Since the small lake is very weedy this time of year like many of our area lakes I was limited to just weightless plastics and the occasional small dark sleeper fished around the pockets. Managed 7 fish in 2 hours before the heat and humidity kicked in. 

Got a chance to fish some things I haven’t fished much or at all since acquiring them.

First up was the MB X7 Super Eiger with a Steez CT SV TW. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite combos. It is perfect for 1/4 oz weightless plastics which is what it was used for primarily. The sensitivity is off the charts good and it has sneaky hook setting power. This to me is somewhere between a ML and Lighter medium. It truly excels for weightless plastics. Where it struggles is moving fish away from cover. But as an open water or sparse cover 1/4 oz plastic rigged weightless this rod is special. It checks so many boxes 

Next was a Vinny built custom NFC rod rated 1/8 to 3/8 with 2012 Alde BFS XG 8:1. This reel with the stock spool is special. It is a rocket launcher for mag finesse offerings and that day it was used for a 1/4 oz darksleeper. The rod and reel just feel like they disappear in hand and the comfort of this combo is truly enjoyable to use. I much prefer this stock spool to the Avail micro cast spool. I didn’t care for that one at all. When installed in the reel it wasn’t as smooth feeling on the retrieve and the casting distance was too choked off for my liking.

Then there was the Designo 7’1 MH Leben Ltd. It is paired with a truly unique reel. The reel has the guts, frame and handle of the MB IS73 with handle knobs from a Mb IP79 and custom painted side plates in ITO green. The red accents pair nicely with the red accents in the rod and the reel with its low profile recessed frame sits so comfortably on the rod with its very comfortable reel seat. This one is another comfortable pairing to fish for long periods of time. It was used for a weightless plastics but sadly I think the plastic I chose was a bit to large for the fish and I didn’t catch any fish on it.

The Sedition Cristobal and the custom TDZ was another truly amazing combo to use. The reel is a TDZ Type R+ frame and internals with custom painted decade works side plates and some fun parts to match the KTF Neo spool. This spool seems to be happy with baits over 3/8 oz. It doesn’t want to play nicely with anything under 3/8 even paired with this ML+ rod. If I could acquire more of these rods I would. They are that good. For me and where I fish I can do so much with this rod. 

Lastly it brought my Orvis fly rod along with a yellow hopper pattern fly hoping for my first ever smallmouth on a fly but sadly it didn’t happen. They were not interested in anything on top water. 

Pictued - my pops with x7 SE Steez CT which ended up being his favorite combo to use

Enjoy the photos!

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/j1117922280?conversionType=search_suggest

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/x1118103731?conversionType=search_suggest_history

Slightly tip heavy, but feels great together since I am using it with the tip down the majority of the time. It has as a more moderate action but because it is a hybrid of glass and graphite it is powerful and yet still light. I have been using it mainly for swimbaits likes the DRT Tiny Klash and Gan Craft Jointed Claw 178. It feels great for a treble hook baits, but I do plan to use it for some jig fishing to see how it feels in the sensitively department. Overall, it's been a great rod that I love fishing especially since I travel around mainly using public transportation.

The Monoblock 100XR has been modded with a Millionaire CT drive shaft so that I can fit the SLP Moon Drag and yes it has the clicks, I made sure of that. It also has the cast cap from the Millionaire CT for clearance with the Moon Drag, too. It sports 7.2:1 gears and an 80mm carbon handle from the SLP Works dress kit with the original knobs. I might look for a 1010 spool later on to fish other applications. This is one that I am very happy with the outcome of the mods, I didn't try to change the image of it, just adding my own flare to it.

The only other thing that might change my mind about having the Monoblock on the 7th Fighter, is the Shimano Conquest DC with a heavy Livre Handle for more balance on the rod, hahaha. But, that'll be for another time. 

The 100XR has been modded, featuring 7.2:1 gears, Carbontex drag, FX68 handle, OG Corks, Zonda CCC, and a tuned 1010 spool. Tossing Jigs, and big plastics, mainly. I usually have a Steez Ltd. on both of my B70Hs, but after pairing the Block with this one, I'll be leaving it this way for a long time. Lovin it.