I don't think changing hooks will help the hook-up ratio. Changing to a treble hook may help some, but it also will lead to more spoons lost to snags and a harder time unhooking fish that manage to get all three hook points firmly embedded. When fish hit a spoon from the side, which they will, they ...

Interesting observations.

I know you have tested a number of Ajing and Mabaru rods. Have you also had Area rods and Native (aka stream) trout rods? I find them to be very, very different.

The Aldebaran BFS, Calcutta Conquest BFS and Scorpion BFS are all approved for salt water use. From the Shimano website: "Sea water OK Shimano's unique high-performance bearings, SA-RB and A-RB, which are resistant to rust, can be used safely in sea fishing as well, thanks to the exterior treatment....

Thanks, interesting write up! I think that you may find that a native style rod won't fish those micro jigs as well as the Presso. Typically the native rods are designed with twitching sinking minnows in mind so tips are quite stiff relatively speaking. I am pondering my next purchase and am thinki...

None of the JDM rods that I know of in that price range are made in Japan. However, I think Craig is right. I wouldn't worry about where the rod is made as long as it is made by a company that is known for quality rods. In your price range, I prefer the Shimano Trout One NS rods over the Daiwa Wise ...

Difference between "made in Japan" for the US market and JDM (ordered from Japan).

Knotty wrote:Chris, now you've really got me excited about this lure! How were you fishing it?

Reasonably slow retrieve with slight pauses and pulses.

Did someone say trout?

Snapper blues?

The Rayz Spectra is a wonderful rod but it only comes in spinning models. The Daiwa 45 ULB-3 is very convenient to pack because it is a 3 piece rod, but it is nowhere near as flexible as the rods she saw on the Enjoy Fishing channel. It is also out of stock, probably until early March. The Shimano T...

I can't comment on "almost any" but all the native trout rods I've fished with would do just fine for small bass and panfish. One eighth ounce lures are in the range for all them. Right in the sweet spot for some and on the lower end for others, but all I've fished with could cast them well.

If you have "plenty of room to cast" and "generally go for 7' rods for more casting distance using spinning reels" then by all means build a 7' rod. I generally use 5'3" or 4'5" rods because I mostly fish medium to small streams. Casting room is often restricted and longer casting distance would jus...

Nice rod, and good choice for the Adebaran, but I doubt you could tell the difference between the Cardiff NX and the Trout One NS, which should be about $50 less expensive.

poisonokie wrote:There's also Sniper BiteMarkerSystem. It's really visible because it's a pattern of different colors, but has a low-vis section to tie onto.

Poisonokie, thank you for that. I had gotten a spool of the BMS line years ago but had forgotten that it is available in lighter line weights.

I can’t see FC so I don’t use it straight through. Regards http://www.seaguar.ne.jp/lineup/r18_trout/trout_3.html Hi-vis fluorocarbon ranging from 2.5 to 4 lb. It is NOT as visible as nylon or ester, and the thinner the line the harder it is to see, but it is as close as you will come to seeing flu...