Dangerfield

From my research, you've handle a fair share of St. Croix rods, how do they compare to the Tatula Elites that you use?

Perfect! that's exactly what I'm looking for. The Okuma & Pinnacle reels seldomly get mentioned around here and there's already input. While, I agree some might be repetitive, I think we might find some gems among the community.

We get a lot of best rod/reel under $100, $200 etc. threads, they pop up all the time. Just thought it would be interesting to get opinions from the community on hyped rods/reels that disappointed, or a rod/reel you rolled the dice on and blew you away. I found a lot of our pinned/sticky'd posts are starting to get outdated and this could help some of our new members or new-to-fishing members... GO!

"Impulse buys my a$$, I got you."

You're going to need a beefy rod to handle 8oz lures, if you're topping out at 5oz - grab a 795SB and 806SB in the Fury line up. There's plenty of others that are slightly cheaper like the Okuma Guide select (although the new version has a weaker warranty), Nomad Express (travel) or the Daiwa DXSB.

I use a Fury 735c, I like the backbone for ripping a jig through submerged bushes. 50lb braid is the min. If you don't choose a dobyns - always consider a longer rod with a soft tip for casting distance and keeping fish pinned.

Thanks for setting us up again @fishballer06, I've joined a number of groups, TW, Spro, AFTCO etc. They all giveaway prizes if you finish in the top 3-10, varies by group. There's no cost to enter and you don't have to make extra picks outside of what you normally do for the BR group. We're all tackle junkies at the end of the day, just thought I would share to add some incentive beyond bragging rights. Got my picks in, but I'll switch them again closer to the event.

Jackall Giron, Spro Bbz-1 Shad and bbz-1 rat 25, swaver 120 and 5" Savage gear shine glide are medium sized productive baits that don't exceed 1oz. Can be used on conventional tackle and 12lb test. I've got them all in my tackle bag and used them on my cranking rod and mh spinning rig. Choose one or the other when it comes to the swaver or the shine glide. The rest are all pretty unique. The bbz-1 rat is the most versatile and productive of the bunch.

Appreciate the input! The feedback on the Villain is concerning as I don't need another Heavy powered rod, and I would get it if I could track down a Medium rod. Considering it's discontinued, I don't have much hope of it coming back into stock. Looks like I'm pulling the trigger on the Daiwa Elite MHF, still monitoring the skipping rod because I kayak a lot. The Lew's TP1 Black is intriguing but I've read the guides are questionable(ceramic falling out, tips breaking). The only kicker is that it comes in $100CAD less than the Daiwa. There's a Daiwa repair center relatively close by, which is comforting if anything goes sideways and I need a warranty claim done. I'll post pics in the Bait Monkey thread when it arrives.

Jerkbait is a pike magnet where I fish, especially if you rip em fast. I started fishing them slower with lighter twitches and the smallies love em. Lots of confidence in a rapala ripstop.

Not sure what happened to my post... The Duo Realis M62 & M65 have a unique hunting action that is unlike any other cranks I have. A bit more than a Spro but cheaper than the big Japanese brands.

Water levels were way high in Georgian Bay this year, which made familiar scenary almost uncharted territory. New baits lost in 10 casts or less: -Jackal Gantarel jr to a northern in 6 casts -bill lewis echo to wood in 2 casts -owner swing blade to chunk rock -2 Xraps to northerns I didn't lose as many jigs in 2019 as I did in 2018, but still lost a half dozen. Lost a number of different ned heads, it's just the nature of the game. I'm rigging up some 50lb mono leaders for my big swimbaits this year, no more drive bys.

For me, it was getting used to setting the hook differently, upwards thrust with the egg beater set up, instead of cross body lean with a baitcaster. I use a 1/4oz DJ finesse swimjig, so far a medium fast rig has done the trick. I've got some 5/16oz santone finesse jigs and I think the gauge on the hook is too beefy for the medium set up. I've got 2 new MHF rigs for this season, of each type, so a few hours on the water and I should have it dialed in. I'm leaning towards the bc.

Thanks @matbellon3 I'm pulling the trigger this week, hoping to get a bit more feedback or votes. Thanks again BR.

It's all good, I have used ALF for reels before over ebay and purchased baits from tw but they're more the exception. Have you handled the skipping rods in the Tatula Elite series?

Yeah, I located 2 online from a Canadian retailer. TT reviewed, claimed it was plenty sensitive, iirc higher than their benchmark. So l, another check mark to bottom contact, but I'm concerned it will be a polecue. I would have been more confident with a medium fast.

I live in Canada and purchasing from the US has it disadvantages with customs, shipping/brokering plus the weak loonie. I just need to be savvy with my money and what's available in Canada. I really appreciate your feedback on the Tatula Elite, the Fury is sensitive just not incredibly sensitive. I can find a 664c but not a 734c in my price range.

TIL, thank you.. Any input on my rod dilemma?

I'm adding a casting rod to my arsenal to replace a cranking rod that's too action specific and I could put that reel to good use. I recently was gifted a 7' MHF Zodias spinning rod pairing it with a fuego lt. From what I've read online, it would be my most sensitive rod but better suited for reaction baits. So I'm thinking I could get away with mid shallow cranks, squarebills, jerkbaits and popmax/walk-the-dog baits. I've also got a Dobyns Fury 703sf which I've been using for ned rigs and more finesse applications, shakeyhead, dropshot, small swimbaits. Thinking I can double duty both applications. I've narrowed my search based on finding the above mentioned rods and the Abu Villain 2.0 7'3" MHF in the $150-$200. Although the Abu will be way more sensitive, I think the action and length are too close to my Dobyns Fury 735c. I'll be using it for 4" paddletail swimbaits, swimjigs, chatterbait, dragging football jigs and biffle heads typically in the 3/8-1/2oz range, maybe as low as 5/16oz because grabbed some santone texas finesse jig on BF. Help me decide: the skipping jig has piqued my interest because of the length and I fish from a kayak alot. 7'3" is really the front runner based on price and versatility and the Abu really intrigues me because of the TT review and I've read plenty of threads on how its an underrated rod. I could also save a bundle and go with it a Fury 734c, but I'm looking to upgrade on the sensitivity, weight and versatility. I can't locate a 734c Sierra, I have found the 663c and 664c in that range but I'm concerned about the rod length and castability.

Sierra hands down. I've always wanted a 734c, it's the most versatile rod in any line up but I just found a killer deal on a Daiwa Tatula Elite 7'3" MH and I'll be pulling the trigger on that rod. Sensitivity over everything.

TIL Major Craft will be getting my money in the future.

I've fished the sx before and it has a very mechanical feel when you turn the handle, you can feel the gears. Where my tatula is just overall a smooth turn except for the play in the handle knob. The daiwa is hands down a better reel.

AMF had their cyber monday sale and you could scoop up a Dobyns Fury's for $95.99. It was still live yesterday.

Bought my Fury 703sf from Amazon.ca and it came packed from Dobyns in a sturdy tube with PVC caps. I'll likely buy my next one the same way considering they're wayy cheaper than anywhere else.