u/pipandhams

Watching them get big makes all those water changes worth it. My boy Ketchup still has a lot of growing to catch up to my biggest male.

Had this sitting in my cart since getting spooled in Cabo using bass gear.

Shimano Stella 4000 SW : 22lbs of drag comes in at 12.7oz. The infinity loop slow oscillation is really nice, beautiful line lay. They beefed up the drive gear and pinion gear with infinity x cross but it still feels glass smooth. The new anti-twist fin looks pretty interesting and sits in the bail arm right under the roller bearing. Supposed to keep tension on the line resulting in better line management. Overall this thing feels solid but refined can’t wait to push it in Cabo.

Shimano Nessa Xtune: 11’ 3 piece 12-62g plugs and 68g jigs MH+ rod is stupid light at 6.7oz for an 11 footer. Very similar design to my wife’s poison Ultima. Has the same X-guide that was designed in house by Shimano for braided line use. Reduces contact with the blank on casts and increases distance. What’s really cool is the screw lock connections. It snugs it up very tight and there is no side to side play at all. It locks up so well it comes with 2 grip pads to help take it apart. Very stoked to see the casting distance.

Cabo is a lot of running up and down the beach and making a lot casts so 19.4oz setup has me excited to fish.

Always surprised how capable BFS gear really is, locked down the drag to keep this guy from running into structure. Fun fight after the initial disappointment and realization that it wasn’t a PB bass. Daiwa SLPW Millionaire airstream custom, Shimano Poison Ultima BFS, .6gou Varivas to 6lb leader, 1/32oz Zappu bredy with 2.8 osp paddle tail.

She’s still chasing that high from her PB bass, capitalizing on that and having her learn new techniques lol.

Megabass Great Hunting Huntsman GHBF48-3UL
Travel - trout streams and rivers throwing 1-3.5g trout plugs, Ned’s, swim baits, blade baits. Breaks down very small and comes in a nice soft case. Makes it handy hiking in bushy wooded areas and cast around tight areas.
Bass - UL applications

Shimano Poison Ultima 166L-BFS/5
Travel - perfect do everything rod if you like using smaller baits. Excels at bottom contact baits, good backbone and amazing sensitivity. Breaks down super small and comes in a very handy hard case that fits in a backpack. Makes getting through airports really easy and taking it everywhere. Took it to Singapore for peacock bass and snakehead. Fishing areas are limited to designated areas and fish are under a lot of fishing pressure. Downsize baits.
Bass - 1.5g-5g cheb rigs, Texas rigs, weightless plastics

Megabass P5 Destroyer Kirisame Bait Strategists F2st-73X
Travel - it does not break down small enough to fit in a backpack and the carrying case does not more provide protection than a rod sleeve. However it’s handy for small cars and public transport. Very versatile rod.
Bass - 2g-6g swim jigs, underspin, jerkbaits, glide baits

Daiwa Steez Travel TR735 MHFB
Travel - breaks down small enough and comes in a handy hard case that fits in a suitcase. Handy for Cabo and Cancun. Flying to with a rod as a personal item or carry on is no problem. However flying back from these two they will make you check it in so having it fit in a suitcase case is handy. Throwing mostly 28g surf spoons, poppers, and cranks. Distance won’t come close to a dedicated 9+ foot surf rod but if you’re staying at a resort it’s pretty discrete in its carrying case. Cancun lots of action right off the beach got into jacks, cudas, spanish mackerels, snook, and even this tarpon. Cabo is a lot tougher from the beach basically wait for pelagics to push bait towards your casting reach. Got into smaller roosters and some sierra mackerels. Got spooled by something big and my setup was definitely undergunned especially the Calcutta 101dc.
Bass - 28g and under swim bait, frog, punching.

Blast of a fight, 1g ball head jig with 2” gulp shrimp.

Finally time to slime my wife’s new setup. Shimano Stella C2000 SHG x Shimano Poison Ultima 270L, Shimano Calcutta BFS x Shimano Poison Ultima 166L-BFS, Shimano Calcutta SE x Megabass ARMS Super Leggera ASL6420X, Daiwa SLPW Millionaire Air Stream Custom x Megabass P5 Destroyer Kirisame Bait Strategist.

Can’t wait for these guys to color up and finish their quarantine. Beautiful quality from golden state as always and finished off my school with more heckle wild crosses.

Now I have an excuse built in for when she puts me in the dirt. She’s been slaying fish with my older Vanford on a Zodias. She hit her pb bass the other day and said the magic words.