I just got my rod blank. HM SJ-762-2

There are several retrieve options for Midwest Finesse/Ned rig. Bottom hopping is one of them.

I have one casting rod (pmb703 shx) and a 7' spinning med power bass rod SHX (can't recall model number right now). Very nice rods. They were some of the first rods I built. I think my 3rd and 4th.

I got a few casts in this evening. I cannot comment on heavy grass fishing since that is not the kind of area I could try it out in. I cast a 3/4 oz jig and it handled it very well. Loads the tip enough on the retrieve to give you good feel. I also cast an unweighted 5" senko, which did cast ok, but...

Thanks for the feedback! I am glad to hear how you are using it and that sounds compatible with my plans. The rod arrived yesterday and I think it will work well. Tip is not too stiff, but once loaded, it seems to shut down quickly so you can apply power quickly to the fish.

I saw a deal on a jackall poison adrena 7-4 heavy (7/16-1.5 oz) and ordered that to try for $250. Hopefully it will work out. Otherwise, I will need to order up a St. Croix. My wife wanted me to pick something out for my bday this week and went with Jackall.

Ordered up the Jackall Poison Adrena Rod 7'4" heavy. I want a rod for 1 oz heavy jigs with extra skirts and big trailers for casting. I am hoping the 7/16-1.5 oz rating is accurate and the action is right for jigs. I could not find any reviews. I am a little nervous ordering a rod that I can't check...

I am looking at building a rod for heavy jigs. 1 oz with double skirts and large trailers. If any of you read Rich Zaleski's blog, I am thinking of his "big jig" presentation. Casting to deeper water and not punching/flipping. I want thinking about building on a Legend Elite 7-4 hf blank or just buy...

Are we sure the new models are not just upgraded components? The previous legend elites also has scv and scvi graphite used in the blanks. Maybe they added another of their acronym tech stuff to the blanks, but graphite is the same. I am thinking about the 7-4 hf for a big jig rod (3/4-1oz) and othe...

So far, I have been using St. Croix legend elites in 7'l both L and ML for the Ned right. With the lightest jig head and limited cover, the L is my favorite. The ML is the best all-round option though. This year, I did not toss much else when I was out. I only get out a lot over a 2 week period in t...

I have been using some Nanobraid with a 6# leader and the Ned rig this spring. Some 16" bass, 22" carp, 13" crappie, briefly hooks a 36" gar. The bass would bury in some short but thick weeds by shore. So far, so good. Joined leader with Seaguar knot. Fg knot looks too complicated for my fingers.

That was a good video. And that was a release right at the nest. How about after a boat ride to the other side of the lake? Can't be good.

Big gills are fun.

BTW, I tried to put my ss700 on a st. croix legend elite 7-0 lf. The reel foot is too short and it doesn't fit.

I did not need another reel for my ultralight, but it may have to go there instead if it fits on an Avid ultralight.

I think catch and immediate release is a reasonable compromise and is as long as pressure is not excessive, should have minimal effects on the population. I do have some reservations with smallmouth bass still though.

I do think it is important to think about this issue regionally. In the south, the spawn is longer and bass are more lively to re-nest if they lose a brood. Not so much in the north. We also need to factor in the size of the lakes in question. Some of the southern reservoirs are huge. In contrast mo...