WRangler506

I picked up some 1.5 squarebills today. I like the 3xd and 6xd with the smaller bait size. The 4,5,6's seemed pretty big to me. Ive just not fished much w big baits. Going for smallmouth mainly. Are you using shallow or deep scatter raps or all? Thanks. These are next on my list. Ill probably get a couple Med and DD little Johns also. Is anyone using the DT series? I guess I need some 4,6 and 10s. Do the Rapala's come with decent hooks already? I keep reading of people swapping hooks on the SK's.

CAn you explain this, Ive never really fished carolina rigs. I think Im going to order the Mojo MHMF. The moderates just seemed too slow to me, even for crankbaits. The mod fast seemed like a good compromise.

Any opinions on this? These are the 2 Im looking at buying now as well.

Thanks for the info. I also have another thread in the rod specific forum too. Im interested in the Dobyns Fury 705, and the Premier 70 M/M or MH/M. Im just not a fan of rods that are too stiff for the application. I read the Fury runs lighter for a MH rod. So do you do better fishing shallow/medium depths, or the deeper cranks?

Im also still considering the Mojo 7MH/MF, but I didnt really like the handle and reel seat, but the blank felt nice just a tad heavy. How does the premier M/M or MH/M compare to that? Generally as you go up in st croix blanks they get stiffer for the same rating, for my spinning setups. Im wondering if they do the same here and the premier Mh/M would be perfect then, being slighly softer than the mojo. I dont want a glass rod at all. Im trying to keep things light also.

I bought a real (Fuego) so now Im just looking for the rod. Anyone have any experience with the Premier series crankbait rods? Also, cabelas has the ZX crankbait rod, and also a ZX "crankshaft" rod, both M and MH. Which one are people using? I believe I tried the ZX crankbait M/M. Does anyone use a fast action for smaller crankbaits? Im not new to fishing, just baitcasting, and dont normally have any issue keeping fish hooked up. I wasnt sure if that was big reason for a moderate action. I found a great deal on the premier in MH/M but Im thinking that is going to be too heavy for smaller cranks. The only ones I really know of that Im considering are: St Croix Premier M/M ZX crankbait M/M Dobyns MH/M (since Im told it fishes lighter than normal MH)

I can only afford to get one setup for now, so trying to decide on a shallow (M/M) or a deep (MH/M) setup. Ive really never fished crankbaits for smallmouth, and will be fishing N Michigan and Ontario. If you had to pick getting a setup to fish 10-12ft and less, vs 12ft and deeper, which seems to be more productive when using crankbaits? I know it depends on if the fish are shallow or deep, but which would get used more?

Thanks everyone for the information. I just ordered the Fuego CT 6.3. I'm sure it will be plenty good enough to get started, and now focus on finding a crankbait rod...

Im in Harltand area, Livingston County. I saw from the dealer map above the closest place in Jays in Clare, roughly. I dont drive south much. Well see but I really wnated to see one, otherwise Im still open to suggestions. Thanks!

I think I've decided on one of these for my first crankbait setup, but I've read some conflicting info on them. Im looking at the 6.3 If this is my first casting setup, will I notice a difference between these 2? I tried a few in person but dont remember if I tired the Fuego now. I dont need a top of the line, just something that functions well and will be fairly smooth. I love my ballistic spinning reel and my stradic, but lots of mid range spinning reels by both companies seem plenty good enough for me, for comparison. Still need to find the right rod....

There are some great deals on the Tatulas online. I thought the curado felt a little smoother but could have been the display tatula that was loose. Im not finding the Dobyns anywhere local to put my hands on. Anyone have any experience with the cabelas ZX rod and reels? The crankbait rod might work, but I didnt see that reel when I was there. I normally avoid store branded things, but not sure who makes that setup for them. No gift card, but I was trying to buy local if I can put my hands on something. Im not really very willing to buy a rod and reel on recomnedations only. I want to feel them and make sure I like them in hand. The ZX rod felt comforatble, but a little light. It work work for small cranks I think. The Mojo MH was a little on the stiff side but might still work for small cranks. The blank was great but dont love the handle or seat. Still cant find the Dobyns local... Im in SE michigan. Im really unfamiliar with reels other than the few I tried in person.

This setup is inteneded for shallow and medium crankbaits. Maybe squarebills unless those are better on my spinning setups. I just went to my local box store and handled everything they had, which for rods wasnt much. They had the Mojo MH/MF, the cabelas ZX M/MF, a veritas MH/MF. The veritas was so stiff I thought it was crazy. The mojo blank felt good, stiffer than I wanted but totally do able, but the reel seat and handle, just fair/ok, I have a couple LTW/Avid spinning at home maybe thats why.The cabelas ZX actually felt very nice in hand, maybe a little soft, but felt like a fun rod. They go on sale a lot to 70 bucks. They did not have the Dobyns 705 for 109 that I went to see/purchase. What do you recommend or how does that Dobyns 705 (the cheap one) compare? For reels, Ive only tried the black max casting before. Feels pretty nice, but you can tell its a cheaper reel. Smooth but not super tight or anything. Of all the reels I tried there I wanted to like the Tatula CT type R. It didnt feel as smooth or as tight as the curado K, at all. Not sure if it was an old worn display, but I was surprised. Most of the reels even down to 100 bucks would be fine, but that curado K stood out as the smoothest by far. Should I be looking at magnetic or centrifugal? Im not sure which ones are which. For comparison I have mostly cheap spinning shimanos that are very smooth, a stradic FK, and diawa ballistic. The ballistic wins. Im just amazed at shimanos mid level spinning reels, they are so smooth and just blow away the same priced competitors I tried. Whats the best casting reel around 100-150 bucks? I guess Im looking for a slower rod for something new to play with too. Most of my spinning rods at St croixs and are XF actions.

Thanks for all the info. I see the point about the spinnerbaits. I have a spinning ETB 70MF I can use for that, or that and jigs on my AxidX 68MXF. Was currently using the 68MXF for walleye jigging and jerkbaits. I was just looking forward to trying a baitcasting softer slower rod for medium and heavier stuff that I dont like throwing with my spinning rods. Maybe Ill start with a 70 MM, for the shallow and medium cranks, and see how I like it. I can always add a MH M or MH F baitcasting setup later as well.

Which rod would work best for fishing squarebills and medium diving crankbaits? Im looking at the Premier, Avid and Elite Techs. Im leaning towards a Medium power, and mod fast if I can find one, otherwise moderate action. I may throw a few deep diving cranks and heavier spinnerbaits, but most of the time I would use it for shallow/medium diving cranks. Id consider the E6X also, but Im more familiar with the Fenwick and St croix rods being I have spinning rods of each. Ive noticed in spinning rods in the St croix line, the higher the model, the stiffer the equivalent power fishes. I that true with the casting models also? How does the Fenwick power compare to the st croix?

I watched the video on here, and also a minute long youtube video on how to set the reel up. I already have 2 cheap black max combos i tried for bottom bouncing last year that worked great for that. The setup was the key. Wow. Awesome!!!!!!! It took all of 5-6 casts to start really throwing them well, with a little more comfort. Im good with spinning reels since Ive used them for 25 years or so, but the backlash thing got me a couple times years ago when i picked one up. Its all about the reel setup, which took about 10 seconds after i knew what to do. I just used a 1/2 oz weight, and it was almost dark so i just thumbed it when i knew it should be close to landing in the yard. I broke both wrists a couple times racing motocross years ago, and pulling heavy spinnerbaits and cranks always hurt my wrist after a while with a spinning setup. Thats one big reason for trying it, since I noticed my wirst is at a much better angle with the casting rod/reel. I dont know why Im posting this other than I am TOTALLY pumped seeing how easy it was after taking the time to set it up and try with patience. I have no idea why it was so fun, but man im glad took the time to learn. Wish i hadnt waited so long!!!

What do you suggest for bass crankbaits, or will the shad raps I have (5s and 7s) work well? How is a scatter rap ( or all the other bass cranks) different from a shad rap. Im fishing mostly in northern MI or canadian water for smallmouth, and even in June the water is still very cold. I go in June and August. Im looking to cover more water and find fish. Should I start with some scatter raps, or is there something else I should be looking at? I need to cover shallow and deep, in multiple colors, but Im not sure which baits to start that with. I was going to start with 6 of them and see if they work well there.

I really appreciate all the comments. Ill try using this rod more this season, and get a feel for what I like to use it for. It sounds like the main purpose of this rod would be for treble hook lures, with some other option as well. Should I run mono or braid for this? Im not sure if the mono and the moderate action will make it too slow/spongy feeling. I wouldnt be too concerned but this rod does feel noticably "less fast" than the similar Elite Techs I have in fast and extra fast.

Ive seen a few spinning rods like the ELite Tech BASS Mod Fast and the St Croix moderate fast, what are these intended for? Only crankbaits? If so, does a standard fast not work good with crankbaits, or the mod Fast is just better?

First question is, does anyone use a 2000 size reel? I bought a Daiwa ballistic EX 2000 and I absolutely love that reel. Its plenty bigger enough for me and its very light and balances on some light rods very well. I think that specific reel was discontinued now. Any other brands/models to look for in a 2000 size? When Im testing out balance and feel I find myself thinking the 1000 is far too small and 2500/3000 slightly too big. I also bought a Stradic FK 3000 for my LTB 610 MLXF drop shot rod. I bought it online, and it has some odd shape T handle for your fingers. I dont like it at all, and have never used anything different from the standard handles. Can I switch this out? Where can you get the parts to do so? So far I dont like using this reel, but it may be all due to the handle shape. Are there some good quality reels around $100 I should be looking at?

Ive heard many times the older smallmouth series 69 was a great rod. Do any of their new rods stand out as being the ones to get? I was considering trying the walleye 66 MLF or 69 MLXF. Just a semi versatile rod for smallies and walleye to try out. What are the opinions on the ELite Tech?

Ive considered that, but its never a clear answer after talking w their customer service. I guess I dont see why there is a 69 and 610 option, unless its just to sell more rods.

Im struggling with just how many rods are offered in similar size/action power. I have a St criox LTB 610MLXF. I used it a few times for drop shot but nothing else. Could I use this rod for jigging too? Ive havent heard of doing that, but its pretty similar to the Avid 69 MLXF that seems very popular for drop shot, as well as jigging. Is the 69 more versatile for some reason? I have 2 of the 6'3"s as well, and trying to consolidate some rods so Im not taking so many. I keep looking at the 66MLF and 68 MLF rods just because they seem like they would be more versatile than what I have. My current setups are: all spinning LTW 6'3" MLXF and MXF Avid X 68 MXF LTB 610 MLXF ELite Tech 70MF

Yes maybe the braid is affecting it too. Ive never run braid before but put braid and flouro leaders on my jigs rods, 6'3". I can feel everything, but I dont know that i need it. I have 2 new Fenwick Elite Techs in the 610 MLXF that i didnt even use yet. They seem like a much slower action than the LTB 610 that I have and used a bit. Like I said the Elite Tech 7MF is amazing. I love that rod, and didnt think i would. Maybe I should give the 610s a try... And, maybe I just dont mesh well with the XF, especially with braid.

Wow im surprised. All my rods were ordered. About 10 Lengends, Avids and ELite techs. All showed up in cardboard, in perfect shape. Ill have to check the sticker for what carrier they used.

I have a couple cardboard tubes to ship rods in. Which carrier do you guys use most and how much does it normally cost to ship one to somebody in the US? Ive never shipped one, but was going to sell a few.