ib_of_the_damned

Thanks for the suggestions, I am actually on a budget (as with most of us...) and I don't want to be spending a bunch of money on a rod that I will not be using heavily. I am about in the range of 50-80, I have also looked at the Powell Diesel 7'6" MH 1/4-1 1/2oz. on TW and that rod looks pretty promising too. I would rather go cheaper with the Vengeance, but if it is a POS then I'll shell out the extra $20 and get a Diesel. Would the Vengeance or Diesel be able to handle a 6" Weedless Huddleston ROF5? I am actually looking for a rod within by budget that is not a swimbait stick (already have a decent one) that can toss frogs, jigs, and light swimbaits. Thanks again!

I'm interested in an Abu Garcia Vengeance 7'6" Heavy. Have anyone had any experience with this model? Also I wanted to use it as a frog rod, pitching rod, and light swimbait rod. Would it be able to handle a 6" Weedless Hudd ROF5? Thanks in advance!

The F'n Jig

Couldn't help myself... The "Magic Mike" LOL!!!

The Sickle Jig The Double Wide Jig The Jig-Sticker The Lip-Stick Jig Darth Invader That's all I can come up with for now... Maybe I can come up with some more later.

Two words, MEND-IT... This stuff has saved me tons of money on soft swimbaits and repairing soft plastics. For the paddle tail hollow bodies I would take a knife or pair of scissors and cut the head vertically just past the tear and then use the MEND-IT to glue the cut together again. And then put another dab of MEND-IT over the seam you just made.

I have a Shimano Convergence Crankbait rod that I use and I like it, I paid around $60-70 for it. It has a nice parabolic bend and Moderate Fast taper to it. If you are looking for a good starter rod I would look into that model.

Can't really comment about a two piece rod, Im looking to put together a travel set as well... A spinning and a casting rod. I have owned cheap shakespear's and shimanos but was never satisfied. The Voltaeus line seems heavy and too whippy at the tip (I own a spinning and casting version, both medium). I was looking at the Berkley Amp series of rods in casting and spinning, have not really heard too many bad things about them and they are relatively inexpensive as well( if they get messed up during travel I wont be upset). As far as a good travel bag, I think this would suit your needs( I want one for myself and am very particular about bags): http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=429417&pdesc=Xscape_Designs_Fishing_Rod/Reel_Travel_Bag&aID=504T5&merchID=4006 Not a bad price and they can fit up to a 7' two piece rod and store some tackle.

Has anyone had any experience with either of these crankbait rods?

What about those replacement folding chair endcaps and washers, or walking cane tips? Haven't done it but seems like a quick and easy way to balance a rod without the use of glue.

Have any of you put suspendots on a big swimbait like a SPRO BBZ-1 Floater or any other floating swimbait 8" or larger to get it to suspend or become a slow sink? And does this affect the action of the swimbait? Last, do any of you know how much a suspendot weighs per dot? Thanks!

I decided to go with the 7'2" M/XF Clarus Drop Shot so I can save some money and use it towards some better fluorocarbon or lures. I took the rod out today and fished it for a couple hours, I have to say I am very satisfied with this rod. It is lighter and more sensitive than the 7' M/F Vendetta that I have been using, which I will now use for senkos, wacky rigs, and flick shakin. Thank you all for the input and and let me know if you guys concur with my decision!

Also if I went with the Shimano Crucial drop shot, the ML/XF seems like it is a little weak for my purposes, I know that everyone recommends a ML/XF but that rod is only rated to 1/4oz. I use weights that are 3/16-1/4 for casting distance and feeling the bottom. Should I just move up to the M/XF and feel better about the strength and longevity of the rod?

I was gonna order from TW and they dont have it in stock, the quoted time is 3/06(whatever that means) I am considering it, but I want a rod asap. I am returning a Phenix Recon that was supposed to be ML/F but turned out to be a L and it whas too whippy in the tip for my liking. I do not know if the Medium model of that same rod would feel the same...

I hear what you all are saying about the drop shot specific rods. I think I may have narrowed down what I am interested in... First choice is the Daiwa Ballistic Spinning 7'2" ML/F ( I love the look of it and the power and action suit my needs) The others are: Dobyns Savvy Micro 7' ML (Not a fan of cork) Powell Max 702MLEF (Not a fan of cork) What do you guys think or suggest?

Out of curiosity, why would a XF taper work better than a F taper? Wouldn't you want a little bit of give in the tip so the bass can inhale the bait without feeling any resistance?

What is the general consensus about the rod power and action? I have been using a 7' M/F Vendetta and looking to purchase a drop shot specific rod. I have looked at the Daiwa Ballistic 7'2" ML/F, it looks pretty promising. I just purchased a Phenix Recon 6'9" "ML/F" (turned out to be a L/F) and it is way to whippy and soft for my liking, I will be returning or exchanging it. I want sensitivity for feeling the bottom and for those light bites. $160 is the most I am willing to spend. I do not like white, green, orange, blue, or yellow rods. Thanks!

I am intrigued by the Sebile Flatt Shad Snagless concept, and would like to modify a lipless crank to do the same thing without the 15 dollar price tag. In your experience which cranks will sit upright or on their nose when at rest on the bottom? Thanks!

Does anyone know how/where to get a whole new swept reel handle set for a Daiwa Exceler BC? The reel nut plate on mine broke and I know that it will happen again if I get another one. I was thinking of just purchasing the handle, nut, and nut plate from an Advantage, Aggrest, or Laguna. If any of you have any idea how to go about this for the least amount of money possible, that would be greatly appreciated. My reel is a Left Hand retrieve by the way. Thanks!

The Daiwa Ballistic Crankin rod is a 7'2" MH/Reaction 1/4-1oz. I think that would cover all my bases with cranks and treble hooked lures except for lipless cranks(I have a M/F for that). Out of all the rods that I have looked at this model seems to fit the bill that most have suggested, I just haven't heard any reviews about this rod yet. But keep the suggestions coming, I'm still shopping around and open to your thoughts! Thanks!

Thanks for the suggestions so far! I just looked at the Daiwa Ballistic Crankin rod online and it looks pretty promising. I like the idea of using an existing reel that I have and spending more on a better quality rod. Has anyone had any experience with the new Daiwa Ballistic Crankin rod? Also with the money I will be saving on not buying another reel, I was thinking about picking up another spinning rod as well. I was looking at the Daiwa Ballistic spinning as well the 7'2" ML/F for light shakey head and drop shotting. I already have a M/F Vendetta that I use for that purpose, but looking for something more sensitive and can use lighter weights. What do you guys think about these rods in particular? By the way, I am still interested in all of your suggestions on the crankin setup.

Hey everyone! Its been a while since I have posted and wanted to get back in the loop... I have come into some Christmas money and would like to spend SOME of it on a new crankin rig. I'm limiting myself to about $200-250, for a rod, reel, and line. For the rods, I have narrowed down the options to three that will fit my price range: Shimano Convergence- 7' M/MF- $69.99 Abu Garcia Vengeance- 7' M/MF- $49.99 Falcon Bucoo- 7' M/MF- $99.99-109.99 For the reel: Shimano Citica 201E or G- E $99.99 G $129.99 Abu Garcia Revo S LH- $99.99 Abu Garcia Orra SX LH- $89.99-99.99 * I have a Revo SX (late model) laying around that might work as well, but I would like a brand new setup... d**n Bait Monkey... Lines: I'm open to suggestion, I have YZ Hybrid in 8lb and 10lb already. Are there any other lines that are strong and durable? I have been using braid lately because I fish from the shore and like the fact that I can bend out hooks to get my lure back... Thank you all for the help in advance and look forward to all of your suggestions! Disclaimer: I do not like orange, white, blue, yellow or green rods. I also do not like blue, gold or green reels either. So if you guys suggest something other than what is on the list, please keep the colors in mind. Thanks!

I understand what all of you are saying, and I really take your advice to heart. I may have figured out what I am looking for, I retract what I have stated before about throwing rip/jerkbaits, traps, and the Giron with this rod. I will use my MH/F Vendetta for the Giron and my M/F Vendetta for the traps. So with those lures out of the equation, I will be throwing lipped cranks in the 3/16-1/2oz range, mainly in the 1/4oz range. I throw a lot of shallow divers and squarebills because the lake I fish is pretty shallow. As far as a particular rod that I have been looking at, it is a 7' M/MF Abu Garcia Vengeance(New for 2012). And for reel, I was thinking of picking up a Citica. I'm on a budget and I'm pretty sure I can swing that combo. What do you guys think of the choice I made?

Thanks for all the help so far everyone! Let me elaborate a little bit more on what I am looking for. A MH/MF seems a little stout to me. I was thinking M/MF because I will be throwing baits in the 3/16oz-3/4oz range. Mainly shallow to medium cranks, traps, rip/jerkbaits, and the occasional Jackall Giron. I was thinking also in the range of 6'6"-7' for the length. I'm open to either a MH/MF or M/MF depending on whether or not it will satisfy the specs that I have provided. Any further advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

I am interested in picking up a crankbait rod to widen my arsenal. Currently, I'm using a 6'6" M/F Vendetta and it does the job. I guess what I am trying to ask is there a need to get a crankbait rod if what I have works? I have read that the parabolic bend of a crankbait rod helps to keep the fish on, and with the casting distance of lighter baits. But would a true crankbait rod work for all "crankbaits", ( I use this term loosely to define lipped cranks, lipless traps, and ripbaits)? Thanks for any and all advice/answers in advance.