NathanDLTH

They are a good rod for the price and perform better than expected. I’ve had a few of them over the years and loved them, my one remaining is a 7’3M spinning rod. Grab it. You’ll be happy.

Only a few more months gents. Keep thinking about open water and chasing 5lbers. I’ve got a goal this year to hit 5s for Smallies and Largies. Think my primary weapon will be jigs, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and senkos. What are you goals if you have any.

Thanks for the update @FryDog62. I recently started fishing some Megabass and I added the Braillist to my arsenal and love it thus far. I've been pretty impressed with how much the dark sleeper really works as a bottom bait. Thanks for updating the thread. This is solid info.

They are doing catch n release. It's kinda nuts now. Everyone and their brother is complaining about the fishing out there and how it's nearly shoulder to shoulder. I'm a bank buster and I see the point, but man chill out. Treat the fish with respect and they will be there for years to come.

They are complaining about the treatment of the smallmouth and being that it’s stupid easy with live bait to catch them. Gut hooked, swallowed hooks etc. Its stupid imo.

I’d say lake over river, don’t have to fight current and I know little of targeting big fish other than big baits help. I could see both large or smaller lakes, but the unknown lakes or less pressured have a better chance of producing monsters. Let’s look at Mil Lacs, people are catching World Class Muskies up there and we know it has big smallies. So what allowed those fish to get so big? I think some human intervention along with bait/forage and space. Tournaments have seen a consistent 5lb average for winning bags. It’s gonna take an unknown lake that isn’t pressured. This is a nice change of pace from the guys on Facebook loosing their minds about ppl using live bait in Monticello by the power plant. It’s gotten stupid. That’s all. I’m gearing more for targeting bigger fish, even though I’m a bank angler, at least once or twice a year I catch a 4+ or high 3s. Lost a couple high 4s early summer. So higher end gear helps, but knowing my equipment and what it can and can’t do too.

Dobyns 5 power are gonna feel more like a traditional heavy power rod. The 735 is gonna fit the bill for you.

It certainly can, but possibly over brake when flipping. Since he’s skittish then the Curado DC would be the go to choice. I’ve found that I like a bit more play when adjusting my reels for techniques. Why I ditched the DC, took me a while before settling on the Bantam. Who knows, I may add a DC again to my arsenal. But for now, I’ll stick to my Daiwas and the Bantam.

I had a Curado DC and went back to a Bantam MGL simply because it’s my choice, the rest of my reels are Daiwa SVs. The DC is better for skipping and casting then flipping simply because the DC will want to brake more on those shorter flips/pitch’s. You still need to use the thumb and help brake the spool, can’t take that out for the equation. If I were to flip with a Curado DC, it would be setting 2 or 3, maybe 4 if I was skittish.

The Curado DC is great, but it's kinda bulky at 8oz or so, the Tatula SV is right around at 7oz. Both are reels I would recommend for starting out or pitching/flipping.

I think you'll be happy.

Zillion

Metanium DC is probably the smallest of the Antares DC (70size).

Think it’s possible for a 9-10 lber here, glad someone broke a record. I’m hoping Minnesota’s record gets beaten.

There’s a not a question in my mind here, go with the Tatula 60th. I’ve never liked Abu and my SX leaved a lot to be desired. Consistency is a big thing for me. I’m all Daiwa aside from one shimano.

I would recommend talking to Gary over at Tackle Trap-email works great for getting a hold of him. Generally-I’d say you’d want a 4power Megabass rod for jerkbaits cause those trebles are not as beefy like on a crankbait. If you’re set on this rod, the regular action will help aid in hook-ups to land ratio, I think it goes without saying, flouro is your friend here. I do think there is probably a better rod out there for your situation. Take a good look at the link. Tackle Trap is great at putting up info. https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10653 Also I will say, the XXX Orochi JDM rods are not as sensitive as the XX USDM Orochi rods are. So if you go with this, you’ll have to watch the line closely. This is probably a better rod suited for your needs. https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1066_2409_2410&products_id=10650

I’m in Minnesota and honestly I don’t stop fishing till the season ends or the weather gets to cold to fish. There’s open water around, but the trick is getting a bite. I’m not out to get a bite, just rather be out fishing. I’m really looking for a cold water crankbait.

Curado K, Tatula HD(older model), Tatula 200, and plenty more.

Id say the FMJ from Destroyer or the Orochi Braillist for any kinda of bottom contact in the Megabass lines. There are other models too, but these are stand outs.

Ill say Xtasy here, but I havent fished the 894, but have fished a 873CR which I think would be fairly close to the 894. If youre looking for a high end bottom contact rod consider these as well: Megabass Orochi Braillist or Daiwa Steez MH/H 7’5(Just released). I’d seriously look at those or even a Conquest 904 or 905c. All the rods here are top of the line.

I don’t have a favorite rod, but I’ll tell you my favorite story of fishing of though. It involves a paddleboat, my dad, oldest brother, me in the middle of the lake. We were sitting low in the water and my oldest brother had a brand new Johnson n Johnson rod/reel combo. Red. He loved red. So we made our way in deepish water, my brother hands me the combo and says here you go Nate. In 30 minutes I had caught three big pike. Somewhere between 28-32inches, I was maybe 10 or 11 and we had been to the Cabela’s in Nebraska. So he got a new rod n reel and I was the first person to fish with it. Now my favorite rod is either my Megabass Tour Versatile or Dobyns 755 Xtasy.

I’ll make it simple: crankbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits all get a 6:1-6:3:1 gear ratio. Everything else is a 7:1-8:1 gear ratio. If I’m starting out and have 1-2 rods a 7:1 will work in a pinch. Just have to be mindful.

Thanks for all the input! This was more than I expected.

Then get the 7’2H, the 7’3XH is a broomstick and is basically a short flipping/punching rod. It will do just fine.

I’ve learned the hard way a few times by not having a reel with when trying rods. It’s been a learning process. Main rods are Daiwa, Megabass, and Dobyns. I’d like to change out some of my rods this offseason preferably to Dobyns for simplicity.