GARRIGA

Any more news on this log?

Can the SK be worked the same as a 3:16 Wake? The videos I've seen is mostly swimming sub-surface or dead sticking. Would be a nice obtainable alternative. I'll take my black or just spray paint it after acquisition.

The action on those is so intense I doubt color matters. If a bass is in the mood to feed I'm thinking it's going to clover it regardless of paint job. One oversized reaction bite.

I have a few Dobyns Swimbait rods and would recommend this over the Okuma. Haven't fished the 807 but many praise its ability to throw Hudd 8s and bigger. More than the $80-$100 price range but well worth the increment based on what many have said about both lines. With the introduction of the 867 and 908, there may be many of these 807 rods available in the classifieds.

One thing experience has shown me is not to start with what I think I can afford or get something with training wheels because it will just add to the frustration and prolong the learning process. Go big from the start versus what one thinks will build confidence and buy what is needed to get the job done not only now but down the road. If I knew two years ago what I know now than I would have purchased a Calcutta 400/401TE and a big stick to go with it. The TE can be had used or just get one of the new Calcuttas and the stick can also be had used as well. I'd find something 8-8.5ft that can throw a 6oz weight with minimal effort but still chuck 3oz baits if needed. G Loomis has a rod, Dobyns has a rod and if you have the funds and I'm sure going to be the most recommended on this board get an LDC. My recommendation would be the Calcutta D 400/401 and Dobyns 867. That's just me and others will have their opinions but the moral is to go big or wait till you can otherwise you'll be selling what you bought today down the road in the Black Market and scratching your head as to why you waited so long. Chuck the brick and believe it will get bit.

One more point. I kind of consider the TT an over size lipless crank bait/trap.

No clue on ROF but my 8" standard weight falls rather slow and just how I like it. I've only fished it twice so this info I'm providing is rather limited and others will hopefully chime in. I had no problem keeping it on a slow to semi fast retrieve on both 25# Tatsu and 30# Sufix Tritanium just below the surface so it should be fine for fishing above submerged vegetation depending how deep that is. I haven't fished the 7" and only got that so I could use it with my lighter Swimbait rig. Size difference isn't large enough to make a difference in my opinion and perhaps a personal taste. Matt Peters has info on his site about the TT that might be worth exploring and speaks about the different sizes. Will say this much, the TT has a very erratic motion and can be made to do 180s and lots of different distress movements and should be an excellent option for me when the feed is on faster moving baits. Not yet sure how effective it will be during sluggish periods and don't see this replacing my Hudds in that particular situation.

I was actually thinking 908 for that but nice to know that's one more lure I can add to my one rig pony.

You gota get you some LDC Don, I knew you or another was going to say that. Seems this is LDC land and I'm sure one day I will. Spoke with Ben two years ago and was impressed with him and his approach and that means a lot to me. I just couldn't pass on this rod since I have the 806ML and 795ML (my entry into Swimbaits). Now I can sell those two unless one is used specifically for Punkers. I'm going to try first with this combo just to see.

I've never fished a TE so can't comment on that but I have a Pluton, Ryoga and Two Z 2020 for comparison and I'm starting to like it. I've only fished it twice and the first was a demo reel so that wasn't probably fair. Amazing how bad people treat what isn't there's. Compared to what I've fished I'd say it's more than adequate. Not as smooth as the Z/Pluton but perhaps changing all the bushings for bearings can improve that. The handle has a slight back play but I think the TE had as well. It's not noticed during actual fishing and more of an annoyance when doing the counter kick the tire test. I like the reel and would recommend it but your experience may be different based on how a TE feels.

Paired a Calcutta D 401 with the Dobyns 867 and packed it with 30# Sufix Tritanium Plus. Let me start by saying this to me is a combo made in heaven. Been looking for a big bait rig that I can walk the bank and do a variety of things. I already knew how it handled the Hudd 8 ROF 16 so it was time to test its lower limits. If this could cast Hudd 68s I'm going to be a happy camper. First out was the 8" Triple Trout. Handled that with a breeze and was consistently getting 30-40 yards into a stiff cross wind and at least 30 yards into it. With the wind at a 45 degree back angle I was hitting 50 yards and well beyond my comfort zone to set the hook but well within my crank don't yank stickem technique. Very impressed since I left the breaks as they were set from factory and tightened the cast control just to see where it would go. No adjustments needed from where it is and no thumbs with the TT either. Except at the end of the cast. Next up was the Hudd 68. Wasn't expecting anything and more of a needed to just see for myself than anything else. First cast was one of those mild just want to test the waters but next one was easily 30 plus and once I got confident I was hitting close to 40 yards which for me is plenty long since I'm mostly casting ahead of me to fish the first 20 feet out and back to the bank. Not many hits casting into the middle of the lake where I fish. Did get one small backlash casting into a head wind but once I started applying more thumb pressure and less swing that settled down quickly. I see this combo being my go to rig for throwing big baits and apparently not so big when versatility is my goal and perhaps also when I just want to enjoy what I'm doing. It seems I've found a combo that will handle Hudd 68s, TTs, Wale Jrs, Hudd 8s and down the road my one day to acquire Wake 10". Nice to have one rig to run the bank and cover most if not all my needs. Pictures will hopefully follow as success is met.Â

From personal experience buying from TW, as well as being one overly honest person about products they sell on a forum they support, this is a good union for this forum. Awesome E-Tailer and I'll do my best to link from here for future purchases. Their customer service is prompt and back bending to get one happy and accommodated and I've seen plenty of negative comments on their own site's customer reviews so I don't see them trying to censor what happens here. This sites integrity will remain untarnished.

Merry Christmas from overly warm South Florida.

4 and Merry Christmas to all.

Got my 3 Black Edition last week and dying to try it out. The remote connect with iPhone and iPad is sweet and plan to scour the bank and edges of weed Matt's to view what's underwater for best fishing spots. For shallow areas this may be better than any depth sounder. Might also record underwater shots of fish bites and fights as I'm not really looking to film myself but you never know what happens. Gotta love the new technology and how it can change how one fishes. Place enough around the boat and you can have your own production team and mimic Roland and others. Might have to learn to laugh funny and kiss every fish prior or release. Any potential YouTube sponsors out there?

We're on the same page. 30# CXX probably is more like 40# PF but I guess minus the stiffness and memory.

I've been eyeing this one for a long time but can't find user info either. Hopefully some have used it and can provide feed back. The blue should produce in my waters.

I think that CXX diameter for diameter to the PF is very similar in strength. Therefore, the 30# PF can't be stronger than the 30# CXX. I believe Don has mentioned this before in the 30# CXX is really 40# PF. This is the reason I fish diameter and not pound test. CXX like Big Game and Sufix Tritanium Plus (what I throw) are under rated for their diameter so they can say they are stronger. Now, if there's proof at the scale that 30# PF is stronger than 30# CXX than I'll buy it but where is that proof. For my typical 4-5 oz baits I prefer the thickness of 25# Tritanium although I'm thinking of pushing that up to 30# Tritanium because of the heavy vegetation in my area and the often rub encountered with all the rock found. If I were fishing PF than I'd go to what ever pound test has the same diameter of 25/30# CXX. If that's 40# than so be it. Hopefully that made sense but am I missing something here?

As mentioned, check Matt's blog on differentiating the 8s. The 6 are slightly different but you can tell there's a difference on the bottom on the internal weight as it projects back. Once you identify one you can compare it to the other. All my 68s have the mark on the tail but I double check the belly and there's a slight weight difference as well if you have a gram scale.

Was finally able to order a pair of black Wake Jrs so I'm anxiously awaiting my shipment. I like the idea of these pure-order releases even if it takes a while to get them. I also should have ordered more.

I used to fish bubblegum (pink) Slugos in the 90s and got bit often. I've trolled with pink and white jet heads and caught all types of saltwater fish. No clue why it works because I use pink Ande for deep water bottom fish because it looses it's color after 30 feet and turns grey. Having said that, I just received 3 TT Bubblegum Bass and hoping to fish them this weekend in a local clear water pit that has DD bass. I'm man enough to throw the sissy stuff.

How did you accomplish that? Lol I tried resizing from my iPad Photobucket app but couldn't figure it out.

Another vote for BaitWerks. Did a 9" & 6" Bull Shad for me in black but I'm unable to post pics due to size. Below is the link if any are interested. http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... d051d6.jpg

Glad to see this wasn't just a fluke bite. Time to experiment with the real Hudd ROF 5 to see if it weeds out the dinks and attracts some big wall hugging girls.

Yesterday afternoon I was chucking and winding a Hudd 68 at a local pit with steep walls and after a few hours of nothing I decided to put a White ROF 5 on so I could see it better as the light deminished and by chance decided to pitch it like a Senko next to deep wall drop off and to my surprise I got bit. Thought it was odd and dismissed it as possibly some oversized cichlids having fun with me. Today I wen back to the same spot and deduced to pitch another ROF 5 and connected on the same spot immediately but unfortunately saw the well over 5#r come free on her first jump. Wondering if others have tried this approach or have gotten bit often on the drop at the end of a cast. The bait doesn't drop horizontal like an 8" ROF 5 but apparently good enough. Next weekend I'm thinking of going back with an 8" ROF 5 to see if I entice a double digit I know swims there. I doubt many bass have seen this approach.