Bass-Addict

I’m debating switching it up, been pleased with St Croix but have heard from some that Dobyns edges them out in casting equipment. Would like to use for throwing crank baits, 5/16-1/2 oz spinnerbaits/Chatterbaits and a whopper plopper 90. What are your experiences?

I use a Nikko Hellgrammite in natural on a 1/0 EWG Owner Ned Head.

How far can you really cast a Ned and work it successfully?

Right, past a certain distance you can’t work your bait.

Does this mean less easy to feel a bite when lifting tip?

If so, why does St Croix make their finesse rod only 6’10”? It would seem that the extra length would afford added leverage/sensitivity when both lifting the rod to feel for a bite and setting the hook. I love the Legend Tournament Bass spinning Ned/Dropshot rod, but now that I’m used to the 7’1” MF I got along with it I can’t help but wonder if that setup couldn’t benefit from being a bit longer as well. What rod do you use for this application?

Yeah, sounds like a MHMF would be even better for keeping it pinned

I wonder why everyone talks about ripping the trebles out with more than a M?

Sweet, and MH MF for a whopper plopper 90 should be good too or is that too heavy and risks ripping the trebles out?

What about moderate-fast?

So you recommend at least a MH, and think I will be ok as far as not ripping trebles out? Think I might upgrade my current Mojo to a 7’1” MH fast, unless Premier is better.

How about for a whopper plopper 90? That is a 1/2 oz bait, I’ve been throwing on a 6’8” MF Mojo casting rod. I did this because I was told a MH may be too heavy and risk pulling the trebles out, you think as long as it had a fast tip a MH would be ok?

What do you recommend, 7’1” MH casting?

Just got off the phone w St Croix, he said I can safely use any 2 part epoxy and that it absolutely would not void the warranty! ??

Yeah and that puts me off the water for what 3 weeks?? They should be able to mail me the glue, it’s not my fault they made a faulty rod.

My only issue w MH is I primarily throw a small soft plastic paddle tail, 2.75” on a 1/8 oz jig. This is barely heavy enough for a medium but I like that extra backbone for muscling 18” smallies, ML is simply not enough.

Right, my issue is they are backed out indefinitely on these rods. Even just dabbing a bit of epoxy (exactly what they use) on the inside of the casing would void it?? How on earth would they ever know?

Recently got 2 of the new Legend Tournament Bass spinning rods. Was tightening the twist lock reel seat on a 7’1” MF and the outside casing became detached, came completely loose to where it slides down and I can see the glue strips. I wasn’t too aggressive with it at all, you know how it eventually becomes slightly loose after a while, so I was just re-tightening it. A little disappointing on a new edition of a premium rod line. What do you suggest, just use super glue or did I get a faulty rod? St. Croix is way backed out on Tournaments now and won’t have guides until June at the earliest so I really don’t want to warranty it, but I also don’t want a defective $300 rod so I’m torn.

I don’t currently own a MH rod, I probably should pick one up for versatility, I’m thinking 7’1” MH casting? Yeah and I’m wondering if the trailer doesn’t put it over the top When you say overloading it do you mean potentially damaging the blank? I only threw 5-6 casts, d**n it I hope I didn’t put any hairlines in it.

Just got a 7’1” MF LTB rod from St Croix, was throwing a 1/2 War Eagle earlier and it felt like a bit too much stress on the blank. Should I be throwing that on a MH?

What about on a 3/8 oz Chatterbait?

So wouldn’t it just be easier to go with the 3.5” version?

I notice they make a 3.5” and a 4” version, which is better and why? I have heard a lot of people say 4” but that just seems huge to me even on a 5/0 hook, is it supposed to be that much bigger than the Chatterbait? Thanks!

In southern Ohio the water temps have been fluctuating between 43-50 for the past week or so in the river I fish. I’m seeing pictures of people catching but it’s mostly in smaller streams and it seems that they are on the move and scattered, fattening up for the spawn. I have heard more seasoned anglers describe this initial transition from the winter pattern to be one of the toughest times of year for smallmouth fishing, for the simple fact that the fish are very difficult to find. They are no longer in their winter holes but not yet in the easy targets we can rely on in the summer pattern. Is this accurate, and if not what areas should I be targeting? Is it too early to be focusing on current seams? Thanks!

Nice, you get some donkeys on the TN River?