BronzeChaser

I'm in need of a new frog rod and I'm really considering a 734 max. I'm aware they make a specific frog rod, but I really think I'd like the 734 better. My question is related to the power of the rod. I have a 723 endurance and I'd say it's a touch lighter in power in relation to a true mh. So I'm wondering if the 734 has the power to move fish from heavy vegitation. My instincts are telling me it will be. My friend uses a 7'3 heavy bucoo and it seems to be a little under powered compared to most heavy power rods, but still has plenty for getting fish in the boat. So if the power of the 734 is similar in power I'm sure I'll like it. Any input would be great, thanks.

I'm having a little trouble with deciding on a length for my next jig rod. I'm already set on trying out the an ***. But I can't decide on the 7'1 or 7'3 mh. It'll be used for a lot of pitching and casting to cover, as well as some skipping and a fair amount of football jigs, mostly around 20 feet and shallower. I like the 7'1 for pitching and skipping as well as casting in shallower water. But I'm afraid it may be too short for deeper water applications with football jigs. What are your thoughts?

I bought an endurance 723 a couple weeks ago and I'm very pleased with it so far. It's pretty light and balances just extremely well with a curado 200e7, it's very sensitive, and it looks great to boot. I've been throwing mostly 1/4 oz jigs on it and have been able to detect light bites in 15 feet of water no problem. As the water warms I plan on using it for swim jigs. Great rod in my opinion and very versatile.

I had a feeling they couldn't be as bad as some have been making them out to be. Shimano's been a trusted and quality reel builder for long time, and for $130 they're as much as an e series citica was, and I'm confident they are as good or a little better in performance. I have a couple curado e's and citica e's and enjoy them, I've just been a little hesitant about the g's. But from you guys say they're typical shimano quality. I've also got a couple revos, they're nice but the gear box on the new ones interfere with how I hold my reels, so It's between shimano and lews and I've always like shimano more anyways

Ever since the g series came out I haven't really considered them, but lately from most of what I've been hearing from people who actually fish them, they seem like a typical quality reel from shimano. I'm not here to start any arguments or comparisons about the e vs g series. I'm just interested in what people thing of the g for a cranking reel. You can get them on ebay for $130 all day long. I haven't fished these reels, but I've yet to fish a shimano I didn't like, I'm not a fanboy, I just appreciate a quality reel. If these are anything like what I've come to expect from shimano I'm sure they're a good reel. Again it will be used for cranking, so the graphite sideplates and rigidity of the reel under heavy loads isn't really a concern. I'm more interested in smoothness and castability, although I'll probably put bocas in it anyway.

I'll give it a shot. My buddy caught a 7 1/2 lb smallie out of a lake we fish all the time last fall, only a 1/2 pound off the record for maine. so maybe I have a shot haha

I know there's more to casting distance than just the reel. I'm typically using 10-12lb fluoro and a variety of mid range crankbaits, with the lightest being the 3xd. I got the long, whippy rod for this application because it makes it easier to get a good whip cast and launch a smaller crankbait a far distance. I've done it with different reels since and now I want one that has good casting capabilities and balances well on the rod as well.

I've found it pretty surprising how active fish can be in really cold water. I believe it's especially true for the bass in these far northern states because they're somewhat used to living in cold water, a lot like the people here are used to cold air temps. A couple seasons ago I caught my first one of the season cranking a shallow ledge off the side of a point in about 6 feet of water. The water was in the 30's and it was almost a 5 pound fish

I've got a few e series curados and a citica, and although I don't own a g series, I have handled them and I just didn't get the same feeling in my hand as I do with the e series. It's important to me for the reel I'm holding to have a strong, sturdy feel to it, and the g did nor give me that feeling. I'm not saying they're a bad reel, and I'm not talking down to shimano, I love their reels and always will. But for full price I would take an e over a g any day. I am, however, very excited to see what they have for 2014

I'm a little ways north in Maine, but the ice is just about gone and I've been eagerly waiting. I start with jigs, jerkbaits, and super slow rolling spinnerbaits. Targeting mostly steep main lake banks, points, and bluffs. Along with deeper submerged grass. Most guys wont even think of a spinnerbait when it's really cold, but I've whacked 'em crawling one along the bottom on some nasty days

Never past the barb for me. But last summer I was fishing with my buddy. I reared back to launch a spook as far as I could and he got both trebles in the bicep at full speed. Used the line trick to get them out and he just had a few holes in him

I'd opt for the tournament all day long if it wasn't for the weight. It's important to me to have my setups balanced. The rod I'm going to be putting it on is a falcon bucoo 7'6 med/mod. And I think at 7.9oz the TSS might be a little too heavy. It's in the running though

I have mainly shimano's and revo's with a couple reels from other manufacturers. That was my first and only experience with lews and I thought everything was good quality for the price point except for the casting. I'm not new to casting reels and am pretty proficient in using them so I know it wan't user error. I'd like to give lews another shot because they seemed to be well liked, but I need to know they can live up to my expectations. I wouldn't hesitate on getting a bb1 except I don't wan't a reel without infinite anti-reverse

I think this reel is underrated for it's price point. I got the 5.4:1 version when they were fairly new for mid range crankbaits and loved the reel. The one thing that set me off about it was that I couldn't get a good, long cast with lighter baits like a 3xd. So I ended up trading it to a buddy of mine. He now has a few of them and it seems like his cast much better. So I'm wonder if I just got one that casted a little poorly. I'm once again looking for a new mid range cranking reel and would like it to be fairly light weight and long casting. Any thoughts and experiences you want to share about this reel would be nice to hear.

I'd have to say the e series curado. They're smooth, long casting, and can take a beating more than most other reels I've used

I live in Maine and around here a lot of the lakes and rivers have both largies and smallies in them. Both species can and are caught on whatever particular pattern is hot that particular day. It helps to not try and separate them, although they do behave differently sometimes, both species are predatory fish and if presented with something that resembles their natural forage they will most likely eat it

Another vote for the Alberto knot. I fish with braid a lot and always use leaders from 6lb to 20lb. I started off with blood knots, and even though they are a little faster and easier to tie, they aren't nearly as strong or reliable as the alberto. It'll be a little slow at first, but once you get the hang of it you'll be able to tie it pretty quick. It only takes me 20-30 seconds to tie one and it's by far the best line to line joining knot I've used

Alright, it's a done deal then, 723 on the way. Thanks for the advice

Thanks guys, I was leaning towards the 723. I'm a little worried about bending hooks out though on the northern style swim jigs. If I have 30lb braid and really pull on the fish does this rod have enough tip to absorb some of that and not bend out the lighter hook. I do plan on throwing the heavier hooked swim jigs as well and just putting some more "oomf" into my hookset. If I am in heavy cover though I will switch to a flipping stick

Let me start off by saying this is my first post here, even though I've been visiting and really enjoy the site for a while now. Now onto the rod. I'm pretty set on the powell endurance, I've had a couple powells before and like them, but never an endurance. I'm having trouble deciding between the 723cef and 725cb. Now before you jump to the 723, or maybe a heavier model, it is worth mentioning that I throw both spinnerbaits and swim jigs on braid almost exclusively, so a rod with a little more give is helpful. I live in Maine and do a lot of smallmouth fishing in open water using a lighter hook so I don't want an overly powerful rod. With that being said I do a lot of fishing for largemouth as well in and around heavy cover, mostly various weeds, so I want a rod with enough power to set a heavier gauged hook swim jig or spinnerbait. All the while having the right, somewhat softer action for hooking and playing fish on braid.