Joeroe

I just wanted to thank you again. I'm 100% happy with the setup you recommended. It's not the prettiest combo since the colors don't work well together but that doesn't bother me one bit. I'm able to get some good distance with light tackle and that's what I was looking for. I've been ridiculously busy at work so I haven't had much time to fish but I did get a chance to try the Ned rig you suggested and I was very happy with the results. I'm sure cooler weather contributed but I caught more fish than I ever have at my brother in laws. I ordered a 2017 Hobie pro angler 14 so I will finally be able to fish some rivers which should make fishing a lot more fun. All of the public lakes around here haven't worked out too well for me.

I'm pretty sure I'm using 30 lb on my baitcaster but not positive. I know I researched what would be best for the curado and if I remember right it was around the size of 8 lb mono so sounds like 30 lb. I spooled 100% braid but I made sure to wrap the beginning tight and tested for slippage. I also used a piscifun line spoiler with a good amount of resistance. Right now I have 2 of the 4 centrifugal brakes on and always hold my rod parallel to the ground with the lure that I intend to use press the button and back off of the tension until the lure slowly drops. I have had good luck with this method in ideal conditions but I will try your method and see if I can add some distance to my casting. That will be helpful when fishing off the bank. Going to order everything after hitting post reply. I think I will go with the CT type r in a left hand setup (TACT-R100HL) I went with lefties on the curados since I was used to using spinning gear and didn't want to cast, switch hands and then reel. I may take you up on the phone conversation when I get my new toys. Thanks

The curado on my 734 is an i and the one in the closet is an e so I have an idea of the difference in braking between the 2. I was thinking about turning off one of the brakes since I opted to have more brake to learn on. I will read your post better tomorrow. I have to go to bed and work in the morning. I've been working 6 days a week lately so haven't had time to fish. I'm making extra money to buy new gear but new gear isn't very useful when you don't have the time to use it. I've been reading about the differences between the diawa and the shimano. Seems like they are both great and people have strong feelings about them. I need to go and see what feels better in the hand. I like my curado but am leaning toward the diawa just to try something new. Just wondering if the diawa braking system will be a challenge since I'm used to the curado. Some say the curado is easier for a beginner but you know how the Internet is. One thing I haven't mastered yet is casting in the wind and that is one of the reasons I was leaning toward a spinning setup. I'm a fairly quick learner so if I can just find the time I'm sure I will get good with a baitcaster in less than ideal conditions. FYI I only used my 301e in the back yard when it was around 30 degrees out so no actual fishing experience with it. I can only imagine what the neighbors were thinking. thanks

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately no one in my area sells Dobyns rods and I really like my 734 so I have to depend on recommendations from people like you guys before purchasing one of them. I may just have to try one of the reels you recommended on my crucial in the future but I think I will need to buy a Muskie rod after this one for the curado 300 reel that I have in the closet. I purchased it for my Dobyns rod and realized it was too large so I ended up buying the 201. I never claimed to be bright.

I really appreciate you taking time to explain all of this to me in detail. Too bad I don't have someone like you to fish with. If I did I have a feeling I would be catching a lot more quality fish. I have a Gary Yamamoto senko kit that has a variety of 4 and 5 inch senkos. I haven't tried them out yet but looks like I should use them the next time I go to my brother in laws. I'm accustomed to going through a full bag of robo worms each outing when nose hooking for dropshot. I know you said you have used the Curado. Do you feel fairly confident that I will be OK with this set up since I am having problems casting light cranks with the 734 and curado 201. I know you don't have any issues with it but I am not as experienced as you. Is the difference in the rod, reel, line or a combination? I imagine its the combo. One other thing to note is that the curado has power pro spooled on it. My spirex also has power pro with a mono leader and that is one of the reasons I don't do much more than drop shot with it. I've been trying to avoid having to do the uni to uni too many times. Would you please recommend a ratio and line for that combo. I will use your last post to start expanding my horizons and pitching isn't a problem in my kayak. It's very stable and easy to stand in. Looks like I have to type in the different styles you suggested into YouTube so I can learn to use these lures as they are intended to be used. I plan on ordering this combo once you tell me whether or not you think I will have any issues with the light cranks. thanks again

I use the shimano crucial for drop shot not the 734. I bought it since it was good for drops shot but also versatile. Eventually I may get something like you suggest but right now I have other things I need to buy first since the crucial works pretty good for me right now. Thanks for the reply

Wow!! I didn't know anyone responded. I guess I need to check my spam folder and check the thread settings. Thanks for taking the time to help me out. fishnkamp I fish mostly from a fairly small Jackson Coosa HD kayak and I'm leaning toward your suggestion of the 684cb and a Shimano Symetre 3000 reel. I was thinking about a 704 but kind of like the idea of the shorter rod. My brother in law has a small lake that I fish a lot and the large bass are illusive so it would be nice to have a rod that will cast a small rebel crawdad at the end of a slow day since that thing will catch everything. That was almost all I used in the past and it's never let me down. That lure even hooked a 5-6lb bass on my daughters tiny uglystick but my inexperience got the best of me. The rod didn't have the backbone to get it into the kayak so I had to pull the last 10' in by hand. Unfortunately I lifted the fish out of the water too much and right before I got my thumb in his mouth the hook broke. It's sad to say but that would have been the largest bass i ever caught. Dropshotting is the only style I have been focusing on and I like the shimano rod but I need to learn a new style so looks like I'll be working on crankbaits and rattle traps. Since my shimano rod will only be used for Dropshotting would you suggest using my 734 or the new 684 for spinners? I'm thinking the 734.

I am a fairly inexperienced fisherman that has a lot to learn and it's time to find a 3rd rod for casting light tackle. Here's what I have right now. Shimano Crucial 7`2 Med/xfast CRSDX72MB with a Shimano spirex reel (Dropshot rig) Dobyns 734C FH Champion Series Heavy Fast Casting Rod, 7'3" with a Shimano curado 201 (my everything but dropshot rod right now) The Curado is my first baitcaster and it's working great but I am not good enough with it to cast light lures so looking for something to fill that gap. I'm thinking spinning is the way to go and I'm happy with the spirex but am up for suggestions there too. Is a Shimano Stradic CI4+ really worth the extra cost over a spirex. Any help you can give will be appreciated.