Craiger12

Thanks for all the tips guys. I picked up some bearing grease so hopefully I will get to work on these bearings this weekend. Hope I don't come back with more questions...

I just spent some time using the old Google machine and found a lot of good info. I suppose I should have done that prior to asking :-[

From what I can recall, having not looked at the trailer for a few months, I don't think I have anything like that. How would you recommend packing and greasing the bearings? I wouldn't even know where to begin.

What do I need to check/do and how do I go about doing it? Got my first boat this past season and the trailer held up just fine all summer/fall without any work, but I want to make sure I'm good to go for the start of this season. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe one of the advantages to fluoro is that it does not degrade when exposed to UV light, like regular nylon mono does.

Go with the 4 power for what you described. I would also recommend the 734C over the 704C to move more line and have better control over the bait.

I love mine on all my Dobyns Champions and Champ Extremes.

Nope. Diameter is what matters. At least when comparing line of similar materials (i.e. copoly to copoly or braid to braid).

I believe the Jr. is advertised as 3/8oz, but I haven't weighed it to verify.

I think this is a great move. Aside from those on the west coast, many guys don't get the chance to see/feel these rods before they purchase. I think they will become much more popular now, especially if other retailers like Bass Pro do the same.

True, but it won't fit my hand like a Zillion

Just read your original post again. the Zillion will run you more than $200 new, but you can easily find one lightly used for around $175 - $185 if you look.

Another vote for the Dobyns 736C. But I prefer Daiwa, so I would put a Zillion on it. The Zillion is an excellent powerful reel that is built like a tank and handles heavier baits very well.

I believe dodgeguy was referring to Fireline Braid, not the original Fireline.

Same reel as far as I know.

I love my Costas. They are the 580s in Green Mirror.

You are exactly right. Basically what this means is you can compare 6lb 100% to any other brands 8lb. If there are any doubts that 100% is the best, just ask the Elite series guys, and the FLW Tour guys, 100% is the most used line at the highest level, meaning they trust it to make their living. At the FLW CUp this past year atleast 4 of the top 6 were using 100%, including Larry Nixon who was throwing braid/fluoro combo I believe. I wonder how many of those top 4 anglers were sponsored by Berkley.

Agreed. I thought the "less stretch with flouro" myth had been put to rest, but it appears there are many people who still think this way.

I have never fished or held the DX795, but I have read a lot about it. I know that many actually like to punch with the DX795, especially when using braid because the action is more moderate than the flipping/punching rods in the Champion series. They also enjoy the increased sensitivity of the DX over the Champion series. From what I gather, it has more power than the 765FLIP as well, although they are both rated as 5 power rods. Hope that helps a little.

I have held the Powell 804CB and it feels like a very powerful rod, maybe even more powerful than my Dobyns 805CB. I imagine the 806CB is very stout. Another note about the 804CB is that the actually feels faster to me than any other crankbait rod I have ever held or fished. If it did not say moderate-fast on the blank, I would think it was a true fast action rod.

If there are any differences in casting between the two, I have not noticed. I do use my Zillions for throwing heavier baits, but as long as you won't be consistently going under 3/8oz (as I can't speak for these weights) I don't think you will notice much difference, if any.

No significant performance advantages as far as I can tell. However, if you are going to be putting that Zillion on a Dobyns Champion then the choice is quite simple.

Where do you fish the 6" Hudd? What depth and around what structure/cover?

Try some P-line CXX. It coils a bit more, but I don't find this to be an issue at all on casting gear and its abrasion resistance and strength is unmatched. It's also cheap, so if you don't like it you're only out ~$10.

A lot of good information here. Personally, I would go with a 7'3"+ heavy power fast action rod and a high speed reel, 6:1 will work but I prefer 7:1 for all the reasons already mentioned. My jig rod is a 7'4" heavy power fast action rod with a 7.3:1 reel, and I think I will actually be upgrading to a 7'8" rod for next season. Braid will certainly increase sensitivity and help detect strikes when jig fishing. I have used braid for all bottom contact baits to this point. However, this spring I will be trying some fluoro to see how I like it, and to see if my strike rate increases at all. Good luck in your search for a solid jig combo. My biggest piece of advice is get the best that you (or someone else) can afford - you won't regret it.