Robert Riley

So I've been doing a lot of research into reels in the last couple days. We all know that some rods have centrifugal brakes and others have magnetic and some have both! So what's the scoop? I have a Lew's SuperDuty and a Tpro, so I may just check later haha. EDIT: Secondary question, getting a new reel for a jerkbait setup. Tournament MB or Tournament Lite? Rod is a Dobyns Champion D684cb.

What line do you use for jerkbaits? I'm debating mono or fluoro, but I've seen a lot about YZH. I'm a bit partial to mono, since I use the same rod for topwaters, and if I can use the same reel, that'd be pretty convenient.

If it's spinning, I'd go with 8lb Invizx. For casting I choose 14lb Red Label.

Just put in a club order for Dobyns... $900 of Furys and 2 Champions. Only $160 of it was mine, but I feel like I spent all my money. Ouch.

I also use braid as backing and use 75yds of FC.

I match diameter usually. I don't know why, but I just do.

Dobyns DX745 and whatever reel you have.

I thought it was Valentines weekend?

What gear ratio do you guys like for A-rigs? I always figured I'd use 5:1, but after seeing the Revo Beast only comes in 7:1, im a little curious.

Man. I was gonna post mine and the *** one... But nevermind, that one is much clearer and... great!

Not trying to sell you a Dobyns, but they do have a crankbait rod in their Fury line up, just ordered a 705cb. I've had my winch for about a year and had no issue with it breaking. I did break my heavy veritas frog rod (not the designated frog rod) after 2 fish, and they replaced it promptly.

You'll find that there are some people that prefer a mod-fast action. I've only used fast up to now, I'm ordering a Dobyns Champion D685 later today and that's MH mod-fast.

I've got the 7'6" MH winch. It's a good rod, use it for DT10s, 6/8XDs, etc. I also have a Dobyns D806, which is the bomb, so I'd probably recommend a champion over the abu, but there is a bit of a cost difference. But for $100, the winch is a good rod. Not the most sensitive, but has a good bend and that's what is most important for cranking IMO.

I like to think I understand most of this stuff, but I also fish whenever I want, it's more about getting off campus than anything else. I will address these components around tournament day or if I'm planning a trip. I've definitely heard " Studies have already show there is no connection between lunar cycles and spawning bass " before. I think it's more of a light level and pressure level thing instead of a lunar phase thing. I have however 100% noticed that muskie turn on almost immediately as major/minor periods come into effect, and it drops off about the time the period expires. But that's a completely different species.

I'm fishing Table Rock this spring, been doing research on craws. What causes craws to change color, and is there anyway to adequately predict from 12 hours away haha? I figure that they start brown/blue and turn to the generic red craw color as the water reaches it's peak temperature?

I have a few cardinal SXs for my ice rods, and they're satisfactory. I also have a Team Lew's Pro SS that I snagged for $55, best spinning reel I have used, had it for about 6 months. My second reel is a Flooger Supreme XT, it's great, light, smooth and casts pretty well, I think I've had that one for almost 3 or 4 years now, in good shape, probably my #3 reel.

Savvy 703/4 or 733/4. It's would look d**n good with the scorpion too. http://dobynsrods.com/rods/savvy/ Note that I think Dobyns runs a bit heavier than average. I think the rod for you will be the 703, but if you have questions about the other ones, go ahead and PM me!

I can't imagine water with 10' of visibility, but that's Illinois for you.

I'd say grab a Dobyns Fury 705cb! I have that mojo rod and I DO NOT LIKE IT. at all. Im with the group that says get a MH for those deeper baits like DT10s or 6/8XDs. I have liked every Lew's rod I have used, so my vote is for the Lew's rod.

I'm getting a few of the Spro RkCrawlers monday, what colors would you recommend? I've heard that the earlier in the season, the greener you want.

Definitely this! I like the savvy over the champions for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, as it is a bit less fast. My vote goes towards the 704, or the 734 if you want the longer casts.

Thanks BlueBasser. I was planning on using A-Rigs, warts, jerkbaits, wobbleheads and shakeyheads. Looks like I was on the right path haha!

So I think we have a good consensus here. Is the mod-fast from Dobyns still "fast" but with a more parabolic bend? Is it just softer than say my spinnerbait rod, but faster than my D806?

Had a crisis last year and didn't make it to Table Rock, but I have a chance again this year. I've been reading around the forum for answers but I figure I'll post up for some new info too. I'm there the first or second week of April. What weather should I be expecting, it's been a pretty wet winter thus far. And what do the bass tend to do around this time of year?

So I've been thinking of getting a Dobyns Champion D685 rod for jerkbaits. I've noticed some people favor the CB (mod fast) or the regular casting (fast). What does everyone here prefer for jerkbaits? I'm in the group for fast, it's a twitch bait, it's just like walking the dog, underwater.