scbassin

Both reels have the same DC version the I DC 4. So as I said Above I would go with the SLX DC.

The dealer installed them when I bought it.

I have a 08 ranger Z-21 with the Loc R Bar on the front & back

I do not have either reel. But after looking into them I would go with the SLX DC. My reason to is It has brass gears & is cheaper. Also the reviews were very good. That is my take & I hope is helpful.

I agree with jbrew, I have never had a problem with another site or tackle warehouse.

I can't help you with the 1st. part question as I don't use St. Croix rods. For a frog rod I use a Dobyns Champion XP DC 736C FH. It's a 6 power rod & will get them out of the cover.

I do not have the rod in question but have this rod, Dobyns Champion XP Full Cast Rod 6'10" Hvy Dock Skip. I have had it for a few months now. The length is no problem the taper on this rod is perfect. The biggest L/M I have caught from under a dock is 7lb 3 oz. I have used this rod for several different baits also including frogs but not in real heavy cover, I prefer a 6 power for that. My point is that the length of this rod works. It's probley a 4 1/2 power. Check T/W & get the spec'c & compare them to the Curado. I hope this helps y'all

Well Said Tom!

Rangerjockey what do you think the big differences are?

Log Catcher I also think you might have gotten a bad spool. i have used 12# Abrazx for bottom fishing for several years & never had a issue.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Bagley_Balsa_B_Squarebill_Crankbait/descpage-BAGBB.html Check all the different Bagley Balsa baits.

I have a couple of Curado Bantam's. Cu 201 B38 (the Greenies). They are excellent for deep cranking. I had them super tuned, upgraded spool bearings, & upgraded the drag. They are a pleasure to use.

Gary Dobyns has developed a rod designed for skipping. It's a Champion XP DC 610 4C. I have one with a Scorpion DC on it. I am not the best at skipping but the more I have practiced with it the better I have got with it. I also use it for Texas rigged baits & will say that this is at least a 4 power plus rod.

You Can get the USD version of those reels. I went with the Scorpion DC over the Curado DC because The Scorpion DC has the IDC5 instead of the IDC4. That reel would be fine on any of the 3 rods I put in my 1st. reply. It just depends on what rod length your looking for. That Dobyns Champion XP DC 610 4C FH has not been out very long I not even sure if it's on there web site yet. It is on Tackle Warehouse though. The more I use that rod the better I like it. In fact if T/W has a 4th. of July sale I'll get another one. I get my japanese reels thru Digitaka. Their service is excellent & price includes shipping by EMS. I usually have them with in a week. I hear it's taking much longer now because of Covent-19

I have the Japanese version of the Shimano Bantam MGL On a Dobyns Champion XP DC 736 FH. I use it for Frogs, It is a super combo. I also Have a Japanese version of the Shimano Metanium MGL on a Dobyns Champion Extreme HP DX 743C FH. I use it for weightless Senkos. This is a amazing set up. I can cast it a country mile & still have the power to set the hook. I also have a Scorpion DC on a Dobyns Champion XP DC 610 4C FH. This rod is designed for skipping which I am still getting use to. But I have tried other baits on it & will tell you as a Spinnerbait & chatterbait set up, it shines. I have also used for bottom baits( worms, Lizards etc) & it's no slouch there either. This rod is a strong 4 power +. I would recommend any of these combinations. I hope this helps.

Depending on the type of cover & how heavy it is. For worms,etc. I use several. From Sunline, Shooter, from Seaguar Tatsu. Excellent lines buy pricey. From Sunline, Sniper, From Seaguar Invinx. Very good lines at a mid range price. For a $10 to $15 price range I use use Gamma Copolymer when I want a little more stretch. Remember fluorocarbon tends to sink so when fishing a crank bait it will run a little deeper than the bait is designed for. so for crankbaits I use Sunline Defier. Excellent line but pricey. My 2nd choice would Gamma Copolymer as it has enough stretch to keep the fish buttoned when it surges.

To prove Catt's statement what happens when the person in the back of the boat using the same bait & color & catches 3 in a row. My guess is you throw them overboard!!

Back off the spool tension knob a littie at a time & see if that helps

What Catt is the way to go. I do use the plop plop method most of the time. I like to also be able to hear it. When I don' t, I set the hook. I have caught many over 5 lbs doing this. Some nights when it is slow switch to a buzzbait it makes more noise.

As has been said A gift card to Tackle Warehouse Is very safe. He will get something he will use.

My go to set up for chatter baits is a Dobyns Champion XP DC 765 CB, Shimano Antras AR spooled with 14 lb test Gamma Copolymer. This set up works very well for me. The rod is a 7'6" Crank bait rod & the reel has a 5.8:1 gear ratio. I get good distance on a cast. OOPS !!! I must have went to lunch & read Chatter baits instead of buzzbaits, sorry about that. Now for the Buzzbait set up. A custom built 7'6" rod on a Shikari 766 blank, a Shimano Speedmaster reel spooled with Sunline FX 50 lb braid. This rod has the ability to get the bait out a good distance & the power to get the fish out of heavy cover. This is not a crankbait rod

What was going around you, what was the weather like, What was the water color & temp. What type of cover was the fish holding on. What time was it. What you are doing is looking for a pattern.If wildlife is moving around so are the fish & they are more apt to bite. Is the wind blowing, if so which way, Is it cloudy or a bluebird sky, What is the water depth & structure. a ditch, point, hump or depression. This way you could go to the other end of the lake & look around for similarities & have a starting point to start fishing. It will hold true on another day also. Keep a log It helps.

If your going to use it for frogs also with out a doubt go with the Bantam. If that is out of your price I would get a Curado K.

Great!! Now what did you learn by catching that fish?

I must agree with R/W, a Norman Fat Boy in the Red Ear or Sunfish color. Why? Because they flat out catchum.