fishballer06

705CB Champion - this rod can basically do anything

1/4 oz black Cavitron, red blade. I use a trailer unless the grass is too matted for it. I'd say about 25% of my catches only have the trailer hook in them.

I usually find my bigger fish on off shore structure. But again, every lake is different.

FLW is on Champlain right now too. Scott Martin had over 20 pounds on Day 1 as well.

I bought 5 President's from DSG last winter during their inventory clearance sale for $34 each. Worst case scenario, if you don't receive anything, call up your CC company and dispute the charges.

I use snaps for almost everything, but I take them off if I'm fishing a popper. A snap will pull the head down some and change the popping of the lure.

I love the D Bombs. I find that air gets trapped in those ribs on the body, which can make a bubble or two on the bottom whenever you're dragging it around.

I would definitely recommend the Zodias or an Avid over an E6X, and I own at least one of each.

Be prepared to be "boated". Know how to use cull balls and how to fill a weigh in bag from the livewell drain. And most of all, be fast and good with the net.

Zoom Finesse Netbait Finesse Bio Plasmatail Roboworm

Over the past year I've really fallen in love with my Avid 7' M-F (AV70MF). I've been using this rod a lot and I'm to the point where I want another rod just like it. I also own 3 Dobyn's Champion cranking rods, all of which I love, but I've never held/used any of the Dobyn's standard rods. I don't have any local Dobyn's dealers, so I'm taking a shot in the dark to order a Dobyn's online. So I'm considering getting the Champion equivalent of my AV70MF. I'm wondering if any of you gentlemen can tell me which Champion rod is most like my AV70MF. I'm guessing it's either the 703 or 704. Also, if anyone can tell me. Will the 733/734 give me the same action as their 70 counterparts? Or do they have a little more backbone because of the extra length? Thanks everyone!

Ned rig is soooo last year... This year would have to be the Keitech copy cats.

Keep doing what you're doing. That's exactly how they work.

Not to discredit what Team9 said, but female fish do lose a fair bit of weight during spawn. For example, I just caught this fish 3 weeks ago. She was 22 3/4" and only weighed 3.6 pounds. We caught 3 other smallmouth this day that were over 20" and all of them were skinny and lethargic during the fight. The water temperature was around 70* that day, and the weekend before the water was around 62*. I fish this particular lake a good bit. Back in October/November I caught a few other smallmouths in this lake that were in the 19-22" range and most of those were in the 4 to 4.5 pound range and were very scrappy during the fight and had very chunky bellies. So I'm betting that this fish had lost a pound or so during the spawning process. Without actually getting a scientific study done or seeing visual problems on the fish (parasites, etc.), it's hard to say. Seeing as you're in Michigan (and me in PA), it's a very good chance the fish was post spawned out.

Huk sun shirts Huk ICE head buff Simms sun gloves Lots of water and asprin

Rapala DT 10/14/16/20 are all good baits.

I've got them. What do you need to know?

I'll also throw the Abu Ike Series 7'2" in the mix as well, for this price range.

Yes

Other than being a young child, I can't see any reason for a bass fisherman to use a spincast reel. Especially one who can operate a baitcasting reel. I can't think of any modern tournament pro who uses a spincast reel either. Everyone is using spinning reels for presentations that are too light for casting gear.

I've had success using it many different ways. Steady retrieve - I usually add in an occasional twitch or I'll pause the retrieve randomly Let sink - cast, let sink, slow retrieve back, vary it as above Burn - works well around thick/matted grass. Burn it past the edge, fish will come out and crush it. Yo-Yo - put it on a fish head spin and yo-yo it. Shallow or deep, open water or around structure. It works.

One does not "try" a Dobyns, one "converts" to Dobyns...

You should have probably specified in the title that you meant the Fury 735c. Most guys consider the 735c to be the Champion line, which is around the $250 mark. If you're in the $100 price range, I highly recommend the Abu Ike Series 7'2" MH jig rod. It's perfect for your application and it's what I personally use. I highly recommend it.

Placed my order, and threw in some BR love. Thanks!

The digger is a pretty decent bait. I like it so far. The warpig (rattle trap) looks good. I have one but haven't thrown it yet. Here's a comparison video I made with the digger and the Rapala DT.