Brett's_daddy

Sounds like something in the range of 30 - 50lb. braid would be a better compromise for both techniques? I do have spinning setups too but the biggest rod I have for that is a 7ft. Fenwick HMG MH/F.

Let's reverse the theory...who uses Mono for frogs? I have a large spool of 17lb. Sufix Superior that I could spool up on my reel that's going on this rod too...would that be more feasible for both treble hook topwater lures and frogs than braid?

I ended up buying the new slightly damaged rod...woo-hoo!!!

LOL...this is exactly what I've been doing too but luckily I'm the ones that signs for deliveries...it's the sneaking it home part that gets tricky sometimes ;).

My rod I'd be using for this is new to me, it's an Irod Fiber 7'5" Heavy/Fast Fred's Magic Stick model. I haven't tried it out yet as there's still ice on the lakes/ponds and snow in the yard (but it's going fast).

I also plan to direct tie to the lure as I'm not confident in my leader knots.

Now I'm waffling between Power Pro Spectra braid and Sufix 832 as well as what pound test. I'm leary of going below 50lb test as i watched a buddy of mine launch his new Savage Gear 6" line through Trout and the line snapped and he lost his brand new lure that he had only cast like 3 or 4 times that night and he was using 30lb. braid. He couldn't believe it, he said he laughed at his friend who told him he should be using 65lb. - 80lb. braid but that it looks like he knew what he was talking about after all.

I'm thinking my heavy rod will be for both larger top waters (Whopper Plopper 130, Spro Rat, MS Mini Slammer etc.) and frogs and was thinking of using Power Pro braid in maybe a 50lb. or 65lb. test. This will be going on a Daiwa Tatula CT most likely. I know that most people suggest mono for top water but I've heard of people using braid too so for a rod/reel combo that will be used for both I'm thinking braid would be the wiser choice.

I have jigs in both 3/8oz. and 1/2oz. I was thinking that the 734C would be the perfect rod for these but I'm guessing you wouldn't like it for the 1/2oz?

Exactly! Like when I ask are those new shoes and she's like what, these old things...lol.

Nah, no can do...this is being done on the down-low from the Wife...lol. That $80 is March Madness pool winnings that she doesn't know I have . The $80 price is TYD too.

I don't have the money...I have a hard cap at $80 and a new one is $110.

When you say 1/2 oz. hard limit is this just for the jig or jig plus trailer?

So I have come into just enough extra cash to buy a refurbished Fury for $80 from Dobyn's store. My dilemma is should I get the new rod that has some minor damage to the foam on the butt end of the rod and a crease in the Dobyn's logo on the end cap or should I get one of the used ones that are in good condition? The model I'm looking at is the 734C and if you go to the Dobyn's store it's item #100-082. I'm usually anal about something like this, would much rather be the first one who's ever fished the rod but not sure if the damage on it will just drive me crazy knowing it's there...lol. Josh from Dobyn's sent me a pic of what the damage looks like...see attached.

I've heard some people say that Berkley Chigger Craws and Yum Christie Craws are a good options too...any verdict on these?

What about Xcite Baits Chunk and Zoom Z-Craws...are these any good as trailers? I'm just trying to target some specific brands/models to get for different situations I may encounter.

How do you pick a jig trailer? I've heard some trailers have lesser "action" than others and just wondered if anybody could group together a few of the most popular trailers (i.e.- rage Tail Menace, Zoom Z-Craw, Paca Chunk etc.) into the more action and less action (or more if you so wish) categories and what types of conditions dictate which one to go with?

I called TW and the lady I spoke to thought it was fine but said i could exchange it if I wasn't satisfied...I'm contemplating just doing an exchange for a piece of mind and if the 2nd one comes the same way then it must be just the way these rods are made.

Yes it is and I removed it :).

I just received my iRod Fiber Fred's Magic Stick from TW and I opened it and took out the rod. It looks pretty sweet but after looking at the guides are some of them supposed to be straight up and not pitched forward towards the rod tip? I mean it's just the first 3 guides or so and I just wanted to be sure as I can return this for another if it's defective. One other thing that bothered me was one of the prominent things I noticed when I first took the plastic off the rod was a big sticker on the butt end of the rod that read "Made in China"...really, you have to advertise that for the world to see. I know most stuff is made there nowadays but usually it's just printed in small writing somewhere in a nondescript location but this is a big ol' white sticker with red writing on a very visible section of the rod .

Here is my latest Wal-Mart score... I got a bunch of KVD Tour Grade tungsten worm weights in black, green pumpkin and watermelon red flake 3/16, 1/8, 1/16, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2oz. for $1.50 each. The 20lb. Seaguar Red Label was $3 and the 3/0 & 4/0 hooks were $1 each. Not pictured are a ser of Spike It garlic scented markers which were also $1.

I did end up buying it. They only had 1 box. I'm not into leaders though so this would be used as a main line. I'll have to find a small bottle of that KVD Line and Lure Conditioner.

To a point it is...I really don't want to spend more than $25 for a spool of line and if i can find something almost as good with strong abrasion resistance for about $15 that would be even better but I'm willing to spend up to $25 if the line truly is worth the extra $10.

So Shooter is probably out of my comfort zone as far as price for fishing line but what about Assassin, how does that compare to Sniper?