DTack

What size darthead do you throw? The number one spinning rod I use is a 743 in the extreme series. I use 1/8 oz dartheads with 4.5" worms quite a bit on it. While I think the 742 would be better for this bait, I have done just fine with the 743, and I feel the 743 is much better with a 5" senko. What size senko do you throw the most? Do you like a rod with a more moderate action, something with a lot of backbone? Personally, I think either rod would work for most weights it's just a preference in my opinion of which characteristics you like best.

I would keep it simple. If you're not breaking off on a hookset or missing fish because you're scared to set the hook I don't see a reason to change.

I personally think it has great sensitivity with a trap. If you yo yo them up on the from the bottom I personally think you will really feel the sensitivity, I throw mine on either fluoro or mono and can still rip it clean, I think the action of the rod is just right for keeping them hooked on trebles as well as having enough backbone to clear the weeds and come out clean when you run into them.

Rod is my favorite I've found for fishing lipless baits especially in grass. It has a great action for treble hooks in my opinion, it is not a glass rod but I feel glass vs. graphite is a preference deal. For shallow to mid depth cranks, for me it still works great. Some may not agree and I don't blame them, after a couple trips casting a slightly lighter bait I think it is easy to adjust and get used to. When it comes to a 1/4 oz bait the bait that comes to mind for me is the larger Luhr-Jensen Speed Trap, as far as I see it listed that is a 1/4 oz bait, this rod (with a curado 200e7 and 15 lb mono) casts that bait just fine. I am of the preference that I would rather have a little bit harder time casting (less tip in the rod) and more control once a fish is hooked. As a sidenote, the 705cb can also be great for top water walking baits or poppers with braid, and with mono or fluoro it is my go to rod for large ripbaits (Pointer 128, magnum vision 110). I hope you find the model you like best, if there's any further questions please ask.

Sunline Sniper FC in 7lb test is my favorite line. On a spinning reel I haven't found a line that can beat it. I also use their 10 and 12lb for crankbaits and ripbaits, and the 14-20 for jigs, heavy senkos, heavy dropshot, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, small swimbaits and just about anything else sub-surface. From what I have used and I have found Sniper is the best overall fluorocarbon for me. It is definitely expensive, but for me it has been worth the cost.

Just because he has it in his signature does not mean he is on staff. You might be surprised how many are not on staff that do that.

What I would suggest depends on what your price range is overall and where you would be fishing the bait. As a do it all with price not being a factor and fishing in both open water as well as the absolute thickest of cover the one that I use is a Dobyns Champion 736c with Tatula Type-R 8.0:1 and 70lb Daiwa Samurai braid. I was using a Curado E7 and the drag slipped A LOT on hooksets, not going to work for me.

To give a simple answer, I run 30+ lb braid because I have broken everything below 70lb. With brand new line around no cover you have nothing to worry about as far as breaking strength. When you get into cover you can run into a couple problems. That cover wears on the line slowly but surely and weakens the breaking strength. When you combine the slow weakening, extra heavy cover, extra heavy rods used to combat that cover and a heavy fish with a strong mouth it can add up to breaking line. There will be people who disagree with this and that is fine. Trust me, if I could use 7 lb test all the time without worry of breaking off I would definitely do it!

Boy, I'm outnumbered! I vote for the rod. I think also has to do with I will use the same reel on multiple different rods typically.

I will give my opinion I guess... The reviews there often don't make much sense to me. They will deduct points for the strangest reasons... What I advise is reading the review entirely rather than going off of just the rating. They do give lots of details about products, which are helpful to read through in detail. I prefer making my own choice on what is important based on the detailed information they share. The forums are just as any other, lots of information and opinions. Some I don't agree with, some I do.

Lots of good posts and perspectives here. Value and money spent can only be justified by every individual. I prefer to spend more on a higher priced rod versus a reel. I feel there is more value in higher priced rods than reels, example, certain techniques I have the most confidence in rods above a $300 pricepoint. I don't think I need those for every technique... For reels I don't feel the need at any point for a reel over 200$ I just can't feel enough difference to justify personally.

In comparison you're probably going to feel stretch no matter what when you go from braid to fluoro... That might be what you're experiencing. I have always been all around happy with Sunline Sniper FC, but I'm not sure how the stretch compares to other brands. I just like the overall strength, the way knots hold, lack of stretch (in my mind) and managability.

734c champion. Gary will likely recommend the same rod.

I see, did you ever try the 765cb glass for the squarebills? (I think 768 was a type for the 765cb). If you're wanting a bit more beef to your rod you may check out the 805cbrm if you aren't set on a glass rod.

Arkie head favorite size is 3/8. The ones I use are from a company named California Reservoir Lures whom are somewhat local. They make great colors that are relevant to all my local bodies of water and I find them to be very versatile. My opinion they put details in beneficial parts and leave them out where they aren't needed.

When you say weak do you mean it just doesn't seem to have much power? The glass 705cb can feel that way I think due to the glass. Do you prefer glass rods for cranks over graphite? Did you ever try the 765 on your squarebills?

What type of waters do you fish? What type of cover mainly? Any favorite baits to fish?

What I bring set-up wise always depends on the body of water I'm fishing. There are times I will have 3 spinning set ups on the deck for a day. There are other times where I won't have one out on the deck. Rarely do I not have one in the rod locker at least JUST IN CASE. I guess I will throw in my 2 cents on baitcasting and spinning... I think it's a matter of mostly preference, confidence and comfort. Each person will have their own opinion and feeling and by no means is anyone's invalid. For me personally, I grew up fishing a spinning rod from 2 years old to around 11 or 12 I believe. For some baits, I am just more comfortable and have more confidence working certain baits on a spinning rod. Dartheads, nail weighted or wacky senkos, shakeyheads, dropshot even light jigs. I like the feel of these baits and have more confidence getting bit on a spinning rod with them. The other thing I will let dictate my choices are line size and cover. My line size is based on cover I'm fishing around so I will change accordingly. I am a big fan of straight fluorocarbon on basically any bait that I let sink at any point. For me, I am not a fan of the braid to fluoro for any sinking bait, and the problem I run into personally is line over 10 lb test on a spinning rod just doesn't manage well for me. This leads me to throw certain baits like heavy dropshot and wacky or weightless senkos on a baitcaster and usually 14-16 lb test. For me it just comes down to what is comfortable, what I have confidence in and the conditions I am fishing for that moment or day. Personally on some lakes, I just plain couldn't stand to fish without a spinning rod or 2 or 3 haha. On others, I doubt I would ever miss it much. It all just depends. Do what you are comfortable and have confidence in!

I'm a full grip fan myslef Enjoy the rod either way! Can't go wrong!

I know a lot of people really don't like using a longer rod for squarebills. I know it can be done with a longer rod, it's all about what you are used to. I have a friend who uses the 805cbrm for all of his crankbaits, deepdivers to squarebills and does quite well with it. If I were going just one rod for both of the baits I would go for the longer of the two. Just personal preference.

The 734c is my personal favorite for all around use. It would be my number one choice for what you're describing as well. If you're wanting to stick with a 7 footer there's nothing wrong with that. The way I always do things is I do go UP in power rather than down, I always want to have more rod for when I hook a fish, rather than less rod for casting. I think you can adjust casting a little bit better than trying to put a fish in the boat with a slightly underpowered rod. Just my opinion and the way I like to do things. Now if you are fishing around zero cover and open water, lighter rod is just fine! Hope this helped rather than confused you haha. Either way enjoy the rod you choose, hope you catch some big ones on it and have fun!

736c Dobyns, take a look in my photos if you'd like and you will see some fish caught on the rod from both heavy cover and open water. The rod has the definite power to put fish in the boat out of heavy cover, yet still gives you plenty of tip to make properly placed casts and a soft entry. Let me know if you have any specific questions on the rod. I'm sure you've heard enough about balance and all that good stuff which there is a reason everyone tells you that and it's not because they're "paid" to tell you. Whichever you feel may be best I hope you enjoy the rod!

I don't believe in a reel that's made being too fast for frog fishing. I'm yet to feel a high speed reel that has no power or lacks power, I think that may be something that has changed with recent technology as far as what we actually feel or what a reel does when actually performing. I know reels are still labeled as "high power" with low gear ratios, but I am just on the side that says a reel doesn't really lock up or lack power anymore just because it's higher gearing. Just personal opinion and personal "feel".

As far as their cranks go, I really like the shallower running baits. The BDS series in all sizes are good. The KVD cranks are a good buy for the money as well, just don't have as much confidence in some of their colors.

Really good point if you can wait it out! I've never OWNED a zillion... I have used one quite a bit and they are a quality reel that will LAST. You have some good ideas right now, just wanna say whichever you choose I truly believe you'll be happy fishing any of them!