WRangler506

I know this is a highly recommended rod. I dont know if this is rated a MH or H, BUT is there anything this rod cant do compared to an Avid Medium, or an Aetos Medium? Im trying to consolidate casting rods, and Im not sure if the Avid X 7 MF is better for certain things, or lighter baits than the 734 would be. The Avid and Aetos are rated 1/4-5/8, and the 734 Champion is rated 1/4 - 1oz. I don't really fish much for heavy baits though. Recommend in a split handle or full handle? I really like my 705CB full handle but also the Avid X split grip even though they are very different. Not so much liking the split handle on my St Criox Legend Tournaments, just personal preference.

Anyone fished 2 or more of these rods?

Im looking at the 7 MF Aetos, 7MF Avid X, and Dobyns Champion 743C. Has anyone used these rods for smallmouth? I really dont fish much for largemouth bass anymore, so usually lighter stuff and not in thick cover. I only cast a few times w the Avid 7MF, just to check it out so I didnt get a good feel for it yet. How do the Aetos and the 734C compare? I already have the 705 champion crankbait rod, and trying to pull some tactics from my spinning rods and use a casting setup more.

I'm still fairly new to xf rods. I like my st croix LTW 63 mlxf and 63 mxf for jigging. The feel and sensitivity is amazing but I don't love how they fight fish. Maybe they are a bit short or stout for MY preference but I'm keeping them. My LTB 610mlxf im on the fence. I have a stradic 3000 on it. The fk I think. I don't know if the rod doesn't balance, or it's the reel or what. I feel the rod is either too fast for me, or the transition into the backbone of the rod is too stiff "for me". Not bashing st croix at all. Just learning my preference maybe. Would the 69mlxf be better? I really like my elite tech 7mf, for general stuff. I also like my elite tech 610mlxf, but it's either not xf like my st croix, or it just has a softer transition to backbone. Haven't tried it for DS yet. My dobyns champion 705CB for med cranks is great. Have a 7ft MF aetos and 7ft MF avid x casting I haven't tried either yet really. Thoughts on those for general single hook tactics? So, not sure if I don't care for xf, or if I prefer a softer backbone. That LTB 610 is baffling me.

SO I spooled up my new Feugo's with line. The crankbait rod/reel I put on sunline supernatural, and the jig and plastics setup I finished the spool off with 60 yards of tatsu 12 lb. Ill be fishing them both a lot starting this weekend. In general, most mono should be more manageable than even tatsu right? Is braid easier to work with than mono or same? The only braid to FC leader setup I have used before is my LTB, with micro guides and Im not a fan of the double uni knot casting through them. Thanks!

Thats good enough for me guys thank you! It sounds pretty clear to me, the 734 is the one I need to get. Thanks!!

Yes, thanks for all the info guys. Ive used many of the above, and not caught walleye. Others have worked for me. Ill be focusing a little more on grubs and small swimbaits fished close to bottom this year. That and thecrazy amount of cranks I bought this winter that I convinced myself I needed...haha.

Which one do you like better? I was set no bigger than the 7ft, but everyone seems to like the 734. Im looking for one up from the StC Med, so not sure if both of those fit the bill. I sure wish I could find these in person here in MI...

Does anyone know how the Fenwick M or MH compares to the St Croix MH? Or how they compare to the Dobyns 733 or 734?

Im looking to buy a Dobyns, most likely the champion, but I want it stronger in power than a St Croix Avid M/F, but slightly less powerful than the St Croix MH/F Avid. Does anyone know which model that would be? Im looking at the 7' or 7'3".

I know this forum is superior to "walleye" forums haha, but surely some of you catch both smallmouth and walleye in the same waters, with similar baits at times. I find myself fishing for both fairly often. Is there a particular bait or rod/reel combo you like for both? I think I've probably caught the biggest mix of each while vertical jigging, with plastics or minnows, but thats not my favorite tactic really. Just looking for good fish catching ability while searching for different types of fish.

THanks for the info. Have you ever tried an Avid MH? Im wondering if they are similar. I cant seem to find anywhere in Michigan that stocks the Aetos series casting rods.

Anyone else have any opinions on these? I keep coming back to the Dobyns champion 734 C since its so highly recommended. I will likely buy this rod in the near future. Im trying to determine if the Avid M/F or Aetos M/F would be best to have in addition to the Dobyns 734C. Only other option is to get the MH/F Aetos, instead of the 734C. The St croix MH/F is to stiff for my uses.

Im still considering sticking with an Elite Tech since I like my ETB spinning, but I wanted to try the Aetos if they are worth the extra $50. The ETB would likely be a 7'2" MHF. Any info on these ETBs or Aetos rods?

Im going to order a Fenwick Aetos to try out. Are there any that stand out as the best models in their lineup? Im leaning towards a casting rod, maybe a 6'8" or 7' MH/F, but Im not sure how that rod compares to others ratings. I havent found any stores that carry them here. Im really curious how they compare to the St croix and Dobyns power and action. For casting rods I have an Avid X M/F, and a Champion crankbait 705 MH/Mod.

Yep. Thats part of the reason for live bait. Sometimes my boys will play with the minnows, and then I get time to make a few casts too lol.

My 6 year old caught a 5lb smallie last year with a ball jig and live bait, he also jigged up a few others in canada including small pike. Im just getting bored with bobbers, but it really doesnt matter what I want as long as they are having fun fishing. They both slam the bluegills anywhere we go as well. The spinnerbaits and cranks wont work I dont think since their reels have such a low gear you would have to scream the thing just to get any speed. Maybe Im wrong, so well try it. It seems like a finesse or swimming technique would be fun for them. A dropshot might be cool for them to try. I do that a lot. I didnt think about that. The erratic, moving, jumping action comes natural for them at this age lol.

What do you guys find is a productive and fun tactic for a 5-6 yr old kids? They bobber fish or dock jig for blue gills usually. What is a good thing to get them started on casting for bass or other species? Im guessing pulling plastic worms or grubs with a little weight so they can cast it? Live minnows might be fun for them to try maybe, not sure how best to rig them up for a kid though.

I have all my new tubes, grubs, senkos and worms. I have plenty of dropshot hooks, some weighted tube jigs (1/4 and 3/8), LOTS of ball jigs from 1/8 and up, and some 2/0 EWG hooks, and some skirted jigs. I think Ill need some 3/0 or 4/0 hooks also. Anything else jump out that I need to cover the basics for smallmouth? Mostly open water but some light/moderate cover also.

I REALLY appreciate all the info guys! Thank you for your replies. I think Ill keep the Champion 705CB, it does have the full handle I want to try, which the fury doesnt. Its already in the garage so easier to keep it. Just need to pick line for it.... Ill try the Avid X 7ft M/F (with Tatsu 12lb). It sounds like that rod will be what I want. Later, if I finding myself wanting to go heavier, I can get the 704 or 734 that everyone seems to like. What line are you running on it, and have you tried spinnerbaits on it?

Im kind of wishing I didnt buy this Champion 705CB. I probably would have been better off with a Fury 705, and then the 733 and/or 734 in the champion line. Those 3 rods seem to get at least half of the good Dobyns reviews I see.

I have a 610 LTB spinning which i think has the micro guides. I have I believe a double uni connecting a flouro leader from braid and I was casting it tonight. You can definitely feel and hear the leader pass through, and its bothering me so I may go straight FC, or at least 40-50 yards of it.

Thanks for the info. This will be my first try at FC, so I figured it might be cheaper to buy one and done. If Tatsu doesnt work for me, no FC will work for me I figure. PLus I found it on sale. My only spinning rod with FC has 8lb Vanish on it. Now I know why I don't like it after reading all the bad reviews on it.

I guess the only thing left to wonder since I cant feel the Dobyns in person, is a Dobyns Fast action noticeably slower than a St croix fast action? Most other rods seem be not quite as fast as the labeled StC rods. Im not saying one is better, just trying to get a feel for how it would compare, so I know which one fits me best. If it is the Dobyns MH/F might be more versatile for me rather than this dedicated Dobyns crankbait rod.

Thanks for the info guys. Im gathering that the Dobyns MH is probably just above the St Croix Medium, but still quite a bit below the StC MH. Thats good, I think thats what Im looking for, but I will probably order the Avid since I think I will like it. The Cabelas ZX Jig/Worm labeled rod is a MH/XF, and the action felt very similar to the M/F Avid to me. It was slightly stronger in power than the M/F Avid also.