Convergence Medium action from TackleWarehouse. Have absolutely loved that rod in Medium Light since I bought it earlier this summer.

I found the reason I got the wrong rod in the mail: they incorrectly listed the ML model (see the Mfg. #/code in small print) as a Medium action. They’ll let me return it for free, or I can keep it. Doesn’t appear as though they have any Medium action rods. Kind of bummed, kind of wondering if I should just keep it and have 2 ML spinning setups. Just hate to overpower the rod with 1/2 oz weight lures, and besides, I’d probably miss the backbone.

Rod arrived today. Looks and feels great. Only problem, they sent me a Medium Light. Going to see what SG customer service does in this situation.

Can catch nearly anything in N America with those small ball jigs + grubs.

Thanks! I’ve heard people refer to the Banjo minnow perjoratively, but had no idea what it looked like! Did the Banjo Minnow producer make a frog bait, too?

As ever, my regrets for the sideways pic. But digging in my parents’ attic, I found a little box full of these soft minnow baits I was given by my uncle somewhere around ‘96-98. Never fished them, just “played” with them. They’re bizarre in that they’re rather flat-sided. Not sure how people would have rigged these. Don’t know why the Rappala (Ireland stamped) and the Bagley crank were in there with them. There’s also a frog (as best as I can tell, made from the same material as the minnow) with long curly “legs.” That I didn’t position well for this pic. Plastic is very soft.

Thanks so much for this, A-Jay. I’m going to keep referring to it.

Well friends, I pulled the trigger! I got a 2500 Daiwa Exceler on sale (and some lures, terminal tackle) from MidwayUSA. I also got a 7’ M/F Daiwa Tatula XT on sale from Sportsman’s Guide. In the combo itself, I have ~$130 before tax. Can’t wait!

That Tatula XT looks really intriguing. Kills me that I cannot find hardly any reviews for spinning models, though plenty of people sing the praises of the casting rods.

What’s the best bang for buck in this category? Looking at the VMC Moon Eyes, which use 2/0 hooks in 1/8 and 1/4 weights. But I was wondering if anyone makes a reasonable size #1 or #2 hook jig? I saw Chris Zaldain’s Santone jig, but wonder if $8 for a 3-pack is a bit steep for an exposed hook.

How does the Aird-X compare to the Shimano Sellus, also at that $50 price point? Also considering the Shimano SLX or 13Fishing Blackout, right under $100. My brother-in-law has an 2-piece Aird-X + Regal as his setup (per my recommendation in Academy one day). It fishes nice, but greedily I want a bit more sensitivity. Wonder if a one-piece would be more sensitive.

Is that basically an updated Colt? I can get a new a Colt for $47, but really don’t know anything about it or the Mav

I confess that just from reviews, I’m a bit leery of Ark, because the takeaway (from their cheaper rods anyway) is “awesome blanks, shoddy guides.” I guess this rod crosses the threshold where you get better quality guides, etc.

Unexpectedly got the dough (~$180) for another spinning rod and reel combo. Been bank fishing creeks lately, so disinclined from getting another baitcaster (though the sales are ***hot*** right now, so it kind of hurts not to). I’m thinking of getting a Medium action to be able to do slightly “heavier” finesse work (Neko, wacky), 1/8-1/4oz Texas rigs (think worms, thin profile creatures like YUM spine craws), and maybe even get into 1/8-3/8 round head jig swimming baits like those Japanese anglers use. With that said, besides your rod recommendations, I cover your thoughts on: 1. Fast vs Xtra Fast taper on a Medium? 2. Line configuration? (I’m leaning toward braid-fluoro leader, but not sure on lb-test) 3. Is it worth crossing the $100 mark for the rod, jumping from the Daiwa Aird-X, Shimano Convergence, 13Fishing Fate/Blackout level to St. Croix Triumph/Bass X, Fenwick HMG, etc.?

Wasn’t too long ago I as was in a similar position, and I got lots of recommendations for combos from $95-$190. I ended up spending about $130 on a Shimano Convergence + BPS Carbonlite 2000. It’s been fantastic for drop shot and weedless Texas-rigged stick worms. I’ve also caught fish on a Neko rig with it. Handled this 2.14lb bass great, and you can still whack bluegills when you feel like rigging down to 1/16oz weight lures.

seems like actual fishing vendors timed a 3-day sale to coincide with Prime Day, but don’t hardly go through Amazon, directly. Only exception I’ve seen might be KastKing.

So I’ve heard. I passed on it due to teeny tiny line capacity relative to other size 2000 reels.

Academy has the 2000 size Pfleuger President reel on sale for about $35, for those looking for a good light line reel.

Sold out now.

What kind of rod is ideal for this? Extra heavy with moderate or mod fast tip?

First bass on my new finesse rig—caught first fish on weightless Texas-rigged Stick-O between first light and sunrise. Then after the sun came up, tried a Neko rig for the first time. Used a Zoom trick worm. Didn’t buy fancy weights, either; drywall screws worked perfect.

Drat, I missed this while feeling under the weather yesterday.

Yeah, I imagine it might be too late for this year. But I might jump on it for next year, if I know who to call. How far south does the tide affect levels? Might be worth going a tad further north than I mentioned, if throwing plastics. I don’t know. Would be neat to learn fishing the tide patterns as well, but I’m not set on it

Any recommendations are appreciated! Old threads were full of names of guys who had hung it up, apparently. My family vacations in St. Augustine Beach just about every year in late June, sometimes in the first week of July. I just recently had the notion I should look into booking a 6-hour trip on the water within a hour’s away from SAB (saltwater just doesn’t appeal to me, though it’d be *a lot* closer). Figured being able to meet to launch close to Palatka would be ideal, though going as far as Georgetown could be worth it, too. Would love to fish artificials, mainly because I want to become a better angler by getting experience in a new place—but I wonder how reluctant guides are to do that, since any snags start cutting into their bottom line. And other threads on here suggest their modus operandi is using native shiners.

It’s all here! Love the feel of the rod, and with the light reel it balances better than any spinning setup I’ve fished with, before (see second photo; forum turned it sideways, like my profile pic).