bunz559

From my experience flouro can last quite some time given you don't backlash beyond fixable, fray the line doing anything, and or let it sit on a reel in the garage for months without use. So long I don't do any of the above and keep fishing the line, it could last me years. I have a Chronarch 51e that has 12lb FC Sniper that's probably 3 years old. I fish almost every weekend of the year.

I have a few 51e's. I have them spooled with 12 and 14lb line. They're the do all reels from finesse plastics, flipping plastics, squarebills, spinners, chatters, and swimbaits like Keitechs. They're workhorses and reliable. Will probably never get rid of them. Few of them I converted to 7:1 gear ratios.

The tension knobs on these newer Shimanos need more cranking than older reels. IDK if that's the problem you're having, but I do notice all my K's, Bantums, and Metaniums need to be tighten farther than any of my older E series reels. Second, IDK if this could cause what you're running into, but maybe the reel is over spooled. I do know that over spooled reels will tend to nest up on casts.

It seems to be personal preference. I know some anglers who use crankbait rods, particularly the Dobyn's 685cb and 684cb. Then I know folks who stick to the traditional medium power fast action rods. My experience, I do not like using crankbait rods. Slower action tips are not my preference when casting and working a jerkbait. My first dedicated jerkbait rod was purchasing a Dobyn's 685cb. This was a lesson learned and money wasted for me. The parabolic bend is great when fish are on but the slow tip was terrible when casting and ripping the bait. I ended up selling that and picking up an Orochi XX Jerkbait Special that I absolutely love. It's a medium power with a snappy fast tip. Working jerkbaits are much easier and comfortable now. I know someone with the Expride 6'10 and that too is an awesome rod. What I do miss about the Dobyn's 685cb is the length. The Orochi XX is a 6'11 while the Dobyn's is a 6'8. The slightly shorter rod just made it easier to work a jerkbait on the boat. This of course may very depending on how tall you are. People make it work though. Example, prior to having a dedicate rod I was fishing jerkbaits with a Dobyn's XP 733.

From my understanding, yes. Not confirmed though. I also ordered through SO, but on Thursday.

I had this question as well. I was searching for a deep cranking reel, something for 8 and 10xd's (and like cranks). All my reels are Shimano and unfortunately there were no low profile reels offered on the US market with a 5 gear ratio other than the round reels. So I ended up with the 4th Gen Revo Winch, my only 2 reels that are non-Shimano. I'd have to say, they've served me well. No issues at all and I use the snot out of them during the summer deep cranking with lots of load. They remain smooth, drag still works, and no weird clunkiness. I would recommend.

Hey thanks for the advice Tom! Great information there!

I have several XP, Extreme, Exprides and Orochi. Like you, I ran an only Dobyn's arsenal for the past few years. This passed year I started buying Exprides and Megbass rods to try something new. While the Japanese rods are lighter and slightly less bulky, I give sensitivity to my Extremes all day. I like them all, but the Extremes for what ever reason just seem to detect every rock, log, and bite better. I'd compare those Japanese rods more to the XP, which are also great rods. The toss up is sensitivity or ergonomics. For what you explained, I'd definitely step it up to a 745 or 746. I own both the 744 and 745 and they are very different in power. I use my 744 for light Texas rigs and mostly for spinner baits and 1/4 ounce Keitechs. My 745 is used for light pitching (1/4, 3/8, in a pinch 1/2) Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and throwing big 10 inch worms. I'd say the 746 would be great for 1/2+ ounce weights. Would double up as a great frog rod too.

Just following up. It seems like the spool was over filled. I took off about 15 or 20 yards and no problem now. Thanks to all!

I have the Fury version of that and it will handle those named baits just fine. I've thrown the Bull Shads, 4x4, and Gantarel all just fine on the Fury 795. GL and have fun with it. I ordered the 807 during the sale too.

I wouldn't suggest the EMFT. I have one and love it for 3/8 chatterbaits, medium diving cranks, lipless, and on occasion weightless Senkos. Although I've never used the Diablo for anything other than Keitechs and chatterbaits, I would imagine it would work just fine for the application you're looking for. It has a softer/slower tip but has a nice strong backbone. Would be great for casting light t rigs. It's no noodle. Compared to the Braillist, it's slightly less powerful and has a slightly slower tip. I throw 1/2 ounce jigs on my Brailist and wouldn't mind throwing t rigs as well. I think it comes down to what kind of water you're fishing. Out here in Cali, I fish mostly open deep (20-60ft) reservoirs.

Thanks for the advice. The Super Slick is new to me. Prior, I was using Power Pro Spectra. Figured I'd try something new. I am assuming the over spool may be the problem. This reel I did not spool myself. Went home and took about 10 yards off. Will try again this weekend. Thanks much!

Fitment is fine. I also have the exact setup.

Either a Cruado 51e or Metanium MGL. Work wonders. Work horses. Easy to service.

Thanks for all the input folks! FYI, I am running braid to leader. I think the over lined spool might be the problem. Ordered the reel spooled with line so maybe dealer over spooled it. Will definitely cut a few yards off and see where that goes.

Just picked up a Stradic FL 3000 and a Destroyer Adermine for drop shotting. Prior, all my spinning setups had no problems with free spooling off the front of my boat. All I had to do was open the bail. But with this new setup, if I'm trying to vertical fish, as soon as I open the bail the flouro line begins to unwind off the spool tangling itself at my feet instead of following the weight through the guides. Could it be my weight is too light? I tried a few different sizes. 1/4 ounce being the heaviest, and same problem with all. I tried having my tip at different angles with no luck (shouldn't have to.) I was running 15lb PP Super Slick to 8lb FC Sniper if it makes a difference. Never had this issue with any drop shot setup. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Love the action of the rod and the reel feels nice but if this is a design flaw, it's no bueno.

Open water, I'd go with a round finesse jig. War Eagle jigs are my go to.

Unfortunately for me, I don't have the luxury of buying baits for stocking up like some of my buddies. I have buddies with boxes of certain baits unopened. Some have walls dedicated in their garage like a tackle store. Given I understand some of them look for sales and deals and buy knowing they're going to need/order some in the future. I have quite a bit of baits and several units of the ones I find useful, but not a surplus. I buy as I go or stock my boat with baits I'm low on or are likely to loose and need an extra on the water. So to answer the question, they get shipped in and I pull them out of the package and put them in the labeled tackle box.

I've been running PP Spectra the last few years. I finally spooled up one of my spinning reels with 15lb Super Slick in the moonshine color. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it definitely feels much smoother. Spectra is fairly coarse and takes some time breaking in.

I ran 20lb Power Pro yellow last year. Prior I was running 10lb yellow. What I experienced with the 10lb was that on windy days, I would often get wind knots. I wouldn't know it until I reeled in my line and heard a knot going through my guides before my leader knot. Happened lots of times and wasted lots of line. Last year I went to 20lb yellow and eliminated that problem. But what I realized with the 20lb yellow was that it didn't flow off the spool quite as smoothly as the 10lb. Longs casts, no problem. But when you're free spooling, the line is a bit slow. This could be due to the line itself as the Power Pro yellow isn't super smooth. This year, 2020, I have changed all except 1 spinning reel to 15lb Power Pro yellow. So far, it's a great middle ground. Haven't had any wind knots and the line flows with less effort. 1 spinning reel, I spooled up with the Power Pro Super8Slick in the Moonshine color (it's a fluorescent green color). Haven't used it yet, but the line feels really smooth. To answer your question, no, I would not recommend 20lb from my experience. This is what I run. Mostly with 8lb around my area. But will step up to 10 or 12 if needed.

I have a Dobyn's Extreme HP 805 that I use for weights 1oz and larger (sometimes pitch 3/4oz). I used to have a Powel Max 3D, but they're discontinued. Great rod for the money. If you're looking to pitch and flip weights under 1oz, I would suggest the Dobyn's 746. Don't own one, but I have a 745 that I use for pitching 1/2oz weights and it works great for that. But 3/4oz may be a little stretch for it after adding a bait.

I have a Dobyn's Extreme HP 745 for lighter pitching. I don't do much flipping (never practiced it). But the 745 has a stout back bone and a really nice soft tip that allows comfortable pitching and accuracy. I usually run a Curado K with 16lb FC Sniper or a Bantum with 50lb braid to 14-16lb FC Sniper. Weights I pitch with on this rod range from 1/4 up to 1/2 ounce. Anything heavier and I move it up to a Dobyn's Extreme HP 805. The 746 may be a nice rod also if stepping up in weight. It is a pretty versatile rod in throwing bottom contact baits as well. I throw jigs, heavier texas rigs, and large 10+ inch worms. I've even thrown larger Keitechs on it. I only suggest this rod because it's what I have and like. If it didn't work for me, I would've sold it.

The Leviathan will more than likely be my next rod as well. I really wanted it before spring but ended up with a few new spinning combos and a frog combo.

I have the 734 and it's a great rod. Although, I do not use it for jigs. I use it primarily as a spinnerbait rod. Sometime larger top water baits are thrown on it like Super Spooks and other moving baits like Keitechs. In a pinch, I'll throw jigs. I feel the tip is slightly too soft and slow for me. I prefer my Extreme 745, 784, and Braillist for that. But if you do not have anything more powerful than the 734c for jigs, it'll definitely feel like a big upgrade. I remember when my 734 was the most powerful rod I had other than my punch rod and it was fantastic as a jig rod. That was until I tried other rods.

The Orochi Jerkbait Special is 6'11. The Ronin on the other hand, spinning rod, is 6'8.