mod479

The medium spinning rod would be fine for lighter stuff, on the rod somewhere it should say how much lure weight the rod can handle. 1/4 to 5/8oz or so would be my guess? If you're comfortable using spinning gear, then keep at it. No reason why you cant fish jigs within its weight specs. If you need or want to use heavier jigs you're gonna need a heavier rod, if you picked up a cheap graphite MH spinning rod and use the other reel that's on your ugly stick you'd be able to cover a lot of techniques with just those 2 setups. If the ugly stick is a heavier rod than your medium spinning setup, just use that.

The video didn't give any specifics? I can only imagine they'd use a rod designed specifically for CBs is because they're design to keep treble hooks buttoned up, and by the same principle keep small DS hooks buttoned up as well? Maybe some guys might say a CB rod is more sensitive? Perhaps the moderate taper works better overall? I don't know for sure, but I dont see much of an advantage over modern rods made for the technique, or any Med/Fast spinning/casting rod for that matter. ML if you don't fish heavier weights. Both my DS specific rods are M/XF actions, a Loomis 822S and a Cumara CUS72M. Both very sensitive and light rods when you compare the tips to midsections, but they also have a stout lower portion which gives some level of power when you need it. I don't always use a little #6 or 4 hook, sometimes I use an EWG worm hook and heavier line/weight to fish cover, vegetation, and greater depths. A real light rod or even a moderately tapered rod wont set that hook the way it needs to be done. Maybe I'll throw a DS with my crank rod this spring and see how it works this spring.

What brand is the medium spinner? How long is the UL setup? "Medium" action can vary quite significantly depending on manufacturer, but you should be able to cover a number of techniques with the 3 setups you have. You could probably use the UL for a dropshot rig, and fish Tx rigged plastics, light jigs, jerkbaits with the M action spinning setup. Ugly stick...it probably has the most backbone+whippy tip of the 3 and I'd fish spinnerbaits, cranks with it...maybe even a carolina rig if you thow them. As long as the mono on your setups isnt too old, it will get the job done. Keep in mind mono has stretch, and is not ideal for all situations.

tube

curado 51e with abec7 bearings

Really depends on the time of the year, typically in the prespawn I like old school thin wall tubes like the 3" gitzit chubs, BPS TTs, and yamamotos, as the season goes on, I begin sizing up, Strike King makes good 3.5" double dippers, so does Poor Boys when you want to throw a 4". Colors? Stick with the tried and true.... melons, pumpkin, black, smoke, pearl, chartreuse.

How does the red label hold up against the zebra mussels?

Tatsu is where its at for spinning gear, 6# is plenty strong for dropshot, I actually use 4#, but I am up North fishing open water a lot. As RW has said, the manageability is 2nd to none on a spinning outfit when it comes to straight fluoro. The only thing I have used that is anything like Tatsu is Sunlines' finesse FC.

I can tell you much valuable information on Erie is here if you take the time to search through archived threads and articles.

Abu Veritas VRS66-5 and a Stradic Ci-4. 10.5 oz, 6' 6" Medium action, XF taper. Fishes more like a medium heavy rod.

Green pumpkin magic, Houdini, Black sapphire

Awesome rod for dropshot and shakeys! Throw some 5-8lb fluoro on that fuego, Sunline sniper FC and Seaguar invis-x handle great on spinning reels, you already got KVD L&L to treat the line with...sounds like you're ready to fish

You'll have days you're gonna lose some, that's fishing heavy cover. Jigs are pretty cheap, dont bother buying fancy ones 'til you get more comfortable. If you really want to learn, get the cheapest ones you can find and just throw them all day. Don't bring any other tackle, force yourself to stay out and lose them all, or catch fish trying. Even if you don't catch a fish, you'll be a better jig fisherman at the end of the day. Sooner or later, you're gonna get bit. After doubting yourself, I'll bet you remember your first good jig bass for some time too.

Hope you have a better idea of each reel based on everyones responses, really you cant go wrong whichever route you choose. I want to go Stella too eventually, maybe if one ever surfaces in the flea market.....

Having fished 2 sustain FGs, 3 ci4s and an FJ last season, maybe I can provide a bit of insight for you...Keep in mind I only have one season on this gear. But I fish a lot. First off, If you just want something lightweight......go Ci 4. Don't worry about the frame flexing, you're fishing bass with it. I've caught pike/steelhead/salmon on mine, no binding, no problems...with any of the 3. Truly best bang for the buck in my opinion. If you want something noticeably smoother and light, get the Sustain. Some guys might say, its just an oz of weight difference, that's true, but when faced with choosing a reel for a rod, I go with how they balance together...not colors, not matching brand name, just functionality and my own preference. X-ship is a great feature, when you fish reels with and without the feature back to back throughout the day, you do notice. If you can afford to go the Sustain route, I say take it...It's light like the Ci4 and smooth/powerful like the FJ. The FJ is your best route if you want to stay within a tighter budget for your setup. It's smooth, has X-ship, and I like the iridescent paint on it. I can say it didn't feel right (to me) on most rods until I tried it on my Loomis 822S. Perfect combination, balanced, not really a lightweight, but that's where it resides. edit: should also note, none of these reels had any mechanical issues all season long. Just lube and screw the maintenance port back in.

How do people get away using carrot stix then? BLAZE ORANGE... This thread was gold, thanks fellas.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us Ready to throw some jerkbaits...now if only the ice would melt. Core51mg7 Dobyns 704CB Boca OS bearings Hawgtech CF handle

ZEBCO

Mr.Franco gave you some solid advice, take a look at this: ^^ theres 3 seperate clips from the original program. It's a little dated, but if you havent seen the episode its worth watching all 3 parts.

You should also take a look at the Okuma trio, I wouldnt reccomend it if I didnt have one. Its not the prettiest, or the smoothest spinning reel I have, but it is the oldest and has proven itself to be very reliable compared to some other brands in that price range.

Had a similar gem from Quantum...X-factor PT BURNER from Gander Mountain. Total trash, inconsistent casting and backlashes no matter how you set it up or how heavy a lure you'd be using. Shoulda bought a chronarch that day.

It doesn't matter, any weight that gets your DS rig to the bottom will do the job. However, as Sam already mentioned, tungstens density gives you you better feedback to the rod in reference to bottom composition. I also like the smaller profile in extremely clear water versus a comparable lead weight.

I personally use the 7'2" Cumara M/XF, but you dont need a high dollar rod for the technique. Medium light or Medium action, fast or xtra fast taper. The rest comes down to what you feel comfortable holding and your budget range. Id be more concerned with finding a spinning reel with a quality drag to keep that 4-6lb fluoro intact...you wont be horsing those smallies.

Casting gear: Dobyns 704cb (7' Medium/Moderate) Spinning gear: Dobyns 703sf (7' Medium/Fast) OR Abu G. Vendetta (6'6" M/F) I like to use the vendetta for soft plastic jerks, lots of control with that rod. It's much stiffer however, than the 2 dobyns I have listed. The difference here is I can drive a 2/0 skip gap into the fishes mouth much better with the vendetta. The dobyns are softies. They're for use with treble hooks...keeps them buttoned right up.

There's dozen of threads posted here covering it all, equipment, setup, baits, presentations...etc. But, yes.... Dropshot will take smallies. Not just small ones either. I caught my personal best on a DS rig using a 4" finesse worm. -It's a finesse presentation, Medium light rods, small reels, and light lines. -3-6" soft plastics, google dropshot baits, and you'll see tons of stuff you could try, one of the best things about the DS is you can use just about ANY soft plastic bait. Or live bait if you want to. Also....youtube Aaron Martens vids...they are worth watching as he is a master of the technique!