FryDog62

Which lake are they on?

I fish Rainy most every year. Numbers are good but 2-3 pounds is average. A 19 inch, 4 lb smallmouth is typically where it tops out. Anything around 5 lbs is do-able but fairly rare. If you look at the bag limits and largest smallmouth caught in the annual Fort Frances tournament you’d see much the same. If you’re looking for the biggest smb in Minnesota, Mille Lacs is bigger overall for sure. But better get there soon, word is out and pressure is becoming an issue.

Sounds interesting, send a link for your preferred hook if you can. Thx!

I’ve had 2 LTB’s in the past. The imbalance finally got to me... one broke and I sold the other. Returned the broken actually for an AxidX which is a better rod overall to me, although as plain-Jane as they come.

Another vote for Yozuri Hybrid. Close enough to mono in many respects. Very strong, abrasion resistant, less stretch than fluorocarbon, doesn’t soak up water, sun resistant, great knots. A little thicker than a lot of lines, drop down to 6 lb if you need to, still very strong.

Anyone familiar with Dobyns 744c. Highly recommended to me from someone else. Top end rated at 1 oz seems a little light for a Heavy rod..?

That Dobyns does look nice... Any opinion how it might compare with the Megabass Orochi EMTF? They look similar in many respects.

Now that I’ve had 9 minutes to further salivate over the coming Spring... (Thx for the great video A-Jay!) Looking for specific rod recommendations for dragging these types of 3/4 oz swingin’ heads plus trailer, 15-24 feet of water... Brand, length, power, price... thx!

Looks like that jig and the football design have Mille Lacs written all over it. Like the customizable aspect!

I’ve been thinking St Croix as well since I have several of their rods... But also Megabass Orochi XX EMTF or Perfect Pitch. Have a friend who swears by Dobyns Sierra or Champion in 7-3 Heavy or Mag. These are brands I’ve not fished but am keeping an open mind... it’s still below zero here too much time so planning for spring!

Good question... am torn between using a spool of 14 lb Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon I already have... or using braid and tying a leader.

Looking for a rod recommendation to cast a 3/4 oz Jointed Structure Head or Football jig with Craw trailer and drag across gravel/boulder bottom in 20 feet of water for Smallmouth. Budget $200-300. Suggestions?

LSC, Green Bay and Mille Lacs are the obvious choices - but big water. If you aren’t familiar with it, would you consider a guide the first day to get depths, lures, patterns down?

Actually the 1775 BassHawk is slightly heavier (1500 lbs) than the 1850 Lund Pro-V Bass (1450 lbs). So don’t buy it because it’s lighter, it’s just a little less expensive. Here’s a mini-review I wrote on it after seeing it at the January 2018 Minneapolis Boat Show: I bought the Lund Pro-V Bass last year... and very happy with it. I was at the Minneapolis Boat Show yesterday. Their sister company Crestliner has come out with their welded version of the Pro-V Bass called the “Bass Hawk.” Will have 1875 and 1775 models. Built on the Bass Hawk platform so it’s a deep V. The 1775 has a 4 stroke ProxS 115 they say has great hole shot and tops out 45-48 mph. Bench and pedestal seating models for multi species guys. I think is priced to compete with a lot of Mod-V’s yet has a better ride/tracking. Glad I have the PVB, but if I were in the market and looking for a less expensive and good option to a mod-V I’d really think about. Better rough water ride than a mod-V, and you could also rig with a shallow water jack plate for skinny waters and it would be pretty versatile without breaking the bank.

I bought the dark gray and really like it. Always thought about a wrap too. Has anyone got a bassresource (or other) wrap? Cost?

Any suggestions for a team name for my son and I with the name “Fry” in it? We have one charity tournament planned and need a catchy moniker. You’re going to have to start charging for your services

I came from a tiller before buying the Lund. Tillers have lots of elbow room and large front decks. Downside can be a smaller rear casting deck, and higher freeboard than a bass boat. Sometimes a little harder to side arm cast, skip, jerk Baits, etc... but not too bad overall. I’m sure someone at Crestliner/Lund would take your boat in on trade... or better yet to wait and see if Alumacraft comes out with a similar Bass version soon. Will be interesting in 5 years to look back and see if anyone is still making deepV aluminum bass boats. I don’t think Lund has sold a lot of the Pro-V Bass boats... although the Crestliner rep I talked to at the boat show said they were getting a lot of pre-orders on theirs. Time will tell..

Good to know someone else is bordering on insane. Am close to purchasing a Steez as well. Ordering the SV to skip weightless plastics. May hold off and purchase at the NW Sportshow in March. Usually someone running a deal then (I hope anyway)...

Got it, is that the pixi reel? I still haven’t decided which reel I’ll use for drop-shotting. I have Tatulas and Lews mostly. I think lighter wins!

Yes, the life rating seems backwards which suggest to with the heavier rod. Will be interesting if AngryJohn learns anything further from SC Engineering...

Thx, just trying to make sure I’m comparing the right rods. I see a 6-8 and 6-10 in the Signature Series, but neither size in Nanoace... I believe a 6-9 but listed as a jig-worm rod.

I checked TW and the 6’-10” they have isn’t Nanoace, it’s the Signature series. Is that the rod you’re referring to or is there a 6’-10” Nanoace that TW doesn’t carry..?

I think there are 3 votes above for the Major Craft rods. Two for the 6’-10” MXF and one for the 6’-8” MXF. Probably both good for certain applications. Which one might be preferred for drop-shotting in 18-22 fow with 8 lb test on a lake like... Mille Lacs or Rainy?

Hey for such an “angry” guy that’s awfully nice for you to check around You’re right, TW does show 5/8 as the minimum lure rating for the MH but 1/2 for the Heavy. St. Croix’s web site is still the 2017 product lineup. So a few weeks back, I Googled 2018 St. Croix Rods. I have no idea if ISSUU is credible, but they do show the 70 Year Anniversary St. Croix catalogue (2018) and list the MH as a new model this year and the same specs TW has anyway: https://issuu.com/st.croixrod/docs/scr_cat2018_issuu

I thought that too, but actually both are “Fast”