NathanDLTH

Interesting point on the Bassmaster piece. I guess by feel I meant what it fishes like in my hand and connectivity to the baits being fished. Yes, every rod will always be different bass upon action, power, and length. For example the Champ Extreme 744 has a softer tips and my personal opinion didn’t transmit bottom composition or bites well to me. So I old it, I fished a friends 745 champion extreme and it was quite the opposite experience for me. Please do not take what say and try to skew it, I could of clarified each category a bit more that’s truth. But don’t try to put word in my mouth of buying all rods in one action, power, and length. That would be foolish. Yes-we talked for a good bit on that subject, I will share one thing. The 745 in the champion extreme does better at bottom contact than its little brother the 744 which we both had higher hopes for. If I wanted a light cover swim jig rod the 744 would probably get what nod. I can’t fish Loomis-the blank stiffness and reel seat just nope.

I'd try the 7'3XH for frogging, the 7'2H would be good for open/shallow cover frogging.

Accidents happen and for some of us we want the warranty in case of accidents. Murphy’s law.

Yes, I am asking a very subjective question with which I expect very subjective answers. I am looking at going with one brand of rods. Simple. I want the same feel through all my rods. Standards: Warranty-who takes care of their customer the best Price-best bang for your buck(money doesn’t grow on trees) Balance: how the rod feels with reels in a variety of weights Fishability-fishing for long periods of time without causing fatigue Lastly, appeal. Appeal matters to an extent, but that’s it. Now for my resume of rods I have owned and own currently. Dobyns 755 Xtasy Dobyns 744(sold) Megabass Orochi XX n XXX(jdm rods) Tour Versatile n Braillist, Destruction(jdm) Tatula Elite: with n w/o AGS guides 7’3 MH Multi-Purpose Sold both7’ M/MH/XF, 7’4 Ish Frog rod Daiwa Cronos Spinning 7’3 M/F, 7’6 ML/F(Sold) 13Fishing Omen Black 7’1(sold) G-Loomis GLX 893(sold) By now you’re wondering why would anyone make a list like this. I’m doing this out of a desire for simplicity and knowing how my rods will behave when hooking into a fish. Also it’s just easier to have one brand.

Pick up another Tatula SV they are great reels and make fishing more enjoyable. People talk about buying x, y, and z reels, but once you fish an SV spool you’ll never want to change. I use all Daiwa’s aside from a Curado DC and love them. Smooth casting, easily to flip, pitch, skip, and palm very nicely.

All my bites were on a Texas-rig tube w/ 3/8 oz shallow, water temp low to mid 60s. I was fishing in Shoreview and Roseville Saturday.

Had one and loved it, phenomenal reel for what you’re paying. So smooth. Sold it simply because I prefer Daiwa over Shimano, but I’d pick that reel for everything. Love it.

I would go with a 7-7’3 for skipping. But if those two, then the 6’8. I like to stay around 7 foot range. I the Tour Versatile in the Orochi XX model and it’s solid. I throw my bigger swim jigs and 4-5 swimbaits on it, but it would be good for skipping jigs too I think.

I’d say a 7’ medium/fast action spinning rod with any decent reel of $50 and up would fit. I run 20lb braid to 12lb flouro leader, it’s my bread and butter and I’ve pulled plenty of smallsmouth out with it. Sounds like you’re on the right track, but what you haven’t mentioned is price. That’s okay though, you know where you’re at and what you’ll find what you’re looking for. Dobyns fury, Tatula XT, Shimano Curado, and on it goes.

Thanks Tom.

Thanks for the responses. I’ll take a look at Picasso. Guess the best answer is Tom-because there are several places that have deep drop offs from a pier(I know they aren’t ideal), but it’s part of what I have to work with. You are right about the heavy aquatic cover. Maybe it’s not worth it for me. Exploring options is all. Your experience helpful. I will take it into consideration.

I’m not talking about the small ones used for smallies, but the larger variety for largemouth. I live in Minnesota. The bass up here see every jig known to man and drop shotting is the norm. Looking for help here. Just two or three jigs to learn on. 1/2oz-1oz. My bait fish are bluegills, sunnies, crappies, minnows, creek chubs, shiners and such. What recommendations for a rod style, line, and how to work the bait? Worth try or not because I’m a bank angler?

Hard to believe it’s been 18 years. Never forget.

It depends where I’m fishing and the structure. There’s maybe three reels I’ll go braid to leader one being my spinning. Other than that, it’s straight braid or flouro.

Rod anywhere from MH-H/ Action: me medium fast to fast length: 7-7’4 reel: 6:3-7:3 line flouro or braid depending on vegetation

Caught one last night, was fishing Coon Rapids Park. Water seemed cooler than last week for sure. Swimbait did the work last night.

Two years ago, bank fishing for smallies and was throwing a squarebill. Went back to cast, backlashed and to add insult to injury broke a rod... I was not happy.

Nice rifle! The mpa and nightforce.

Bantam MGL XG RH 8:1 For sale if you're interested.

What are you asking? Casting differences between the two lines? If so, talk to me. How heavy is the frog? Is your reel set properly and not overbraked? I would also look at spool tension too, if it’s overly tight you’ll loose distance same with overbreaking. A Zillion HD should do just fine casting along with the Chronarch which makes me wonder if it’s not user error. I fish Daiwa and Shimano reels exclusively and unless the brakes are set super high or Ive tightened up the spool tension via the cast control knob that’s the only way my casts are short. The third option is the weight of the lure. Most frogs are 1/2-7/8oz and that shouldn’t be a problem for either of those reels.

You want a high end jig rod, Dobyns Xtasy 755.

My multi-purpose rod runs 40lb braid straight or to 16lb flouro, it’s a MH/XF with a 7:3:1 reel. You could change the reel to a 6:3:1 or 8:1:1 and it would just as versatile. Rod could go 7-7’5 and still do a lot. If I was fishing around thick weeds, I’d jump to 50lb braid straight or for bigger fish, then add a flouro simply because I fish around big pike and muskie.

My Zillions are more refined which translates to handling baits better under load. My Tatulas are workhorses, I frog, flip, pitch, and everything in between.

I got rid of a GLX because of this, could not get comfortable holding the rod. It was terrible. Mine was casting. As for you, maybe play around with how you hold your rod/reel. I started out on a spinning rod/reel, between my ring and pinky finger. Now that I’m old, it’s super uncomfortable and it’s the steam and my whole hand in front. I don’t fatigue or get uncomfortable now and it’s easier on me.