Running 10lb braid + 14lb fluoro or 12lb XXX leader.  The rod is a custom Vinny Lamiglas Infinity 873, that has an incredible X-Fast ML+ tip for imparting action and a true MH backbone...gotta just reel into the small trebles on cranks, lipless, topwaters with this combo, but casting distance, ease, control, and the ability to work smaller topwaters with this combo is excellent.

https://jdmfishing.com/not-a-pawn-raid-japans-the-bishop/

https://www.lurenewsr.com/421272/?fbclid=Iwb21leAQuc61jbGNrBC5zYWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHuwoJE64ZnDaLcil_h_eOfft9tU5ov4T_-CQ8mxcz_r9Sd9MxFjz1GCM36jF_aem_8nJ3ZFz7WE8pjGSi2vPrOw

Last year the spring weather came a little late in Toronto and as a result (yes we have closed seasons), when our bass opener day came about, the fish were still stuck in a very early post-spawn mood.  In other words, they didn’t really eat and were lock-jawed.  Me and my buddy fished for around 10 hours that day on the shore of Lake Ontario in a little bay, seeing largemouth swim by but not eating anything we threw at them.  My buddy was able to find one fish that was doing something different and would eat readily.  The rest of the fish we saw were cruisers and we couldn’t catch them with anything.  After about 4 hours, I managed to get one quick nip with a weightless OSP Dolive Shad, but the fish spit instantly.  Finally after 6 hours of throwing everything at those fish I finally picked up a RaidJapan Big2Way and rigged it on a short leader dropshot.  Threw it out into the wolf-pack of cruisers and let it sink before popping it up pretty high into the water column.  On the fall the line started running left and that was the first bite of the day for me.  Went on to catch another 4 fish with the same setup and my buddy changed up managing one too.  Just wanted to share something that was pretty cool and juicy with everyone!

Hello, I am selling this wonderful Daiwa TD-Ito 103HL reel. This reel is in great condition, minor scuff marks on the surface (shown in photos). Time for me to simply thin out the herd and share this reel with a new owner. The reel has not been used since a complete cleaning/bearing upgrade job by Ian. Current spool is an SV spool (shown in photos). Looking to get $400 shipped to your door. Please USA delivery only. Additional photos can be sent upon request.

Thanks for looking.

Just chiming in, since it's been a minute. Not much on social anymore. 

As alluded to by Rise in another thread, been tinkering with concepts that EG has been exploring with guide placements as shown in their ZZ concept and the butt guides on their raptor BFS rod.

My take on the ZZ is not as aggressive as EG's and minus 1 guide, but early use cases have been optimistic. Can see the bite before feel and there has been no impact on sensitivuty and castability (distance and management). Build is on a PBKT661ULM. Definitely on the faster side on the spectrum with a lot of butt power. Would make a great power Bae Eff Ess build if one is inclined on that prospect.

Caster with the more aggressive spiral butt section has been great. Minimal to no hang ups on the cast, line sorts out and corrects faster on the cast to lure landing. Tried with PE and up to 12# fluoro. No impacts on distance. 15#+ mono type lines would potentially be hindered unless one goes with a bigger sized eye (RV6 TiSiC in my use). XRay 736-1 SJ is the blank of choice. Not in the same league as a PB in my experience, use may vary. Toodles

I just popped a just shy of 17"/3.25 (15 lb Boga) pre-spawn female smallie on this Vanquish 4000XG in fairly fast moving current, paired to a Shimano Hard Rocker BB 8'3" MH 2piece. Straight 16lb SS112 to a snap and modified 3/8 oz Northstar triple blade spinnerbait. The reel didn't even break a sweat and that female was pulling hard, granted that 8'3" Hard Rocker just loads so deep and with such a strong backbone, she was just going to wear herself out.  Crazy that the last fish I caught in Colorado was on this rod, a 3+ smallie and the first 3+ smallie in TN was also on this same rod.

As expected, the level 7 build once again impresses, as the blank excels in multiple areas, such as sensitivity, power, and rebound. Nice fast taper that loads up beautifully on the cast. I’ve been married to tossing a Tokyo and Gika rig on this rod. Needless to say, it’s been a blast with a tuned/slightly modded 24 Steez on board. 

I’ve taken many, many fish on this stick/combo, but last weekend (my 2nd outing of the year) was a bit of a highlight. Towards the end of the day, shoulder starting to ache a good bit, I was tossing the Gika/Reins Ring Craw up onto a saddle. Couple of hops into my 4th cast, I get hammered and it was a good one. A few big head shakes and minutes later, I put hands on her. Coming in right at 24” and full of fire, it was a fun battle to say the least. 

The Designo handled that fish beautifully, and I was confidently able to keep her out of the nearby brush, etc. A great workout for the rod and yet another testament to the quality of Kamiya’s builds. 

3 of my favourite rods below

Evergreen Kaleido Inspirare Grand Cobra GT 611XMH

DSTYLE Dehighro 66ML MAX Finesse

Abu Garcia Fantasista 64L MGS - this one has been with me since I lived in Hong Kong, I actually started bass fishing there hence the name.  We have a few lakes with largemouth bass.