Robert Riley

Thanks! I lost 3 of them when I caught snagged catfish lines. Hooray!

Glass is heavier and usually thicker. I'm eager to hear what you think of this after some more time on the water.

That's what I was thinking, I didn't know they were exclusive though.

F&S and DSG have these rods for $40. Need a new frog rod, anyone got one and how do you feel about it? Weve got a 7'3" H/F that ill probably get.

I'm glad to hear that, a few of my customers say I'm having a lemon of an experience, and I'm sure I am.

I've always been black or white guy, literally. I like the loon and bone/powder. In the end, I'd say that the fish probably don't even see the lure, just the commotion.

Yeah, they're overhauling their warranty stuff, so it might just need some time to smooth over. I'm just bitter about it.

I bought an Aetos, and the cork foregrip has split and the reel seat doesn't tighten down all the way now. It's barely been fished this year. I called and they made me send an email in, in which they told me they'd see what they can do once I send it in. I asked if they could tell me what they've done in the past for these issues since I know this has been a problem with Aetos rods. No response, emailed again, and they said they'd offer me 40% off the next best rod, which in their eyes was an EliteTech. If I buy a $200 rod, and it breaks because of subpar materials used or design flaws, I'm expecting either a replacement or at the very least a steep discount on the purchase of a new one. I broke a dobyn's rod when I was trying to replace a guide, and they just sent me a new one. It was that simple. A few days ago, my first guide came off on a Savvy rod, I called them yesterday ask for a new one to be sent to me, and it was done. The phone call last about 1 minute, didn't even have to pay shipping.

I highly recommend the Dobyn's Fury (703/4 or 735) rod and the Lew's LFS reel. That'll run you about $110 and $100 respectively. If you want to consider a combo, the Lew's Mach2 combo is a great set up for $180. Lew's is also unleashing the Crush combo for about $200, it's coming out in about 2 months though.

I like 6:1 for anything that moves, but a 7 would do fine. Just make sure that you're not disrupting the action of the lure by reeling too fast.

Excellent combo. I work at a F&S/Dicks and I probably sold 3-4 a day during the holiday season. People love them, have had no returns on them yet. I got one for my friend for his bday, and I've had some time on the water with it, it's nice. I'm personally not a fan of the oversized handles. It's just a speed spool LFS ($100) with some bonus features.

Dobyn's and St Croix are the top names that come to mind. Fenwick was pretty good, but I've been having trouble with them recently.

I use a heavy, but a MH is probably fine, might differ rod to rod though.

It's a great jigging reel. If you want to stay around the $200 mark, I'd suggest the Dobyn's Sierra series (Champion, if you want to move up, is a phenomenal rod) or the SC Avid (or the Avid X). I recommend the Dobyn's D735, but depending on what you want, it's the most versatile rod out there. I'd definitely recommend checking out Siebert, they have great jigs, it's where I buy my jig heads for the jigs I make.

Yeah, it's composite I believe.

Anyone have one of these? We just got them in at F&S and they seem real nice, especially for $80. We got a 7' M, a 7'4 MH and a 7'11 MH. I might grab one just because haha. My only dislike is the thickness of the blank, but that's pretty much just cosmetic.

That's probably as low as I would try. You'll still have plenty of tip for throwing that jig, but it will mostly depend on the reel and how you have the brakes set up.

We just got a shipment of Lew's TP1s. We got 2 topwater/jerkbait rods and I really like them so far. Very light in the hands and they have a shorter split grip, just perfect for jerking/walking the dog. I don't know what your price range is, but it's an excellent rod for $100. As far as line, I've used braid, but it gets caught in the trebles too often for me.

I've got a 745 that is perfect for a 3/8 jig. I've thrown 1/4 t-rigs on my 703, as well as 3/8 spinnerbaits, and it's a little light for that. I'd recommend the 734 honestly, but if you want a 7 footer, then the 704.

made some new jigs, just showing off

Yeah, I've had a Gen3 STX and I'm not very happy with it, good luck selling it lol. Lew's makes a super sweet Custom SLP that was just released at ICAST. It's 80% of your budget though haha. I'd also check out the Inshore LFS. I can't help with the rod as I am no inshore fisherman, Illinois is pretty far.

I like the BB1 cranking reel, just be aware they've got 2 versions though. The TMB ans LFS have 5:1s with larger handles and deeper spools. So its up to you: Centrifugal for $160, Dual for $140 or Magnetic for $100.

Lews TMB has the dual braking system and a higher drag system (14lb vs 10lb).

if it breaks within 30 days and you have a receipt yes. If you purchase the extended warranty, you call the number on the warranty receipt and they send you a gift card for the alotted amount.

Found a SC Legend Tournament Walleye rod for about $100 at my DSG. It's a 6'3" M/XF. I'm not 100% sure about SC ratings and how the walleye ratings differ from bass rods. Any guys with experience either drop shotting, using SC rods or walleye rods know if this would be a good drop shot rod?