Maverick2017

Daiwa Rebellion 7’3 MH if you can locate one. Alpha Angler Zilla 2.0

I do this after just about every outing in fresh water. Have done it for years without any problems. Always good to take care of things!

Only new and usually from Japan. Used can really be a gamble.

For frogging, I tend to go for a moderate fast tip. That makes up for the lack of give characteristic of braid nicely, keeps them pinned, and doesn’t rip a hole in their mouth.

I’m a bank banger and got out there around 1pm. Very busy, lots of boats out there. By that time it was still cold but quite comfortable. Got skunked but was really just happy to get out and get my reel settings dialed in. The banks on the main lake are super pressured so I didn’t have any expectations. I do much better at the South Units once those are thawed….Hopefully within the next week as temps hit the 60’s

For all of us Northern IL guys around the Chicago Region…Happy Opening Day!!! Heading on out to BWood for giggles…not expecting much though with the air temps right now, but will be nice to get out there! 😎

Question. If a competitive angler reads these forums (such as the Fishing Reports topic), shouldn’t they then technically be subjected to the same decision to self report and resulting reinforcement?

Good on him to self-report but man, the action taken to DQ and fine simply does not match the breach. And honestly, that’s such a stretch of a violation. These rules really need a refresh.

#1 G Loomis #2 Falcon (from personal experience) #3 Halo (from personal experience) My Falcon experience centered around a brand new Cara in which the top 3” of the rod snapped while I was rigging up. Was either a defect or undetected damage. Falcon replaced it immediately. Halo was great also. Had an HFX that looked like it had a hairline crack in the locking nut but wasn’t sure. Halo sent out a replacement right away free of charge and was told to keep the original rod.

Having a code brown right as I get settled at a spot. Similar to what the greeting card aisle does to my 10 year old son when we’re grocery shopping.

The 24’ action is much more crisper. The 18’ version was much more moderate and made a perfect single hook, moving bait rod. The 24’ action is an ideal jig/tx rig action in my personal opinion closely resembling an NRX+ 873CRR action.

Isn’t this just another magnetic braked reel on a slightly different frame from Korea? From experience, should’ve stuck with the Mets, but to each their own.

Accidentally.

Amazing musician. My D18 is looking lonely and may just need an HD-28 with Adirondack top to keep her company 😜

TX rig is my favorite technique because it’s weedless and versatile. I throw it 80% of the time aside from when conditions dictate a moving bait with some flash. NRX+ 873CRR JDM Shimano Bantam MGL 15lb - 18lb fluoro on a pegged 1/4 oz weight. When I use 50lb braid, I’ll go to an 1/8oz pegged or even weightless in shallow water less then three feet deep along the banks. I typically vary weights from weightless to heavy depending on what I’m doing, where I’m fishing, bottom composition, and wind. Gammy Nano Alpha EWG Round 4/0…had a 100% hook-up rate last season with this hook with zero lost fish. Zoom Ol’ Monsters, 5” senkos, and Missile Baits D-Bombs ALL DAY LONG 😎 The TX rig is a technique I can literally throw all day long because I can pitch it, skip it, flip it, punch it, drag it, pop it, and even swim it. Accompany it with a topwater bait such as a frog or spook, and you’ve got the swiss army knife of versatility for LM species.

OP’s favorite song…… Red Hot Chili Peppers….Under The Bridge 😎

This is the first year where I’m doing some much needed rest and relaxation this offseason. Focusing on clean eating, moderation, consistent workouts, doing lots of reading, playing my Martin D-18, and finding I enjoy my morning coffee in silence, looking out the window at the freezing landscape. Life has been hell the past few years and I’ve finally learned the art of finding joy in the small things, appreciating what you have, and to always stay humble. But……….come March 1st this boy will be rippin’ the lifted V8 to the nearest cooling lake to get his first lines wet of the year and will be going hard March thru November 😎

This guy again? 🤦‍♂️ To each their own. Not only in end user rod selection, but also in how a brand decides how to manufacture and design rods. Some like bling, some like classy, straightforward, some like JDM looks. Freedom in design and innovation. Opinions never drive critical business decisions in a brand. If you don’t like the look, don’t buy them. Move on.

I’ve recently been eyeing the USDM FMJ. 7’3” is my all time favorite length rod for texas rigging. Current using an NRX+873CRR so not sure if I gain anything more on the performance end aside from a cleaner looking build with some bling.

Get the Metanium 100 if you are buying JDM.

The fore grip I don’t see as an issue really. I just got a new NRX+ in yesterday direct from Loomis and it’s ever so slightly oversized as well. The butt however, looks user induced as if force was placed on the butt end vertically almost pushing the blank through the cork end piece. Not saying you did this. If I’m throwing that kind of coin on something, I’m ordering direct. Your rod could’ve been sitting out on a sales floor, been purchased, returned, and put back out on the floor. Or since you bought it around Black Friday, which leads me to think you got it discounted, could’ve been a sales sample. I would just go back to the distributor you bought from, with your receipt, and return or swap it for a better example. If they have none, get a refund and order direct from Loomis.

I second the epoxy…either a 5 minute or 30 minute marine epoxy. Be generous with it and with the remnants that squeeze out, run your finger over the excess to smooth it out and seal. Good as new.

Just got an NRX+873CRR delivered today from Loomis…and now you got me with the 883 BJR in my cart…spinnerbaits are one of my favorite techniques. I’m guessing the sensitivity in feeling the blade thumps is off the charts with the 883?

I’m getting 2016 Metanium vibes from that Antares 😍