WRangler506

Thanks for the help. I think Im going to like this rod. Are you using Sniper on it? I think Im going to try Sniper or Tatsu 12lb on it. Is the 4 power Dobyns you mention, is that their MH power? How did it compare to the Avid M and MH? Im guessing in between. Thanks

Sunline Defier "Armilo"? I was just checking these Defier out and it looks like there are several kinds. Im not sure which everyone is recommending.

I thought Sunline supernatural mono was the one you recommended usually? The Defier Armilo stretches less and is more sensitive right, than the supernatural? Im looking for the same as the OP, and now leaning towards a premium mono, just dont know which.

I will use the Yozuri hybrid for the crankbait rod. For the other rod, bottom contact, finesse jigs, spinnerbaits and a few other lighter baits, how does Sniper compare to Tatsu? Is there anything that Sniper does better than the Tatsu? Im looking at the 10lb for either one.

Mostly just trying to use the most common baits Im already throwing with ML/F and M/F spinning gear. Trying to get a versatile (to me) casting setup. Id say mainly smallies and walleye, open water. Tubes, finesse jigs, tubes, small spinners and cranks probably also. 1/4 to 3/8 mainly, maybe a 1/2 ounce max. IF I find myself maxing it out in terms of lure weight, I have no issue finding a MH later, I just don't see myself using that weight much. I am NOT a fan of using an overpowered rod. What techniques do you like with yours, and does the Avid feels different to the LTB? Thanks

CASTING RODS: The Avid M/F is rated at 1/4 to 5/8, the Dobyns MH/F is rated at 1/4 to 3/4. Im wondering if they feel similar? I have a Dobyns Champion for Crankbaits (705CB) that I have only used in the yard so far and really like it. The rod balances VERY well, and casts lighter baits pretty good. I dont fish heavy cover, mainly smallmouth and walleye. In the store I just handled the Avid M/F and really liked it, but the MH/F Avid is just too stout for me, and a little tip heavy. I'm wondering if I should buy the Dobyns Champion MH/F (sight unseen) or the Avid X M/F. I have no ability to see the Dobyns in person. The Cabelas ZX jig and worm MH/F actually seemed very good, very similar to the M/F Avid, but slightly stiffer. The Fenwick ETB MH/F feels great, balances great, but feels to "moderate" for bottom contact to me.

If you run a leader, is a better option to run the cheaper a stiffer FC that has more resistance to abrasion? I was going to try Tatsu or sniper full spool, but if only using a leader then the sniper would be better right? Does anyone ever have a knot issue when casting the knot through the guides?

These 2 particular rods dont seem to follow that general trend, at least in my opinion. The 610 MLXF on the SC4 blank is on the heavy side of ML in my opinion with them both in hand.

I already have a St Croix LTB 610 ML/XF. Ive really only used it for dropshot. I like it, but didnt love it like a thought I would yet. Now, I ordered an Avid casting rod for REALLY cheap, and they sent me this SPINNING Avid X 7ft ML/F by mistake. Would this be used for different techniques than the 610 ML/XF above? Is it pointless in my arsenal now? I also have plenty of other rods, including a Fenwick ETB 610 ML/XF that honestly feels very similar to the Avid ML/F, just with a bit more power. Tip action feels very similar. Im trying to limit my number of rods to things Ill actually use....

Do you guys think a 5 and 6 year old can do this well? They have both caught many bluegills worm fishing, and my 6 year old last year caught some small pike and a 5lb smallie on a ball jig and minnow. Im looking for something similar that might snag a little less on a drift since they are way too young to anticipate a snag. In short, Im looking for a fun drift and shake technique with less "snagability" lol. Sorry to hijack but the Senko and ned rig caught my attention for this.

Does this have less stretch than straight mono, and less abrasion resistance than FC? Is braid to a FC leader ALWAYS better at casting ease and line management VS say all FC?

Does anyone know if there is any reason NOT to run a stretchier line for crankbaits like the Sunline super natural mono or INvisix FC? The Mod fast rod should provide enough give, so not sure why people recommended the sunline mono, other than maybe cost. Im going to run Invisix, Sniper, or Tatsu on my jig and do all rod. I do fish lots of rocks, does it just get more nicks to cut off or actually cut off usually? Which one above is easiest to manage? I think that will be what I get. I dont care much about the money, its only $25 vs $40 if the Tatsu is best.

Whats the point of backing, just for lower cost filler? If I go that route, I dont mind paying for Tatsu if it will do a couple reels per spool that way. Nobody elses uses fishing line lol? Just kidding, Im anxious to get something ordered quick.

Im planning on trying some spinnerbaits on the champion for sure, just to see. Hopefully it works. I noticed the St Croix MH goes up to 1oz, where other MH like Dobyns, Fenwick, MH only goes up to 3/4. Id like to find them in person to compare...

I was reading through some threads and need some line for a couple Fuego CTs. One on a Champion crank rod, one on a jig and spinnerbait rod. Sunline super natural mono or yozuri hybrid #12 for the crankbaits? Sunline Sniper FC #12 for the jigs and spinnerbaits? Im looking for middle of the road unless there is a clear winner somewhere. Is 100 yards on a reel enough? I cant ever remember using nearly that much, but the spools are all 200 it looks like. How many yards of #12 are you putting on? Are these good enough, and are easy to manage? I just want something thats good enough, to get ordered quick and start fishing! THanks!

I tried out my Dobyns Champion in the yard last night. Its the 705CB 7ft MH/MF. I was casting 1/2 oz down to just under 3/8oz w no issues casting to about 35-38 yards, with my yard caster black max reel. Im new to casting rod and reels but I seemed to pick it up ok. I have no issues w the 3/8oz on that Dobyns MH. Some people (like above comment) say the Dobyns runs a bit light, and the SCroix a bit heavy, SO how would the AVID M compared to the Dobyns MH? Ive only held the StCroix MH, and it "seemed" way too stout for my uses. What rod for 3/8 to 1/2 mainly, and some 5/8? I can buy a M and a MH if needed, but would prefer one rod if possible. The problem is I ordered the Avid X for only $131 brand new on a mistake sale, and they never go on sale, and if I return that nobody wins haha. The Dobyns I would just wait for a sale.

What do you guys think once you add in a little bit of current to the water? What are the best option then?

The more I think about this, the more I wonder if I should be getting a M/F rather than a MH. I know the MH is said to be very versatile, but Im also looking to just GET INTO using my casting setups more, these are my first casting setups. I dont really use heavy baits much, and am a little worried about casting lighter 3/8 oz baits on a MH. I have no issues buying another rod later if I find the need to throw heavier baits. I dont fish much cover for jigs and spinnerbaits, mostly rocks and flats and weed edges. I got a heck of a deal on the Avid X in either a M/F or MH/F, and Ive read their MH is pretty stout. For spinning rods, I ALWAYS grab the ML over a Medium when fishing in between weights, I just like them more.

I just bought a 7ft Dobyns Champion MH/MF crankbait rod. I havent used it yet, but maybe I should have bought the Fury for cranks, and Champion for jigs and spinnerbaits. How light of crankbaits do you think I can throw on this rod? Im new to MH, and it feels pretty stout. Is the MH/F a good choice for jigs and spinnerbaits from maybe 3/8 to 5/8 or 3/4 max? Is the Fury MH/F a good rod for this use? Im also looking at the Champion still or the Daiwa Tatula, but Im not familair w the Daiwa and how their MH compares to Dobyns. The Avid X goes up to 1oz, but that rod may be to stiff for my lighter baits, Im not sure. There are some good sales right now, and this is the last rod Im buying for a while. Im also thinking of trying the 68 instead of 7ft.

Im the same way, I like to fish what I can see and do fairly well. ITs the things I cant see I struggle with. What things are you looking for on the maps first?

WHen you go to a new lake or river, how do you determine where to start? I have a hard time deciding between: THere are no fish here VERSUS there are fish here I just dont know what they want yet". Im big into using aerial maps for hunting, and locating what I think are the best spots. Would this work well in a new lake or large body of water? I'm looking for points going to deeper water, river mouths especially those into shallow bays, large weed beds, flats next to channels, gravel flats, etc. Is this in the ballpark? I usually struggle with what to try first though, especially when the water is still cold. I usually start by looking for walleye and smallmouth. For largemouth and pike I can do pretty well fishing structure I can see, or what I know starts from the shore. Its the SM bass and walleye I dont seem to have the clear instincts for yet. I usually fish bigger water, and sometimes has much lower population or scattered fish.

They are pretty small, the ones we catch. My kids put out a minnow trap every trip, and they catch 3-4 minnows,and about 3 dozen crawfish everytime overnight. The are about 2.5 inches long, and are always pretty active. Do you leave them sit on the bottom or fish like a slow moving or twitch bait?

I ordered a Dobyns Champion XP 7ft MH/M. Cant wait to try it out. Now I need a MH/F for jigs and spinnerbaits.

When to use them? How to fish them? How to best hook them? I have a seemingly endless supply of live crawfish to use, but Ive never tried them yet. I watched a few videos on youtube, and Im not sure it was the right way. The guy was letting the first bite and wait like 10 seconds to set the hook also. I figured I would ask the experts!

I plan on using more tubes, senkos and grubs this year. Id say mainly for smallmouth. What do you use for a setup for 6 to 20 FOW normally as far as weights go? Ive usually used tubes with the weighted hook, what other ways can you rig tubes? Weightless with a 2/0 hook, add a bullet/slip sinker, or other ways? Just trying to get the best basic methods used. For grubs, I usually only fish them on a standard jig head. Whats a better way? Senkos, Ive never even tried for smallmouth. I guess I also dont know when to weight or run weightless.... Weightless for slow fishing, cold water?