BigGame0892

For mono and fluorocarbon I pretty much only use a Reverse Clinch knot or San Diego Jam knot. They're basically the same, save one extra step with the SDJ. I use these because I can tie them quicker than anything else and they've never failed me.

I too carry three rods for bank fishing, but I use my lone spinning rod primarily for shaky heads, wacky rig, light topwaters and flukes or floating worms. I then have one medium action casting setup for spinnerbaits, topwaters and crankbaits. My last setup is also casting, but a medium heavy to heavy action for pitching plastics and jigs and throwing a frog when needed. To me, flipping and pitching is one of my most valuable methods when bank fishing when it really pays to put the bait where they live and fish slowly and methodically - and I want a casting setup for that for accuracy and power. Another thing to consider is what type of line you will be using on each setup. By using mono on both the casting outfits, I get a little flexibility in how I use those rods. For the spinning reel, I use only fluorocarbon or braided line with a fluorocarbon leader. The braided line with the leader gives me a lot of flexibility with that setup too.

Thanks for the review!

Sweet, let us know what you think. Seems too good to be true at the price.

No one has taken the plunge yet, huh? Might have to pick up a spool for this spring and see what's what.

I've done a lot of bank fishing for bass in the last ten years. Still have yet to invest in a boat. To be honest, lugging more than say 3 rods around a given lake or pond seems to be overkill. I generally bring one rod for plastics, jigs, frogs or whatever - usually a 7 ft MH or H. Then, I'll have one rod for other topwaters, spinnerbaits and shallow cranks. Then, one spinning rod for shaky head or wacky worm. That's usually about all I need. Throw your tackle in a backpack and be prepared to move around a lot to have success. When I fish as a co-angler out of the back of the boat I usually bring the 5 or 6 as roadwarrior said.

Nothing wrong with the 6940 for bass fishing, just have to balance it with the right rod. I found that the one I had handled fluorocarbon line very nicely.

Without a doubt, one of the best reasons to go with Dobyns.

Shimano Curado 200e7 and e5. The Ds were beasts as well.

I think the CT palms a little better, so that might be reason enough to go with the CT Type R. But, they're both great reels.

Looks like this is the Regular Tatula Type-R, not the CT Type R. Still a great reel.

Its pretty tough to beat that Pflueger President for value - its just an awesome reel. As for Shimano, I have never had an issue with my Sahara or my Saros.

Hard to go wrong with Powell or Dobyns in my opinion. I have the old Max series Powells as well.

The Daiwa Tatula in that lower gear ratio sounds like a good idea. As far as a rod, I have to recommend my Dobyns 705 Champion Glass cranking rod. Its perfect for what you are planning to throw on it. It works for about any crank, but it excels with lipless cranks and squarebills. Its a little more than you wanted to spend, but well worth it. Did I mention that I also throw my favorite crank - Norman Middle N which dives 6-8 ft - religiously on it as well?

Had to attach these couple giants from Catclaw for you. The first one I weighed at 4.07 lbs. Granted that fish is probably dead and gone - that was 2009.

I know this was from forever ago, but a buddy and I used to pound on them at Catclaw out a James A. Reed a few years back. Lots of 4 to 6 pounders. It goes in cycles I think. But, you have to be willing to put your bait where they live there, that's for sure. Buzzbaits, frogs and shallow cranks can be awesome at the right times too. But, flipping and pitching plastics was always our most consistent calling card. Don't let those bucket fisherman deter you, most of them have no idea how to catch the bass out there.

LOL!!! Yeah, Wolf can be unreal this time of year. My first ever cast there resulted in a 3 1/2 pound smallie on a gold Rattletrap ripped through the weeds.

Yeah, I hear ya! Bottom line and back to the OP - do yourself a favor and get a lower gear ratio reel with a wide spool. Super long casts and a much more pleasant day chucking and winding with big body, deep diving cranks.

Grand Lake in Oklahoma is loaded with bass with those kinds of markings. I think we all have seen how healthy that fishery is the last few years!

Yeah, to be honest I never really even enjoyed throwing cranks much until I got a lower gear ratio reel. Now, it could very well be my favorite way to catch 'em!

Slower gear ratio means more power. So, its easier to reel in a big crankbait with a lot of vibration. It really helps when you have an 8 hour day of slinging mid to deep diving crankbaits. Don't get me wrong - lots of guys use faster reels for shallow to mid cranks and do just fine. But, I've done both and can definitely tell you its easier to reel with the added power of the slower gear. Plus, personally I just seem to get more bites. That's just my experience. Compare the lower gear ratio reel to the lower gears on your car or truck for example. More torque in those lower gears.

I don't really think you can go wrong with any rod offerings from St. Croix, Falcon or Powell - these rods have been some of my favorites the last few years. All have models in the $100 range. As for a reel, I'm a Shimano guy for the most part. So, anything starting at the Citica and up I would look at - you can find bargains on eBay and the like. Everyone says the Daiwa Tatula reels are awesome as well, so look at those. As someone else mentioned - don't go crazy cheap on your first baitcast setup. I know from experience. I almost gave up learning to cast a baitcaster until someone finally put a Shimano in my hands.

The slower gear ratios like 5.4:1 are definitely worth looking into if you plan on cranking a lot. Just makes the job easier and more productive IMO. I use 7.1:1 for everything else for the most part.

I agree with this for the most part. Though,I will say that when I found my ideal cranking rod (Dobyns 705CB) and reel (Shimano Curado 200e5) I started enjoying throwing cranks a lot more and experienced a lot more success. The right rod paired with a lower gear ratio reel makes the constant casting and winding necessary for success a lot easier IMO.

Anybody try this yet? I use Hybrid almost exclusively for my cranking, but was wondering if this might be a good alternative to the P-line fluoro that I usually use for jigs and shaky head.