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Yes, Mike made a specific point of clarifying this in one of his videos. Tie to the hook wire harness, not the Headcase Harness.

Also, if you listen to episode 301 of Cast and Crank podcast, Ben does describe the tapers and actions of the various Standard Issue models.

You can try to DM Ben on IG also, I think that's the best way to get ahold of him. He may not get back to you right away, but he will answer anything about his rods that you want to know.

Some good looks at the bait throughout this video.

I seem to remember @Ceaser mentioning the BKK Vipers for sticky sharp heavy duty hooks.

@Ellisb10 @DEPS_250 There was a defective run of Levante rods that were recalled a couple of years ago.

This Korean YouTuber does a mix of conventional and big bait fishing. There's no English subs, but you can get the idea. TK w. 0.9g grenade on front hook hangar, stock lip, transfer tail Mode B (which came as a surprise to me.)

Got mine pre-ordered, thx as always @A_Deanbaiter

I recently saw a couple of Throwback Baits on IG, both with great bass patterns. A retro glide painted by Kyle (in house) and a wake Walker painted by BNA. Both different from each other, both looked right.

Woodrow gets bit. It's the only rat that I own, and I'm not looking at any others.

I would imagine @Ceaser is cooking up something for Toxic Day 2024. Regarding the Gathering, you'd probably get more info from the Universe Facebook page / group.

Keitech 6.8 w. 8/0 Beast hook is an inexpensive entry point and they get bit.

Need to just fish more. Water conditions were terrible last year so it was pretty discouraging, didn't get out as much as previous years.

Makes a big difference if you have it rigged with a Beast hook or with the treble hook.

Spiral wrap allows for fewer total guides used in the guide train. This can help reduce total weight, improve overall balance, and reduce overall line friction while casting.

GanCraft 178, GanCraft 230, and Baitsanity Gill glide are all proven fish catchers and staples in my arsenal. Looking hard at the new GanCraft Ratchet 184 as well. Buy floating models and tune them yourself to desired sink rates using stick-on weights, lead tape, lead wire, grenade weights, etc. Keitech FAT Swing Impact 6.8 w. 8/0 Beast hook is a killer soft bait that produces a lot of quality fish for me and won't break the bank. I fish only from the bank also. Here's the deal with fishing baits that you really don't want to leave behind... be prepared to retrieve them. I wade or swim for baits all the damn time. Have a pair of cheap aqua-socks in your bag at all times so your feet don't get messed up, a sports towel or two, and a plastic bag to put your wet boxer briefs in.

I just asked @Crazybassfisher about this in the comments of his latest YouTube video (about TK fishing) and he said he likes the STX45 in size 3 for the TK, and he has previously mentioned his choice of size 2 for the K9.

I wouldn't sweat it too much. If the v-tail is a little uneven or if the tips are a little crooked, it is not going to impact the swim or action of the bait. Since they are very soft and flex a lot in the water, a slight deformation is not going to have any noticeable effect.

I believe that InvisX is a bit more supple and has more stretch, AbraZx is stiffer and more durable.

Another advocate for the STX-45ZN size 2 for K9s.

I also own and fish the 7'11"XH valkyrie regularly. It pairs with a K9 wonderfully.

I've been looking around for a top hook line-thru to bottom bounce for a while now. The Rising Son is just not designed for that style of fishing and I haven't been able to secure any of the Burritos. The new Hawghunter weedless X Minnow looks dope, but again probably a lot more difficult to track down.

I believe mine is set with 3 on / 3 off centrifugal and then fine tuned with the magnetic. I found with 2 on / 4 off it would overrun too often and I actually got consistently better and longer casts with 3 and 3.

Sounds like something is not quite right with the worm gear. But I'm definitely not an expert.