TheBaitMonkey

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Some fun stuff just made it’s way over the Pacific -

I live in Illinois and fish a lot of similar bowl lakes here and in Wisconsin and have been trying to find the perfect rod for Texas rigged dropshots. I’ll split the rods I think you’ll like into 2 categories depending on if you favor long casts along weedlines or shorter pitches to weed edges and dragging through some pads around the grass - Shorter more accurate casts into the grass - - Loomis: the 802s JWR and 822syr models from Loomis are great choices, I’d recommend the SYR model for this (avoid the DSR at all costs since it’s gonna be way too soft) - Megabass: the Shakyhead rod in the Orochi lineup would fit the bill nicely, would pick it over the Whipsnake from this lineup in grass. I have the new P5 Addermine and have been really liking it for Texas Rigged Roboworms (Fat 4.5” & the 6”) in the grass so far. Longer casts on the edge of weedlines - - Daiwa: the Steez 76MML “the one” would be my top pick of all of these due to the versatility. The 7’6” MLM Fast action Tatula Elite AGS would be perfect too. - Loomis: their 872s JWR and 902s models excel at this (872s for thicker and 902s for sparse grass along offshore weedlines) - I fished a lot of St Croixs living in WI, the 73MXF’s are nice and would be great for this. Good luck on your quest to find the perfect stick, you have a lot of good options to choose from and it will really come down to personal preference (maybe you like a certain handle style) or which brand you favor. Some have more premium fit and finishes and some have better warranties but I assure you all of the above will be sensitive enough — so pick your poison.

I’ve used it for frogs before in a pinch and it worked pretty well. I can’t say I’ve used a 3/4oz Texas rig on it but I have used a 3/4oz weight in a Carolina rig with it and it was good for that. IMO it’s more like the FMJ than the Perfect Pitch

I’ll ditto the others, the 873 is a great choice. I favor it over my 893 for 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigs pitching around cover. It’s really crisp and casting those weights accurately comes easy with it. I also really like using it for throwing a 5” Miyagi swimbait on a 1/4oz owner beast hook.

Looks like a hell of a time!

It’s a good one! The perfect size for both good numbers and size

Mr. Miyagi from Beast Coast put the work in this morning and caught this 20” 4lb 8oz’er -

Nice!

Anyone else been using these? I’ve really been liking these line through jig heads a lot. They seem to give the baits a little more roll since they’re keel weighted.

I think we should all go on an extended month long trip from the end of May until the 4th of July to all of the lakes mentioned above so we can “research” the topic. I’ll write a Drs note/note from the boss for your wives if one of you can write one for mine!

I caught about 10 on it today - it handled a 1/4oz texas rigged dropshot like a champ!

I think so, at least it’s the one that gets talked about the most. I’m partial to Sturgeon Bay since I get to fish there more frequently. A sneaky good spot that isn’t talked about too much is Chequamegon Bay on Lake Superior it’s up there with the best of them IMO.

Hell yea! Sounds like a fun trip

Just got a P5 Addermine and paired it with a Certate 2500 -

Stumbled into a new Addermine in stock when picking up some swimbait hooks today. Looking forward to its maiden voyage in the morning!

Not sure how much it matters but I tend to do tail up every time

I’d get an NRX 893c or 873crr and pair it with a new Zillion HD 1000 from a JDM site. These Zillions are great - especially at the current exchange rate! I love my 873crr but since you are used to the extra length the 893c should be your ticket. If you’re looking for versatility go with the 844c MBR, it’s another amazing choice. You could go high end Daiwa or Megabass but you will always wonder what an NRX feels like so you might as well start there. If you want something totally out of left field that is also a sick stick get a Shimano Poison Glorious 174MH+, it’s basically a Conquest that wasn’t made to look like the Amish built it and they are wonderful but hard to find in stock.

Door county seems to never disappoint. 4lb 4oz on a 3” spark shad -

I feel like it’s hard to beat for the price! Still trying to get my hands on the Spro Chad Shad - that looks like it could be a killer.

To follow up on this topic - just really got to fish this bait for an extended period tonight as it was the only bait I brought with me. In a lake that I’ve mainly been catching dinks at this year it brought in a few 3 lbers and a 4lber. I was doing a medium cadence with a couple fast reel turns mixed in over submergent vegetation and around lily pads. A fun bait!

Getting ready for cranking season this year - Megabass DX Free (casts a mile) Shimano World Rush Squarebill with Flash boost Megabass S-Crank 1.5 Bill Lewis ATV Lucky Craft 1.5 Megabass Griffon SR-X Swapped on Owner ST-35s on a lot of them, now the water just needs to warm back up!

Ive been using an Orochi XXX Mat Bucker 6-611k and I like it for 6” magdrafts and glidebaits in that size. I haven’t tested it with freestyle magdrafts yet though, but it’s made for Frogs so I feel like it would have enough backbone. It has a good amount of flex and has kept them pinned on trebles really well for me so far.

I’ve had a lot of luck with Big Joshys baits out of Ohio. I really like their Goby on a dropshot and their paddletail crawfish as a jig trailer. The crawfish have pinchers and a paddle tail in the middle and look great hopping and swimming -

Sounds like a good trip!