Northern Strain

I think the CU51e would work very well on your 7' M rod for lighter t-rigs. As for the Revo S I have no experience with at all. I think floro would be the best line for that set up, but I would go less than 20#. I would use 10# or 12#, I would use 10# here in Indiana, but I know in Texas you guys handle some big fish. By the way if you are bored Moonshiners is on Discovery Chanel tonight at 10pm eastern. In my opinion it is the most interesting show on TV.

That was my first casting rod! It was pretty well balanced, had nice Fuji components, and did the job for me. I still use it from time to time as a back up rod, or it is lent to who ever fishes with me. I didn't think anyone around here had one! cool to see someone else thought they weren't half bad!

Me too... As I said casting rod gives you more lift. It also helps that a baitcasting reel gives some power to winch a fish out, the reel plays some role in getting that fish out of cover, but yes the rod is more important.

I know the previous focus had been on baitcaster vs. spinning gear for crankbaits, However I think that a baitcaster out performs spinning gear in heavy cover especially when fishing plastics, jigs, and frogs. This is because a baitcasting reel is built like a winch and can easily crank fish out of thick cover. I also think that it is easier to make a precise cast into cover with a baitcaster than with a spinning reel. Also a casting rod, having its guides on top of the rod gives you a lot more lift power to pull that fish out of cover because the entire spine of the rod is doing the lifting rather than individual guides. I completely agree that spinning gear can perform the same tasks as casting gear, however there are definitely times when casting gear outperforms spinning gear and vise verse there are times spinning gear outperforms casting gear. Both have their time and place. I will admit for the casual fisherman who fishes once a month in the spring and summer, spinning gear is probably the most versatile option.

I think in bass fishing, especially after you get some experience, to continue to improve and be successful you must be able to adapt. By this I mean you need to be open to change, whether that is learning a new technique, throwing a different lure, or even using the right rod and reel for the given situation. It is important in bass fishing that you don't just fish with what you are comfortable or what worked yesterday or last month or last year, because the fish are always changing. To be the best bass fisherman you can be you will want to be willing to change with the bass and keep an open mind every day on the water. This post has gotten a little of topic, but what I am trying to say is don't just limit your self to spinning gear, maybe you never do pick up a baitcaster, but at least keep an open mind about it because it is a very handy tool. (Only using spinning gear is like trying to fix a car with only a wrench.)

x2, However in Bass fishing simply limiting yourself to spinning gear, and rejecting casting gear all together, is like living without electricity, people don't have to have it, but it makes life so much easier. With casting gear, you can fish forever without it, but a good baitcaster sure makes many fishing techniques much easier and effective.

Thanks guys!

Here is a picture that I think should help decide this for sure. I am thinking it is an Aluminum Oxide guide.

Yeah i was trying to figure out if they were ceramic, they are a different color than my other guides, they are greyish brown while all my other rods with ceramic guides have black inserts. I am pretty sure they are Fuji new concept though.

I have a Falcon Lowrider from around 1996. I just put Power Pro on it today, and then got to thinking that the guides may not be suited for braid. Will braid damage the guides on this rod?

Merry Christmas! :reindeer: :reindeer:

right before you set the hook you reel down bro, sometimes the line is a little slack... Honestly I just mentioned it in my last post because if i said "I don't know why you would ever have slack line while fishing a jig" someone would inevitably find something wrong with it like the fact that you lower you rod tip and reel in the SLACK line before you set the hook. I was just trying to avoid someone doing what you just did.

Baitcaster... maybe it is time to learn

x2 I don't understand why any one would have slack line while fishing a jig unless they are about to set the hook.

Sensitivity and visibility the two most important factors to jig fishing... gotta use braid

Not to change the topic, but I have noticed companies promoting their "special" resins, what the heck is it and how does it affect the sensitivity of the rod?

Keep the braid bro it works best for most jig applications. That rod and reel should work well also.

Just got mine today, haven't been able to use it, and I don't know when I will since it is cold and getting colder... but it is an awesome rod.

Thanks, I went with the crucial...

I have a Curado 200e that I need to get a new rod for. What are opinions on either a Crucial or Dobyns Savvy. Planning to use the rod for bottom contact lures.

Before posting this thread I was split between a Dobyns Savvy and One of the Powels, I guess I need to look at the Duckets too!

I have $150 to spend (could spend $170 if necesary) on a rod for fishing texas rigged plastics, I am overwhelmed with all the options and I don't know what to buy. I am currious to see what others think is the best deal out there. -Jack

Right now I am using a Falcon Lowrider for tubes.I can find nothing wron with this rod. Sensitivity is better than I expected. Falcon has a shakey head jig model that would fit what you are looking for, however it is $10 more than you wanted to spend though. The LFS-5-167 LR Bass Spin is another Lowrider option that you may want to check out as well for $139, maybe a little short though. Here is a link to all the Lowriders: http://falconrods.com/index.php/rods-reels/rods/lowrider/lowrider-spinning.html?SID=34b94faf90e6c4fd965da47b9f2e6aab

Last week I was fishing and snagged a line, it felt like a fish for a second too. I managed to get the old line and my line free, when I reeled it in it had just head of a smallmouth with a rotting tube in its mouth. It appeared that somone hooked a smallie and it wrapped up in somthing and who ever was fishing broke it off. Geuss that fish never unrapped untill i snagged the line.

Two or three years ago I caught a 5 inch smallmouth on an Excalibur lipless crank. I couldnt get a good grip on the little fish so i grabbed the lure, and as I did that the fish shook and wiggled all over the place. the hook flipped up and caught me at the base of my thumb and went all the way in up to the hook bend. It didn't hurt to bad going in, but after messing with it for about 15 minutes I decided it would be easiest to go have a doctor give me a shot of novicane and pull it out. I still remeber walking into the imediate care center and the lady at the front desk asked what my problem was, I held up my hand with the whole lipless crank hanging from my thumb and she kinda smirked. I ended up putting new hooks on the lure and fishing it until i finally hung it up pretty bad and broke it off.