DINK WHISPERER

My experience with the Crystal was a bad one! It was about the worse line i ever tried! The main problem, besides digging was strength. It would snap on hook sets sometimes just fishing light grass cover! The new FireLine Braid however is amazing!

That is exactly what everyone told me cart! The thing is that i use Gamakatsu SuperLine hooks and if i don't set the hook pretty hard they don't penetrate the fishes mouth! I lost many fish this way when i first switched to braid trying to not set too hard! Do you think it would be best to keep the rod and loosen the drag or get a rod with more give in the tip?

I will throw whatever i think/know is working! losing lures is no big deal to me if i am catching fish! It's just the nature of the beast!!!

I was just about to suggest that, LOL!

How about a Powell 702C? Costs way less than the Dobyns and is every bit as good(if not better)! Just a though for you.

It is a fact that after time they can cause damage to lower quality guides. I make sure that all rods that i use braid on have at least Fuji Alconites on them. Just to be on the safe side!

That is RIDICULOUS imo! I would never pay that much for 6 hooks!

If it is heavy cover i would throw straight braid. If it is more scattered than 20lb fluorocarbon will do just fine.

I don't use any rods under 7' except my top water rod. I am 6' 2" tall so longer rods feel better to me!

If you can swing it, i would recommend a St. Croix Mojo rod. The 7' MH/F specifically. It is a very nice rod for plastics and very versatile for other lures as well!

I have a vengeance 7' MH and it is actually a very nice rod. I keep it in my truck as a all purpose set up. Or if i feel like stopping at a pond once in a while on the way home, LOL!

The specs on that TD reel don't look robust at all man! Do you have any issues with the 8.8lbs of drag when hauling em in?

I know those Calcuttas are bullet proof Catt! I may either try a rod with more give in the tip or a round reel. I cant afford to break anymore reels right now!!!

I think the noise made by braid is the sweeetest thing! The hook set is the best though! ;D

I hate to say this, but the reel maybe your issue. I seriously doubt it man! I have been using all Revos for a long time and none have EVER failed me in any way! Until i put one on this rod that is. As a matter of fact, both SXs that broke where new. First and second time using them!!!!! >

So do you guys think the rod power/action was the reason for the reels breaking? Is it possible to move big fish in matted vegetation with a slower tip rod?

Junebug Chartreuse pepper Watermelon/red flake all in that order!

I use a Shimano Crucial 7ft MH/F and a Revo S spooled with 17lb mono

IMO, it depends on what you are using it for. If you will mainly fish contact lures such as jigs, t-rigs etc where sensitivity is a must, than you really do want the best rod you can afford.

When choosing a flippin stick in say, 7' 6" length what tip action do you prefer? For pads and slop which is better, a soft tip or a very stiff tip? Assuming it is being used in conjunction with 65lb braid and a Revo with 24lb drag. Some say you cannot move a big fish in cover with a softer tip. Some say too stiff of a tip will rip hooks out and break rods/reels. Well i ask because i had the breakage issue recently. I was using a XH/XF flippin' stick with no flex in the tip and a Revo SX with 65lb braid. I broke the anti reverse in the reel on a hook set. The drag was not locked but very tight. I was told that it was due to the rod having no give in the tip and the reels drag not giving either! I put a spare SX on only to repeat the process!!!!

If you will be flippin more than i would recommend a Powell 765C or 766H. If you will be pitchin more than i would say a Powell 705C or a Kistler Argon 7' 1" rod. The reel would be a Revo STX for either one.

Here in FL the lakes i fish are slowly getting worse no matter what time you go! It is hot as hell even at 5am when i get there! I find the fish already buried in cover even before the first signs of light! Fish any weed lines, pad fields etc with spinnerbaits or Rat-L-Traps in the morning and hit em with a jig or T-rig later in the day. BEST OF LUCK

I bought a Kistler Argon 7' 1" from a BR member in like new condition for $130 shipped! Than i cleaned Wal-Mart out when they put the Rage Tail toads on sale for $3 a pack!!!! I bought 22 packs(all they had) than when they re-stocked i got 15 more!!!

That is how i way em too. Just be careful with the gill plates.

Asking what he meant is getting bent out of shape to you? There was another member who also quoted shawnmc about his post so why don't you ask him? What i said to you was because of the way you used the word.