Arv

The Dicks I've been too usually have Shimano and St. Croix rods. Not sure what your price range is but those are quality brands that would probably do well with whatever price point you choose.

Throw a Pflueger President on one of the many many rods in the 100 range and you'll have yourself a nice combo for getting after them on the weekend, or any other day for that matter. Keep your eye open for sales and you might be able to save a little bit more money. I believe the Abu Veritas rods are around 80 bucks right now. Might be worth considering. Good luck and welcome to BR!

1/2 oz red eye

I use the same rods I use everywhere else. 3/5 are 7'4, which I actually like because I can pick up more line on the hooksets being closer to the water.

Don't worry, he messaged me criticizing rod recommendations to other "beginners" on this forum.

Dobyns Champion 735c will let you do both frogging and bottom contact techniques very well. If you can get one on sale you can find it for ~200, used for ~175. Then get whatever reel you want to put on top.

Can't speak for the casting rods, but the spinning reel seat is no problem. That was my biggest hold back in getting one as well, and while I still prefer cork, I have no issues with holding the rod. This is one of the biggest things to me with fishing gear. Essentially I don't want to "think about it" when I'm fishing if that makes sense. I don't want the fact that a rod and reel aren't balancing well, or my reel isn't casting as far as I'd like, etc. to distract me. So far the Cumara lives up to these standards.

How heavy are we talking? TW still has the Cumara rep rods. Otherwise, I would check out the rods that WRB mentioned, as well as the Powell Max/Endurance line up which can be had at fish ranger for around 150

Gotta agree with the review. I picked up one of the 6'8 m/f spinning rep rods and it is a fun rod to fish. I like using Dobyns for the most part and I've been trying to justify getting rid of this one to get a different Dobyns so I can match across the board, but I just can't. The Cumara does not leave me wanting any in performance or feel in my hands.

Worm

Welcome to the forums! I think specifics depend on your set up. Is it a spinning or baitcasting set up? Fluorocarbon will be a safe bet for a finesse set up though.

It may just be me, but I wouldn't want the 805 for squarebills. I'm not an expert on cranks, but if I was to get a do it all cranking rod from the Dobyns line up I feel like I would lean towards the 765. I have the 705cb as my all around treble hook rod and its been fantastic so far, though I don't really throw any mid-deep divers.

I have used mine for almost everything

I'm sure with a heavier reel they would balance perfect. They're definitely not horrible, but there are better balanced rods out there

My favorite of all those line ups is the Endurance. Haven't used any of those specific rods unfortunately so I can't give you any specific feedback. All of them are quality brands and series so whatever you choose I think you will like.

Never used one so take this for what its worth... but I've heard more negative things than positive. I've handled them in store and they don't feel bad, but it sounds like there are many better options out there for the price. Even at 120, I would save up for another rod. The Fenwick Elite Tech might be a good option at that price.

Any reel should be do the job. The SX or JM series would be fine. I recommend using a high speed reel. I don't throw a C-Rig that much, but the combo's that I use both have a Lews Tournament Pro w/ 7.1:1

X2. All I use are daiwa tierra's on my spinning rods. Pfleuger may also be worth checking out as well if you don't care for shimano.

I like the old Revo S reels more than the new one for some reason... I'd take the PQ over the new S

Put line on them, put them on a rod, get the line through the guides on the rod, and tie a lure to the end of the line. So, no. Never had an issue with a reel out of the package.

I rig it backwards as well and fish it very much like a senko.

x2

I look at all of those things. There are plenty of rods out there with quality components, great blanks, etc. So, beyond that, I'm looking for a rod that feels good and balances well in my hands. It may not make me catch more fish, but its more enjoyable for me, especially on days when I get skunked. A good warranty is also something that is very important to me.

Hmm... Must haves. I would say the Thumper and the the Rage Craw would be what I have caught most of my fish on out of the Rage Tail line up. Color depends on forage, water color, etc.

I really like having dual brakes on my reels. Not knocking other reels by any means, but personally, I like the "fine tune" adjustments I can make having both sets of brakes. If you search around you probably find the Tournament Speed Spool for 100-110.