Drawdown

My 7’ ML/F Shimano Convergence and 2000-size BPS Carbonlite 2.0 came in, along with a number of terminal tackle items and soft lures.

Rogers Sporting Goods has some 2-packs of VMC bucktail jigs in 1/32, 1/16, and 3/8oz (though the latter is presently only available in two-tone shad, which is a white and grey pattern). https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/vmc-bucktail-jig

Good point. The ones I looked at were these #16’s. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grip-Rite-16-1-2-x-1-5-8-in-White-Steel-Panel-Board-Nails-192-per-Pack-158PBWH/202308576

Ever weighed one of these? EDIT: I calculated the weight of one from a pack of 1 5/8” nails as being about 1/32oz. That’s assuming the listed overall weight of the package and the number of nails (193, in this case) isn’t far off.

Makes me feel confident my MWUSA-ordered rod will come in one piece!

Well, friends, I pulled the trigger last night on a 7’ ML Shimano Convergence (one piece) + BPS Carbonlite 2000. Between discounts, etc. I came out with ~$130 in the combo. Could have gone cheaper, but this is what I had the most confidence in after reading threads here and elsewhere. Also picked up a bunch of terminal tackle for drop shots and neko rigging. That was considerably cheaper on MidwayUSA than I could find anywhere else, even with TW’s sale going live at midnight, so I went with Midway for the rod, terminal, and a selection of YUM Kill shots. From BPS I of course got the reel, but also some Watermelon Magic Stick-O’s and 1/4oz STORM shad pre-rigged swim baits. Thanks for all your input! Time to start checking tracking numbers!

I’ve seen it, twice. Both times it was a bigger bass that had swallowed another bass . Used to convince myself it was two of them trying to hit the lure at the same time and the smaller one got swallowed. Now I just don’t know.

Drawing closer to decision time. For the reel I can’t seem to talk myself out of the Carbonlite on sale. Just not sure whether to go 2000 or 3000, for the following reason: Really liking the look of the Fishing13 Defy rod and its reviews are decent, but I’m seeing numerous complaints about the first guide being too small. I assume this’ll primarily cause trouble if I run braid-FC leader, but maybe not if I do a nicer FC-only. But then reel size seems to be an issue—on the one hand the 3000’s larger capacity is desirable if doing straight FC. But, I would *think* the wider 3000 reel creates more friction with that first guide than the 2000.

Link’s dead now, too, so they must have realized it posted prematurely.

Seems these came back last year or a bit before. I remember fishing with the old green ones after my dad picked up a few on clearance. They were decent, but not terribly sensitive for soft plastic work. Wondering if anyone on here has gotten a “new” BPS Extreme spinning setup and what you thought of it. Namely, how is the sensitivity? I have the Cabela’s Club Card, and right now there is a bonus offer of $20 credit for an Xtreme combo. Something I’ve pondered while looking for something to fish 1/16-1/4oz lures with (as I’ve said in my other thread on “Cheap ML rod/reel suggestions”). Would allow me to buy more to throw on it, but if the sensitivity is “bleh,” then it’s worth foregoing that and going another route for a finesse rig.

I hope it doesn’t come across as trying to change the OP’s subject—but since I saw a reel on the TW sale linked above, I thought it may be appropriate to ask about it, here. They’re selling the Duckett Paradigm SB 2500 on there, but I can’t seem to find any reviews on it. Can anyone speak to its merits?

Officially past the point of overthinking this. But from this I’m getting the sense that the principle for a finesse fishing rig is: ”Stout line, bendy rod” Stout line - ergo, fluoro or braid-to-fluoro Bendy rod - medium light or medium, max If I’m way off here, I’d appreciate correction. With the caveat that a sale might put higher-end stuff in my range: I’m getting the impression ~$60 can get one a decent reel (Pflueger President, Carbonlite 2.0/Daiwa Exceler, Daiwa Regal, etc.) Rod-wise, right now I’ve been fascinated by the rave reviews for the Berkley Lightning Rod. Primary reservations are, 1) I’m unsure if the moderate-fast action is a liability or a boon, and 2) for whatever reason, I like the idea of a 7’+ rod, or at least close to it. I’m sure a 6’6” rod is probably not at a disadvantage. Might even be better just something I need to get over, generally, even if I go with a different rod.

The spring classic is when I bought my Carbonlite MH baitcasting combo, so I didn’t give the spinner combos a close look. But if I remember right, that blue-accent “limited edition” set (in the baitcast combo, anyway) only came in one rod configuration. A 7’ MH/F I think.

I am a noob when it comes to fishing tackle sites. Do you mind listing any others besides TW and Omnia that I should keep an eye on/sign up for mailing lists? In other news, I just saw the BPS CarbonLite reel is currently on sale for $60 instead of the usual $80, any feedback on it for this application compared to the others mentioned? I have the baitcaster combo but never handled a spinning reel. Wouldn’t mind paying $10 more if it were worth it. Otherwise, I’m leaning toward the Daiwa Revros.

Whatever I end up getting, I have a feeling I’ll dive into Neko rigging. Watched some videos and it seems it’ll satisfy my desire to learn to fish ledges off-shore. So much so I’m wishing I’d made my OP emphasize it. These suggestions are awesome, guys! Noticing variation in rod length and even in some cases the action (Berkley lightning rod is Mod Fast, whereas most as Fast). Guess they’ll all work solid regardless.

Came across an Abu Garcia Vendetta 7’4” ML with an Abu Garcia Silvermax 10 on it at a pawn shop for $40. Didn’t buy it, mainly for want of knowledge and how to look at a used rod. But brand new it seems it would run $120.

I assume around Memorial Day is when these sales hit?

Looking to be able to throw 1/16 ned rigs (or 1/15, because Z-Man is hipster), give drop shots a hand, as well as throw downsized versions of “normal” lures (tiny spinners, tiny cranks, little swim baits, and maybe even “bitsy” flipping jigs). If that is all too ambitious, then I’ll be open to suggestions on what techniques to focus on. The goal here is to throw something that is a change of presentation (namely from my MH baitcaster lures) to try to beat the skunk. Budget: up to $180, but the bait monkey’s got to eat, too. A rod + reel alone won’t catch fish. Browsing combos on BPS, I’m intrigued by the BPS Extreme Combo (is it anything like the “old” Extreme?). But I know I might be able to get a better combo for the money mixing and matching—but I just don’t know enough about what’s out there to think that through on my own. Saw a thread about the Shimano Convergence, and it looks very reasonable, but I don’t know what reels I could pair with it on a budget.

That looks like it’s basically supposed to be a swim jig. What do you put it on, usually?

Somewhere on this forum (I think) someone posted the results of a study at various water depths, at different levels of clarity of colors across the spectrum.

For those throwing jigs deep, what’s your favored weight, color, and trailer style? I know some colors stop showing up altogether below 10ft (maybe sooner?). 3/4oz? 1oz? How about magnum worm colors?

I fish some pretty pressured lakes on Tennessee’s TVA lake system, where there is no shortage of off-shore structure. Everything from old road/RR beds to submerged cliff faces. Looking to create a list of lures to put together a “box” for when the shallow bite isn’t working, and it’s time to try the ledges. Any suggestions are appreciated. My go-to rod has a lure rating of 3/8-1.5oz, baitcaster. But I also “borrow” a heavy action baitcaster, as well as medium and medium heavy action spinning rigs (don’t recall lure rating, but the spinners are 7-7’6” BPS Platinum and Extreme rods, respectively). In time I’ll buy my own rod for this purpose, one that I can hopefully use for another application as well (fishing thick summer grass techniques, perhaps).

I have, but the problem is the blades catch the water at a bad angle, and you don’t get as much “skip” as you should given the angle and the speed with which the lure hit the water. I backlashed pretty bad one time skipping with a spinnerbait, whereas I don’t with jigs.

“Area 51”

First swim jig bass, yesterday, attacked right next to the bank. Found the retrieve is better using the a “staccato” reel retrieve (in other words, choppy, not smooth reeling) worked best for pulsing the skirt. That said, this was my only bite, so maybe a different retrieve would have been more effective. I think this is about the size of all the bass in the pond right now. Lures may be a bit oversized, but I’m gratified I’ve still gotten hits while “practicing” for fishing out of a boat on the lake. Pond might not have enough minnows and bluegill. Years ago, it was stocked beautifully, with good sized bass and cats and baitfish, but a drought killed the oxygen levels and resulted in an apocalyptic die-off. Not sure if the prey species have been adequately re-established.