scbassin

I almost did not bother to answer this, in fact I saw it late yesterday. Bearbassman I doubt you will figure out the best one. everyone that answers will choose the one they like best. Now I will tell you which one is the best!! It's a Dobyns Champion Extreme HP DX 743C F/H. Now if you believe this I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I need to sell, putting the kidding aside. I have no idea which is the best but above rod is my favorite. The sensitivity on this rod is outstanding. It's rated as a M/H which many people say that Dobyns Rods are over rated. I am not in that boat. When I compare the build against other rod brands I am not so sure. I have been bass fishing for 50+ years but have been a fisherman for 75+ years. I have only used 5 different brands While bass fishing. I have had the above rod a few months & the best L/M on it so far is a 8+ on a watermelon red senko. I absolutely had no problem hooking or landing that fish. So that is my choice.

I only carry 3701's in the boat now. With crankbaits I don't have the tangle mess anymore, I have plenty of plastic worms, creatures, etc. which I can replenish easily as needed. I use Cooks hangers & double sided tape to hold them under the compartment lids. On them I hang all my single hook style baits ( spinnerbaits, buzzbaits , jigs, etc). Hooks, Weights & all other terminal tackle I use also goes into 2 of these boxes. It lets me carry a better assortment of baits & colors.

Put U-40 sealer on the cork to see if that helps.

Catt: I am surprised you did not tell your wife the truth. That you needed all that gear so you could catch Moby Dick's Mom.?

Staying under $200. T/W is having a sale on Dobyns Rods in 4 days. If the Champion XP DC610 4C ( I have this rod & have not used it much for skipping for I suck at that. I have used it about everything else but Crankbaits.) It's a excellent rod. If it goes on sale I'll be getting another one. In your case If it's not on sale look at the Sierra line, The SA 684C . I have 2 of these & they are always on deck. I have 15 Dobyns Rods & the one I like the most is the XP DC 610 4C. I like the length, balance, power is great. It is also very versatile. Good luck with your choice, I hope this helps.

I have that same reel except in the left handed version I bought mine from Asian Portal Fishing in Japan. There was no shipping charges or tax & it was in my hands in 4 days.. I have received reels from them in 3 days. They are excellent to do business with. To answer your Question, YES!!!

This is what use https://shop.northlandtackle.com/bagley-bait-co/. Go to the Wake Bait. I probley have a dozen of them. They work just fine.

It depends on the time of year.

What fishing dad said.

I have owned Ranger since 1974 & now in a Z21. Ranger Boats are heavier then most bass boats of the same size. With out a doubt I would put the 75 HP with trim & tilt & a S/S prop on it. This will give a much better hole shot & be able to lift the bow back to about the console so the front is skimming the water instead of plowing thru it. It will get you better fuel economy plus help keep you dry in a chop at about 3/4 throttle. If a squall comes up that extra H/P & trim will help you get to a safe place.

If you are looking to cast those light baits for pan fish, I would get a spinning rod & a 2000 size spinning reel. I use spinning gear with line up to 10 lb. test. At that point I am using a little heavier baits & can get away with casting gear.

I only will buy a rod with a full cork handle which gives me a better range on what reel I can use. I have 80+ reels all of them are Shimano's except for 5 ABU Ambassadeur 5001 C which were made in Sweden. I crank left handed & these were the 1st. ones that came out. This was back in the early 70's. In the late 70's Shimano came out with the Bantam Magnumlite GT Plus. Left handed is 2001 GT Plus. The balance is also excellent depending your reel. I guess the sweet spot is between 7 & 8 oz.. I have used everything from a Scorpion 1001 mg to a Antaras DC-7 without a problem. As far as what I have used in the past I have tried everything but if pressed I would it's a toss up between Shikari & G loomis. I hope this helps. Try one & you will leave home without it.

I have 2 of the Dobyns Champion Extreme HP DX 743 C FH. The lure wt. is 1/4 to 3/4 oz but I have no problem casting a 3/16 oz bait. The sensitivity is excellent. in fact it's so good I am going to get the 744C or the 745C next. I have not made up my mind yet. I do not have any St.Croix to compare them to, but after using these rods I will not buy any other brand.

It's not so much as the size of the frog. It's more about the thickness of the cover. A 4 power rod would be fine in open water or light cover. I use a 5 or 6 power for frog fishing. I have a five power & two 6 power rods on my deck while fishing all the time. The 5 power has a toad rigged always & the two 6 powers have a different style of a hollow body frog tied on. I use the 4 power for bottom baits, spinnerbaits, small swimbaits. The rods I am using for the above presentations are all Dobyns Rods

Catt I am older than you & I also remember what I had for breakfast every day for the last 3 years. a big bowl of Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries & Cheerios. My problem is some mornings I have to check my I. D. card to find out who I am.?

Catt, the big question is at your age do you remember what you had for breakfast yesterday morning??

It depends on the weather & where you live. When the water starts to warm into the 50 degree range & there is some forage around they will start coming in to get ready to spawn.

I have the DC 610 4C. I bought to skip under docks but I tried fishing other methods. I had such good success with it I sent Dobyns Rods an e-mail telling them about it. I received a reply that they have had much imput on how versatile this rod is.. In my opinion this is the rod you are looking for.

I would not put any value on that motor only the boat & trailer. That way it quits It will not hurt when you have to repower it. When it does I would put the rated horsepower back on it. If it was me I would not mess with it.

Waymont hit the nail on the head.

JB, Wow down here being a CLEMSON fan you do not need something to do during football season. They are away this week so I'll be able to sneak away for a couple of hours to try my new reel out. Must be back in time for the Brats & Brews around the campfire later. I hope I don't get caught cause lord knows what they will do. Might even make me a Sooners fan. LOL

The reel is a Shimano SLX mgl 71, gear ratio is 6.3.1. I am spooling it with 13 lb Sunline Shooter Defier Nylon Monofilament. It is going on a Dobyns rod, Champion XP DC 764 CB RM/FH. I am going to use it for fishing on the flats using topwater,wake, squarebill, & lipless baits. I'll find out in the morning how it works out.

I ordered another reel from Asian Portal thru Pay Pal on 11/16 2020. The money was posted at 0952 the same morning. I was called from my office this morning (11/19 2020) at 0930 to tell me that it was delivered. That was from Japan to Goose Creek South Carolina in 3 days. Plus that was with free shipping. I'll be fishing with it tomorrow.

Hewhospesksmuch, that is excellent advice!!

The Dobyns rods I am using are a Heavy Ex-fast action with a full cork handle. These rods will get the job done. I have Shimano Speedmaster reels with 50lb Sunline FX2 spooled on them. If I get a good hook set they are coming to get put on the scale & put back, no matter how thick the cover. See my post above.