Dangerfield

Check out Milliken Fishing on YouTube - he knows the owner and uses alot of 6th Sense gear, especially the rods.

@Bluebasser86 what are your thoughts on the TCS spinning rods? Specifically the 7 M and 7 ML?

Thanks AJay for the awesome review.

Beauty colours on that pike - we catch more pike than bass on Gbay. Also plenty of bowfin, catfish, and missed a 4 foot gar on a bbz-rat. I've got a Shimano Sedona which is just under the Fuego price point, I've abused it pretty good and she's still going strong. I've got it set up as a power finesse setup, but that'll change by spring. I'll hold on to it until she craps out and it'll be replaced with a Tatula or Ballistic LT.

From what I've read, many are choosing the cheaper Fuego with less bearings and a weaker build. The biggest thing I read on another forum was the style of drag on these new LT reels. They tend to click once and hold and only release line based on headshakes instead of like a Shimano spin reel, where they continuously click and release line.

and it'll be hella cheaper

I've never used either rod, but I follow Karl on YT under 'Keepin It Reel Fishing', he grabbed the Browser immediately when it came out. Here's a clip of him using it (starts at 14:47):

I almost always use a snap on mono or fluoro set ups and I still use the Palomar. If I'm on the water and I need to tie a knot in a hurry I use the Jansik Special. It's a no brainer and I can easily tell if I've tied it wrong.

From what I understand, the champion 807 is the exact same blank as the Fury 806 but with better guides, reel seat etc.

PM'd

the Daiwa DX SB rod is definitively entry level especially at $109. I would head over to SB Underground and do some reading. Most folks seem to start out with the Daiwa DX, the Okuma GS, the Fury, Gen 2 IRod as you already mentioned and the Phenix M1. My buddy has the Fury 795 paired with a calcutta 400B (50lb j braid, no leader), I've used it a few times. I do remember an occasion where I lost a fish from overdoing the hook-set and ripping the 168 s-waver right out of it's mouth. At the time I wasn't mentally set about dropping my jig set up, and adjusting how you set the hook with a treble bait vs a single hook bait. Thinking about it now, I echo Tom's (@WRB) comments about using braid with a lighter powered rod to help setting the hook vs. using mono and struggling.

I think the Fury 795 is more of a treble bait SB rod because it's rated as a Heavy with a Mod-Fast action. Dobyn's rod do run .5/1 power down compared to most rod manufacturers. I don't think it has enough backbone to be setting hooks on a bait like the 68 special. Maybe in a pinch but not as a dedicated set up. The BBZ rat is a perfect fit. [insert drool icon]

Bought a LC Pointer 100SP (Chart. Shad) on my way up to the cottage for a weekend of freezing cold fall fishing, just over 32 degrees. Caught a nice LMB maybe 2lber. I like the finish/paint on the LC Pointer way better than my Duo Realis 100SP/120SP, hook rash wasn't nearly as noticeable.

From the Daiwa website the 2500XH is a 6.2.1 gear ratio over 5.3.1 on the non-xh model. Only comes in the 2500 size. The only trade off with Fuego LT is magsealed bearings, if you want to call it a trade off, because apparently only Daiwa can service them. The BG doesn't have magsealed bearings.

I hit up Cabela's Thursday night before heading to the cottage for some terminal tackle. I saw a video on another site where a SG 3" Craw was neko rigged and I had to give it a shot. So I picked up some 3/32oz neko nail weights, sz 1 neko hooks, 1/0 wacky hooks, (all VMC) as well as a pack of 3/8oz rugby heads. Grabbed some 7/0 Trokar weighted swimbait hooks for some 6" paddle tails and creatures both from Xzone. Scored a Lucky Craft FATCB "Big Daddy Strike", at a gas station on our way up to Parry Sound. Hefty price tag but I've heard good things about this bait. It was a rough weekend, not many bites as the conditions where all over the map. Surprisingly cold, water was down a foot, and an imminent storm was hanging over.

+1 - my father-in-law has a heavy powered 7" (i think) and he uses it for big baits.

My 2 baitcasting set ups are basically what you're looking for but I have a seasons experience with both. If I could do it all over again, I would have gone with the 6.3.1 for cranking as other have stated, it's easier to slow down than to speed up your retrieve. My cranking rod, is a 7' MM, so there's a ton of flex half way up the rod, and a good amount of back bone. I double duty that rig for 'finesse' style applications, mainly Ned rig and light t-rigged plastics. Braid really helps with setting the hook. My frog/jig rig was constructed of total compromises. I bought the 735, which is a frog/pitching rod because the 734/704 was sold out and same goes for the 8.1.1 reel, if the 7.3.1 was available it would have been my selection. The rig works great but I wish it was a bit more forgiving and the reel had a reduced IPT. When I triple duty this rig lobbing small swimbaits, I really gotta think about my retrieve or I don't end up with the proper presentation. So many tradeoffs but it works. I'm still eyeing the 734c + 7.3.1 tatula sv as a dedicated jig rig, next up will be a 795+ 6.3.1 zillion or tatula 200 and last but not least a proper finesse rig, something like a HMG/BassX/Fury spinning rod + tatula LT. Oh a dedicated MH travel rig would do me wonders for the trunk and griping from the wife dragging rods back and forth from the cottage. In that case MH Ardito + 7.3.1 tatula/fuego CT.

Start out with the swaver in bone or lite trout and the gantarel. The I slide also reaches different depths based on the temperature of the water.

SG won't break the bank but that specific model you reference helicopters when you cast it. I have the 5" version. I've fished all three and the iSlide is top notch, fit/finish/components, but if you go with the 185 or higher, make sure you have the proper rig to cast it. Gangarel jr. is a good starting point, great bait with a few different ways to fish it as it has multiple line ties and a line die to drop swim it. River2Sea S-waver 168 or 200 should be on your list as they're surefire to catch you fish and wont break the bank. Spro 8" bbz-1 is also good, go for the floating version.

right on! They seem to have a good variety of colour options. I've had mucho success with the Duo Realis M65 series, great hooks, good paint job, not the best quality.

paint quality? low quality components? or dodgy bill?

@Burrows have you used those 6thSense Crush CBs before?

I placed an order with Amazon.ca, last month and got a few good items for cheap. Specifically, Zoom Double Tail Grubs, I got a chartreuse and 2pks black @ $3.95 CDN each. There's an inventory algorithm that drops the unit cost when their stock starts diminishing. I've found some epic rods for cheap then they spike back up when they get inventory again. So I agree with you, it is hit or miss, but there is a rationale to the roller coaster pricing.

Last order I got from had roughly 15 baits, mostly little cranks, frogs, couple of spro swimbaits. When you order from them make sure you add items to your cart and checkout as one order to get the best shipping rate. Sail is usually has a pretty good selection of baits, not many big box shop have jackall and megabass products on their shelf. Try Pro J's in Scarborough, they have good selection of baits, gear and just about anything you need at decent prices.

Totally agree on the big handles/knobs, I would be interested in using it for a swimbait/glidebait set up. I haven't checked the finer specs but I wonder how much heavy line it could handle.