zildjian

Thank all of you guys for the replys, really appricate them. I'm currently looking at the Shimano: Calcutta TE 401 Reel or Calcutta B 401. Thinking abou running 30lb braid with 50lb mono or Flurocarbon leader. Still undecided on Rod selections but I want a 7' minimum give or take few inches. medium heavy fast tip. I'm going to be fishing from Boat out of Cape May, NJ and occasionally the Delaware river. Most likly just bottom fishing with bait. Not so much trolling. Heres a few pics of my first ever striper! Also she was a 43" bass.

Hey guys, I went striper fishing a couple years ago and was hooked instantly. We fished from boat out of Cape May, Nj. After catching my first ever striper, I always wanted to have my own dedicated striper rod and reel setup. For all your striper guys out there, what Rod length, power and tip do you recommend fishing from boat only? As well as Reel? I say from boat only, because I'm not looking for a surf setup. I believe I used a 7'6" Medium Heavy Rod with a Bait Runner Reel when I was on my trip. But looking to see what you guys recommend as I want to start striper fishing more during the season. Thank you, -zildjian

Thank you for clearing that up for me Wayne!

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification! I've made up my mind, I'm going to purchase the Fortrex 80lb 24v I'll pick up new batteries and also have to add one more for the transition to 12v to 24v. As for the cranking battery.. Are you not suppose to have anything on that beside outboard motor? as for everything else goes onto the other two batteries like Livewell, Trolling motor, GPS navigation, and dash switches? I was always confused on what battery you can add connections to and which battery you don't add to.

Thanks Wayne, do you recommend any specific batteries? This might be a dumb question, but do companies make different sized 12volt batteries? as in narrower in size other than standard block shape? I only ask because I don't think I have the room for a third battery, but if I can somehow get a more narrower battery's I can make it work. Thanks

Will do! As for wire gauge, is 4 gauge the correct size for 36volts? I don't want to under power the motors potential by running to thin of gauge wire. I've been reading 6-4 gauge is what must guys use for 36volts. Also, do you guys recommend any specific battery company? I've been using the same ones for years, would love to hear thoughts on your batteries.

thank you Wayne

thank all of you guys for the comments! I'm going to go with the Fortrex. Thinking about pulling the trigger on the 112lb 36volt. Now for my next question, I currently have two batteries in my boat, along with hydrollic pump for power pole and obviously my gas tank. I'm limited on space and I wouldn't be able to add a third battery. My current trolling motor setup is what came with my Bass Tracker Package, it's a Motor Guide: Pro Series 54lb thrust 12volts. it's quite but so underpowered. I most likely don't need the 112lb but I don't mind spending the extra cash for more on thrust. My only concern is, switching from a 12volt to a 36volt. What exactly is need to make the switch, I'm assuming two new batteries, and correct wire gauge. Do I need three batteries or am I safe with two? I've never done this switch before and I'd like to talk to you guys that actually did the switch and know what's needed. I'm going to have my Marine Mechanic do the swap for me, as I'd rather pay and have it done right, then me mess with pulling new wires etc.. Thank you guys so much in advance!

Hey guys, Been waiting to upgrade my motor guide trolling motor for the last 3 years. I have a 18' 7" Bass Tracker, Pro Team 190 TX model. I narrowed my search down to Minn Kota products. It's between the Maxxum and Fortrex. Undecided on the 80lb 24V or 112lb 36V. All I've been reading about these two motors is from older threads from 2009 - 2012. I wanted to hear recent feedback, also what you guys have to say about the two products that actually run them. Any Pros, Cons and Recommendations i would appreciate very much. -zildjian

Fantastic! little rough in the summer for me, but spring and fall alone I would grab a memebership again.

Thank you for the clarification on the rods, I have a duckett 6'6" medium fast for my casting jerkbait specific rod, but casting lighter jerkbaits is a pain, that's why I want a spinning rod for my hard jerkbaits along with 1/4oz+ tube jigs. what line do you guys recommend for spinning reel? I think I might go with briad backing with 8lb fluorocarbon leader. Any thoughts?

I'm definitely leaning more towards the Orochi XX Ronin. Hate to not getting another Dobyns, but I want to definitely try this rod out. Does anyone know what the true difference of the megabass casting vs spinning of this specific rod? I see they call it Jerkbait Special for the casting rod.

I noticed that, 12" vs 14.5". What's your thoughts knowing you own both these lines of rods? I own a handgull of Dobyns Champion Series, two Dobyns Chanpion Extreme rods and a handful of Duckket micro magic rods all casting and few spinning of each company. I've never owned a Megabass line of rods, but that rod does seem temping. I'm just unsure on the extra 2.5" of handle and also with the price being closer to $300 I feel like I should be comparing the Chmapion Extreme line vs this Megabass OrochinXX line. Ugh the decisions!

Megabass Orochi XX Ronin.( F4-68XXS ) 6'8" rod, Power: Medium, Action: Fast This rod looks pretty good for what I'm looking for as well, Anyone have any thoughts Pros vs Cons about this specific rod? Or comparison to the Dobyns rod I mentioned above? Thanks Pettis for the help again as well!

Good stuff! I'll give them a look as well, Thank you man.

What's everyone's take on Dobyn's Champion Series Spinning rod 683SF? 6'8" Medium/Fast. I'm interested in the 6'8" for shorter handle so I can have a little more comfort for hard jerkbait fishing, otherwise I'd go with a 7' rod. I'm mostly going to be fishing hard jerkbaits and tube jigs 1/8oz+. Is this ideal for both techniques in one rod?

Thank both of you guys for taking your time to post for me. I'm going to go with a Medium/XF rod. I usually fish 1/4oz most of the time for tubes/drop shots. But as you mentioned hard jerkbaits and poppers the medium with extra fast tip would be better suited for me. As for line what would you recommend? I'll be fishing tubes and jerkbaits more than top water poppers. Appreciate the tips guys.

Thank you for commenting, I'm going to look into the St. Croix line of rods as well, yeah I don't want a medium-heavy spinning rod. I have a G-Loomis MH worm & jig rod with an extra fast tip. It's just to stiff for what I want to use it for as of now. So it's between medium-light and medium with both a fast tip. I don't know how I really feel about the extra fast tips. Would I regret going with a medium light and wishing I had more backbone? same with regretting going with a medium and wishing I went with something a little less backbone. I'll be fishing tubes and hard jerkbaits most of the time with this rod. I just want to find the middle ground and best overall power and tip. Then go onto rod selection, and line. As for reel selection, I'm obsessed with my Shimano Stradic FJ 1000 series. Think I'll just pick up another one for whatever spinning rod I choose. Thanks again!

Thanks for the comments so far guys. Price range for rod would be $300 max.

Lol yes I'm fishing in August! It's tough during the days, but night time is a completely different world! Thanks A-Jay! Appreciate it.

took my mom out on the lake for the first time this year. Did I get out-fished? obviously. Not only did I get out fished, but my mom caught her first Smallmouth Bass, Landed her first night fishing bass, and to top it all off Broke her new PB! 2lb 4oz smallmouth & 3lb 10oz largemouth.

I was thinking medium with fast tip as well. Would a medium/light not be enough for hard jerkbaits? True about the 6'6", I was thinking about staying with a 7' just for casting distance and b letterhook up ratio for further out bites.

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new spinning rod. I want to make it a mutiple use rod for three styles of fishing. So I guess I'm looking for the best possible fit for all three of these styles of fishing. 1. Hard Jerk Baits 2. Poppers 3. Tube baits I want to be able to use this one rod for all three techniques for when the time calls for it. I also want to go with only one line, most likely monofiliment because i really don't want to back it with mono to run braid to run fluorocarbon leader. Still undecided, but want to narrow down my search for a spinning rod first, then Reel selection, then line selection. I'm already running my absolute favorite spinning setup for strictly drop shoting. Dobyns: Champion Extreme DX 702SF (7' medium light, fast) Shimano: Stradic FJ 1000 series. Power Pro: Super Slick Braid 10lb (main line) Sunline: FC Sniper Fluorocarbon 8lb (leader) Any help deciding or narrowing down the right rod as for size, power, and tip would be awesome. Thank you in advance, -Zildjian

Three little pigs from last night on the lake! My two biggest went 4lbs 4oz & 2lbs 12oz. With a 2lb even guy to add to the mix! Also lost a giant at the boat towards the end of the night.

Thanks brotha! This catch was easiest, my hardest fighting and most memorable hook up I've ever had.