Guido Hibdon was my favorite to watch. Of the current guys I like Ott Defoe and Aaron Martens.

The tube I bought last year had little to no smell to it. I will not be buying more in the future. I remember years ago getting the first tubes and it seemed to be a darker color with more scent.

My friend just built a Phenix Elixr 801 and I think that would do an excellent job for what you are looking to do. While not a Moderate rod it is still fairly long and has a tip light enough for live bait.

Do you guys tie direct to the nose, use a small snap or add a split ring to the S crank? I just got some the other day and was going to split ring them but thought I would check here first.

To me the Keitech's have better movement at slow speed while the BPS speed shads are more durable. I run the BPS on chatterbaits as a trailer and the Keitechs as true swimbaits on jigs.

Like t wings for reaction baits and long casts. I do not like them for Bottom contact baits and pitching as I seem to get my line in the upper T part quite often.

Rods = Daiwa/shimano
- Reels =Daiwa/shimano
- Fishing line = Gamma / sunline braid
- Hardbaits = Luckycraft/ Spro
- Soft Baits = Keitech/ Reins
- Apparel = Simms
- Bass Boat = Ranger (multispecies)
- Motor = Evinrude
- Electric Motor = Minn Kota
- Boat Electronics = Humminbird
- Truck = Toyota

My favorite floating baits on a c-rig are the old terminator and strike king 3x plastics. Z man makes some Baits currently out of the same floating plastic. As for non floating plastics a real sleeper is the 5" Yamamoto hula grub.That is my most productive c rig bait overall.

Fx2 and Sx1 have been really good braids. I use the Sx1 for finesse application that don't need abrasion resistance. FX2 is great for heavy cover applications. I tried TX1 last fall in 7lb for crappies and liked it but don't have enough time on it to say if it is any better than SX1.

Pm sent. I have that imprimi solid tip 6'5"

Alphahawk, sent you a pm with some additional questions....thanks for your input.

Are one of these designed for larger fish than the other? I would think the slightly slower rod action would be better for larger fish but I'm not sure. By looking up videos it appears most of the fish being caught on these rods are very small.

Which would be better suited for jig fishing panfish in deep water. I need to handle crappies and perch up to a couple pounds and protect 2-4 lb line. I've been looking at 7-7'6" models of both types. Would the slow mebaru models be able to drive hooks on a sweep set?

I ordered up a patriarch from Cabelas to check out. Bargain cave price is pretty good.

Sportsmans direct in Michigan also carry solid carbon ice blanks that may suite you needs.