shimanoangler

Okay, that's the best 27 minute video of smallmouth fishing I've ever seen. That first one on the Ned rig was an absolute pig!! I caught a six this year during the spawn on a hair jig and it didn't look anywhere near as big as yours! Very cool video of great fish catches. Actually I have been able to get my hands on six of those sterling silver Tatulas. Absolutely my favorite reel. I'm always on the search for more. Last question, I promise. did you do a video on YouTube for the ultimate bunk boards??? After I watch that video I went out and bought replacement boards for my trailer and I have them on there now. You look just like the guy that did the video with his wife. Was that you?? Nick

Exactly what he said!!

Hey there, just curious, do you have those Elites paired with a Tatula LT Limited Edition SS? It looks like you have a Fieder version of that rod? What is the other version, the Ehler or the Meyer?? I have the 7'6" Fieder rod that I am going to fish for the first time this weekend. It is paired with the Tat LT SS reel and it looks and feels great in my hand. Can't wait to fish it. What's your experience been with this model of rod??

That was going to be my reply before you posted this. I do a TON of drop shot fishing and I used Floro and a palomar knot exclusively and I NEVER, and I mean NEVER, break off fish. I agree that drag is important, as is rod. With this technique you may be a while before you get bigger fish in the boat, as all you can do is lean back, keep pressure on and wait for them to come to you (sometimes you have to go to them on the trolling motor). Having a rod with forgiveness so you can play fish, absorb their head shakes and surges at the boat, is super critical to helping you keep from breaking line. That said, I have been using Seaguar Red Label Floro for three seasons now and I haven't had a single problem. It is extremely affordable floro and it has been extremely reliable, consistent and durable through all line sizes. I use everything from 6lb all the way to 10lb for drop shotting, but I also use in for all my braid to leader set ups up through 15lbs and its honestly never let me down. Takes and holds a knot REALLY well even with the thinnest of braids. I have used/tried all the other brands and I keep coming back to Red Label. Not saying FC Sniper isn't great line, but your experience is my experience when I tried it. No fun having line issues, so hopefully you get it figured out. Tight lines!!

This is a great topic, as I'm constantly looking to achieve the same thing that you are, ie a rod that can fish multiple techniques well. And I to like the longer rods. Couple of suggestions, on the very high end, Daiwa Steez medium rod fish is something like 1/8 to 3/4. It's only 7 ft, but it's capable of handling a wide array of weights. The Steez 7'6" MML is also weight rated from 1/8 to 3/4. Stepping down a little bit, the Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Ehler 7'1" rod has wide lure rating as does the Megabass Brigand (and Orochi XX Enforcer) 7'4" . The Megabass rod is really nice. So there's a couple options for you to try. Good luck.

Actually Alpha Angler makes their rods the same way you do, stripper guide in a SIC or Alconite material, top guides in recoil and tip is SIC or alconite. So my question is, why don't more companies follow this same build philosophy if the light is the goal? From what I have read, it is lightness that helps make a blank more crisp and sensitive, so why not use these other materials that allow that lightness to be achieved without breaking the bank?

I am finding that what you have written to be true as I compare rods and guides of similar construction, powers and actions using the same line (huge impact). Thanks for taking the time to write. Very informative.

Maybe I should have stated my position with "in my experience" longer rods tend to hit the backbone deeper in the rod, given them the feeling that they have more flex, or fish softer than a similar powered shorter rod. With the rods I have fished, and I tend to stay in family of rods so I am comparing same blank materials with a company using a similar rod rating system, my experience is that a 7' 3 power fishes firmer than a 7'6" 3 power rod. As "subjective" as that may be, my experience based on rod performance is that the longer the rod, the more forgiveness a rod tends to has when it comes to fighting fish (keeping in mind that I almost exclusively fish spinning set ups).

Fished the susq last year for the first time. Took a guided trip and fished several sections of it. We fished it after a VERY heavy rain, so our guide took us on the Junianta River as well. We caught tons of fish on both rivers. It was a great two days of Smallie fishing, but we did it jet boats built to run the river at extremely low water levels...

I don't. Just the Brigand and some of their drop shot rods.

I am in the exact same boat you are right now... Alconite, SIC, Torzite & AGS..... I am literally in the process of testing rods to see if I can actually notice the difference in weight, feel (sensitivity) and performance. I have two Daiwa Cronos 7'6" MMLs with Stinger Tip that have Alconite guides and a SIC tip, and I am comparing those to the Dobyns Xtasy 752 which has all Torzite guides and comparing both of those to the Daiwa Tatula Elite with AGS.... I have two Dobyns Champion Extreme HPs, which are full SIC guides that I am trying to assess as well... The answer has to be discernable, right?, as the price tag for a rod goes up exponentially as the guide technology climbs with it.... I am eager to hear others thoughts, and I am looking forward to conducting my own assessment this weekend chasing smallies fishing drop shots, tubes, paddle tails, spy baits and neds...

As important to me as power and action is, I think length is equally as important. In fact I think length of rod has an impact on action and power. My two favorite setups are 7'4" Medium Power Fast Action (Dobyns Xtasy, just the best tube and paddle tail swimbait rod) and 7'6" Medium Light Power Fast Action (Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS/Daiwa Cronos Stinger Tip, both great a neds, hair, deep water drop shot, wacky rigs/neko rigs). The added length helps you play fish on lighter line, especially those fish that surge at the boat.

Are you headed to the Kennebec above Waterville? Any special boat you are using to fish the river?

The Brigand is a GREAT stick. It has plenty of feel for tube fishing and enough backbone to set the hook on long casts is deep water. However, I think it may be a tad too heavy/stiff (if you can have such a thing with a spinning rod) to cover the other lighter techniques you are looking to cover. That said, it is a GREAT looking stick that fishes really well for tubes, paddle tail swimbaits and lighter jigs. I have had a few of these rods, but I sold them as I am a pretty loyal Dobyns fan, and I already had a Dobyns Champion Extreme HP 743, so I had an overlap in technique specific rods, and I sold the Brigand. Truth be told, I think it is a better, more sensitive, rod than my 743. I am on the same pursuit you are on, and right now, what I am trying out are several Daiwa rods. I have a Daiwa Cronos 7'6" MML with a stinger tip and a Daiwa Tatula Elite with AGS guides in the 7'6" ML. Both rated up to 1/2 oz, but down to 1/8 and 3/32 of an oz, so I believe they are light enough to tackle the NED, Drop Shot and Hair Jig applications and maybe even heavy enough to step up to fishing NEKO and other Wacky right worms. I am headed out for the long weekend to put these new rods to the test and I will report back on my findings. I should mention that I also have the Dobyns Xtasy 752 and 753. Just picked up the 753, so I haven't thrown it yet. The 752 I have fished some (light paddle tails), and I have found the rod somewhat "stiff" for a ML. So much so that it is really hard to "launch" those lighter baits (throws tubes a mile). That is the one thing about the Xtasy line, which is they are really "stout" rods, and give you a really solid feeling fighting bigger fish (where I find some of the other finesse rods, Loomis included just too whippy/flimsy). So this is great in the 753 and 723 models, but not exactly what I am looking for in the 752 and 722 models (sold my 722 for that very reason). If these don't meet the test, I have my eye on the Daiwa Steez 7'6" MML, but like you, I HATE the thought of dropping $450 or more to pick up a used one..... More to come after this weekend.

Alive and kicking.... I often feel the same way, ie anyone doing what I am doing??? Hard to find forums centered our lakes and region. I am an AVID smallmouth fisherman and starting to feel the pressure of the changing seasons, knowing my time on the water is running out before the regulations change and I can't fish anywhere, or before the weather changes and its too cold to wet a line.... I have started looking for Maine based posts, so just wanted to let you know there is at least one other guy on the water in Maine... ?

I was in the Schoodic Lake area two weeks ago fishing and water levels were pretty low across the board (Sebec and a neighboring smaller body of water). Aside from navigation, launching boats has become a challenge, as you simply don't have enough dock length to float it off the trailer, hence you are getting wet these days to launch. I am heading to Wassookeag this coming week. I will report back on how the fishing is. Any where you recommend fishing on that lake?? This will be my first trip there for smallies.

Is there a public boat launch on Lake Winnecook (which I also think is called Unity Pond?)? I knew this was a shallow water fishery holding largemouth, but I had no idea it also held smallmouth. That is a nice fish!! I have heard great things about the Andro! Can you put a bass boat in there to fish or is it too shallow for that? Where are you launching from on the Andro? Thanks for the post. Have always wanted to try the Androscoggin.

I am a huge Dobyns fan myself, and I was going back and forth between 701 or the 702, both in the HP line. Do you find the 701 to be too whippy?? I think all of Dobyns actions, stated as Fast, tend to lean a little more towards the moderate side compared to other rod companies, which I like. But I am concerned that 701 would be too light. I think the lure rating is perfect, ie 1/16 to 3/8, as I mostly fish 1/8 to 1/4 ounce drop shot weights. But the light power has me a tad bit "scared" that the first 4 lb smallie I lock into, its over.... Any feedback on your experience with this rod would be much appreciated.

Sorry for the oversight on your direct experience with it, but I appreciate the time you took to provide the additional detail. I really like the poison adrena, Just wish it came in more models and the spinning side. a 7-2 medium heavy in the poison adrena would be absolutely perfect. I have several extras, and I guess maybe I'll just pick up a 7-2 medium heavy X-Pride while I wait for the poison adrena to come out with different models. Thanks again for the feedback, I appreciate the insight.

So I have recently picked up a Steez 7' ML AGS spinning rod and really like the action of the stick. I am not sure I have noticed any greater sensitivity with the AGS guides or not, but the rod is incredibly light, and I have enjoyed fishing it very much. Great finesse stick for drop shot, spy bait and NED rigs. So I have turned my attention to a longer stick and I recently ordered a Tatula Elite AGS 7'6" Seth F rod, as I wanted to see if the AGS phenomenon would carry forward in this stick. I haven't put my hands on it yet, should be here next week, but at the same time I have an opportunity to put my hands on a Steez 7'6" MML (at almost twice the money) and I am wondering if there is a REAL discernable difference between the two that would justify the investment of the Steez over the Elite AGS?? Anyone with experience with both that can provide candid feedback on whether they could feel/notice a discernable difference in the sensitivity between the two rods? Thanks For Looking, Interested In Your Experience and Feedback and Tight Lines!

So, what was the verdict on the Addermine with heavier drop shot weights?? I have one on the way and I thinking of selling it before I get it in my hands, as I am concerned that the XF tip is going to make it too stiff for fighting big smallies that LOVE to 1) Jump, 2) surge at the boat and 3) dig dig dig, and then run straight at you..... Thinking that a quick unloading tip is going to result in a lot of lost fish when those fish do any of the above.... Your experience says what about going heavier with your drop shot weight...?

Has anyone actually fished one yet??? I need to add a medium spinning rod to my spinning line up, and I was thinking about picking up one of these to try out. But I don't want to make the plunge until someone who has put their hands on one and actually made a cast and caught fish can tell me its better than the old Zodias and I am wondering if this version will push the Expride line a little....?

I use a spinning rod for this application, and my go to line is Sufix Nanobraid to a longer floro leader (typically something like Seaguar Red Label or Tatsu) in the 15 foot range to avoid the knot impeding my cast. The Nano braid just handles so well, is fairly rugged and casts a mile. This setup works really well for me, but again, I don't use baitcasters for this application, I use spinning exclusively.

I have tried just about every braid out there and I keep coming back to 832. It is more durable, it doesn't fray, it holds a knot better and for the most part it keeps its color reasonably long. That said, I exclusively fish spinning rod setups, so I rarely go over 20 lb braid, almost never go over 15 lbs, and I find that PowerPro no SSV2 line to equally as good as 832 (believe PP has a slightly smaller diameter). I fish PP Vermillion Red 15lb test on all my jerkbait setups and it casts like a dream, holds a knot really well and plays very well on spinning rods (no wind knots or handling issues) flying through the guides. It is a tad bit noisy, but honestly at this point and my age, I am more focused on catching fish than the sound of the line passing through my guides. Not to confuse or complicate matters, but THE best line I have found for finesse applications, ie casting, handling, abrasion resistant and overall performance is Sufix Nanobraid. This stuff is AMAZING. It is on all my true finesse rods, ie drop shot, NED, neko, weightless worms, spybaits, hair jigs etc. It casts A MILE with all my setups and its breaking strength is exceptional, as I have caught 5 lb smallies on this line never once was I worried about line breakage. Knot strength is great. Color retention is very good. Just a great line, available all the way up to 14 lbs I believe. I fish 10 and 12 lb test regularly on my setups and love it.

Like just about every consumer product, people become brand loyal/biased to the point that their bias doesn't allow them to objectively look at products from other manufacturers... Ford versus Chevy.... Google versus Amazon.... Harley versus Every Other Bike... And fishing equipment is no different. I have literally, and intentionally, tried every single brand of spinning reel on the market. From high end (more than $300) to mid range ($125 to $200). eBay has been a great tool to give me access to buying affordably different reels to try out and test and then sell them if the product didn't work for me. My current line up includes 2 Shimano Exsence 3000, 1 Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 3000, 3 Daiwa Tatula Limited Edition SS 3000, 4 Daiwa Luvias 3000, 2 Daiwa Caldia LT 3000, 2 Lews TLP 4000, 2 Quantum EXO 4000, 2 Quantum Tour KVD 4000, 2 Quantum Energy PT E40, 4 Quantum Vapor PT 3000 and 1 Quantum Smoke PT 30. Each reel I own has a purpose, and one of the things that I like about the Quantum spinning line is that for the applications I need / want lower gear ration/line retrieve, they make great reels for that. Most spinning companies have all moved to high speed reels, so finding lower/slower gear ratios can be hard. Secondly, the Quantum reels are work horses and I like that they have the bigger arbor spools, like Lews, which helps with line management on spinning reels, which can be a challenge based on the type of line being used. In short, they have all the features and functionality of my other reels, just at a lower price point. I think this is Quantum's brand, ie we make affordable fishing equipment for the casual/non tournament fisherman. I have tried everything I own today, not to mention 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, Ardent, KastKing, Mitchell, Okuma, Piscifun, Pflueger and Wright McGill. All of these reels have presented noticeable quality issues right out of the box, quality issues after limited use, insufficient functionality (limited drag or poor line management) or simply didn't fit my eye/hands from a design/set up standpoint. I love my higher end Shimanos and Daiwas. They are smooth, but very application specific. But the quantum reels are very functional, and perform very well for me. Great drag systems, solid gearing systems, decent line management systems, love their foot forward design to help balance longer rods and reasonably weighted (there is a point where light is too light with respect to balancing rod to reel).