Boomstick

I would think something like shaky heads or drop shots would be a good choice, and it's a good opportunity to learn something new. I would probably go with the drop shot myself, it's a fairly versatile setup, can be fished in multiple different ways and can catch fish all year long as well. In fact, it's a rig I plan to work on myself next summer. I would think something like shaky heads or drop shots would be a good choice, and it's a good opportunity to learn something new. I would probably go with the drop shot myself, it's a fairly versatile setup, can be fished in multiple different ways and can catch fish all year long as well. In fact, it's a rig I plan to work on myself next summer.

I would also go with 14lb mono as well. 14lb fluorocarbon would also do fine if you are solid with your knot tying.

I will save it towards my canoe fund. Although a nice fishing backpack is also in order this season, as is a ML spinning rod for drop shotting

I just realized that I meant to say to start with the KVDs until you figure out how much you LOSE them, not use them. But the Norman Fat Boys are probably my all around favorites, they aren't terribly expensive and they move a lot of water.

Worry not, both of your rods are very valuable assets for bass fishering. The only thing you need now is a rod for crankbaits and other treble hooked baits -- with a moderate tip or at least moderate fast, so it doesn't pull the hooks from the fish's mouthes, and maybe a heavy rod for heavier applications (swimbaits, punching). I make do with a MH/F and a MH/R glass cranking rod, but the next casting rod I would add would be a M/F or even M/XF for soft plastics, as I don't have the need for a heavy rod as much around here. The medium is a good choice for soft plastic worms, spinnerbaits 3/8oz and under, and would be better for cranks as it would have a little more play (although a moderate or even moderate fast tip would be better). I might consider mono for extra play on the M/F rod especially if you ever fish baits with treble hooks. The MH can do spinnerbaits 3/8oz and up, jigs, frogs, etc. and other soft plastics besides worms that want a bit more backbone. You can run heavier fluorocarbon or 30# or 40# braid on this one. That guy who told you these rods wont work has no idea what he's talking about. You buy the rod based on the lures you want to throw, not the size of the fish! Sure, larger lures will target larger fish but I've caught plenty of small bass on a 3/8oz spinnerbait or a t-rigged senko.

I fish a lot of shallower areas that often tend to be rocky too, so I use 17lb mono on my cranking reel. A KVD 1.5 or Norman Fat boy is always a good bet, but I'd start with the KVD's because you can get them cheaper until you figure out how regularly you use them.

That's up to you, but I find 3/8 - 1/2oz still to be the sweet spot in the SV. I would say the decision is more about if you want a more forgiving reel that you will never birds nest, or a less forgiving reel that you can cast further and save a few bucks as well. To me, the advantages of the SV outweigh the disadvantages but I can't say I wouldn't be fine with a Tatula CT or a Curado either.

You can get 330 yards of Daiwa J-Braid for under $20 on Amazon.

I have two Tatula SVs, and they are the same way, at least until you approach lures at least 3/4. For anything under 3/4oz, I set the tension knob to the point where the spool begins to click and leave it alone. I don't have the same kind of experience with the Curado K, although I gather they're also a great reel and also have a great braking system, although they're not going to be quite as hands off. The downside of the SVs is casting distance isn't quite as good as many other reels, but its not a signigicant amount and that's a small price to pay for the improved braking. Think about it this way, the extra ten casts you get while you'd otherwise be pulling out a bird's nest will more than make up for any shortages in casting distance.

It throws light baits nicely, but can also throw heavier baits just as well, don't let that fool you. The spool simply helps with braking for lighter baits. I use a 6.3:1 SV (right handed) for crankbaits and have no issues. Of course, it's not 5:1 if you really want a 5:1....

Oh I thought all of them besides the Triumph were made in the US. Nevermind then.

Nice! I just bought my first St. Croix rod, actually for my kid, a Mojo Bass spinnerbait rod. He likes spinnerbaits and crankbaits and this one had a slower tip that could be passable for crankbaits. I also like that they're made in the US.

Wait, so let me get this straight, you owned the rod for 4 years but never used it until the day you broke it? Or you used it for 4 years?

I have the Daiwa Tatula SV and I spool the braid straight on, nice thing about that reel is it doesn't take an excessive amount of line and doesn't need any backing or electrical tape. Although I have used mono backing before when I had a spool that didn't quite have enough braid, and still had enough braid on it.

Some of them are, but some of them don't make sense to be in California unless your business is hard tied to being in California, and manufacturing rods or anything else is not. Personally, I'd move to Oregon because I wouldn't mind living there

What I'm using currently... 7'2" MH/R glass cranking rod - crankbaits and sometimes spinnerbaits or chatterbaits. Will use 14# or 17# mono or FC. 6'6" M/F spinning rod -finesse techniques. 8lb mono or FC 7' M/F spinning rod - used to use this for crankbaits before I got the cranking rod, occasionally soft plastics. Doesn't really add too much my setup anymore since I got the cranking rod. 6'10" MH/F - everything else, 40# braid. While not 100% ideal, these really three rods do offer me a wide variety of what I can throw on them. What should I add next? A proper ML/F rod for dropshotting? A heavy rod for frogs, heavy jigs and larger swimbaits?

I picked up a Supreme XT for my son for his Christmas present, with a 20% off coupon it was $90 something shipped on ebay. Obviously, I haven't got to use it but I've heard only good things and at least it doesn't feel too heavy.

Yeah it says SC III. Wasn't that update a few years back though?

Oh I'm not really sure but I think it's the new model. It's the same look as the Mojo Bass rods I've seen this past summer for sure, if not 2016 too. I have always liked the Mojo Bass line, but this particular model was as good as I'm going to get for spinnerbaits, bladed jigs and crankbaits. Another Tatula glass cranking rod like mine would have also did nicely, but in this case he might like the Mojo Bass better because it is a little shorter and lighter too -- plus I always like checking out new stuff too. I don't get to fish in the winter either, not only because I'm not fond of the cold but because the same kid plays travel hockey. By the time that's done, it's almost spring fishing season anyway.

So I was at the Field & Stream in Latham NY today and ended up getting a St. Croix Mojo Bass spinnerbait rod. I know it's more than I was hoping to spend, but it also fits the bill perfectly. It definitely has a slower tip but also has some solid backbone to it. I think the tip is actually a little slower than my Tatula glass cranking rod, so it should be fine with crankbaits as well. It's also a little shorter, which I think he'll appreciate. They also had a Fenwick M/F HMG that would have done nicely too although the tip was a bit stuff for a M/F, but decided on the Mojo Bass spinnerbait rod because I figure he'll likely want thicker line until he gets better at casting and it will almost certainly be a better cranking rod.

So it turns out the Revo SX that Cabelas had was a gen 3, which I gather is notorious for lots of reliability issues. I ended up getting a Pflueger Supreme XT for under $100, which I've never personally used but have only heard good things about. Still need a rod.

Cabelas has a deal on the Abu Garcia Revo SX for $80 right now, seems like the best buy I can find at the moment.

My other kid has a black max. My biggest complaint is the braking is rather poor but I guess it's good to learn with if you aren't sure if they'll end up using it or whatnot. At the very least, it taught him how to adjust the braking. He'll get a better rod and reel for bass for his birthday, but can still use the gx2/black max for catfishing (and maybe crankbaits too because it has a fair amount of bend). I took Friday off to do some Christmas shopping. Depending on where the girlfriend wants to go, I may end up at Cabelas or maybe a Bass Pro shops. I can get a Caenan for $60 at Dick's with a coupon as well, but the $100 Curado on ebay is tempting too.

To be fair, isn't the Caenan also a line down? I was considering the Caenan because I should be able to get one for no more than $60, although I managed to find a Curado for $70.

I was considering the Shimano for that reason because they also have good braking systems, although I'm not entirely sure about the Caenan vs more expensive models. I use a SV myself and it is great braking reel.