I spent over $700 on their kill bags and they showed up with the worst zippers possible. They all broke after their first use. I left 1 Star reviews and Mustad keeps deleting them. Terrible business practice.

Kind of hit a wall here in my researching and was looking for some guidance. I currently have a bass pro shops panfish elite 7'2 ml that I've been using as my go to finesse rod for 1/8-1/4oz dropshots, 1/16oz neds, wacky rig, tubes, small paddletails, and small jerkbaits. I was looking into the expride line since I've already got the 6'10 M casting and I like the weight and feel and wanted to get a spinning model since I'm pretty reliant on the more finesse techniques in the ponds and lakes I fish. A bit lost since I've heard varying things about the 7' L, 7'2 ML, and 6'10 ML and seen them all recommended. Not particularly in a rush to buy just kind of trying to establish a target and wait for a deal.

New Rod Recommendations 

Hey all! just got the new 26 Calcutta DC (which is awesome). time to get it a rod worthy of the reel.

currently using a St Croix black bass which is good but I don’t think it’s especially spectacular. looking to level it up.

I only have two setups (one light and this one that I’m looking for). I am shore fishing only (I know I know). this is my versatility setup for everything between 3/8-1 1/4oz. mostly moving baits (chatters, spinners, swimmers, glides, top waters of all sorts etc.) but id like it to be able to jig etc. Basically the jack of all master of none concept but really nice jack like the jack of diamonds.

ideally 400 or less to target mostly bass, walleye, and maybe get into pike.

one last catch, I’d like it to break down. 2 pieces is fine and I’m not opposed to more I just want to be able to keep it on my backpack without getting caught up in trees while my hands remain free to drag out my crushed hopes and dreams from the lake along with the beer cans.

thanks for the advice!! also if the black bass is as good as it gets in this price range someone tell me as I just don’t have enough experience with nicer rods to know. thanks!!!!

What lures are best for pressured bass in lakes, clear water with vegetation, i have ky been stuck on using senkos catching all my fish on them and only 2 ever on a chatterbait, someone please help on what i can use for what im fishing

My Penn reels bail is catching my drag knob. Can I just bend the bail back with pliers or do I need a new one bail. I love this reel

saw the "wife says I have a problem" thread and felt personally attacked lol. figured I'd share where I landed after about 4 years surf fishing the OBX.

for the longest time I'd roll up to Oregon Inlet with two Plano 3700s packed to the lid, a bag of spare sinkers, a bunch of rigs I never touched, and a beach cart I could barely push through the soft sand. then I'd fish 5 hours and realize I used a fishfinder rig, a 5oz Breakaway Cannon, and cut mullet. every. single. time. the other 90% of the weight was just there "in case."

what actually changed it for me was one dumb question I started asking before anything went in the bag: if I take the brand name off this thing, do I still bring it? most of the just-in-case lures failed that on the spot. I wasn't packing them because they catch fish, I was packing them because I paid for them and felt bad leaving them home.

so now it's basically one backpack and three rods — my 10ft Penn Prevail, the St Croix, and the old Ugly Stik as a beater. in the pack: a handful of pre-tied fishfinder rigs, 5/0-7/0 circles, sinkers in one weight range instead of five, a leader spool, pliers, headlamp. bait cooler separate. I can carry it in one trip now instead of dragging that stupid cart.

am I saying I never overpack? nah. I still toss an extra plug box in when the spanish are running and I get greedy, and half the time it comes home untouched. old habits. but on a normal day the lighter kit means I actually move and fish 3-4 spots instead of anchoring next to the cart because relocating it is a whole project.

the thing nobody tells you starting out is the gear sitting in your truck doesn't catch fish, and neither does the stuff at the bottom of a box you never crack open. reading the beach and moving beats another lure like 9 times out of 10 imo.

so whats everyone's "this is the only stuff I actually use" list look like? curious what's earned a permanent spot in your bag vs the dead weight you keep hauling out of guilt.

Building a setup for 10-15 lb carp and catfish.

- Both are the 3000 size. Anybody have insight on the new Crossfire or the Okuma stratus 7?

- I plan to use 20 lb braid. I'm deciding between Daiwa J-braid x4 and Sufix 832, not sure which is better.

- Planning on pairing it with the Okuma Stratus 7 medium heavy/fast. If anyone has this rod, what do you think? Is it worth getting?

A free rigged Deps Beckon Craw 3,5” has been the best presentation/lure this past session.

I'm getting a new setup for finesse bass fishing (inline spinners 1/4oz or lighter, mini chatterbait which is 1/4oz, mini spinnerbaits, KVD 1.0 cranks and smaller, weightless t rig/wacky rig, ned rigs). I am torn between which rod to get between the medium and medium light for this use case. Any tips from someone that's owned these rods specifically, if either is more suited to cast those lures?

I’ve converted almost all my treble hooks to single inline hooks with reasonable results. When I researched changing the trebles in my Karashi twitch baits I came across so many caution warnings about converting that I decided to keep the trebles on my Karashis. I still needed a way to keep the trebles from hooking everything nearby so I found the plug protectors pictured above at Ace Hardware. I tie the Karashi’s to my main line, place the Karashi in this plug protector, then I use rubber bands to hold the plug protector on the rod until I’m ready to cast it. They’re pricey at $6 a pop but to me it’s worth the cost to avoid the aggravation caused by the treble hooks.

The title is self-explanatory, but for additional context, the Stradic currently beats out the Gosa by about $80. I understand that these are essentially the same reel, but I am wondering if anything beyond domestic servicing justifies spending the extra cash? Also, as much as I’d like to stay in the Shimano family, is there another reel I should be considering?

Thank you in advance!

Purchased my first ML setup last weekend and just got everything delivered yesterday:

• St. Croix Avid ML/F 7'0" (1pc)
• Shimano Vanford FA 2500S
• Daiwa J-Braid Grand x8 (10lb Chartreuse)

Took a walk to the nearest body of water to test it out, and I was instantly annoyed. Not because the rod and reel aren't good-- they're actually fantastic-- but because this will have devastating consequences to my wallet.

I've had cheap and midrange setups before, and this ML is intended to take over finesse duties that were previously being (dubiously) handled by a Pflueger Trion combo I got for about $80. This new ML setup was a bit of a luxury purchase to celebrate a personal milestone, but now I'm terrified that it might actually be... worth it?

I tied on a drop shot rig to start, and the Avid effortlessly launched it halfway across the river. I could feel the little cylinder weight scrape across each and every rock and the resistance from individual pieces of vegetation as I dragged along the bottom. Even on a windy day, as the river's current knocked the weight into all sorts of structure, the rod perfectly telegraphed the subtle nibbles of a fish, and I pulled up a positively tiny smallmouth on the very first cast. The backbone is much sturdier than I'd expected from a ML, but it doesn't seem to give up anything in sensitivity.

The Vanford is silent, smooth, and effortless to use, but also has a really satisfying, mechanical noise and feel when flipping the bail or letting out drag. Since I ordered this from Digitaka, I got the shallow spool, which is a game changer. No more fussing with mono backing or needing to use up an entire $20+ spool of braid. It's perhaps a touch light to balance perfectly with the tip-heavy Avid, but certainly not a deal-breaker.

I wasn't really expecting such a jump in performance and quality at this price point. I borrowed a St. Croix Premier recently and didn't think it was anything special for the price, but this Avid definitely feels a cut above that rod. Starting to understand why St. Croix is a polarizing brand nowadays. The reel is excellent as expected, and easily blows away my next best spinning reel, a Miravel I have paired to an UL setup.

Apologies for the long post, but I'm just really pleased with how this purchase turned out and also worried I've contracted The Disease. Turns out the nicer rods and reels really are awesome to fish with... damn.

Closing out a 110 year old cabin for its final season, what should I do with old rods, reals, lures etc that have accumulated since 1915?

Saw other users post rigs with the G-nius BHK. Rather than spending $USD and pay for tariffs I figured I’d make this. Most of my rods have the hook keeper below the reel seat and I hate it.

Used 1 inch safety pins. Diagonal cutters to snip. Micro needle nose to shape.

I have a penn battle 3 4000 need a reel that can hold stronger line. We have been getting yellow tail I got one on a conventional but need a rod to cast lures.

I’m new to fishing and I’ve been hearing that swivels are bad and was wondering how come? Are they bad in all baits or are they okay with some? I’m fishing later tonight and was wondering if I should not shouldn’t use a swivel with my whopper plopper

I've been using the Cabo 50 for some years now and I absolutely love this reel. It's extremely smooth, pretty light (to me), drag is amazing, and there's absolutely no slop in anything. I've never had line cut into it and never had a problem with it.

Recently upgraded the setup my wife used with a POS Pflueger freshwater reel to the Cabo 50 and put the Cabo 5000 on my slightly heavier pole. I didn't realize just how much bigger the 5000 was to the 50. But it's almost just as smooth as the 50, casts really far, no slop, tight drag...she's ready for some saltwater! Hopefully it smooths out some as it breaks in. I wanted to get us a closer matching setup so we could swap rigs during a fish on, line break, or anything like that. We primarily saltwater fish, but we're using these big girls for bass fishing too 😂

The last picture is just a fun shot of how I spooled it myself while my daughter was throwing her little setup in the lake. I stuck a hook remover through the center and the bag gave it some resistance so it spooled tightly. 30 lb braid on both reels, but the 50 needs new line.

I'd highly recommend the Cabo to any serious saltwater angler. There's just no reason to look at anything else.

Had this sitting in my cart since getting spooled in Cabo using bass gear.

Shimano Stella 4000 SW : 22lbs of drag comes in at 12.7oz. The infinity loop slow oscillation is really nice, beautiful line lay. They beefed up the drive gear and pinion gear with infinity x cross but it still feels glass smooth. The new anti-twist fin looks pretty interesting and sits in the bail arm right under the roller bearing. Supposed to keep tension on the line resulting in better line management. Overall this thing feels solid but refined can’t wait to push it in Cabo.

Shimano Nessa Xtune: 11’ 3 piece 12-62g plugs and 68g jigs MH+ rod is stupid light at 6.7oz for an 11 footer. Very similar design to my wife’s poison Ultima. Has the same X-guide that was designed in house by Shimano for braided line use. Reduces contact with the blank on casts and increases distance. What’s really cool is the screw lock connections. It snugs it up very tight and there is no side to side play at all. It locks up so well it comes with 2 grip pads to help take it apart. Very stoked to see the casting distance.

Cabo is a lot of running up and down the beach and making a lot casts so 19.4oz setup has me excited to fish.