WRangler506

Maybe I will trade or sell the 68MXF Avid X to start. I think the 66 MLF would be worth a try, in either an Avid(X) or LT. What dont you like about them specifically? Im wondering if its the same or different reasons than mine.

I grew up using cheaper spinning combos ( and a premier 6' ML) that were probably all barely a moderate action. When I got back into it last year, I started trying "the right" rod for some techniques. What Ive been used to isnt necessarily good or right, but its what Im used to. I can catch many fish using them still. Lighter moderate action, for every fishing type I use. These LTW jigs rods feel great, the ML XF is plenty soft for walleye or bass, it just feels harder to keep a fish hooked up. Maybe its the length, or maybe Im being too nice to it and not keeping enough pressure on the fish. I thought maybe the XF was what I didnt like but trying to figure that out, which part to change. My 610 LTB DS rod is better feeling while hooked up, but maybe I still pay attention to the rod tip. The Fenwick 7MF, I got it for cheap, it feels great, so I probably just load it up heavy while reeling fish. Maybe Im being too easy on the Legends, or maybe its the XF. If I tried a 66 MLF for a jig rod, it would probably stay rigged and never get used for much else anyway, so might not matter its more versatile. Maybe I would pitch with it more.

So last year I used tips I got to buy several new rods. I bought a ST Criox 63 MXF and MLXF LTW spinning, an avid 68 MXF, 610 MLXF for DS, and several fenwick elite bass 610MLXF, 7MF and 69mlxf. I love the 6'3" for feel, but I dont really like how they load up while pulling fish (maybe its the length?). I use them for jigging mainly, caught lots of walleye and smallmouth this way. I feel like I lost a lot of fish because of that for me personally, I feel like the rod just has a much different feel while reeling in than I liked. I was thinking of switching them to both 66 MLF and MF. Would they still be good jig rods also then? I know St Croix XF is REALLY fast, unlike the Fenwicks XF, just my thoughts after using. I just want them to feel a little more "normal" to me. I found I really like the fenwick elite tech 7 MF. I use that rod every chance I get, spinnerbaits, cranks, etc. It feels pretty stiff so I dont use it for light lures. The 610 Fenwick MLXF feels way slower than my LTB 610MLXF for comparison. The 68 Avid X 68 MXF doesnt get used much, I want to switch it for another rod I might use more. All I use it for is jerkbaits, which I didnt do much, or days I needed a second heavy jig rod in the river. So I guess after rambling do you have suggestions on what to change? I guess I dont love the XF rods, but maybe the shorter 63 is the issue. They handle amazing but maybe I need longer. Not sure. All my setups are spinning, and mainly walleye and smallmouth. I realize I dont NEED all these setups, but it sure is nice having a pre rigged setup for each technique.

THanks for the info. Im checking all the links Glen posted way above also. I rarely seem to fish any largemouth areas lately, mostly going for smallmouth and walleye, and perch/gills for the kids. Ill try some senkos this weekend as Ill be out on that side of the state on Hamlin for the first time. I think that lake will have some weeds to fish shallower also.

I saw the recent thread on tackle vs knowledge. I can relate through deer hunting, knowledge is VERY VERY important. I would agree that knowledge is more important once some tackle basics are acquired. Can someone break down a few basics you think are important to catch more fish, for maybe a novice level? Im thinking of trying a few new to me lakes, and am curious what you think would be best to focus on, for really any species (multispecies lakes). Temps? Locations? Drop offs? Weedbeds? Boat traffic? Persistence? Clarity? Maybe just some TOP TIPS for the novice guys to focus on. I'm struggling because I just don't catch that many fish. I know (I think...) when to use subtle baits, aggressive baits, colors for clear, stained, bright dark, etc. Maybe Im not finding the right locations on lakes here in Michigan.

Thanks guys, Im glad I asked. I was going to tie direct but I thought it would slide around. Ill give that a try. Sometimes with my 4-5 yr olds in the boat there isn't time to keep re-tie every lure, so a swivel gets used more than Id like. That is if Id like to get a cast in here and there anyway. Ill try dental bands or a braid loop for that. Thanks!

Ok I give up. I tried a couple new spinnerbaits last weekend and they don't have the enclosed loop to snap on. The just have the wire bend and I struggled to get them to "jump" back when using them. I like the ones with the loop. Do you buy the loop ones or is there a easy mod to fix these?

Yes that's a good thought, but the 63 MXF Legend tournament next to it is fishing a 3/4 oz just fine, or at least not spongy. The 63 has braid and we were jigging in about 25-25 FOW. Actually my LT 63 ML XF also fished a 5/8oz (just for fun) better than the Avid that had mono. Trying to remember back 2 weeks, but I think when I made that comparison is when I thought maybe it was the mono. You just couldn't feel any solid bottom contact with the rod with mono.

I was going to try the 15lb superslick and 8 lb flouro leader I have for walleye. How long of a leader are you using?

Thanks, Ill have to try my 63 vs the 610 and see what I think. I think the 610 is purpose built for DS, but I though Id be comfortable with the 63 doing it also. That line is spendy. Any downside to it? 99% of my fishing has been with 8lb trilene XL for comparison.

Thanks for all the info guys. For now the casting setup is really only for bouncing, although I will absolutely take it out and play with it just to see if I like it. I keep seeing the black and silver max combos, and now I see the quantum solo combo on sale for $50. Any of those stand out as being a better option? Id love to spend more but I already bought 4 legend tournaments over the winter and 4 nice reels to match, and 3 new sealines. I cant go bonkers on the baitcaster also....

I tried my new 68MXF Avid X when I went walleye fishing, with heavier 5/8 oz jigs. It felt spongy, but it has 8lb mono. Also should I have a flouro leader on some of these if I use braid? I didn't know if the sight or stretch maters of the flouro leader for bass. What should I put on this 68MXF for most bass fishing? What line would you use on a 610MLXF for drop shot? I got 15lb PP superslick that I havent put on yet. Aqua green. How about a 7ft MF for tubes, heavy plastics and maybe crankbaits what would you use? I didn't realize there was such a difference until I rigged my St Croix LT with braid for vertical jigging. Wow. Now I realized there is a correct line for everything.

I assume smallmouth bass respond better to some baits and presentations early in the year vs late or during the summer heat. Is this true? I feel like a one trick pony using dropshots so much. Can you give some opinions by the month/by water temps on what you would use? This is for Mid Michigan waters mainly, but any estimates are good enough for me. What depths even to focus on? Only thing Ive heard and haven't tried yet is jerkbaits early season. Whats best for late may, early June?

I bought a new dropshot setup for this summer fishing smallmouth in Michigan. Its a St Croix LTB 610MLXF w a stradic 3000. I drop shot a good amount during the summer months, but Im wondering what else this setup will do well, and if anyone uses a dropshot setup for walleye? I fish a lot of water with decent walleye, but want to start targeting them more, when the bass are not around. Also, what line should I use on this setup for smallmouth and walleye? Im guessing a 15-20 braid with maybe a 2-4ft mono leader??

Sorry guys, the price was a internet mistake and they still honored the price mistake. Id buy 1 for normal price for sure, but at this price, I figured 4 couldn't hurt. I didn't think they would ship them, but they did. SP Guide. I haven't used any yet, just looking for what each rod should do best.

I got these rods so cheap I had to buy a few. $58 bucks each to my door so I bought 4. 2 of the 610 MLXF 1 of the 69 Med Mod fast 1 of the 7 MF What techniques best suit each one? I was going to use the 610 as spare rigged up drop shots as spares to my LT. The 69 for crankbaits, and the 7MF for? Heavier plastics or...? It was so cheap I just made a guess and bought a few. They feel great in hand but not even close to the same F or XF action as my Avid or LTB and LTW. Does that mean they should be a little more versatile?

What color is this one in the picture? Im trying to start with 1 or 2 of these and not sure what 2 colors are best. Just for fun fishing, I don't do tournaments so I cant justify more....

I am very accurate with a spinning setup, that is a known rod setup to me. Ive used them for 30 years. Ive been wanting to try a baitcasting setup, but don't really NEED one. Now, Ive read that a baitcast setup like the silvermax w the spooling button/flippin switch whatever is REALLY GOOD for bottom bouncers for walleye. Perfect excuse to finally try one. Is the silvermax any good or no? I realize most aren't walleye or trolling guys here, its just one thing to add to my arsenal that's all. Looking for one that can pull bouncers, *** oz, and play with baitcasting other times. Thanks

So....I bought some really nice rods over the winter. A few St Croix Avids, Xs, and Legend Tournaments. So far Ive really only used the 63 LT MXF and MLXF. They seem comfy, VERY sensitive, and jig great. Problem is, the few walleye I caught on the 63 MXF felt weird, compared to a slower action like what Im used to. You just don't fish with that sweeping hookset, or even close. There is no give other than the first few inches of the rod tip. Maybe the ML will feel better? Allowing more flex of the whole blank. Anyone else have this issue? Im sitting here wondering if I should have skipped all these XF rods and went for a slightly more versatile and normal feeling Fast action. I also bought a LTB 610 MLXF and put a stradic FK on it for dropshots. That one feels a little more normal. Maybe it was the Mediums with heavy jigs that was feeling odd.

wow sounds terrible, that's a lot for shipping. Looks like some local Michigan guys might find a good deal on these.

I have 4 new Elite Tech Bass rods that are all 1 piece, direct from Fenwick that I don't need. How much do you guys generally pay to ship rods? I can get the weight no problem, but not sure how they charge for a 7 ft tube.... Thanks. If its ridiculous ill either keep them or sell them local only.

Thanks I just ordered some warning shots in 4 colors. Still need 2-3 jerkbaits. For the grubs and jig head are you mainly dragging on bottom or hopping or?

Thanks, do you use the 4 or 5 inch, or doesn't it matter much? I was looking at the KVD magic or watermelon/red...

Im a little overwhelmed at the moment but trying to keep going. Im just trying to get started with some new bass baits, basically from scratch. For plastics I like roboworms for drop shots. I read a million posts to find the most productive colors and narrowed it down to 2 colors. Each color comes in standard or with FLAKE. I know flake would help in stained water with some sun out, but is there a time I would want the SAME COLOR but WITHOUT the flake? I also read a *** article and chart showing basic color selection to simplify things. Basically watermelon/red and green pumpkin cover most all things, with a junebug and purple backup plan. Maybe run black flake for the clear water watermelons so it not too flashy? For dropshots I mentioned I like the roboworms. Is there something that is better? This is for smallies mainly. The 4.5 incher are what I thought, but what about 6. When would you use a 6 in bait? The 4.5 seems plenty big IMO. Are the 6 for DS, or some other rig? Lastly, Im pretty comfortable dropshotting usually 8-10 ft or deeper, what other 1-2 best tactics should I be using, maybe for shallower waters 5-10 ft also for smallmouth? Sorry for the long post, feel free only to answer a couple things. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the info, but Im not confusing the power and action. In MY opinion, the action on the Bass is not even close to as fast as the walleye, or a st Croix avid. I was able to compare side by side with each. In some ways I like that, but just wasn't sure about how it was rated XF. When I loaded the tip of the rod it started bending much farther down the rod than the other 2 mentioned. It actually seemed like it was simply mislabeled...not sure what to make of it. Your point about adding power, yes that sounds right as the ML feels much different than the previous ML. Id like to fish one so see how it feels over a couple hours.