fishballer06

You'd be hard pressed to find any freshwater fish (outside of maybe a large catfish, carp, or striper) that would be able to spool you down to your backing knot.

Let me know how you do and which ponds you are able to fish. My Grandmother lives down there and I'd like to try to hit some of the water down there on my next trip down!

3.8" Keitech SIF

You're about a month behind the 8 ball. This stuff is all over numerous other websites There's a Chronarch MGL, Scorpion DC and a 300 size Curado coming too! Scorpion DC http://tackletour.net/download/file.php?id=18487&sid=9e8987c34f4dbb935b5262610da21cc7 And the new Sahara http://tackletour.net/download/file.php?id=18489&sid=9e8987c34f4dbb935b5262610da21cc7

I throw either a tube, Senko, or Fluke as my follow up baits for missed topwater strikes. All of which are nice because they have a slow, wounded sinking motion, rather than a quick drop, and they all can be rigged completely weedless.

Abu rods are known to be a little more powerful and stiffer than rated. That being said, I own the specific rod you mention. It's probably more along the line's of a heavy power. It's an excellent jig rod and I'm really impressed with it for only being $130 retail. I'd highly recommend it if you plan on using it for the recommended uses. If there is more you want to know about this rod, feel free to send me a PM.

I have the LTB 7'1 Med-F rod as well. It's usually got a fish head spin or Senko on it though. But it works great for Keitech's too. I'll double up if I want to have a 3.8 and 4.8 tied on at the same time.

If you're still mastering the baitcaster, I'd recommend mono. 15 pound Big Game will handle almost any application in bass fishing, and you can get a big 1/4lb. spool for less than $10.

The 682 only comes in the Champion series (I believe). Further more, a 682 is not going to handle a 100 pointer at all, which weighs in at 5/8oz. Back to the original question. I recently got a Sierra 735 for frogging and heavy jigs. The Sierra line has great quality and I would place it better than the previous Savy series, but not quite as good as the Champion. I'm impressed with it to the point that I'm also looking at picking up a 683 for light plastics applications, topwater, and small jerkbaits like the Pointer 78. If you're going to be throwing the Vision 110 and Pointer 100's, I would recommend the 684.

I throw my keel weighted Keitech's on an Avid 7' Medium fast action rod. This rod is absolutely perfect for this setup. The tip has the perfect amount of softness to it for casting, and then it goes into a good backbone that can drive those big 4/0 swimbait hooks into the bone whenever a fish chokes it down deep. I pair it up with a Metanium 6:1 and I can bomb those Keitechs out there a long way. If I'm using a heavier jig head with an exposed hook, I use a Zodias 7'2" MH fast action rod. You'll need a rod with more backbone if you're throwing them with a weighted jig head. Keep in mind, a plain 4.3" Keitech alone weighs 0.4oz. So if you throw one of those on a 3/8oz jig head, you're looking at ~3/4oz overall.

Seems pretty simple to me. DT - Dives to crankbait Skitter Pop - Topwater popper Husky Jerk - Jerkbait X-Rap - Slash bait Countdown - Sinking crankbait that sinks 1 foot per second, hence "countdown" Rattlin Rap - A rattle trap style crankbait

You will find that 3/0 and 4/0 are the practical size hooks for almost all plastic bait fishing applications. If I were you, I'd stock up on both those sizes.

Or... You could hold off 3-4 more months and wait for the Chronarch MGL to come out!

Depending upon the action, it's good for all the things that any heavy power rod is good for. Where a 6'8" rod benefits is for those who may be limited on space for traveling. Whether you're a bank fisherman who has to stuff your rods inside your car, or if your boat has a small rod locker and cannot hold a 7' rod. With all that, if it's a fast action, I'd have no problem using it for jigs, texas rigs, topwaters, swim jigs, frogs, etc.

The Fury 704 or 705 would be a great rod for what you are looking for in the $100 range.

I literally just wrote an article on this exact topic last week. Just waiting for fish hound to publish it. Keep your eye's out for it.

I've tried all the big one's and I've settled on the Jackall Iobee frog as my personal favorite. It keeps water out well, it has good hooks, the plastic on the body is a durable material, I can get it to walk well, and I get good hookups for it being a frog. Only downside is they appear to be discontinued.

I'm glad to see them back!

I bought one to try out based of JW helping design it. It's a quality buzzbait. However, the one I have doesn't come in straight no matter how I try to tune it to run straight. I know this doesn't affect how the fish bite it, but I like to be able to have a straight running buzzbait for navigating it around structure on the waters surface. I'm sure if I bought a couple more, I would get a few that run straight. However, I'm a Cavitron guy and I've already got dozens of them, so I see no reason to switch.

Are you fishing from shore or boat? That alone can determine what is practical/worth carrying around. If you like frogging, a 7-7'6" Heavy rod would be a good addition. That rod could also work for heavier jigs, carolina rigs, and lighter swimbaits as well. I would also recommend a cranking rod, but you said you're not into moving baits much. If you'd like to get into them, I'd recommend a 7' MH Mod action rod. That rod will be practical for a lot of uses. Cranks, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, topwaters, swim jigs, etc.

The pointer's, Sammy's, and Aska's all came from my local Field & Stream. Bottom left is a gavocho frog. Jackall's new popping frog to replace the previous Iobee. Courtesy of my Fishmas loot!

Have you seen Penn States kicker? The guy has been laying people out in the NCAA.

You'll enjoy the ci4. It's a very comfortable reel to palm, and the spool still has the capacity to allow it to be a great all around reel. You can bomb heavy topwaters, and you can throw 1/4oz baits with ease as well. It's a really sweet spot of a size. The new braking system is also a nice touch. I usually set mine half on, half off internally, and then I can just fine adjust with the external dial throughout the day as conditions/baits change.

Chartruese shiner is my best producing color

I've been investing in Japanese baits pretty heavily this winter...