scbassin

I did not start bass fishing until the late 60's when I was transferred to U.S.S. Thornback SS 418 in Charleston SC. The COB found out I liked to fish so we started fishing together, He was a bass fisherman so that is how I got started. Back then I was using a Mitchell 300. In the early to mid 70's I was on the U.S.S. Barracuda SST 3 which had several bass fisherman on it. We heard of a military bass club forming & some of joined & it was then I started learning about all the baits & equipment & baits used. Upon joining I had the option to buy a Bass Pro Catalog. That is when I bought 6 Garcia Ambassadeur 5001C baitcasting reels & 6Lews Speed Sticks. 2 or 3 years later A big tackle wholesaler was going out of business & the X.O. Informed us about it & asked who was going(we were in port). At lunch time 4 of us piled into the X.O.'s car & headed downtown. When we left our next stop was the Chief's Club so we could discuss our goodies & have a beer(the real reason for the stop). My bootie was 6 Shimano Bantam 2001 Magnumlite GT Plus reels. From that day on I have been a Shimano guy. I have 80 plus Shimano Reels now with a Japanese version of the Bantam MGL on the way, hopefully it gets here today. I have tried other reels along the way but have sold them all except 1. Reason being is they all set up about the same & there not much of a change when you shift from 1 set up to another. A big plus is the customer service, I have never had a issue but only had to use them 2 or 3 times over the years. Plus on another site Bantam 1 is there if you need help

I have a 2008 Ranger Z-21 with a Yahama250 HPDI, Lowrance Electronics & everything else is the same. The ride between the 2 boats is like night & day. The ranger has the soft ride seats which makes great ride. It is also a dry ride. My buddy has a 21 ft. Skeeter & it will beat your brains out in rough water & give a bath.

I am not sure but I don't think BPS carries Dobyns Rods But they do carry Shimano. If you can get by without the card T/W had Dobyns Sierra Rods at a excellent price in the 25 days of Christmas sale.

Check T/W 25 days of Christmas sale.

Catt I fish it in the day time also. Get up in a stand of Cypress trees & bring it thru the Cypress Knee's you had better be paying attention because you might get your arm broke, the shade helps out. Carl showed me that little goodie.

I did not start bass fishing until the late 60's when I was transferred to U.S.S. Thornback SS 418 in Charleston SC. The COB found out I liked to fish so we started fishing together, He was a bass fisherman so that is how I got started. Back then I was using a Mitchell 300. In the early to mid 70's I was on the U.S.S. Barracuda SST 3 which had several bass fisherman on it. We heard of a military bass club forming & some of joined & it was then I started learning about all the baits & equipment & baits used. Upon joining I had the option to buy a Bass Pro Catalog. That is when I bought 6 Garcia Ambassadeur 5001C baitcasting reels & 6Lews Speed Sticks. 2 or 3 years later A big tackle wholesaler was going out of business & the X.O. Informed us about it & asked who was going(we were in port). At lunch time 4 of us piled into the X.O.'s car & headed downtown. When we left our next stop was the Chief's Club so we could discuss our goodies & have a beer(the real reason for the stop). My bootie was 6 Shimano Bantam 2001 Magnumlite GT Plus reels. From that day on I have been a Shimano guy. I have 80 plus Shimano Reels now with a Japanese version of the Bantam MGL on the way, hopefully it gets here today. I have tried other reels along the way but have sold them all except 1. Reason being is Shimano's all set up about the same & there not much of a change when you shift from 1 set up to another. A big plus is the customer service, I have never had a issue but only had to use them 2 or 3 times over the years. Plus on another site Bantam 1 is there if you need help. Well bigjean663 there is your story & answer. To all Have A MERRY CHRISTMAS !

How about Ricky Green, & Carl Maxfield he could make a spinnerbait curve to land behind a tree.

All my Dobyns rods have cork handles.

That line does have a few full handle casting rods. I have the SA 683 C & 684 C FH & I think there a couple more.

I have 2 Scorpion 71 XG's & they are a little hard to turn but will loosen up some with use. It is a pain in the butt though. I have mine both mounted on Dobyns Sierra SA 684 C rods & spooled with 16# shooter. They are use for bottom fishing plastics.

I agree with what 5by3 said I have both the the Dobyns Champion XP DC 735 & 736 FH, they are 7'3" and are awesome. I just prefer a little shorter rod.

Catt is right on, If you pay attention to your surroundings while fishing in these time periods you will notice the the activity or lack of feeding with birds & animals. During the major & minor periods there is more feeding going on.

I'll Try to give some help. !st. off I only full cork handles & don't have any of the fury line. I do Have several of the Sierra line which are the 733 & 734's. & agree with you on your assessment of them. I do have the DC 735 C FH & have used it for Frogs & toads, Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, 5" swimbaits, spinnerbaits & buzzbaits, & jigs. In heavy cover this rod works well. Between the Sierra & Champion XP series I have Several 734 & I use them mostly for bottom fishing & spinnerbaits. I think for what you are looking for it to do is not a problem & you will really enjoy it. T/W has them on sale now.

That Shimano Antares at 5.6:1 should work just fine & I would go even somewhat deeper maybe as far as 20ft. Just see if you get tired while cranking.

I see you don't have much help so I'll try.I am a Shimano reel guy, I have over 80 of them dating back from 1975. I see that is a M/H rod. It depends on what depth you intend to fish. the deeper you go the lower gear ratio I would use. Not knowing what depth you are planning to use the set up for I'll use a 10 to 15 ft for a guess. So for a reel I would use a Antares AR, It has a 5.8 :1 gear ratio, I own 5 of them & they are a excellent reel. For something shallower I would go with a 6.2:1 ratio & for much deeper than 15 ft. depending on how much I would go to a Curado CU 200-5( 5.1:1) & over 20 ft. I would look for a older Curado CU 200 B-38(3.8:1) Those older Curado's are bullet proof & can be found on e-bay. Choose the reel of your choice but remember the depth vs gear ratio. I know some people like higher speed reels for crank baits But what I have said has been working for me since the early 1970's. Good Luck with your decision.

Breaking strength of the line is 22LBS, rod is rated at 8 to 16 lb. I would not use it use a line rated 16lb or less

My 2 favorites are 3:16 No Bullfrog, & the Boze Sumo Frog, I don't think these are in production any longer, at least I can't find them. I do have several still but am thinking of picking up a few of Bobby's perfect frog to check them out. Catt suggested Academy frogs are as good as any so I'll pick up a couple of them in the Spring when I go to Columbia to watch my grandson play high school baseball. The No Bullfrog will catch all size bass, it will surprise you. This frog provides a large profile that is easy to see. I fish it with a 6 power rod, it will get the big girls out of the slop.

The contrast made the darker frog easier to see.

I have a Scorpion 71 XG on the way from Digitaka shipped for $175.16. I wonder if they are going to discontinue that line.

Chris you have made a excellent choice. I use the Champion XP DC734C FH because I prefer a full cork handle. As you said those folks at Dobyns will take the time to speak with you & are very helpful which is a big plus in my book.

I have both the Champion XP 734 FH & the Sierra 684. For the weightless plastic stick baits I would lean toward the longer rod to get better distance & control (ex:Senkos). The rig I use for those baits is the Champion XP FH 733 with a Scorpion (Japanese Curado) 71XG. I find that I like it much better. I use the 734 for Texas rigged baits. American Legacy has 20% off on all Dobyns Rods For Black Friday & I think it started today. I do use the Sierra 683 & 684 with the same type baits When I am in & around Cypress Trees as I like to roll cast with a shorter rod, when I don't need the distance.

I do not have any so called finesse rods. I fish in the heaviest cover I can find so for a G/P rod I have a Dobyns Sierra SA 683 & 684. With the 683 & a Shimano Scorpion 1001 Mg I can throw 1/8th & 3/16th worm weights with ease. Also I throw 3/16 th & 5/16th spinnerbaits, 1/4 oz.traps & other light crankbaits ( the rod is not a crankbait rod but I can keep the fish buttoned up). I prefer a casting rod because I feel I have better control of a big fish in heavy cover. If you prefer Spinning rods go with the Fury. Dobyns Rod are well designed & well built, no I do not work for them. If you have questions about there products call them they are very helpful. I do it when ever I am not sure which rod is the best choice for what I want it to do. Remember T/W always has a good sale on Black Friday

I would call Dobyns Rods & ask them to explain the difference between glass graphite cranking sticks. they build both. 903 919 8028 The 2 cranking rod I bought are awesome. See my 1st post for which 2

I am with Kschultz76 on this Full graphite cranking rods is the way to go. I had the chance to fish with a couple of the other style rods & after that I decided to go with what I have now, Full graphite, in fact the man that has the hybrid, now has a full graphite cranking rod the same as one of mine. Full graphite makes a difference.

I have Dobyns Rods DC764 CBRM & DC765 CB. Either of these rods would be a excellent choice. Plus watch for the Tackle Warehouse black Friday sale & get 20% off plus free shipping & a free shirt.