kschultz76

I have the Jerkbait Special, Spinnerbait Special, Diablo, and Tour Versatile in the XX line. In terms of how parabolic they are it's JS>SS>DSR. While the DSR isn't as fast as my LTB MH/F or my HE3 MH/XF it's also not as moderate as my KLX CRT MH/MF. If you're looking for a but more power the. The Flatside I'd look at the Spinnerbait Special, I throw larger heavier squarebills on it a lot with great results as well as lipless, spinnerbaits, etc. from what I understand from Gary the taper/action on the JS and Flatside are very similar, the SS is not as parabolic but handles treble baits very well. I got the DSR because for pitching lighter jigs and trigs the SS wasn't quite what I wanted though it will do it. The DSR handles those duties much better, as well as spinnerbaits and lipless, in my hands though its not as moderate as the SS. The DSR for me really is very versatile and I've caught several fish pitching triged creatures on it in light cover as well as on a Spinnerbait and lipless. Now since I got the DSR I've gotten the HE3 MH/XF and that is fast becoming my favorite rod for any kind of jig or trig duty up to 1/2 oz, over that I move to my Tour Versatile. I really enjoy my XX rods but they are certainly a niche and you have to experiment with each one to find how it really suits you. I think there may still be room in my stable for a Perfect Pitch. Now I know the tapers may be different on the Levantes based on what's been published so we will have to see how those rods actually perform. But hopefully that comparison helps you.

St Croix had their Rage series on clearance for 89 plus free shipping in their bargain room online. If you like the looks of the handle its likely one of the best blanks available under 100 right now, and one heck of a bargain. You also get the backing of a great company. The Rage use the same materials in their blank construction as the Avids.

The knobs on the Sahara FEs look removeable. Just use a small flat head screw deiver to gently pry out the center cap, there should be a Phillips head screw underneath.

If the knobs on those handles are remove able you can order other Shimano knobs from their parts website to install. To use the round Eva from the CI4 you will need the knob plus the screw on end cap. I've installed power grip IIs from Curados on my Stradic FJs and CI4+ spinning reels. You can also order handle bearings from other reels to add under the knobs instead of bushing. I'm not familiar with the knobs on the Sahara so you'd have to see if they're removable.

St Croix Avid X 6'8" M/XF. I use this same taper in the Legend Xtreme (prior model with cork) for all my skipping duty using spinning gear. The light very fast tip loads up easy and predictably with a sharp snap of the wrist, and has great backbone for moving fish away from cover, for a lighter weight rod...it's not a monster flipping stick so you can't just haul them out.

That's a nice bag for sure Hootie, well done. Nice to see someone on here does more then just talk about their gear, and that includes me. No time to get out and fish right now!

I expected this thread to be about senior moments... Don't expect us to believe you boated all those fish without pics!

Sunline Sniper Super FC 7lb test, gets a bit of twist and memory, responds well to KVD l&l treatment. But great knot strength, tough as nails for its diameter. However earlier this year I spooled up Tatsu in 8lb test, handles better with less memory and twist, still strong ant tough. It's more expensive though. I've used Invizix as well in 8lb test but didn't care for the amount of stretch it exhibited. I've used pline floroclear a lot in the past in 8lb test but got one bad bulk spool and several bad filler spools where the line had an odd wavy texture and would snap in odd random places if you looked at it funny. Since then I've moved on.

St Croix makes a great rod, and what you're looking at will be a step up from what you've had previously. I'd suggest as others you look at the clearances Rage rods in St Croix's bargain room as they are a really good deal, and will be a better blank then the current Mojo line. Also I'd agree if you want the Mojo try to wait for the new version with the SCIII blank to be released. The better blank material will be an improvement in sensitivity and weight, and hopefully they tweak the design with other improvements. Take a hard long look at the Rage, the reel seats and grips on them aren't for everyone.

Majorcract debuted/announced that the JDM Corzza is coming stateside at iCast. Six spinning, eleven casting (including bfs models), and all one piece models. $149-189.

Do you have any gear to start with? What's your experience bass fishing so far? What types of lures/presentations do you fish the most or like? What types of water, structure and cover do you usually fish? Is that budget for one rod/reel combo or for both combos? General advice without more info would be tiger one M/F spinning rod with a 25500 or 30 sized spinning reel, and one MH/F baitcasting rod with reel all within your budget. Using the Flea Market forum here to find quality used equipment is a good way to stretch your budget. Good luck

If you're still in the market someone still had has a St Croix Legemd Xtreme 6'8" M/XF (previous gen with cork split grips) listed in the Flea Market here now for $200. I keep trying to come up with an excuse to buy it but can't really convince myself that I need another one. That's a killer deal!!!

Stradic CI4+ 2500

What lure weights and what kind of cover? Those are the important facts that will determine rod weight. Spinning gear can be used to pitch, I do it all the time but generally with something like a weightless Senko or Shakeyhead in light cover. The biggest disadvantage of spinning gear in very heavy cover in my view is the lack of mechanical advantage/cranking power in the reel. Typically means you will have to use lighter line and play the fish out more agains the rod, giving them more time to find something to hang you up in. But it can be done, I've stuck 3lb and 4lb large mouth on a weightless Senko in the bases of very gnarly submerged brush and worked them out - good line is key. But in one instance I had to take the boat in close to dig the fish out, the rod (St Croix M/XF) just couldn't overcome the branches. St Croix makes some pretty stout MH spinning rods in their LTB, Avid X, Rage and other lines rated to 3/4. Kistler has a MH Helium 3 spinning rod rated to 7/8 of an oz as well. Anything heavier then these for truly gnarly cover would be a custom or maybe inshore/musky/salmon type of a rod maybe. Edit to add Kistler actually makes a MH/XF spinning rod in the Helium 3 line rated 1/4-1oz.

I have the 6'9" MH Crank Rop Twitch KLX and am very pleased with it so far. The action is perfect for what I wanted, not as moderate as my St Croix MHM, but still more moderate then a fast. I got it specifically for target casting cranks and top waters close to cover and it is an accurate easy casting rod. Kistler just had a 25% off sale on their site. Keep an eye out there or sign up for their emails. Seems they run sales regularly.

I've got a 71 Helium 3 MH XF on the way.

Thanks for the response, that helps and confirms what I was expecting. I figured it would come in faster then my Diablo Spec R, but not as fast as my St Croix LTB M/XF. I'm intending to use it for an all purpose bottom contact trig/jig stick for 3/8-1/2 jigs. Knowing you can throw a weightless Senko around cover with it is nice to know bc I may want it to pull that duty occasionally.

I can't decide between that and the 7'1". The 7'4" gets on the long side for transport and close quarters in my boat. But it's only 3". And I'm also thinking of adding an EMTF at some point so who knows. So many rods so little time.

I have the 6'9" MH MF Crank Rip Twitch KLX, and have only used it so far for cranks and top waters, nothing where I'm really testing sensitivity. But for what you can and want to feel with moving baits I'm more then pleased the blank definitely has sensitivity. I really love the taper and feel on the cast, it loads well and predictably and is closer to fast then moderate to me, very similar to my Orochi Spinnerbait Special but not quite as crisp and maybe a bit less powerful. But in a pinch I think it's fast enough to throw a light trig, a Senko, or even a finess jig. I'm really pleased with how the rod loads and unloads on the cast, very controlled and predictable. I wanted a shorter rod for target casting top waters and cranks at close cover, lay downs, docks, overhangs, etc and this rod is doing it perfectly for me. I can pitch a crank to cover if I need to. I'm very pleased with the build quality, materials, and components of the KLX, I was surprised to find I really like the Kigan guides on it, they seem quality and I feel they help with the casting. Love the sort of shimmery sharkskin look of the raw carbon blank. I'd be curious if anyone with hands on with the Helium 3, especially the 7'1" MH/XF could compare its taper and casting characteristics to any Orochi or St Croix rods.

I wouldn't assume the Jerkbait Special is a casting version of the Ronin, the taper is Regular for the JS vs Fast for the Ronin. I have the JS and love it, very versatile rod for a variety of moving bait presentations, and I've even thrown finesse jigs on it with success. But it is more of a parabolic taper well suited to trebles. I use it primarily for jerkbaits, top waters, smaller cranks, but I know if I need it to its got the power for lighter soft plastics.

LTBs are nice rods at their price point and you can't beat St Croix service. In an LTB for the 3/8 jig plus trailer you want the the MH/F in your preferred length, I'd go 7'1". I think some folks like the MH/XF for jigs as well though I've not used one. Some of the LTBs are tip heavy but overall lightweight. Also the current reel seats are a love it or hate kind of a thing.

Can't say positively if the Ronin suits all your needs as I've not handled it. Megabass's description of it seems to say it fits all the uses you have for it. I'd suggest you contact Gary at The Tackle Trap and see if be can provide some input, he is a defacto expert on Megabass rods, a very knowledgeable tackle resource, and an all around nice guy. That said I'd take an Orochi XX over a Dobyns 7 days a week and twice on Sundays. I'd also take a St Croix over a Dobyns any day, but generally I find my MB Orochis out perform and have a better feel then my LTB rods. My Legend Xtremes are neck and I with my Orochis.

Test paddle all you can and find what works for you. I'm both and an avid angler and pretty avid paddler. I have been fishing out of my WS Tsunami 120 for a few years and mostly with no issue. But fishing out of 25" wide day touring kayak with four rods plus tackle is tricky. This past weekend I went test paddled fishing kayaks planning to get a dedicated boat for it. Because I've spent a lot of time in touring boats and also have seat time in ww boats I just can't get right with a sit on top. My research lead me to the Jackson Kilroy, and from the 20 min test I took the boat is awesome, and has some features that truly work. I was amazed at my ability to stand in this boat, turn around to fish different directions, pitch and cast while standing. Paddling in it is very comfortable and I was surprised at well it paddled given its width and weight. The rod holders/tubes inside are great I made sure to test them. Long story short I've ordered one in Forest Camo. Check it out, and if you like sit on tops look at the Cuda, similar hull. Now I also tried a Native Ultimate 12 and while it was ok, standing stability was an exercise in balance and trust, took too much concentration. Also didn't care for how it paddled, it just didn't track well or handle well. Also didn't have the storage and organization features of the Kilroy which I think I will really enjoy. Good luck with your search!

Don't get hung up on trying to compare med light, med, med heavy or fast vs ex fast. Look at the line and lure ratings. Consider feedback from users, and if you can check out the rods in person to how they handle. In St Croix in my experience I prefer the M over ML for your listed techniques unless you're fishing really light lures below 3/16 oz. I find the M/XF of my Legend Xtreme works a top water and Jerkbait very well. The XF tip is light, allowing accurate well controlled twitches/pops of jerkbaits and top waters. With soft plastics like tacky rigs and weightless Senkos it lets you feel your bait, and shake it and pop it without pulling it away from your target. The Med power gives a great backbone to handle pulling fish away from cover, and get a good hookset with soft plastics. I've not had issues with the rod being too stiff or too powerful for treble hooks, and fish a Rapala Floating Minnow F11 on it regularly in the spring. Second choice for me for your listed techniques would be a St Croix M/F if you're really unsure about the XF action. The M/F will be extremely versatile and handle a lot of techniques.

To stay within your price range look at the St Croix Premiers, Mojo Bass, or Rage MHM models. They'll only handle down to 3/8 well, but in my experience you aren't going to find a rod that truly handles 1/4 all the way to 1 oz equally well. St Croix also has the Rage on clearence in their bargain room for 89. A bit above your range the St Croix Avid or Avid X in MHM would also be excellent. I'd also recommend a Kistler KLX Crank Rip Twitch model MH in your preferred length. I recently got the 6'9" model and am really happy with its quality and performance. It is less moderate then the St Croix's which for a lot of crankbaits I like, and I've tested it with top water as well which it handles well. I have no experience with it but the Donyns crankbait rods always seem like popular choices and current feedback I've read on the new Fury 705cb is good as well. Good luck