NJBasstard

This is the 6" one. I didn't know they did a 5" but thanks for the heads up. I see they're a little cheaper too so might grab one or two of those to try as well.

Picked up this 6th Sense Trace to try out. I know nothing about this bait so just got one for now. Also I finally found some Spro Rat 40's but I didn't bother getting a pic of those..

Tie the same knot you always do and go practice with a popping frog in open water. All your doing is making small twitches on slack line. It takes a little practice before you get the rhythm down.

I have that exact rod. I'll be honest and tell you I only fished it for a short while and its been sitting to the side for a couple years now. The reason why is because I purchased it sight unseen and expected a M power rod with fast action. I personally wouldn't put that rod in the same category as the other M rods I've used, including ones from St Croix. All of my ML rods feel heavier than the M Triumph does. Maybe I got a mislabeled rod or something..? Or that's just how this model is suppose to be. I don't know that answer. As far as quality it's a very nice rod. Super lightweight and balanced well with the few 2500 size reels I had on it. Ran braid on it for the season and guides are still like new. I'm not sure what you had planned on using it for, but I'd suggest handling one before you make a purchase.

Thanks for that! I've used the DC734c so that helps give me a pretty good idea. If you have the DC744c what are you using it for? I'm in the south western area just a few miles from PA & DE so that's probably a little over 2hrs from me. I might consider the drive just for something to do, but to be honest I don't want to wait any longer than I have to. They've been chewing up those little jigs lately so that 704 has been in my hand the most. I don't currently have anything I think would fish them well, so the sooner I replace it the better.

Wish I could but I can't spend that much at the moment. I have been looking into a <$150 rod I can start throwing 1-3oz treble baits and light A-rig on but I've been unsure on what length to go with and I'm not liking what Dobyns offers. Knowing the options for that are all longer than 7' is why I'm even considering the 744's right now. At this time I'd like to just spend the $100-$180 replacement/upgrade fee and I'll have to hold off on the other rod. Thanks for the detail. Is the DX745 a lot heavier than the DC610-4c? I see the DC610 and DC744 referred to as 4-1/2 power and that the DC744 is closer to the DX745 than it is to the DX744.

I called Dobyns this morning and talked a bit about what I'm looking for. The answers I got were pretty much in line with what I expected.. If I'm staying at 7' or less I can go with DC610-4c or upgrade to DX704c. If I don't mind going over 7' than the DC744c or upgrade to a DX744c. Was told the 610-4 is a heavier rod than the DC704c I broke. Was told the same thing about the DC744c. What throws me off on the DC744 is I see some people say it fishes 1/4 and 3/8 well and others say they prefer to use it for 1/2+. Wish I had the option of handling all of these rods, but my dealer only has a handful of XP's and doesn't carry Extremes. My understanding is that all 4 of those rods will be faster than the DC704c though. Also 3 out of 4 offer full handle which is nice, but the more I research the more I see that DX704c being suggested. Decisions decisions...

Is the Extreme noticeably faster than the XP? I'm sure there are better rods in this price range but I feel like the 704c was plenty sensitive at those weights in shallow water. Biggest complaint I have is when I swing back on a hook set it doesn't lock up fast enough. I'm sure the kayak moving when I set the hook only makes it feel worse than it is. I think if they made the 704c in extra-fast that would be perfect. The 704c is rated 1/4oz - 1oz. The 3/8 plus plastic puts me around 1/2 which fishes nice on this rod in my opinion. The rod handles its weight range well but for jigs a 1/2+ plastic feels like too much. It is the best rod I have for throwing pegged 3/16 texas rigged plastics around light cover though. If I were only throwing those than I'd just get another 704c. That's the plan. I will contact Dobyns tomorrow but in the mean time it doesn't hurt to get some suggestions on here by people with more experience than myself. Mostly looking at staying in the Champ XP series, but if stepping up to an Extreme gets me what I'm looking for than that's what I'll do.

I broke my DC704c yesterday and now I have some questions.. This rod has a 3/8 Keitech casting jig or other compact jig tied on atleast 80% of the time and the rest of the time is used for throwing texas rig up to 3/16oz. I originally chose a 7' rod because I'm in a kayak. Most of the waters I'm in are 12-15ft max depth. I also spend half my time fishing creeks/rivers so I'm in close quarters and dealing with overhanging trees a lot. My question is... would any other rod in the Champ XP lineup fit my needs better? Most of smaller jigs I'm throwing don't have heavy gauge hooks but still have a good size weed guard. The 704c gets the job done, but I also think I could benefit from a faster action rod. I've had others suggest I move to a 5 power. I have a Kaden 715c which is nice with normal 3/8-1/2oz jigs but feels like a little too much rod with the 3/8 compact jigs. Not sure if the 5 power Champs would feel any different. Rods I'm looking at.. 705c 610c 744c 735c If anyone has experience with these or has another model they suggest than please share. Rod will likely be paired with a Curado 70.

This is what I've been using for a few years. Check it for accuracy a couple times a year and change the battery every season. They aren't waterproof so if your clumsy like me it might pay to get a few at once. Just as accurate as my Rapala scale and small enough to fit in my PFD pocket.

I didn't know they were being discontinued. I was just in Ollie's a few weeks ago and they were loaded with the 4" size in black/blue flake and watermelon/red flake for $3 a bag. I got every bag I could find at the time. Also some nice Lucky Craft jerkbaits. Might be worth checking out if you have a store nearby.

For ages 16-64 it's $22.50 here in NJ. Add an additional $10.50 for trout stamp. I think the fee for ages 65-69 is $12.50 with trout stamp still at $10.50. No cost for ages 70 and up.

Bank 2-3. Kayak 3-5. Jon boat 4-7. 90% of my fishing is from the kayak. Lately it's been the same 5 combos.. 1 spinning for Finesse. 4 casting for bottom contact, cranks, single hook moving baits and heavy cover/frogs.

The smallest size Spunk Shad which I believe is 3.5"

Will you be bank fishing only? How far are you willing to travel from Rowan? Assuming you are bank fishing and want to stay close by..You have Alcyon lake in Pitman, Wilson lake in Clayton, Iona lake in Franklinville and a few others within a 10 minute driving distance. If your willing to travel further and/or have access to a boat/kayak than let me know.

Very shallow and almost no structure in those lakes. Union is a good lake but its a lot of water to cover and can be tough at times. You should try DOD in Pennsgrove. Deeper water (25ft>), good visibility and structure. If your comfortable in tidal water there's also some good fishing in Mantua Creek, Woodbury Creek, Rapaupo and other waters off the Delaware. If your looking for new places to try or have any questions feel free to PM me. If your interested in another Dobyns I have the Sierra 704c, Champ 704c, Champ 702sf, Kaden 715c and Fury 705cb that your welcome to try if we meet up. If you end up going to Union you should stop in Blackwater Sports Center in Vineland. They carry Dobyns, St Croix, TFO and many other rods.

Where at in South Jersey? I'm in West Deptford. I kayak fish and have been happy with my Sierra 704c for the past couple seasons. I run straight braid or braid to flouro for those same baits in 3/8oz-1/2oz.

I have given Smackdown a chance multiple times on my casting gear and currently have 30lb and 40lb on a couple reels right now. I'm personally not a fan of it. It's quiet and really soft but it seams to fray to easily when compared to PP or 832. I'm keeping it on because I don't want to waste two spools of line, but when the time comes I'll be replacing it with something else. I love it in 20lb or less on spinning gear though.

I haven't had my 150 MGL long enough to comment on durability but overall I am impressed. I love and still use my E series & Scorpion XT. I also have my K's, 70 and newer Scorpion (K platform). In my opinion the 150 is the perfect combination of size, weight and power.

No experience with auto inflate so can't comment on that. When I was shopping for a new PFD I narrowed my choices down the the NRS Chinook and the Stohlquist Fisherman. After trying both I ended up with the Chinook and have zero complaints.

The jon I have is a 1442 I think but I also have a 25hp 2 stroke Mariner. Moves the boat good in the nearby creeks I fish. What is your battery setup on the X3 and how does it do on your setup? Ive looked at the Edge and X3 in 45lb/36" but as I said in an earlier post I am concerned with battery life. The electric only lakes I'd like to go in are normally pretty calm and between 100-150 acres. Trying to avoid paddling across the lake to get back to the ramp.

The videos I've seen have been of them cutting the top of the shaft on a 1 piece shaft. What about trolling motors with a two piece shaft where the upper portion that locks in the collar are larger diameter than the bottom half? It looks like if I cut the shaft on a 2 piece like the MG X3 or a MK Maxxum it would solve the casting problem but without shortening the bottom I'd still be limited to how much I could raise the prop in shallow water situations. Am I thinking right or is this not an issue I would run into with a 2 piece shaft?

I'm in Southern NJ where many of the waters are shallow and have max depth of 8-12ft. Being able to raise the prop up in certain situations is something I need for where I fish. Just wanting something that is adequate for getting me around on lakes 150 acres or less. I already have two group 29 deep cycle batteries I'll be using wether I go 12v or 24v. This a my biggest concern with the longer shaft length. The reason I considered the 45" is because the price was good and that particular motor is variable speed which is a plus. The 36" models I've looked at from MK & MG are all 12v, 45-55lb and 5 speed. I don't know if I'd get the run time I'd need off the two batteries wired parallel.

Wondering what length you guys are running on your bow mount trolling motors. I have a casting deck on a 14' jon and looking at a foot operated bow mount. Was looking at 36" but I found a good price on a 45". Wondering if it will be too long and get in my way while fishing.

New Dobyns Kaden 715c / Curado MGL 150XG combo.