kickerfish1

That is an outstanding post! Thanks for sharing!!!

There has been a major influx of new tackle over the last few years. So much, it would be impossible to key you in all the the good stuff. Give us the common ways/methods you fish and we can give you a few baits to try in each method you fish to help get you started.

I was thinking the same. The blanks in the endurance line are far superior to the diesel.

Assuming we are using 1/8 to 3/16 oz shakeyhead weights 8# floro is just fine. Unless you are fishing swimming pool clear water during certain times of the year you shouldn't need to go any lighter especially if it is common to get 5+ lb fish on your waters. I use 8# invisix and and sniper. To me 7# sniper wont catch you any more fish by downsizing the line but is touch more sensitive in my hand over invisix. The invisix is touch more manageable so only minor differences. Just spray the line with KVD line and lure and close the bail by hand and you will be set.

Another tip on getting line to lay flat and even on reels is to keep the reel flat without tilting it on its side. Cranks -10 or 12#. Choose mono if topwater baits will be fished on the same outfit and floro if it is crankbait exclusive outfit. Jigs/T-rigs. Choose 12-15# floro if you buy the good quality stuff. Talking $20-$50 a spool. If not jut use braid and call it good.

Powell makes a fine spinning rod as does phenix. Both of these will put you to the Max end of your budget but if you can wait for a 15 or 20% off sale you can get them for well within your budget. I know I really preach heavily of the fenwick elite tech rods but I truly feel they are towards the top in their price range. I have bought both of mine for well under $100 although they retail for $120. Also you get a lifetime warranty with the rod. I purchased the 6'9 ML fast action elite tech smallmouth rod and liked it so much I bought a second. I have fished flickshakes, dropshots, and shakeyheads on it and it handled them fine. If you look used an avid or cumara may be in your range. I would get or give a strong look to the elite tech rod I mentioned above if cost is your primary concern.

What size are the shakey heads and jigs you are throwing? Do you need the same rod for other techniques...dropshot, splitshot rigs, tubes, flickshakes, smaller grubs, etc..? The above questions may need answered to determine if medium light, medium, or medium heavy would be best. I doubt bumping up to medium heavy would be best unless these baits are pushing 1/4 - 3/8 oz. You mentioned that you have the BPS JM rod in a medium power. This rod sells for over $100 if I am not mistaken. So you are wanting a rod that you can purchase for under $100 but will fish better? Unless you explore some used rod options it may be a tough task. You note you are losing too many fish but without knowing what reel or line you are using it could be either one of these items and not necessarily the rod. For line I would use 8# floro. Some good quality manageable line like invisix or sniper. I haven't had any issues losing fish on either. When looking at the reel I would suggest a 2500 series shimano. This would be a good reel for 8# lime and can handle 10# if you feel you need it. Next would be consider your drag and the role it plays with spinning tackle. Unlike casting gear where it is more acceptable to lock the drag down and horse the fish in, the opposite holds true with spinning gear. It is difficult to put into words how to set it but you should hear drag during the fight. By setting your drag accordingly you can help keep those fish pinned on the line better, preventing the hooks from ripping out or the line braking. I have a fair amount of spinning rigs for finesse fishing but my to favorites are: - 7'2 ML cumara -6'9 ML fenwick elite tech -6'9 M cabelas XML to -6'6 MH TD light and tough... note this is a "mag" finesse rig with baits over 3/8 oz These are all paired up with 2500 series shimano reels and 8# invisix or sniper.

If you are wanting to keep the reel cost to under $125 I would get a Lews speed spool or shimano citica. If you are wanting to use if for multiple types of presentations I would get something around a 6:4.1 ratio. Get a mh fast action rod around 7 foot +/- and you should be set!

Santa must have been out of coal when he flew over your house!

Simply amazing. Great color selection and performance for the price. I have used both in clear and stained water with good success. However, I prefer the Aaron's magic over both the colors you mentioned as a year round favorite. You can fish them on a dropshot or shakey head with great results!

Given the length of the 7'2 ML cumara rod you can easily run a 2500 series reel on it as well and the balance is still great. I have fished both 1/8 and 3/16 oz baits with the rod and it handled them very well. It has a softer tip which I find ideal for nose hooking drop shot baits and being able to load them during the cast. I would compare the action of the rod to be more like a phenix recon or some Daiwa sticks. Best way to describe it would be more of fast/moderate/fast action.

Great post skeletor! Lots of good info...

For weightless presentations the 4.8 inch model is the one to use although I have never tried this bait fished this way. I hate to say it but I don't think this bait is truly 4.8 inches long. I will try to remember to measure them to be sure but I think it is more like 4.25 inches. On a side note if you are seeking something smaller I did some additional research for you. The Japanese version of the I-shad, which you can find at thehookuptackle is available in the 4.8, 3.8, and 2.8 inch sizes. However at more than double the price it is your call as to whether the smaller size is that much more worth it.

You have received great advice on how to spool a casting reel under the assumption that the reel is mechanically sound. If your level wind has gone bad on the reel you will not be able to get the line to evenly lay across the spool. If this is the case you will need to replace it. If this part is in perfect working condition resort to the above posts.

Thanks for the video links! Really never thought about the weighted hook/swimbait option. Going to give this a shot...

There are a few videos out there on this bait you can check out on YouTube or TW. They show the common ways to rig them. If I remember correctly they were on a dropshot, c-rig, and weedless finesse jighead... I think an 1/8oz size or lighter. A few other small noteworthy items... 1. These baits have a great movement/action on a dropshot. 2. They are quite dense and cast VERY well but this does NOT affect their action. 3. There are both the Japanese and US version. The Japanese version is double the price. I have only used the US version and am more than satisfied with the bait. Glad you found what you were looking for!

Stellar job!

I love my 705cb glass fast action rod. I can't speak for the avid but I hear they are great rods as well. Also the dobyns is a sharper looking and more detailed rod wheras the avid is more a traditional or non-fancy rod. I don't think you could wrong with either but the dobyns is a great rod all things considered!

I have a cabelas XML ti rod. It is the 6'9 medium model with the recoil guides. It is a decent rod but feels more dead in hand compared to dobyns or a cumara. The dobyns 1 and 2 powered rods are ideal for dropshot fishing. Choose the power of rod based upon size of fish, amount of cover, and weight of the rigs you will throw. If you are on the fence go with a 2 powered rod. I have a 3 powered dobyns rod and I believe it is overkill for dropshot fishing. That is unless you plan on fishing no lighter than 1/4 oz weights and larger plastics with lots of cover and big fish present. Typically there three powered rods are for senkos, worm/jig, spinnerbaits, etc... I haven't personally used the champion line rods except the 705cb glass for cranks so I can't speak to their sensitivity but the dx rods are truly great for my fishing needs. Superb looking, great sensitivity like the glx line, great balance, and of course the lifetime warranty. TW has some of the dobyns line of rods on sale for a good savings... these are the longer rods which make good dropshot rods. I would choose a 2 powered dobyns or a cumara if it were me. Fyi... thetacklecenter has a 20% off sale. You could snag the 7'2 medium xf rod for about $190. You would be hard pressed to find 2 better rods around $200 +/-

I have used several other "pro" level places to send my reels. One place does good work but I waited 6 weeks to get my reels back. The other place has outstanding turnaround times and does amazing work but only services shimano reels. This year I am going to send all my reels to DVT. He doesn't know it but from all the good things said about Mike plus the discount to members I am going that route this year.

I have a few dropshots rods but my two favorite are a cumara 7'2 ML and a 6'9 ML fenwick elite tech rod. I also use a dobyns dx 742 casting rod.

Phenix recon 715 for a rod that can be had for under $200 without a special sale price. If you are thinking dobyns the 4 or 5 powers dobyns rods would be fine but you would need a sale for the champion line to be within reach. The cumara line is also very good but harder to find since few places have any left. For jigs around the 1/2 oz I would look at the 7'2 mh xf rod.

2nd the jackall ishad... a killer dropshot bait!

-Tackle... I have two rooms to hold everything... baits, rods, reels, bags, etc. -Crankbaits... I am good with all other hardbaits but these. -Flipping and pitching -Good deals and sales