bayvalle

That's a great Xmas surprise. Congrats!

I have a Dobyn's Fury and a St Croix Mojo bass. I would say the quality and sensitivity are comparable but the rods themselves each have a unique feel. The Dobyn's rods power ratings are better evaluated by the power numbers (2,3,4) than by ML, M MH. If you have a chance to play with them that would be the only way to determine what YOU prefer. Otherwise I believe you can't go wrong with either choice. I do prefer the Dobyns Fury's longer handle when I'm fishing from my boat and the Mojo Bass's shorter handle when I'm fishing from my Kayak. If you prefer cork on both ends of your spit grip handle then the nod goes to the Mojo. I haven't had them long enough to verify this but I feel the Dobyn's Fury blank may be slightly more durable. IMHO I would eliminate the Bass X as a choice.

Agree. Kayaks act somewhat like the drag on a reel taking pressure off the rod. Our best fisherman on the Chesapeake Bay are pulling 50" Striper on a boat with medium power rods. The key is not to high stick the rod and let the drag do the work. Used properly there is not much need for heavy powered rods on a Kayak.

Interesting. I found the same thing while in the seated position.

The A R Clutch is directional so you must put in correctly. Secondly, if your solvent washed the grease out then you will need to repack them.

A R clutch looks damaged

I have a Dobyns Fury, a St Croix Mojo Bass, and a Powell Inferno. These are all rods under $140 and on sale less than a $100. It's difficult to say which one is the best it just depends on what you like. I am leaning towards the Dobyns and St. Croix slightly over the Powell but that's just personal preference. I like the shorter handle of the St Croix Mojo Bass for fishing from my kayak and the longer handle on the Dobyns fury for fishing from my boat. I have fished with the St. Croix Avid and didn't notice a significant difference in sensitivity over the St. Croix Mojo Bass. They use the same blank but the Avid has upgraded guides. IMHO the sensitivity between the Fury and Mojo Bass are equivalent. I can't speak to durability because none of these three rods have failed or broken. The Dobyns Fury has Eva on the lower part of the split handle and cork on the top section. St Croix Mojo Bass and Powell Inferno have cork on their split grips top and bottom. On another note I find the rod is far more important than the reel. If you maintain your reels you can make almost any reel last plus it is cheap to upgrade bearings and drag washers if wanted. I have some 15 year old Bass pro extreme reels that work fine because I maintain them and replace broken parts for almost nothing. I also have some newer KastKing reels that cast much further and appeared to be just as easy to maintain although I don't know about the availability of parts. In addition I have some Shimano and Daiwa reels that are nice and smooth but they don't help me catch any more fish than the other reels. I am a recreational fishermen who is now retired and fishes 4 to 5 days a week but if I were going to fish tournaments for a living I would definitely consider higher-end gear. I have fished with excellent fishermen that use $400 rods and $40 rods. I personally have caught many fish on a $40 ugly Stik rod and reel setup. A good sensitive rod helps but more importantly learning how to find fish, determing what they want, and developing technique are the most important qualities for success.

I take the caps off my pump and add antifreeze while the pump is running until it comes out. Then I don't use my livewell in the winter. Also at least add stabilizer to your fuel. Stabil 360 has an anti corrosion additive. It's a good idea to pull your plugs and spray fogging oil then replace the plugs if you will be going 2 months without use. Also, this is a good time to change your lower gear oil. This allows you to check the seals for leakage. If water gets into your lower unit then freezing temps can cause a lot of damage.

Thx. Retirement is a misnomer. I stopped seeing patients five years ago but still involved in business. The good part is I can do most of it by phone so I can fish almost every day now.

I agree. Better gear for me is more about the experience. I do feel rods good sensitive rods are more important than good reels for finesse and the reverse may be true for Cranking and topwater. Really your ability to find fish, identify what works and good technique far out ways the equipment. If money is an issue I certainly wouldn't be using it just to upgrade my rods.

I lost a rod off my boat 10 years ago, drove 30 minutes back to the dock to get my metal stringer 30 minutes back to my spot , dragged the stringer and retrieved it. This year I must of lifted my rod out of the rod holder behind me on my yak ( just started yak fishing). I was only paddling a 100 yards so I didn't attach the leash. Since I didn't know at what point it dropped in I was never able to find it. Live and learn, now I put a float on my rods when I'm yak fishing...cheap insurance

This is a very enlightening thread. I want to catch more fish on my more expensive rods to justify the purchases but many times that is not the case.

Can they be used a a cranking rod?

What 7' MM Baitcasting rods do you like? I'm looking to stay under $140. Thx

I would rather put money into a good rod than reel. After purchasing a KK Royale legend ($34) I liked it enough to get 2 more to replace some older reels and spend the money I saved on higher quality rods. The KK does everything I'd want a reel to do.

Just curious. How do you like the assasin compared to the Legend Elite?

I have been down to Williamburg a few times and have been wanting to fish those waters. I was curious how far upstream the sripers come.

Thx, I really enjoyed your smallie video. What cranking rod are you using? Thx. First time I pulled a smallie out of Erie I didn't recognize it cuz I had never seen one that large. Erie is a great fishery. Thx. I have a cousin in Lexington, how is the fishing on KY river? Thx. Do you ever fish the CBBT?

Interesting. I surveyed a number of yak fisherman and most recommended a 7'. I have a 7' F action and a 6'6" M action and I personally prefer the 7' for casting distance but have caught more fish on the 6'6". If most of the fish are small then a ML would be more fun.

Hello to all. Here's my quick fishing bio. I've been fishing over 50 yrs. Grew up in northern Illinois and we fished Northern Wisconsin with my dad for vacation every year. After moving to Ohio, I fished lake Erie for Walleye, perch and smallmouth. Picked up fly fishing, fished Little Big Horn MT, Pierre Marquette MI, Kenai river AK, Mosquito lagoon New Smyrna FL to name a few. Bought a place in TN fished Norris, Douglas, Chickamauga, Guntersville, Dale Hollow, Kentucky/Barkley, Lake Lanier, Lake Sinclair (all around best smallmouth fishing ever). Now I have a place on the Chesapeake Bay, fish for Striper out of a boat and for bass and snakehead from a Yak. I recently picked up Kayak fishing and enjoy it enough that I've decided to let go of my bass boat. I spend half my time in MD and half in SW OH When I'm in Ohio I'm fishing from a Hobie for bass and muskie. Now that I'm retired I fish 5days/wk so I'm in the market to upgrade my rods and will be asking you fellas for advice. Thx and Tightlines!

Sweet ride!

Thx for the feedback. That's the kind of info I'm looking for. I have a Powell Inferno I do like the rod but in comparison I like my dobyns Fury better. Both of them are fast action not necessarily for cranking. To be fair the Powell is a medium power and the fury is a medium heavy power

The Compass is a great Buy. Someone posted on snaggedline they picked up a new 2018 compass for $1,550. It appears that since Hobie patent has run out on their Mirage Drive their pricing is being more competitive

I 2nd both the above suggestions. . I bought a 6' rod for river smallies and have regretted it. I'd recommend a 6'6" minimally but prefer a 7', F of XF. A ML will work for smallies but the M power will offer more versatility.

Thx for the feedback, I'm convinced I need to pick up a cranking rod. In my area of Ohio I don't think I will need more than a medium power unless I hook a muskie accidentally (which happens around here). I'm considering a St Croix Premier PC 70MM, Mojo MJGC74MM or Diawa Tatula XT cranking rod TXT701MRB-G. Thoughts?