BigGame0892

Yeah, wish they still made them that way.

Talked to Matt. I'm gonna have to save up a little more $ to get exactly what I want, but that's no big deal. From everything he said, and the comments of others on this and other forums - it'll be worth the wait and the extra cash.

Any comments as to the balance of the rod. Looking to put a Curado 200e7 on it. Hoping its not tip heavy like the Powell 734 I tried last year.

Although I'm sure the AR rods are fine rods --- If you want a full rear grip my suggestion would be a Dobyns Champion cranking rod. I have the 705CB Glass, and absolutely love it. Its the best cranking rod I have ever owned and I've had them all. Check them out on their website or at Tackle Warehouse.

Thanks, that info is very helpful. I honestly doubt I would use it for spinnerbaits or buzzfrogs - just threw that in there because I'm looking for as much versatility as possible.

Sent an e-mail off to Matt at Otterods. I'll post on here if I get something worked out with him. Thanks guys!

Thanks for the suggestions thus far guys. Anybody know anything about Otterods? I've read some positive comments about them on Tackle Tour's forum.

Just curious if anybody has any experience with this particular rod in the St. Croix line-up? I'm a co-angler and looking for a very versatile rod that I can use for carolina rigs, football heads, big spinnerbaits, texas rigs, flipping and pitching, and maybe even a buzzfrog-type bait in a pinch.

Hey guys, just stewing here in the cold weather in Missouri - itching to get out there. Anyway, I have been considering having a custom rod built for quite some time. Just seems like I can never find exactly what I want out there. Anyway, any suggestions on a quality custom rod builder? Preferably somebody in Missouri or Kansas - but, not necessary if its real quality. Thanks guys.

I've made the switch from graphite cranking rods to glass recently. Specifically, from a GLoomis Bronzeback cranking rod and an St. Croix Avid MH crank rod to the Dobyns 705CB Glass cranking rod. I've had the rod for about half the season now and absolutely love it. Its extremely light and more than sensitive enough with a Curado 200E5 spooled with 12 lb. Yozuri Hybrid. If anything, after using it for awhile I feel like its almost more sensitive in some ways. Plus, I lose a lot fewer fish and they are hooked much better. Just my .02!

I love my Powells and Dobyns, can't go wrong with either. My Dobyns 705CB Glass is the best crankbait rod I've ever thrown, and I've thrown them all. Powell's are no slough either. A 703 or 704C are both very versatile.

x3. x4

I think it comes down to personal preference like a lot of other guys. That being said, I have Shimanos and have yet to have them fail me. They may not have the most bearings, and they may not be the smoothest - but, I think their durability, all around performance and Shimano's customer service speak for themselves.

You can find Shimano Citicas on eBay for under $100 shipped. IMO, can't get a better reel for that price.

Glad to hear its working out well for you! I think your experience will be similar to mine - I started with a Shimano Citica 200D and a lot of advice from guys on this forum and others. It came pretty natural then for me as well. But, keep working at it. Challenge yourself to make difficult pitches and roll casts - being able to perform those will become invaluable when you have to make the "perfect" cast. Have Fun!

BASSclary: great description on how to get started with a BC, there's some great info there! I just took a guy out today to teach him how to use one, and I used a lot of the same instruction. kllrbee: a couple other tips. Start with your magnetic brakes between 6 and 7. I just adjusted a JM reel today for this guy and it seemed like that was a pretty good setting. Also, on your casting motion beginning with overhead casts - realize that you should use your wrist and forearm more so than your entire arm (a problem a lot of spinning reel and fly rod guys have). Keep your elbow close to your side and just use your wrist and forearm starting out. One last thing, it helps to feel like you're casting more towards the sky than towards the water at first. A lot of guys try a BC, and end up with the lure/casting plug smashing down in the water/grass right in front of them. After a awhile you'll get the feel for the correct timing and adjust accordingly to how the rod loads up. AND, I believe it helps to start with a lure/casting plug weighing at least 1/2 oz. to minimize backlashes at first and help get the feel. Anyway, good luck and sounds like you got a great deal!! You'll be pitching and roll casting before you know it!

Sounds like you're definitely getting in to the realm where a baitcaster will work better. Besides more winching power and stronger lock down power on the drags, you can also be more accurate with a BC once you get the hang of it. The design of a BC allows you to have complete control over the distance of your casts - this is by far what I found to be the greatest advantage = accuracy. I didn't fish any BCs until three years ago. I was strictly a spinning gear guy too (President was one of my first better spinning reels too!). The last 3 years I find myself fishing mostly BCs now, and spinning strictly for light line finesse stuff. Also, I fish a lot of small lakes and ponds too when I'm not tournament fishing. Generally not many weeds in my area, but plenty of wood. A 6'6" MH rod is a good place to start for your first BC, but make sure its a rod that has a pretty good tip action to make your casting easier. A word of advice on buying your first BC - stick with quality, well-known brands...i.e. - Shimano, Daiwa or Abu Garcia. These companies make quality products that will make your first BC experience more enjoyable. Personally, I learned on a Shimano and probably will never own another brand - but, I have fished both Daiwas and Abus and they are quality products as well. Sorry this was so long, but just wanted to give you my .02 cents as I've been in your shoes before. Matter of fact, I'm taking a guy out this weekend to show him how to use his first BC. Funny thing - he fishes all Pflueger President spinning reels right now too. ;D

Zoom Fish Doctor on 3/32 oz. shaky head with 6 lb. fluoro.

You might not need the FC leader, but I still believe I get more bites with it or with straight FC. Maybe its just in my head, but I fish a lot of really clear water too. Also, I kind of like the little extra "give" you get with the straight FC or leader FC. Gives me just a little more time to react before the fish feels that something isn't right.

Yeah, the Symetres used to have the spare spool. But, I'm pretty sure they changed that when they started adding the Paladin Gear durability to all the spinning reels. That being said, I agree, get a Stradic if you can find one for $120.

I have a Saros as well, and just love it. I also believe the Saros and Stradic come with an extra spool, whereas the the Symetre does not. Just something else to consider.

Okay, this thread is moving way fast to follow. I'll just put in my 2 cents and be gone. The Shimano Citica is a hell of a reel, internal centrifugal brakes I know, but still what I consider the best braking system on the market. I'm selling one over in the flea market forum, only because I got some crazy deals on Curados - you can pick up a brand new Citica from me for $95 TYD.

So, kind of a San Diego Jam/Trilene knot hybrid? Interesting. Yeah, works pretty darn good. Honestly, I changed to passing through the hook eye twice after seeing enough "Knot Wars" on North American Fisherman (?) attesting to the increased breaking strength of knots where the line is doubled up through the eye.

I pretty much tie the San Diego Jam for everything but braid. I stick with a Palomar for that. One slight difference is that I pass the line through the hook eye twice when I tie the Jam.

What you're experiencing for fluorocarbon line is pretty common. Fluorocarbon tends to be quite a bit stiffer and less manageable than mono or braid. I use KVD Line and Lure Conditioner pretty liberally with fluorocarbon, just spray down the reel spool when you put some fresh line on. I also use it whenever the line is becoming a little more springy. It also depends on which brand of fluoro you use. I would suggest sticking with a good quality line like Seaguar Invizx or Trilene 100%. I also use XPS fluoro quite a bit with good results. Hope this helps, good luck!