Robert Riley

Hey everyone! So I recently headed out to my local hole, and didn't catch anything. So I've come here to talk about my favorite topic, catching/finding fish. Looking at the attached picture: 1) We see a culvert, good sign. 2) Bunch of minnows in the rocks right of the culvert. 3) "Clear" water, for Illinois, 2' viability, about 65 water temp give or take 4) Guessing there must be a bit drop off further away from the bank, looks gradual from the bank. 5) Bit of overhanging cover to the left and right. I threw a chatterbait parallel to the cover for a bit, nothing. Threw a t-rigged trickworm parallel Threw a wakebait into the open water, just bc I bought it yesterday. What would you do? Did you clue into anything else? PS: Would this go in fishing reports or general forums?

Sooo, since breaking my rod is "not" an option. Anywhere I can get my money's worth? I was looking at the Bass Fishing Yard Sale on Facebook, as well as the Legacy Fishing program ( or something like that), I think we have some club connection with them as well. Lastly, any guess on what I can get for it? It's in excellent condition.

I know it's a bit late, but don't forget that you can always call dobyns and ask about their rods. They've been extremely helpful, and haven't tried to upsell me at all (actually tried to sell me a Champion instead of a Extreme, I was fixed on the Extreme haha).

Hey everyone, got a question for y'all, So I have a Mojo Crankster, medium 7'4". I want a MH rod instead, I was looking into St Croixs upgrade program, looking to get an Avid. I heard a rumor that they no longer have this program. Is this true or not? I was really hoping to just exchange my rod for a better one. Thanks

1. XF for jigs and plastics, non moving straight hooks. 2. F is best for moving straight hooks, like chatterbaits or spinnerbaits. 3. Medium Heavy is the way to go. But just remember that there is no standard for what a MH feels like. 4. I personally like Dobyns rods over St Croix. If you are gonna shell out the money for a Tournament Series, look at a DX744 from Dobyns, it says heavy but feels like a MH.

If you are fishing shallow get the graphite, it it's deep, get a glass rod. I have a mojo crankster and I'm looking to get rid of it if you are interested, it's the medium one. I found the medium to be a bit light for heavier cranks, I never really found the rods sweet spot.

I used an empty spool and a drill, worked pretty d**n well.

Hey guys, i have two reels, both of which have braid backing and fluorocarbon line. I would like to essentially swap the reels and line. One is much lighter test (the reel is more palm-able). Any tips on how to do this? I was thinking of wrapping a drill bit with tape until an empty line spool fits, and then just using that, with super light drag (or perhaps just manual thumb drag).

I have a DX745, I would probably get a 734 or a 735 (champions)

What. That sucks.... Dobyns it is.

Hey everyone, I'm in the market for a Avid series rod for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and chatterbaits. In that order. I'm thinking of getting the 7' MHF. I'm fixed on Croix bc I'm trading up, so I will get rid of one of my rods. Thanks

So I finally got the guys in the club interested in a order from Dobyns, so I'll be back up here once I get it and once I fish with it! Thanks for all your help!

So my friend, who usually fishes there, throws rooster tails, but he says they tend to get hung up a lot. I'll def try it though. As far as line goes, is 4lb mono fine (Suffix Elite), or should I switch to 8lb Fluoro (Invisix)?

I just came back from my first river trip for smallies. And I didn't catch anything, my friend got 2 small ones. So we just walked upstream (in the water) for about a mile and a half, just casting ahead into cover. Some log jams, little pools and a lot of grass( the kind that sticks out of the water for the most part, i don't know the name, sorry). He caught his two on beetle spins, and I caught nothing on a scrounger with a big bite baits cane-thumper. What can I do to catch fish? Haha in all seriousness, I hardly know what I am doing, I even had baitcasting gear. Next time I think i'm going to toss some 1/4 tubes on my ML spinning rod. Thanks guys, -Newbie Smallmouther

Now that's a fantastic answer.

I usually skip jigs under cover or just throw a swim jig. So mostly casting jigs. I also generally fish from the shore as well. I talked to Dobyns today. MAN was I surprised, the wealth of knowledge and just the simple fact that he wanted to talk to me about the rods. I'm leaning towards the DX744 after that convo.

Yeah, that was a mistake on my part, I meant 702 and 745. Im actually going to give Dobyns a call this week and ask them. But it looks like im favoring the 745 right now. How is the Mike Long? I saw that on TW. Does anyone want to compare that to the 745?

So if you could pick two rods for all jigs, a 735 and a 745?

If that's the case you could always throw smaller baits. If you want to throw spinners 6, jigs 7. Just pick which ever you throw more

Generally speaking, a reel and rod of the same name are made to match. Like they balance well and stuff. The speed it totally indifferent, its about weight. So a tatula reel is probly the best match for a tatula rod.

What about the DX702C? It's rated 1/8-1/2oz, just my target range.

Since the rod and reel are made to match, I'd vote for 7.3 tatula as well. I'd also chip a bit more in and get a Lew's Tourney Pro or BB1, depending on your style, best reels I've ever fished for the money.

I'd prefer not to empty my wallet for a DX, despite how awesome it was. The biggest issue for me is that the 704 seemed to have a much softer tip compared to the 745. Which bothers me when it comes to jigs

I just got back from a guided trip at Pickwick. Didn't catch much, but absolutely fell in love with the Dobyns DX745. I want one badly! I have a team discount and I still cant manage to spend that much on a rod. I'd like to buy a champion instead and I'm looking at getting a 704/5. I just don't know which to get. I want to say the 705 since I prefer a stiffer rod for my jigs. Im looking for a lighter jig rod, 1/4-3/8 jigs, that I can also through spinnerbaits in a pinch. Thanks Robert

I will and thanks guys! I found a guy through a mutual friend. I'll probly post about the experience afterwards