Boomstick

I usually use the Daiwa J-Braid x8. It seems to be a great bang for the buck. For some really heavy lines I may consider Power Pro Maxcuatro though because it's more abrasion resistant.

Interesting. Clearly you spent your time into this. However, just like with any other sound those little BBs do also put out lower frequencies as well, they just sound much higher to us because we can hear the higher frequencies which are louder, so I wouldn't be sure that bass don't pick up on them at all, maybe they can hear them only when they are smack in front of them as the lower frequencies are not nearly as loud, or maybe it isn't loud enough to matter, who knows. I'm not saying you are wrong by any means.

I picked up a Daiwa BG 2000 for finesse fishing, haven't got to use it but it feels like a much more expensive reel, only heavier. They also have a larger diameter spool than many reels of the same size, which I like. The Tatula LT is a very light reel that will feel more like the Stradic CI4+ in weight.

My role is if I am fishing a moving bait or a bait fast, it probably doesn't matter. If I am finesse fishing a drop shot or a ned rig, you can bet I'll have a leader.

I would stick to mono for cranks and topwater. If you were just using the rod for cranks then you could try fluorocarbon. I never crank with braid. Preference really.

I would not fish a frog with my Ugly Stik. The tip on that rod is like molasses. You're going to want something a bit faster so you can set the hook through a patch of lily pads and weeds and whatever else you're fishing in and still get the bass out.

I seriously considered getting my kid a M/F HMG for Christmas. It felt like it was a little on the stiffer side, and felt like it would have very good sensitivity for a $100 rod from what I could gather by holding it in the store. I ended up getting a Mojo Bass spinnerbait rod (MH/MF) as he likes fishing spinnerbaits and crankbaits and there is a lot more play in the tip of the Mojo. I am now considering perhaps that M/F HMG or Elite Tech Bass MH/F rod for my other kid, or perhaps I'll shell it out and get him a Zodias (I found a good deal on one). He is most interested in paddletail swimbaits and soft plastics. But personally I had a better impression from the HMG than the ETB from checking them out at Dick's. One thing I will note is HMG line runs on the heavier side, and the ETB line runs on the lighter side, so the HMG M/F is closer to the ETB MH/F than the M/F.

My advice is to switch your worm rod and crankbait rod. Medium/Fast works for worms, but so does Medium Heavy / fast. Medium Heavy/fast however is a bit stiff for crankbaits, but Medium/fast is about right. You can also use the same rod for topwaters as well, and use the spinning combo you are using now as secondary rod to have rigged up with a similar type of lure -- I prefer fishing cranks and topwaters on a casting rod. I would also use 12 or 14lb line unless you're constantly dragging them through heavy grass. I have used 17lb mono for crankbaits before in the fall, but I also use the same rod with spinnerbaits as well. The other thing I would personally change is I would run a slightly lighter line on your frog/mouse rod. You can toss a leader on it and use it for worms and jigs too if need be. Overall you're off to a good start.

Does that rod also work pretty well for jigs in heavy cover? Ever try a 6" Huddleston by chance? (it claims it can cast up to 2oz). Might add one to the collection. I would skip docks all day with my 6'10" MH/F. It has a lot of backbone and no trouble pulling big bass out of weeds as it is and it has very solid sensitivity. I got it for around $110 on Amazon and I don't think I would have gotten anything better for the price, even if I paid full retail. The other rod I would strongly consider for a similar application is the Shimano Zodias -- they run nearly heavy and I gather they have fantastic sensitivity but they're more expensive. I also have the 7'2" MH/R (mod fast) Tatula glass cranking rod and that's a great rod for all moving baits.

If I am trying to learn information about a new technique, I will usually start with BassResource, it has a lot of great stuff. Then you may find videos on how to fish a certain bait with various pros on various channels which can also be helpful. Chnanels like LakeForGuy, JonB, LunkersTV, 1rod1reel, Flair, etc can be worth the watch as well although they do a lot less informational type videos, more documenting their fishing trips.

On the rod you use for texas rigs and jigs, I would use between 40 and 50 lb braid so you can use an appropriate sized leader for what you're fishing. For example, 10-12lb is great for open water, but you may want to use up to a 20lb leader if you are fishing heavy cover. The 40lb braid you have would do here and you could likely use some of the 15lb Big Game as a leader, although I would go with fluorocarbon if you are confident with your knot tying abilities. On the other rod, I would run either fluorocarbon or mono between 14 and 17lbs. That 15lb Big Game would be a decent choice here although I have moved to Sufix Siege for my mono, I find that it has much less memory.

The correct answer is what I currently have plus one more Current setup: MH/F casting rod for soft plastics, jigs, frogs etc MH/MF glass cranking rod for moving baits M/F spinning rod, soon to be upgraded to a higher end ML rod Future additions: H/F rod for frogs, jigs in heavy cover M/MF rod for smaller crankbaits / open water crankbaits Once I get a boat (thus a way to transport it) I will add a longer H/F rod for large swimbaits, and maybe another few rods just to have something else rigged up and ready to go on. My current three rods do cover most applications very well though.

I tried Sufix Siege last year and it has far less stretch and memory than lines from Berkley and is abrasion resistant as well. To date it is by far the best line I've used. I hear the Elite might be even better but is less abrasion resistant so I will be giving that a try.

I would use a M/F, but not a M/XF.

Funny, I too was comparing the Avid X to the Sierra, but for a drop shot rod (post is a few days old). Pretty much everyone said the Avid X has a better blank, plus it has a better handle (at least for me) so it looks like that's the way I will be going.

The old style round baitcasters tend to have more line capacity, and in many cases many more drag as well. You will never see people fishing for large saltwater fish and large catfish and other large species using a low profile reel, it's always a large baitcaster or a massive spinning reel.

I usually throw a fluke as a trailer. They last a long time too. EDIT: You could also try a addletail swimbait like a Keitech 2.8 as well. Throw on whatever you have.

I really like Sufix Siege at least around 12-17lbs. It has much less memory than others I've used and is pretty strong as well. Haven't tried it around 8lbs yet, as I've stuck with Big Game for 8lb and 10lb.

Wow, that's a serious rod. I honestly wish that was in my price range to be honest, or even the GLX but that will put a serious dent in the bass boat fund. My personal take is M/F or ML/XF for drop shots, depending on the size of the line and hooks etc but I would like the extra length is really nice if you ever cast a drop shot as well. I was willing to try a fast action with Dobyns just because I am curious to try out their rods and this seems like a good opportunity because a lot of people like them and they recommend the particular model for drop shots. I tend to fish a lot in small lakes in Vermont, and they have some really big smallies up there. Most of the time I have a boat, it's also renting a canoe or rowboat in Vermont...

How about the action? Do you think a fast is good?

Here's another question, do since the Avid X rods seem to run a bit stiff, would the 7' ML/F Avid X perhaps be a better option than the 6'9'" ML/XF? Would prefer around 7' to be honest.

So I've been looking at getting a proper finesse drop shot rod and have narrowed it down to two rods, the Dobyns Sierra SA 702SF (7', ML/F) or the St. Croix Avid X AXS69MLXF (6'9", ML/XF). I have a Daiwa BG 2000 ready to go, and just need a rod to pair it with. I like the handle on the Avid X better (spinning reels where I place my thumb on the blank give me hand cramps, although better for detecting bites for sure), however the Sierra might be a better buy and according to many, a better rod. Many people complain the Avid X rods are tip heavy, but I have a slightly heavier reel so I think that shouldn't be a problem for me. So for those familiar with either or both rods, what's your thoughts?

I was going to say it might be worth the extra money for the Tatula SV as throwing a 3/8oz spinnerbait is common and the SV is great with those lures under 1/2oz, but looks like I am too late. No worries though, the Tatula CT is still a fine reel, and it will actually cast further. And I second what fishnkamp said about adjusting the Tatula. The second video is where I actually learned this from myself, and it really works. I usually run my brake at 6-8, and what I find is when you adjust the tension knob to the point it begins to click, that will work for any weight up to 3/4oz. Once it gets higher than 3/4oz, then sometimes I'll find myself tightening down on the tension knob, but the rest of the time I'm good. It's really nice knowing my reel is adjusted properly before I make my first cast.

Nothing against the Avid X or Zodias but if the Zillion for $145 is still available, I would jump all over that.

If you plan to keep your current rod, I would add a medium heavy rod with fast action. Your rod will be good for crankbaits and other baits with treble hooks. If you plan to sell your current rod, a medium heavy rod with a fast action would also be a good choice, but you may want to consider a medium fast rod if you do not have a lot of weeds.