iabass8

A well balanced nrx/xtreme rod /w cheap line will be more sensitive than a well balanced cheap combo /w the same line as a whole. It can be entirely based on the situation and type of line being used. a cheap unbalanced combo using braid on a TIGHT line will feel more than a higher end combo with braid on a very slack line because braid doesn't transmit well on a slack line (which is why a lot of people prefer fluorocarbon/braid-fluoro leader). In general though, your rod will play a larger role than line. line will add to it though.

no problem sir. good luck to you.

a MXF rod can serve as double duty for open water soft plastics and lighter jigs very easily and comfortably. I would not (basing this on your other thread) use it as a crank bait rod. a MF or M M/F would be more suitable for that (i still wouldn't want to but i had to choose this would be it). Perhaps you should look at the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rod in i think 6'10 MH MF. would probably be a good multi purpose rod for you and it can be found in your price range. Lots of rave reviews for it on this site. as for a reel I like to use around a 6:4:1 /w 26-28 IPT depending on what i fish for. I like a faster reel when fishing for smallmouth because when they take a bait and run at the boat/shore, you have to be able to pick up line quick so they don't throw the hooks

i personally like a 6'8MXF but i'm almost 6'3. lots of people prefer 6'6 but 7' would work .XF helps when working baits and i personally felt i got better hooks up bouncing between a f vs XF tip. A m/f tip would work fine too. I like XF because i like to "feel" the fish for a split second before i set the hook. Sometimes if you don't do this with an XF tip your bait will be behind you or stuck on the deck of your boat before the fish is even fully submerged back in the water. Using mono over braid (as some do with top water) will increase hook ups /w an XF tip if you "jump the gun" a lot due to the stretch and give in mono.

x2. The only time i use tubes is for smallmouth and the 3.5 in gizit tube dipped in jjs is a great tube. Little pricey though. Around 8$ for 20. Last a while though.

Just start using the san diego jam. If tied correctly you won't break off very often if ever due to your knot.

If i had a pond like that, i would without a doubt do that.

The line is very managable and smooth. Probably second to none. I use 3 different fluoros for specific reasons though. Red label for squarebills and lipless cranks because it has less stretch than most others. Sniper for casting drop shot and was my worm open water jig line that was replaced by tatsu. "Manageability" hasn't been a huge concern because ive found as long as you use line conditioners and adjust break settings fluoro isnt that difficult. There are some flops out there though. Tatsu is just very easy to fish with and is an extremely sensitive line. Sunline is also.

I've used it in 10# and 12# for walleye (mostly) and smallmouth. On the miss, zebra muscles just eat it alive. Ive had the line fray and break easilyy in snags but i don't believe i ever lost any fish (including 15# flatheads) with the line. It is a very "sensitive" line. I did use 6-8# fluoro leaders for smallmouth l. I was able to pull (had to really tug) the nanofil-braid knot out but still didnt lose a fish with it. I also cannot stand the noise it makes on my legend xtreme recoils. It just screeches. 10/2 pp s8s does not. Since i didnt have any leader issues i do find myself going bqck to itonce in a while for casting dropshots and mojo rigs because you will outcast other lines with ease.However with high vis yellow now avaliable in nanofil i may try it again but i wont be in any rush.

The revo is actually a very slow retrieve reel at around 20-21 IPT. It is very powerful though. I borrowed a revo winch from a tournament partner for a trip to northern WI. The reel does perform flawlessly and makes deep cranking very effortless. If i had the need to deep crank as one of my primary techniques (it is fun) i would get one (being mostly a shimano guy). However on the miss in pools 9-13 theres very little need for it so its something i do only a few times a year. if deep cranking is something you will probably due for extended periods of time over the years, the revo would be a superior choice. If its something you don't do often though, theres no need to stretch the budget when a PQ will serve you fine. You canalways invest in one later and sell the PQ.

I won a free spool of tatsu a couple weeks ago and put it on my open water/light cover jig/worm rod. I would have a hard time spending 40$ for a spool of line but i will be very sad when the line runs out. The stuff is AMAZING. I do use 3 different types of fluoro for different applications and sniper is top notch as well.

Never know till you try. Look's good though!

ya but i'm looking for something specific for shallow cranking. after looking over their website (and needing a LH reel) the MG has the closest ipt that i'm looking for. everything else is 28-30 or 21

also can anybody comment on the actual IPT of the 6:4? is it actually a fast 28 IPT. same with the 5:4. actually 23 or more or less?

It comes in 5:1 not 5:4

Im in the mood to try a different shallow crank reel with a specific IPT of 23-24. Has to be LH and the tournamemt mg is the only one with 23 (5:4:1). how does this reel handle 1/4 oz cranks? Only using 1/4-3/8 plus i really want to try a lews. I im actually looking at how it compares to the curado 51e as thats my current one. I do love the reel but want a bit of a more palm equivalent reel to use. 51 has an odd shape and the lews ive held felt good.

I haven't personally used it, but the Dobyn's 735c in each series gets some of the highest regards for frogging. Also, if you search with the search bar in the forum there are numerous topics discussing this specific topic.

Wow. Our Dick's clearance section is a small tackboard rolling rack with maybe a dozen different items on it. Lot's off off brand hooks/sinkers and berkley havoks for 1$ is about it. NO KVD SQUAREBILLS!! Not even any rapalas aside from the small finesse floaters in brown

I was once looking at the same set up a year ago for jigs. (I didnt go /w dobyns/) but the consensus was the champion/or extreme 734(open water-moderate cover 1/4oz-1/2oz where this rod shines) 735 for heavier jigs and/or frogs and flipping. Hope that helped. I was almost dead set on the 734 but went with a different company.

B fish N Tackle Pulse-R

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There are quite a few reels in the 150$ range i would choose over a PQ. In tthe 80$ range though, the PQ for sure.

My cousin had that combo last year. Worked well for a few trips and the reel just went to hell. I think some teeth inthe gears were grinding down or broke off. It only cost him around 20$ so he just chalked it up to a loss and trashed it.

That rod will do those techniques fine.

Zoom 7" trick worm will cover all those basis easily.