WRangler506

I must not be fishing them right. Ive only tried the HJ10 for bass, never the DDHJs. I have tons of both for walleye trolling.

Do you fish the on a castin or spinning setup usually, and what specs of the rod? Thanks What jerkbaits do you like most? I know I need to swim grubs on jigs more, and try some hair jigs. The water stays cold for a long time most places I fish.

I have searched this, and read the RW thread and recommendations. I have a spinning LTB MLXF 610 drop shot rod, and an ETB 7 M/F spinning, wondering if a 66 or 7ft Medium Light is useful, for small crankbaits like shad raps, and small finesse jigs or if you would throw those on the rods I have? For casting rods I just have my Dobyns Champion CRANKBAIT rod on the way. Would a 68 to 7ft M/F or MH/F be best to buy for medium to heavy tubes, jigs and spinnerbaits? So many recommendations (Roadwarrior thread and others) for MH rods, but Im thinking I dont throw much heavy stuff for smallies (and walleye) I fish most. Lots of 3/8 and 1/2 jigs and spinnerbaits, maybe a few 5/8. Are these best on a MH or get a Medium? I'm not sure if the MH/F casting rods are used mostly by largemouth guys.

I've been reading a lot lately on what to focus on for Northern Smallmouth, MI and Ontario. Downsizing baits, smaller jigs and trailers? Minnow shaped baits rather than shad shaped? (What are the best smallmouth crankbaits?) Fishing underwater structure like humps, rocks edges, current. How to fish grubs properly? Top 3 techniques to focus on? (tubes, jigs, cranks, spinnerbaits...) Any help with details on the questions/comments above would be greatly appreciated!

I know i get it. I never said where the blame was here.

I hear ya, but this was nothing more than what a hero hookset equivalent would look like. Ive seen much worse not break a rod. I didnt want to mention the name. I dont want to bash the company, Id rather them see the rod first and see what they say. It was bought off a store shelf, which I dont normally do. Ive seen what people do to rods in stores sometimes. In bass pro one day I saw someone explaining to his buddy its all about twist strength and he gripped the rod with both hands to give it his expert judgement.

Im pretty sure I use TLC, usually. Thats 2-3 incidents in 30 years of fishing, covering over many rods, so I dont think thats too bad. This rod was on its maiden voyage and fished for a very short time when this happened. It was a bit aggressive, but not something I would have though it could break like that. Agreed. If I determine they arent going to free up, I wrap the line around my hand and pull.

Ive broken very few fishing rods, mostly my own fault not even fishing like stepped on guides, snapped tips, etc. We had a mid range rod that snagged bottom and was trying to free it from the bottom as the boat was drifting quickly down the river. One or two fairly hard jerks to free the jig and it snapped. it snapped right at the reel handle, and in two other spots farther up. While I understand this was an aggressive last ditch to free the lure, it was being fished on the max line rating for the rod. It still didnt break the line, we had to cut it, 10lb mono. It has a warranty, so Ill be sending it in, was just curious of your thoughts. Ive never seen one break in multiple places.

Im looking at the 70 MH/F Avid X, but some reviews say its tip heavy. WHat are some of the good options out there for 68-70 Mh/F?

I appreciate all the info here. I think Im going to look for a 6'8"-7' M/F or MH/F casting rod. I want to use it for jigs, tubes and spinnerbaits. I dont want to go too heavy, but I havent tried any in this range yet. I think Im set on spinning setups for now.

Im looking at similar rods. Was the balance corrected by going with the 68, or going to the LTB? I guess Im assuming they have the 68 in the Avid line but havent checked. Im looking for a well balanced 68-71 MH/F casting rod....

Yes good guess. I fish Michigan and Ontario. Rivers for walleye jigging, and trying to do more in lakes. Bass, mainly smallmouth in clear or stained waters, nothing too dirty at all. If I had a rod and technique in mind maybe I wouldnt steer clear of the weeds and thick stuff. The large mouth just dont have the number like smalls do where I fish normally.

Absolutely. I have been considering it, but was trying not to make my post too long. I grew up fishing that way, with equipment that was not right for the job, but it was fun.

Sorry meant to post this is The Rods forum... Any way to get this moved?

I just picked up my first real baitcasting rod, and it a dedicated crankbait rod Dobyns Champ 705C (MH/MF). I CANNOT WAIT to try it out! 1....Im debating on if I need a M/F or MH/F baitcasting rod also (spinnerbaits,jigs). Is that too similar or would it be useful? I dont really do the extreme heavy cover stuff at all. I currently have spinning setups on: St Croix LTB 63 MLXF and MXF (I basically only use for vertical jigging) St Croix LTB 610 MLXF (dropshot and any light plastics) St Croix Avid X 68 MXF (jerkbait, jigs, heavy dropshot) Fenwick ETB 70 MF (been using for spinnerbaits and small/med cranks) 2....So, the only other rod I find myself wanting usually is more of an all purpose spinning rod, like a 66 or 70 ML/F, just to go general fishing that can do most anything under 1/2 oz. All these XF rods are great for sensitivity, but I prefer fishing and fighting fish on a ML/Fast. Just feels right to me. Do one of these jump out as what is more useful? Maybe I should try some small spinnerbaits and cranks on the 610MLXF. Now that I have some nice specialty rods, I wish I had bought less, but more versatile setups. I guess sometimes its nice to have things pre-rigged though, even if one rod could do them all. If I could start aaaallllll over again, the first rod I bought should have been a 66 ML/F (or 7ft). I just love that rod. Im just not sure I need it now.... I swear this is the last rod Im buying....I hope haha

Actually I need a spinnerbait rod also, but Im havent even started looking so not sure what model or power to get for that. Probably a great time to buy, but thats probably still more than I could justify spending.

So....long story short, due to a retail situation/screw up for me, they are offering me 45-50 pct off any rods and reels today only. Was only looking for a crankbait setup, but now Im considering an extra Legend Tournament or something. I already have some LTB dropshot and LTW jig rods, an Avid X and some elite techs. Dont really NEED more than just a good cranking setup....but now is the time if I do. I was staying low in my crankbait selection like the Fury or Premier, but with the discount, they are now waaay cheaper, but so is the upgrade to a Champion or an Avid. Now Im all flustered haha, since I have to make the call fast, and I usually take my time deciding... I was thinking of getting things that rarely go on sale at stores or ebay. (Dobyns, St croix, etc) What to get for the mid depth cranks, mostly 3/8 to 3/4 oz? Is the upgrade now worth it or just get the lower models even cheaper now?

Which series Tatula? I looked some up on TW and saw glass and XTs. Is it the XT model you have? I actually checked out the bass pro cranking stick today. I was surprised it seemed like it be be pretty decent, especially for $80. The action is a little faster than a Premier for comparison.

The heaviest/deepest baits I plan on using are XD5s and Spro MD DD. I think those are all around 10-12 ft max. Id like to be able to use the XD3 and the shallow SPROs also on whatever I choose.

Any more opinions on this? I'm going to drive to see a few and pick one this weekend. Leaning towards the 7ft Mojo MH/MF still, to do dual purpose med cranks and spinnerbaits, or the Dobyns 705CB.

Yeah I found a store with the Dobyns in stock, but its 2 hrs away. It might be easier to just buy and resell it if i dont like it, rather than drive 4 hrs. I found the Loomis E6X 845CBR for $140. Not sure how that compares to the other options as I havent seen one in person either.

What did you get instead? What depth/size cranks were you running with the Mojo? Ive only really compared the St Croix Premier MH/Moderates, and they felt pretty whippy. Maybe it wont feel that way fishing, but I was hesitant to buy it based on how it felt in the store. I see the Avid has the MH/Moderate also, not sure if that one is any different, or the Fury 705.

The only MH rods with the mod fast action I know of is the Mojo and LTB. The LTB is out of my budget for crankbaits. (5-15 ft depths) I dont think I like the whippy action of the moderate rods, and I think the mod fast Mojo felt good enough to try. Are there other good options in this range out there, with the mod fast, or maybe a different rating but same feel as the St Croix Mod fast? Im not seeing many rod reviews on this particular 7ft Mojo MH/MF rod.

Someone stole my tackle bag last summer from my boat, so Im literally starting over. Trying not to break the bank here, but which crankbaits are tight wobble and which are wide wobble? When is the best time/water temp for each? I think I just need to pick one series for tight and one for wide, and then different depth/color of each. Im looking at little Johns, Rapala DTs, SK XDs, and bandits. I was going to get a few of each, but that sure added up quick.... Someone stole my tackle bag last summer from my boat, so Im literally starting over.

I finally compared the premier MHM to a 7ft Mojo MHMF in person. I think I like the slightly faster action of the MHMF, and maybe be just enough to use for a couple other techniques. I agree after handling the MM rods would be too noodle like. I have a few nice spinning setups for lighter/shallow cranks anyway I guess. I do fish like this, just didnt realize thats what you call it. THanks Ill probably get mostly shallow and medium cranks based on the suggestions, and just a few deep cranks.