5by3

Casting with mid micros

Could be line twist I suppose

Bought a new rod recently with the “new” mid-micro guides and noticed that when I reel in my bait close to the rod rip, I can feel the line gently rubbing on the guides to the point that it puts little kinks in my line about 3-4 feet from my bait. The line is not frayed and seems fine aside from the kinks. It’s only the first couple of feet above where my bait is tied on. It does not kink further down in the spool. Has anyone else experienced this and is there a way to fix it? Edit: I’m using fluorocarbon on this set up. I don’t get the kinked up line if I use braid on the same rod.

Try the Tackle Trap. I’ve bought some upgrades handles from there and they seem to have a lot of customization stuff available.

No, quality of gear does not put more fish in the boat. The guys with top of the line rods, reels, electronics, and boats are often not the ones winning tournaments on my local bodies of water. That being said, higher quality gear means more comfort and less hassles on the water. I personally fish a lot of gear in the $150-200 range and have no complaints. It’s what I can afford and what works for me.

Dobyns fury 735

I’ve asked myself the same question when throwing my ALX dragger! I’ll be dragging along the bottom feeling some rock every now but thinking I should feel a little bit more. Then a fish picks up my bait and I’m like “holy crap this thing is sensitive!” It’s hard for me to explain, but it just has a different feel to it. It seems to transmit strikes very well. It is slightly more tip heavy than other offerings, but not enough to the point that you notice it while fishing. Very comfortable and crisp rod to fish. I love the few I have.

I was just using the champion 735 as a comparison to the toadface since that’s what I have experience with.

Yeah the toadface feels a lot lighter and crisper than the champion to me. At the end of the day, it’s all about what feels comfortable for you! What works for me may not work for others.

I have a few ALX Zolo rods and one IKOS soul 7 spinning rod. I use the IKOS primarily for skipping weightless senkos. Rod is plenty sensitive for my needs and is comfortable to fish. No complaints. Seems like a good bang for your buck.

Balance on the ALX is slightly more tip heavy than the Dobyns, but not to the point that you actually notice it while you’re fishing. But imo, Dobyns has the best balanced rods on the market that I’ve used. Alx has had a softer tip which helps with accurate casts and walking the frog, but manhandles fish once you drive the hook home. Im able to throw the junior-sized frogs comfortably on the ALX as well as the normal size. My champion felt too stiff to throw the smaller ones. By no means am I saying the champion is bad... I’d use it if I didn’t own the toadface. Just my two cents.

I sold a Dobyns 735 and replaced it with the ALX toadface and haven’t looked back. Really enjoy the rod so far but only have a few months with it so far.

Guess not. Ohio!

Yes, they’re eating top water. Since you said Lake Erie I’m assuming we’re from the same state... ?

Mono - suffix elite $7-8 fluoro - seaguar red label ($10-12 at Walmart) braid - original power pro (< $15 Walmart) Can save a lot of money if you use backing. I recommend some type of cheap mono.

Alx zolo, shimano zodias, Dobyns fury/champ are all good rods as others have mentioned. Heard a lot of praise for cashion and hammer rods too but have never used them personally

I’d go for the 894 personally. I do not think there is a better football jig rod on the market!

The 6’6 MF would work fine. If you plan to buy a new one, I might bump it up to a 7’0-7’3 rod for better casting distance. When im throwing spooks, I’m usually bombing long casts over shallow grass flats. I throw mine on a dobyns 705cb glass.

Have never used a low rider but the fury is a nice stick for $100. Well balanced and comfortable to fish.

Yes! I usually ran 30 lb pp braid. Add a leader if you want.

I agree with the fury 705cb. Also works well with jerkbaits during the colder seasons.

NRX is the market standard for sensitivity that all other rods try to be... and the gap is still large imo. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is how the rod feels in YOUR HANDS, not how it feels in other people‘s minds.

Very comfortable to fish for me, but I also have sasquatch hands. I wouldn’t say they’re any different from most options on the market.

I recently made the switch from mid-range Loomis rods (Mossyback, imx, and two glx) to the ALX Zolo and haven’t looked back. The best way to describe it is you’re getting a custom feel at a production line cost. I’d rate the sensitivity as somewhere between the Imx and GLX. The balance is excellent - comparable to Loomis, but not quite as good as a dobyns. The rods are hand-built in South Carolina and the owner is easily accessible and will go out of his way to answer your questions and give suggestions about rod selection. I’m very particular when I buy a rod and inspect every component for flaws. I have found a total of zero so far on the 4 I own. cant speak on the zodias or kistler, but I’ve heard they’re pretty good sticks too.

Straight retrieve has always worked best for me.