Csweitzer

In

In

The 8XXH is an absolute monster of a rod. Would be great for the Ghost. I wish I bought the 711XH because the bait I throw the most on the VWE is a Chadshad and that's a little smaller than the 80XXH is comfortable throwing. They're well made rods for sure.

in

I wonder what the hookup ratio is compared to a battleshad. I am currently 1 for 73 on battleshad bites (1.4% hookup ratio). The spotted bass chew them to pieces before they ever get hooked.

Solid rod, I've caught hundreds of fish on mine. I like it more than similarly priced Irod and Dobyn's models. I throw everything from 6.8 keitechs to the Deps 250 on it (I don't recommend going up to 6.5oz unless you're used to it).

The Pizz Big Chief has been my go-to carp imitating bait, the Deps 250 in the Swimbait underground color is another that gets bit around carp.

@Bakerlounge has the best setup in my opinion. I've flown back and forth from Oahu to CA many times and the travel rod tube strapped to the backpack has always counted as 1 personal item, which allows me to bring 1 additional piece of luggage for clothes/baits.

Rated 2-5oz, very fast action. Personally I throw citizen 6s on conventional rods, a 7’6” mh or 7’8” mhh depending on cover.

I’ve caught my share of fish up to 9lbs on the 710XH model (it didn’t have the special grip), it is extremely sensitive. Definitely more of a softbait rod. But I catch some big glidebait fish on it as well.

I’ve fished Kauai and Oahu, but haven’t fished Maui yet. Wish I could help! I know people have success on Maui wading and fishing for Bonefish, dragging small crab and shrimp imitators around the flats is the best bet for catching those guys.

In

Good point, looking at a BB tune, there are a ton of drill holes. Not only do you need to make sure the bait doesn’t explode, you also have to make sure there aren’t any pockets for air to get trapped. I think I drilled 7 holes in mine and the foam filled perfectly.

I look at longevity as a factor as well, after wearing out a couple 300 size reels, I try to run 400s for my XH rods. I have pretty big hands so reel size isn’t a factor to me. Either way that LDC is a sweet rod, you’ll enjoy it no matter what reel you put on it!

Congrats on a giant! That is one of the most addicting fishing platforms. Perfectly stealthy, hands free control of the boat, so much better than a kayak especially for swimbaits.

Reel lockup is a function of reel/rod twist in your hand and force being applied incorrectly. Having a spiral wrapped rod helps prevent that rod from trying to twist in your hands so the force is applied directly to the reel handle. Longer handles and larger knobs help that as well, but my Toro Rocket would lockup with a Bailey swim on 10-12lb fish, no such issues with the identical reel on a LDC Custom on 10-13lb fish. I’ve never noticed reel lockup being an issue for fish under 10lbs

Yes, it prevents reel lockup on 10+lb fish. If you’re catching smaller fish or running a very slow reel it doesn’t matter. Watching C2C footage on 10+lbers with both styles I can see the reel locks up way more with the normal guides compared to acid wrapped

Congrats man!

Flew in from Hawaii on Friday, 27 hours on the water over the past 3 days and this is all I have to show for it! It wasn’t for lack of effort that’s for sure! Threw nothing but 10”+ baits and never saw a big one.

In! I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while, only have 2.5 days to fish though!

Yes he takes time, but it’s worth the wait. I would keep messaging him and you’ll get your baits eventually.

Half the challenge is following the submission rules! I caught 2 DDs on the last day of the week during a tourney last year and submitted them late, forgot it ends at 12 in the afternoon. Live and learn!