Spankey

You might like the SC Premier Series Crankbaits rods. I happen to like them. You might not. Try to see one if possible. I'm fishing (2) medium powers 6 1/2 and 7 foot versions. My baits fall right in line with these rods. I would not try to convince you on any Rod. Good luck with your search.

Didn't read all your replies but a great thread. My first St. Croix Rod I ever bought was a 6' ML Premier Series spinning rod and I haven't looked back since. I bass fish with Premiers,Avids and Mogo's. To each his own when it comes to rods. Buy what you like. The designated weights are pretty accurate for performance. Can't say I've ever exceeded but sure I've went under slightly and it didn't affect anything. My my lines are generally on the lighter side also. If a rating was 4 to 10 lb. Im probably throwing 6lb.

I sort of believe my issues was I didn't start out like a house on fire with them. And the erratic action which was more than any crankbaits I've ever fished, and some how I sort of let that turn me off. All I can do is get back on that bicycle and try to ride it. My colors are spot on. Using the same colors as my favorite DT's, Shad Raps, Countdowns and Jointeds. As said I'll leave all my stuff home and go fish 4 or 5 hours with a half dozen Scatter Raps that will force me to never give up.

I seem to be able to rig anything that I'm fishing with Owner or Gammys. But I'm certainly not fishing huge plastics. I max out at 6" with worms. No flukes or Senkos over that size either. The hook world seem endless. I'm into sharp hooks and keeping them sharp.

I'm a Rapala freak, junkie, fanatic all wrapped up in one. Do I use others? Yes. But, overall my favorite line of crankbaits. A couple of years ago I jumped on the Scatter Rap band wagon by picking up a few color patterns that are sure fire patterns that I love to fish. I guess I sort of expected to kill it right out of the gate fishing these. Didn't quite work that way for me. My results were not too great. Not skunked but certainly not setting the world on fire either. Certainly a confidence killer to a brand I like. Became a head case over it. Not sure if this has happened to you ever. So I laid off of them. I'm going to revisit these Scatter Raps this year. I have to. I have to make them work with better results. I'll leave every very stitch of my tackle on my boat at home and take (6) of these out on the water only and force results. Can only be good or bad I suppose. I know they work. They have to. Some of you guys have to be killing with them. Just my rant for the week I guess. Thanks.

My two favorite crankbait rods I own are St. Croix Premier Crankbait Rods. PC66MM and PC70MM Moderate actions. They have a bit slower tip and I like that. I have a couple of Cabelas branded spin rods one a ML and one medium that are Mod. fast and I like them also. Rods are to each their own. What I like you might not. I like the feel of my Premier rods more than the SC Legend Series for pitching crankbait I throw (1/4 oz. to 7/16 oz.). You have to go to a shop that has a lot of rods and get one you like the feel and action of. Even than it will behave differently on the water but you'll ahead. It would be hard to convince me of any rod unless I could touch it and see it. I respect the posts of many of the guys on here. You'll get a good idea of stuff to look at. But look at it before you order it. Just my opinion.

Good luck with the smallies. That's what I primarily fish for. Here in the N.E. for me it's still a bit early. I think cold water and water temps are relative to areas you fish. I find here in the N.E. that that prime period of fall smallie fishing is a short window some years. By that I'm refering to how summer hangs longer and winter kicks in earlier. I could be wrong but it seems like a few degrees can make a big difference. I admittedly struggle to find that early spring pattern every year and I've been fishing a long long time.

I use 6'8" to 7'0" ML rods on river systems and don't find them to be under powered. Would fish them on any river in the country for smallies without hesitation.

I don't think it makes a difference. I fish unpainted and ones I paint myself. Black, Flat Black, Chartreuse and White. But I don't think it makes a difference. It's something to do.

Was able to pick up another Garcia Vengeance 6'6" MH for $13.00, I'm gonna keep this for myself. I really think this Rod is going to fish like a medium power with a moderate fast tip. I'm pretty sure how I'm gonna fish it, think it will be good for crankbaits 5/16 - 7/16 oz. range. 8# Fluor.

I'm gonna go back and see if they have another Vengeance. Felt nice for $13.00. The one I took to work a guy liked it. The Shock I had left over today a guy texted me to bring it back it tomorrow. I like helping those guys out. I really don't need any more rods (except the St. Croix I'll be picking up at a local show next month). Heck they are good enough for those guys.They are not out fishing all that much. Cheap price for a half decent rod. Put a $30.00 reel on it and go relax. They told me to bring in more when I see them at those prices.

^^^^^^^^ + ^^^^^^^^ Thanks for your service also.

Three rods were gone in a hour and a half day time. Taking one Shock-Rod back home. Might use it. Probably not though. Not quite to my liking. I'm sure it's fine but seems short a couple of guides. Should have at least 7 on a 6 1/2 ft Rod.

I think those guys will scarf them up quick. They're my friends so I'm gonna just pass the price on to them. I am seriously thinking about keeping the 6'6" MH Garcia Vengeance rod. Like the touch and feel of it, to me has more of a Medium feel to it. If one doesn't go at break time that's the one I'll keep.

Generally I have water, PowerAids, Lance crackers, Gold Fish (pizza), fruits. Most usually goes back home except for the drinks.

Just throwing this out there I picked up (3) Berkley Shock-Rods, 6'6", 1pc. medium power, fast action, spinning rods for $9.00 each and (1) Abu Garcia Vengeance 1pc. 6'6" MH, spinning rod for $13.00 at the Wally World on way home from work today. No damage or blemishes with hang tags. Guy at counter had no explination as to why. He said they are what they are. The 6' and 7' mediums were regular price of $43.00/$49.00 but I tried. I'll let the guys at work buy them in the morning. They'll be gone buy first break. Maybe check out your Local Wally if these interest you. I'm not a big fan of either but the guys at work will scarf them up. I went in because a couple of weeks ago I had seen a price rollback on the Rapala JSR-5 jointed shad raps for $4.96 ea. I don't think I'll ever see them lower than that. Pulled off a few decent patterns I wanted. I realize Wally does some crazy stuff on clearance but those rods at those prices are pretty cheap.

All great mentions but throw in a few Mepps Anglia Spinners also.

* Most time there is not enough hours in a days fishing to fish everything you have. *Admittedly after fishing many, many years with artificial lures I have a lot of room for improvement in areas and certainly every one of my baits is not a confidence bait. *Quality products on the market will catch fish. A lot if it is to catch fisherman. But, it's great we have so many choices. *When you really want to work on a technique or type of bait that you just don't pick up to use enough or you set it down quickly and don't give it a chance. A confidence or mind issue with. You have to leave your tackle at home and bring just that bait(s) and go at it. Now you're forced to fish it. Unless you want a short day on the water. I'm not implying taking a single jig and a solo daredevil spoon. More like a class of baits. *Looking at the amount of stuff I have is a lifetime of accumulation. You have your whole life. Rome wasn't built in a day type thing. *My lure colors are naturals as in minnow,shads and bluegill perch types, bolder firetigers and chartreuses types for stained conditions and what I assume to be bottom dwellers blacks, blues, browns, purples. But all these fill in colors I filled in over time. Some I rarely use but I bought them because I thought I could catch a bass on them and have. *The world of soft plastics is never ending. They are fun and cheap. *Maybe set up your rods for a couple of techniques and a general type rod. Set ups are another thing you can build up from year to year. Before you know it you'll have more rods and reel than you need and wish you didn't have so many.

Sort of know where you're coming from. I have two young grandsons that I've been getting them more involved over the last couple of years. During the winter I build up a nice care package for them with Trout and Bass stuff. They live pretty close to me so we can take trips to Cabelas, BPS, Susquehanna or even to the local Wally to pick up stuff. They really dig it. I really dig it. I have them covered real well with UltraLite rods and tackle for trout and panfish. It's fun.

I realize a bait has to run true. Run as designed. I'm as anal as anyone when it comes to that. I have my share and than some of crankbaits. Love to fish them. But in my opinion at times there is a lot overthinking about them. For the most part they are clearly quick reaction strikes. Bass don't have the time processing old style vs new style, is there an additional stripe on that lure, is that a Bomber or a Bandit. I'm not saying pattern/colors means nothing. But to me not all that much. Do you have a brand that you caught fish on every color you own? Every Bandit, Rapala and SK I've bought. If there is any I haven't it won't be many. Admittedly I struggle with reds. Not good catch rates. Could be a head game confidence thing.

Their newer baits fish fine and catch fish. They run pretty well out of the box also. Add a few to your existing CB's. They have plenty of patterns. They will be a decent change up. I have a black one with heavy silver flakes on it with a chertreuse tail. Good bait.

I find on the river its that lure that will keep you from getting skunked or at least get you a few dinks during a slow bite summer day. For the most part I throw the Mini Traps. 1/4 oz. size. Same with the CC Rattling Spot. 1/4 oz. CC had a nice 3/16 oz version but I don't see them any more. The Tiny Trap to me is more for trout. 1/8 or 1/16 just a bit too small. Im sure I have a decent color selection like most of you. But, in all honesty I really only need a chrome w/ black back, chrome w/ blue back, and gold w/ black back. This is just my opinion. My findings. Again only my opinion I find a Rattling Spot to work as well as a Rat-L-Trap. I find to buy spares and additional colors I have to go the mail order route. They don't seem to be as available anymore. I think Wally World has some of the Rattling Spots for about $2.96.

Something you don't read about much (live bait) if at all on this site and its associated threads. Please.....I mean nothing negative about that. My conversion back in the late 70's and early 80's was not easy and a true struggle for me. Fish on, by whatever means it takes.

Pretty sure my first bass of the season will come off a Rat-L-Trap or jerkbait.

Sometimes I like to fish for catfish. Anchored up (setting). Chilling out, munching out on something, listening to the radio, straightening out my bass tackle. Not a stir of the moment thing I pretty much know that's what I'm gonna go do. My bass fishing is a bit different when I get to where I want to be I'll work an area few different ways. Then I'll move on. Do the same thing. I don't Bass fish with live bait and a bobber. Different strokes for different folks. But if that's the way you fish I guess you have to bobber watch for awhile. If you fish one way and your buddy fishes another, guess you'll have to work out the middle ground.