Arv

Yeah, I'd only use a lip less crank in that scenario but it wouldn't be my first choice of lures. Depending on the rod you used you may need a slightly faster tip for better ripping out of the weeds.

Great rod though I would not use it for wacky rigs

Lews Tournament Speed Spool - 6.4:1

I probably use zoom trick worms the most, but I'll use zoom finesse worms, roboworms, gambler giggysticks, senkos... you name it. I haven't thrown many creature baits on a shakey head but its something I plan on doing more this year.

If a bass doesn't want to bite, it won't bite. If its a slow day though I will use a drop shot, shakey head or a weightless senko. Also you need to make sure you are where the fish are. You may be working your lures perfectly but it doesn't matter if there aren't any fish in the area.

832

Gotta take the trailer weight into consideration

x2. You should be able to get a very nice reel w/ you budget. Not that the reels you have picked are bad, but there are better options if you search around. Valley Tackle is a great place to buy from as well.

30#PP and use a flouro leader if you need to. The only time I really get digging in w/ the 30# braid is when I get a nasty snag and pull parallel to my line w/ my rod and reel. If that happens, I know to take care of the digging before I try and chuck my lure out there again.

lol

braid and flouro

Rip the rig aggressively off of the bottom with your rod and let it fall. Wait X seconds. repeat.

39.6 yards. Every time.

Having used all of them, I would go with the champion. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices as they are all great rods, but I give the advantage to the champion. I like it more than the avid because I find them to be tip heavy and don't balance as well as I would like. I also give a slight edge to the champion in regards to balance over the endurance as well. Also, the sensitivity of the champion is better than the other two, not by a large margin though, to me at least. I like the materials used in the champion as well. Granted, I'm comparing a 250 rod to two 200 dollar rods so I don't think it's completely apples to apples, but if you can afford the champion I think you should go for it. For moving lures you can get away with the savvy of you want. I would not use the savvy for bottom contact presentations. One more thing to take into consideration however, you can find the endurance for 150 new at fish ranger. Don't know if that makes a difference, but it's worth considering if you're on a budget. Again, I don't think you can go wrong with any one though. All are excellent choices.

I don't think there's a right or wrong combination of rods and reels necessarily. One could probably make a good argument for any arrangement if they really wanted to. However, for me, I will usually put the higher gear ratio/ipt reels with my bottom contact rods as I want to pick up line quickly to set the hook. Moving baits will usually get a 6:1. I don't have any 5:1 reels, but those can go with moving baits as well if you want a slower retrieve.

Great point! I have braid on all my set ups though, haha. If need be, I will tie on an FC leader if I'm around rocks/gravel. I do think this is often an overlooked factor when compared to rods and reels.

I try to do the same. It was just a thought as I was thinking about which rod I would put a worm and which rod I would put a jig on between my Dobyns Champion and Dobyns Champion Extreme

Shouldn't be an issue. I used to be worried about tying the night before but I don't find it to be a problem now that I've tied rigs the night before.

I think most people agree that bottom contact presentations require more sensitive rods than most other presentations. However, what do you guys think about the difference between the different bottom contact presentations? Jigs (skirted jig and craw)? Texas Rigs? Carolina Rigs? Shakey Heads? Personally I feel like jigs would require the most out of all of them because of how quickly bass will spit them back out. To me, bass will usually hold on to worms and other creature baits fished on a Texas and Carolina Rig a bit longer, probably because they feel more plastic and less lead.

I haven't used the *** before. I'm sure someone else will be able to give you advice though as they are popular rods.

6'8, spinning and casting

I'd say either another MH or step up to a H power rod. If you fish thick stuff occasionally it may not be a bad idea to step up a power. For a lot of rods, I feel like the 1/2oz mark can go either MH or H, depending on the company.

Either 734 or 735. Dobyns IMO tend to be a little overrated as far as power goes. I would say may 4 power is pretty close to a 3 power Powell. That's my opinion so far.

Er ma gersh. I can't wait.

Also, I only have 2. A Dobyns DX 744c and a Dobyns Champ 735c. I love the 744 and use it primarily for jigs and plastics. I'll use the 735 for a ton of stuff but it's either got a worm or a jig on it most times. If not one of those then I'll throw heavier swim jigs and spinnerbaits on it. I'm honestly contemplating getting rid of 735 for a 733 or 703. I'm finding I prefer lighter powered rods and don't throw hardly anything over 1/2oz. We'll have to see though as I haven't had a ton of time on the water with these rods recently.