BigGame0892

This. This knot has never failed me and I use Sufix Siege all the time. I didn't see this post before. I have been using Siege for about 10 years and have never seen it other than the G20 precision wound version. So, I guess I'm saying that the line you are using could indeed be rather old.

Back when it was still newly established and the access was limited it could be good. I had several good fish days out there from the bank. Mainly numbers, but some size now and then too.

That's brutal. It happens to the best of us! Don't give up on it. Me and a buddy of mine have had several days out there with multiple fish over 5 lbs. They are still there - your timing just has to be right. Now that I've left KC, I don't know as much about what is going on there. There used to be multiple good fish in Lake Remembrance right off of I-70 out in Blue Springs/Independence. But, that was right after it opened. Have no idea what its like now, but it might be worth a shot too.

In my experience at James A. Reed, Catclaw was always the lake that held the best fish. Don't even bother fishing near the parking lot though, you have to hike around and fish all the laydowns and other cover in the lake. On sunny days, you have to work hard fishing slow with plastics and jigs. You can also pick up a couple on squarebills and then the buzzbait can be nuts when its raining or storm moving in. Normally only caught 5 fish or so also, but a couple would usually be over 3 lbs and up to 6.5.

Thanks for your perspective. And, don't worry about choice of words - prefer short and to the point anyway. Its been one of those days for me so far as well. Looking for a little escape in the forums!!! Tight lines!

I guess this just makes me curious. Because Lews in its current incarnation hasn't even been around as long as the Shimano Curado. So, trying to understand how you can say Lews reels outlasts the others. I know tons of guys, myself included, that have Shimano Curados that are over a decade old and still running hard. Now, I've never owned a Lews - just Shimanos and Daiwas - can you tell me why you feel its so much better or explain your post a little more? Thanks.

Wait....there are other brands besides Shimano or Daiwa? Who knew!!!

OkobojiEagle - Lake Okoboji in Iowa? Miss that lake - folks had a place there when I was growing up. They still grow the smallmouth big there? On the topic - I use monofilament for almost every topwater application. Still experimenting with the fluorocarbon leader to braid combination for finesse. Its kind of a love hate relationship, but it can definitely work.

I sold all my Shimano 200Es and got the Tatula CTs. Haven't tried the new Shimano braking system, but I believe that Magforce Z is better than the VBS systems from Shimano before. All good stuff mind you, but I was diehard Shimano and I really do think the Daiwas are better casters.

Not much not to like about Stockton. Big largemouth, big smallies and some nice walleye to boot. just watch those winds when you're navigating the north end up near the dam. It can feel an awful lot like Kansas in that area! Its just like any Ozark lake - pray you're fishing in a cold front or snow and you'll cave their heads in!!!

I feel presumptious saying that you would need any help, but I have a lot of spots on Stockton if you are interested Ondrejka!!

This time of year I would be partial to Stockton for water clarity. Pomme would probably be my second choice. Jerkbaits on windy points and bluff ends would be the order of the day.

I'm fishing Sunline SX1 braid in 12 lb test yellow. It casts an absolute mile and is smooth through the guides. Its been the best braid I've tried on my spinning setups thus far having used Suffix Performance and 832 previously.

Saharas are on sale online at Basspro last I checked I think? Maybe as part of the reel trade in? Hard to go wrong with that reel. Daiwa and Dobyns both make good rods. Hard to go wrong with a Pflueger President too.

This is all I do as well. Done it on every baitcaster I've ever owned on advice I got in this forum. I just switched all my Curado Es for Tatula CTs. I have to say I'm very impressed at this point. They seem flawless and its nice to be able to fine tune the brakes with the Mag Z system. I think the old Shimano VBS system was nice for those who like to set it and forget it. But, Daiwa's Magforce Z allows you to get the cast exactly the way you want depending on conditions. Can't comment on Shimano's new SVS infinity system - though, I will say that since its a Shimano I'm sure its great.

Thanks everyone. At this point I've just elected to use the Dobyn's No Hassle replacement policy and get a new one with the new Fuji Alconite guides. I'm confident that it will work out great.

That lake has certainly had them in the past. Glad to see its still going strong. Nice work!

Yeah, I'm going to do that today. I've talked to Gary and Richard before when I was getting my old club a discount on a joint purchase - very easy people to work with! Hopefully we can get something worked out before my tournament next weekend.

Cool, thanks fishnkamp. I guess I knew that, but hadn't really thought about it. The first two guides have been replaced with Fuji Aluminum Oxides for quite some time, so the guides have been mismatched awhile now. Never really noticed any performance issues. I have the first insert fall out very early on and the second followed shortly after. Never seemed to be any real rhyme or reason - especially since the bottom guides are the least likely to be damaged in my opinion. Seems like having Dobyns replace it is going to be the way to go at this point. I find it interesting that Dobyns keeps stressing that the Fuji Alconites are "durable" in their advertising for the Champion XPs. Maybe there is something to that and other folks had similar problems with the Kigans.

Thanks, I have some emails out to another shop in KC as well already. I used to have a guy in KC that has actually repaired this same rod twice now (the guides where the inserts popped out), but I've lost touch with him since I moved. I know it seems crazy, but I'm kinda questioning the Dobyns quality at this point. Seems they made a big mistake with these guides and evidenced by the fact that now they are using Fuji Alconites on the current Champion XP line. That's why I was wondering if I should just do a replacement instead of possibly continuing to deal with these guide problems. No hassle rod replacement would be $90 ($70 warranty and $20 shipping). I'm thinking that if I went ahead and replaced all the guides on the rod I already have and ship back and forth - I might be set back about the same amount.

Hey guys, I'm looking for your suggestions here. I have a Dobyn's 705 CB glass crankbait rod that I absolutely love and has won me more than a bit of cash. However, one thing I've always hated about this thing is the trouble I've had with the guides. Dobyns used to use Kigan guides on their rods like this one, and I have had inserts fall out on two different occasions and now I've just lost an entire eyelet. For reference, in 10 years of tournament fishing I have never had an issue with an eyelet or guide on any other rod. I've had a rod snap once, but nothing with guides - I'm pretty careful with my equipment. Currently, I don't have anyone nearby that I trust to replace the missing eyelet and I lack the know how myself. Shipping it to just get an eyelet replaced seems like it would be rather expensive and not cost efficient. Should I use Dobyns No-Hassle replacement policy ($70 plus the cost of shipping rod to me)? Or, should I just sell my rod "As-is" on the Flea market or something and buy something else? Looking for any and all reasonable suggestions. Thanks guys.

So, the transition is complete. Time will tell, but the initial return has been nice! A new PB smallie for me - 5.82 lbs! Daiwa Tatula CT!

I just use straight Yozuri hybrid 12 lb for cranking. I always back my braid with mono to avoid slip on the spool and also to save some $.

This interests me. Should I just save my money and hold out for a Metanium to use for my pitching and skipping duties? I've heard so many people say they're incredible.

I've tried both graphite and glass. I've settled on a Dobyns 705 CB glass which is a graphite glass composite I believe. Best cranking stick I've ever owned.