FryDog62

What’s interesting is the lure weight rating for those 2 rods... seems backwards. Minimum lure weight for the MH is 5/8 oz and for the Heavy it starts at 1/2 oz. ??

Kind of have a similar stretch of river by me too... easier to figure out if you have a boat/kayak. Wonder if you could try a drop-shot or live bait in certain areas you guess hold fish. Maybe let them come to you? Had a friend with a long 10 foot steelhead rod, maybe something like that if your bank Fishing to get out a ways from shore? Might have to try several spots but maybe eventually find some deeper holes or cover?

I thought about the 7-4 Heavy too... I think it would work well with 3/4 oz jigs in 20-24 fow at times. The question is will the Heavy model also work well on the lighter end with 1/2 oz jigs in 8-12 fow too? That’s what makes me wonder if the 7-4 MH might be able to do both. Hard to tell from just reading specs!!

Last year I started using different line for my Fluke/Caffeine Shad set up. Had been a braid+leader guy for years. This may surprise some, but I started using a mainline only of Sunline Flippin Fluorocarbon, 16 lb test. It has a mixture of clear and bright green to see/detect bites above water. Very helpful as most of the bites I get with flukes are on the fall. Every 30 inches of line is clear Fluorocarbon. I tie the lure at the very end of the clear line for 30 inches of extra invisibility under water. No more tying leaders or swivels, all Fluorocarbon gives you a uniform sink rate (no more “hockey stick shaped” slack to take up before setting the hook) and I can see the line above water, but the fish don’t see it below. My catch rate was as high as ever, maybe higher and better hook up percentage by seeing bites and reacting better. And no more failed Albright Knots!! https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-LNESUNLINE.html?from=basres

Keith Combs was dragging 1oz jigs on the bottom of Mille Lacs with I believe a Medium-Heavy Loomis only rated up to 3/4 oz lure weight... so I’m thinking this AvidX rated to 1-1/4 oz should work for that too.. ?? But then again each rod manufacturer varies in their ratings..

I know, it could be a tough switch. But after 5 wrist surgeries, I can’t manage the torque on my wrist with a spinning reel. Hard to explain, but a much better angle on my wrist with a baitcaster. That’s why I’m looking for a rod as specific to drop-shotting as possible to minimize the adjustment (I hope).

Pretty versatile in other words... how about a 3/4 oz Jointed Structure Head with Rage Bug dragged along the bottom/rocks for Smallmouth?

St. Croix came out with a new 7’-4” AvidX for 2018 in a Medium Heavy. What do you think best uses would be for that rod?

Great rod. Do you know if Phenix Fast action rods are more like most companies’ Extra Fast? I know they are light and sensitive, just wondering about the action rating. Thx

Thank you, assume you’re referring to the 6-10 Med-XFast model...for drop-shotting..?

Can you tell me which specific models, length, power, etc? Thx!

The only drop-shot specific baitcasting rod I’ve seen is St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass - 6’-10” ML. Anyone used it, or are aware of any other drop-shot b/c rods? Thx

Not to me, but I think some prefer the LTB because of looks even thought the AvidX might have passed it up in some respects (i.e. balance)

Looking for specific model recommendations in the $100-200 range, and also the $200+ range. Thx!

Sounds interesting... I checked BPS site but couldn’t find. Plz share if you have the link. Thx

I have particular good luck with squarebills on two different rivers I fish that are fairly shallow, have a fair amount of current and have a lot of rock. KVD 1.5 and Berkley Squarebull. Grind them hard and fast off the rock, you’ll lose a few but they do pretty well when other lures, specifically plastics are largely in effective..

I’m not from around that area... had heard Clark’s was down a few years back. Assuming it’s made a comeback and is on the upswing?

Will be in Augusta somewhere the first or second week of February. Would it be worthwhile to stay over a day and fish? It’s -10 here in Minnesota and all ice... but don’t know if that’s a good time of the year to fish down south either. What’s within a reasonable driving distance of Augusta (Savannah River, Hartwell, Murray, etc) and is the fishing any good? Suggestions for guides?

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, and you could also rig with a shallow water jack plate for skinny waters and it would be pretty versatile without breaking the bank.

Here’s your guide. Head of the Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance, radio host, and legendary guide - on top of being a world-class guy to spend a day in the boat with. I could post several pictures of behemoth bronzebacks I’ve caught with Jim, but I don’t know how to narrow it down. If you want to go peak time in June, you better call him soon... he’s booking. Best month might be August though (really) or September. Jim DaRosaIsle, MN 56342320-630-4792 cellEmail: jtd648@comcast.net

Another TV guy, Karl Kalonka, pretty much only uses the 5 inch Caffeine Shads for Smallies... Smallmouth pretty much have short-man inferiority complex and have no problem hitting larger baits at all. I’ve caught them on muskie lures several times...

#1 for me is the SK Caffeine Shad on 3/32 oz Owner Twistlock Light Hook. I’ve never seen any other fluke style bait fall like this one on slack line. Irresistible falling/swimming action...

If “Up North” includes Minnesota, there is a great variety of world-class options. Mille Lacs is a no-brainer, but there is some awesome river fishing on the very far northern stretches of the Mississippi. This is where the Lindners film a lot of their shows. Some very good smb lakes near Longville, MN too. And Chequamegon (although in Wisconsin) is within a couple hours of those destinations listed above. I noted from the above posts that that most of the best suggestions involve big water and the threat of wind that could ruin your trip. That’s why I suggested the northern Mississippi waters. Lot of times I’m scheduled to go to Mille Lacs or Rainy Lake and the wind is too much. Narrow rivers (which the Miss is up north) provide a lot of protection from wind and although there is current, there are virtually no waves to contend with). Smallies in the 17-19 inch are somewhat common on the river, a few in the 20-22 inch range. Another option for you anyway, I can give you some guide info on Mille Lacs, or other areas too if you want to send me a PM.

Well, if there is a little ice left on the lakes then, it’s good to be back in an aluminum boat again to push through without chipping the fiberglass as with boats in my past. It was was a great first year with the Lund PVB, looking forward to year 2!!

Exactly 100 days from today - I will take the boat out of storage and head to South Dakota for ice out smallmouth!!! Gotta look forward to something when it’s -12 degrees and windchill of -30...