Dan-K

Is flourocarbon line acceptable for use with jerkbaits? I have a 6'6" medium BPS pro finesse rod paired with a curado 201e7 that I throw wieghtless plastics and jerkbaits on. I want to spool some trilene 100% flouro on it for reduced visibility and increased sensitivity, but I don't know if it is a good idea for the jerkbaits being a sinking line.

I will start this out by advising I am somewhat new to bass fishing. I live on a river which is a great spotted bass fishery and I fish it about three times a week. This is my first winter living here so it is also my first winter spent seriously fishing for bass. Since about the first of december the bite has slowed to a crawl. The water surface temp has been about 46 and the water flow has fluctuated severely off and on. The past month or so the current has remained pretty consistent. Yesterday an experienced freind and I launched my Jon boat and fished some gravel pits. We fished sloooowww for most of the day, senkos, drop shot, jigs, etc. Our main problem seemed to be that the fish were holding tight to what cover this area has, hydrilla. I decided to tie on a white spinner bait with Colorado blades and slow roll it on top of the hydrilla. This produced no strikes. After thinking a bit, I decided to tie on a craw colored crank bait, thinking if the spots have been feeding on craws they will associate with the color but the crank bait would entice a reaction strike. Third cast into a likely spot and BAM - fish on! What I landed was a 3.5# spot! A personal best for me from the river. It just goes to show ya, sometimes you have to think outside of the box.

Don't overlook Dobyns champion series rods. I spent over thirty minute at the tackle shop the other day comparing the champion to the IMX. The champion felt better, lighter, more balanced/ergonomic, and more sensative than the IMX. It also looked better and was cheaper. So far I have no regrets going with the Dobyns. Get to a shop that has both and do your own comparison.

I forgot to update my earlier posts; the gentleman selling the loomis had a large collection of them for sale as he is building an arsenal of customs. At the time of the original post he thought he had a 843. After checking what was left he realized it was a 783.

Well I ended up buying the GL3 MBR783C which was in like new condition for $115. I also went to a tackle shop two towns over and was introduced to dobyns rods (until then I had only read about them on the web). I intended to walk out with an MBR843C IMX, but after comparing the dobyns champion to he IMX, the champ was lighter, more sensative, looked nicer and $40 cheaper! I walked out with the dobyns champion 703c. I hope I made the right choice!

Please excuse my ignorance, but why the XF? what advantages or disadvantages does it have over a fast for plastics? I'm not questioning your advice, I have simply never fished with an XF rod and would like details so I understand before I make a purchase.

I was reluctant to make the switch at first also, but having the rod in my strong hand and not switching hands after a cast was worth making myself get used to it.

Thanks a lot for the advice. I can't wait to get out and try this pond again. An advantage I will have this time over the other times I have fished it is electronics. I will have to play with the sensitivety of my fish finder so it senses the bottom and not the hydrilla. Thanks again.

I forgot to stress this.... Keep in mind the Loomis is half price at $115! I can also save money on the Cumara by going through eBay stores, the 6'8" goes for $199 shipped.

Thanks for all of the input and advice. I am now considering buying both if I can swing it. The MBR843C for most of my light to moderate cover jig fishing as well as C-rigs. The Cumara for most other bottom plastics. My question now is do I get the Cumara in 6'8" M/F, M/XF, MH/F, or MH/XF? I want a well rounded arsenal so this rod would basically need to fill the gap between the Loomis and a spinning outfit where plastics are concerned.

I occasionally fish three gravel pits in my "home river" for Spotted Bass and LMB's. The middle gravel pit or pond is tough to fish for me. It appears to be a consistent depth of about 10-12 feet, 200 x 500 yards or so, and has HEAVY hydrilla throughout. The main bass species in this river are spots but there are the occasional LMB's. The water is very clear and I fish it from a jon boat. This pond gets pressure from the very seldom boat angler and bank anglers (AKA trespassers) typically with live bait/stink baits. This river is also home to blue gills, catfish, carp, and a small amount of shad. It is difficult for me to isolate the most likely fish holding places because of the abundance of cover and lack of significant structure. Any advice is welcome, thank you.

Thanks for the input guys, and merry Christmas!

I'm in the market for a new worm/light jig rod. I had my eye on a Shimano Cumara MH/f, but I found a used mbr843 in gl3 for $115. I don't want to waste money on this purchase and I'm looking for a rod that I won't have to upgrade later down the road. I know they are both great rods and the Cumara is better than the gl3 but factoring the initial price difference I can't decide. Thanks in advance for your advice and input.