Puggz

Absolutely a 7' ML would work. Try and find one that's XF, you'll love the soft tip for finesse. Regarding a reel, one of the Abu Revos would work! Size 20 should be perfect. One you decide on the rod, then test various reels on the rod, this will help you decide. And who knows, you may end up with a shimano...lol. Also, you may get drawn towards one of the tiny spinning reels (size 1000) thinking thats best for the ML rod but they don't cast as far and the drag isn't quite as good because of the smaller spool. Good luck with search!

How about a 7 - 7'6" ML/XF spinning rod with a 2500 series reel. Great for slinging UN-wieghted plastics a country mile and drop shotting. It will also work as a great finess/live bait/slip bobber rig. I have a Fenwick Aetos 7'6" ML - XF with a Symetre 2500 that I use all the time.

Tough choice - they are both great products and you won't regret either. I'm sure you can find a dealer that has both and maybe even the rod you want. Mount both of them, get an idea of the feel on a rod, the click on the drag, the balance. etc. Even the look! If you love the look of it you'll get confidence from that. Then pull the trigger and never look back.

Ranking best to worst is totally subjective as already mentioned here. Go out and use them and you'll find your favorites. Price/quality/reputation are all pointless if you don't like it. Now if you were shopping for a new reel your question would be more valid as others can give you a place to start. My experience - I have both Chronarch models you mention. I don't care for the 200e7 at all. Actually, I prefer my Daiwa Tatula-100 that costs 1/2 as much as the Shimano. My Tatula type R smokes the 200e7 which i find comparible to the Ci4 (which I like except for the price) Why don't you tell us what you think? Your experience, preference, and why....

Good point Roger, That is one of the things that annoy me with regards to the looped/closed eyelet. Now bigger spinnerbaits used for pike/muskie are fine with a a closed eye because you're probably using a snap or leader. I do find the open R bend slightly harder to tie but that's most likely because most of my spinnerbaits have the closed eye. Something to practice over the winter months.

What about skippin tubes/grubs etc under and around docks? I've been quite surprised with the power this thing has..

Thanks everyone, lots to think about!

There we go! I agree that when the boats on the trailer everything gets put away. I'm looking for a way to keep it under control while fishing. Lots of good ideas, Thanks everyone.

A couple of decades ago a bud gave me a Lew's Speed Stick as he had an extra one. Model SG1-156S / 5'6" / Light Action / 3/8 to 5/8 oz / short to medium range / 6 - 12lb line. A very interesting handle for sure! We went out largie fishing in my canoe one day and he used it for tubes in around submerged timber (reservoir). I use it now for walleye early in the year when I'm ripping bucktail jigs. Is there a real Bass application for this? I already have a Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'3" medium. Thanks in advance!

My dropshot rod has a typical hook keeper and I'm wondering if anyone has a trick on how to keep the rod rigged while stored. For further clarity, what is a good way to affix the weight so it doesn't pose a problem or tangle.. etc.

You know how some spinnerbaits have an open eye (termination point) and others are closed. I prefer the closed as its slightly easier to tie... Am I missing anything?

+1

Alright its mine! What are your reel recommendations then? Lets keep it under $250.. TIA!

I thought so. I"m out on Lake St. Clair tomorrow after Muskie. If its still there on friday I'll grab it. Cheers!

My local dealer has one of these left at 40% off. 12 to 20 lb line and lure wt 1/4 to 1 oz. I'm thinking carolina rigs, swimbaits, and a jig/worm rod. I currently have a 6'8" MH Fast jig/worm rod that's great for jerkbaits and i'm thinking this rod will sling swimbaits, jigs and worms a bit farther due to the length. Thoughts?

I live in SW Ontario and have purchased several St. Croix over the last few years from local dealers. PM me with the model(s) you are interested in and I'll check when I'm at one of these stores for stock. Here are some that come to mind: Independent shops: Natural Sports (Kitchener) Fishing World (Hamilton) Pro Tackle (Belleville) Big box store: Sail (they have several in southern ontario) Bass Pro (north toronto) Cabelas (Barrie).

Most of my flipping is on shoreline cover (long point bay, lake erie). Once and a while I'll try docks but mostly grass, brush, and logs along the shore. I'd also like to use the rod for pitching football jigs into deeper weed puffs, say around 15' deep. These weeds can be pretty dense so I'd like something I can pull them out of w/o much trouble. So far my BPS extreme does an ok job I just want something lighter and more sensitive. I'll just re-purpose or sell the extreme..

Looks like a nice rod! Don't think its telescopic tho...:\

Sweet setup! I love playin with Erie Smallies on ML tackle.

I've been using a BPS Extreme Heavy-Fast 7'6" Telescoping for my flipping and hvy pitching needs but I find the rod is pretty heavy to be doing it for any length of time. Plus I don't really like the action/sensitivity as I can't seem to feel the lighter bites. Therefore, I'll either re-purpose the rod or just sell it. I have it paired with a Tatula type R, which I love. Criteria: I only have 4 slots in my locker that accommodate rods greater than 7'. As all of my rods are 1pce I would prefer the flippin stick to be extendable/telescopic. Length? I'm fine with the 7'6" but what about longer? I'm short (5'5") but I like the idea of a longer flippin rod. As I pitch with this as well (if I'm further from the target) will the longer rod be problematic because of my height? Action? This has got me stumped.. The ST Croix LT flipping/punching rods are all somewhat parabolic.. Medium Fast action. In my mind, I think I'd prefer a Extra Fast (soft tip) to help with the lite bite? Looking through different MFGs specs, I've seen 3 types of action offered in a flipping rod, MF/F/XF.. What's your preference and why? Power? I think I want to stick with Heavy, not XH as the bass in ontario are generally under 4lb. Again, these are just some of my assumptions and looking for the expert advice that I know lurks in this forum :-D. TIA! Patrick.

All my best lessons have been from fish I've lost...unfortunately..

I feel that the ML-XF 7'6" combo works fine for drop shotting as it has a really soft tip and great sensitivity which allows the fish to really grab the bait. Sure, it may be a bit long but I haven't had any problems. Its also good for slinging out unweighted plastics, reg or wacky. I do use the rage for jigs but I feel a short MH version of my elite tech would be a nice addition for 3/8oz and up jigs/tubes. I thought the BPS Extreme was a flippin rod?? It even has a telescopic handle. Obviously what you want is a set of rods that you can rig for a single application. IE. Fishing heavy cover for LM, Jigging/crankin flats for smallies., Pitchin deep weeds for LM, etc. I guess thats what I'm getting at. Let me think on this a bit and I'll get back to you all. And again. thanks for your valued input!!

Thank you, that's a good idea. I'm just not sure what their action is.. I'm assuming fast but back then they never noted that on the blank..

I suspect you're indicating my lack of medium topwater, ML crankin rod? I don't do much topwater but early in the year I fish a lot with scatter raps and flicker shads... Wish my rod locker held 12 instead of 8...lol Thank you!

This will be my first late fall fishing for Largies.. Until now., this time of year has been dedicated to Muskie, Pike, Walleye, and Smallies. I typically bass fish in Long Point bay, lake Erie where during the regular season, larger bass are usually found in open water/deeper water weed beds, clumps, puffs, etc. I've only found smaller bass along the abundant shallow, shoreline weeds. Now that the weeds are dying off, will the largies be more prone to cruising open water or will they go even deeper? Would combing open water with spinner baits and cranks be the thing to try or dropping tubes along deep drop offs? Thanks in advance Patrick.