What’s the lure rating on the AE Black Max rod?

I don't cast with that much line between bobber and jig but in general it helps to stop the cast with your finger on the spool before the rig hits the water. This allows the jig to go past the bobber. Also a very smooth casting stroke is required.

If you're going to fish Trout Magnets mostly, I'd begin with 4# flouro and eventually go down to 2#. I like Seaguar R18 Yellow Hunter because it's got good visibility and sensitivity. You might be able to use higher test flouro if you're not going to be fishing at depth very much. I use 2.3# ester l...

Thanks. Answer was as expected but was hoping to be wrong.

I'll recommend a Leland Lures Trout Slayer rod or something from AliExpress to him.

Everything I've ever ordered from Digitaka gets delivered from Japan to NJ remarkably fast. Usually arrives less than a week after shipping.

Have fun with the new reel. That was a good price.

I have the Aldebaran BFS XG and it's a great reel. My three other BFS reels are inexpensive ones from China that also perform quite well. IMHO, if you fish streams at all, go with the XG. It's often hard to reel fast enough to stay ahead of the current. My philosophy is that you can always train you...

My buddy has a Cabelas gift card burning a hole in his pocket and would like to try UL. Any suggestions for rods? He's one of my two fishing buddies to whom I'm constantly preaching the joys of UL and SUL. The other asked me for an affordable recommendation over the winter and is now fishing with a ...

Very much agree with flt1951. For me, cheap to moderately priced rods from Kuying and Tsurinoya are where I test what type of rods I'm going to enjoy fishing. Once that's dialed in I have generally been moving up to Major Craft rods. I have no regrets with regards to the cheaper purchases and still ...

Take a look at TSURINOYA Dexterity Spinning Fishing Rod 1.89m UL Tip Fast Action on AliExpress as a cheaper alternative to the Elf, if your interested. $55 shipped. 1.89 meters .6-8g lure rating I love ajing rods because they work great with Trout Magnets but are usually also capable of throwing upt...

Very nice. I had just the opposite situation bank fishing. Tough bite with only small gills and a one bass from the town pond I was on.

I see you were out in the canoe. I usually avoid going out in the kayak when there's that much wind. Too hard to maintain a position. I assume you anchor?

Cool. I have similar jigs, with the wire keeper, in sizes down to either 1/32 or 1g. My favorite type of keeper. Lead keepers just blow out many smaller plastics. Hit a shallow, weedy, beaver pond today with Sliders and caught over a dozen pickerel. Wasn't thinking and went to the pond with my Finet...

Another Crappie Slider fan I see 8-) Probably the most productive panfish plastic I've ever thrown. Solid black with the white glow tail is my color. I couldn't even begin to tell you how many fish I've caught on those things over the years. As for the Trout Magnets, no I've never fished them. Don'...

It's amazing how you're getting gills, with their tiny mouths, on even a reduced size TRD. It definitely has been a tough spring for bass here in NJ. Just doesn't want to warm up. But the panfish bite has been very good for me here in northern NJ, once I find the schools. Do you fish Trout Magnets a...

Hi Hobie, Thanks for your extra feedback! It seems very difficult to find at a reasonable price so I have put on hold my purchase for now, just saw your instagram post about new Alphas Air and might be waiting for some review on that. May I ask for info on the Aldebaran? I added two magnets today t...

So glad I’m a cheapskate. Otherwise being around you guys would bankrupt me!