clemsondds

Just wanting to learn more about rods/blanks. I was just in the store and the fishing section manager was going on and on about how Favorite rods are way better than anything else right now in their store (g.loomis, dobins, st croix,..). I asked him to explain and he said that they are japanese blanks and are much higher quality. Then he started talking about the composition of the various rods and why favorite starts with higher quality blanks. Anyway, all that to say, I realized I really know nothing about the materials of a good blank and why one cost more than the other. I understand the basics, but can anyone give me a good rundown of why Dobyns rods (in general) are better than say ugly stick, and megabass rods are better than dobyns rods in general. I understand there's a lot of difference in the rods...just looking to learn what those differences are. I also realize there's a ton of different types of rods out there. Just looking for a basic education on the different materials they use to create blanks. Thanks!

Yeh I’ve discovered that night fishing is a lot more fun when I don’t get hung up...so I only fish weedless. And it’s safer too ha

So do you like the avid x? I’m thinking I might up my budget. Looking at megabass right now...wish I hadn’t missed the Black Friday sale...they were sold out quick on those! Anyone have any experience with megabass spinning rods?

Has anyone seen any studies or experiments to show if fish can truly detect straight braid vs braid to leader? Thinking about switching to straight braid for some jig applications. Thanks

Well I have fished the same ponds I do in summer the last couple weeks at night and have not even got a bite in the last three trips. Temps range from 34-55 degrees. Usually in summer, I’ll catch around 4 or 5 at night. Not sure what I’m doing wrong

So two of the response in this thread have been videos. Both by pros. And they couldn’t be more opposite on how they teach to set the hook with a jig. One says that when you feel the bite, reel up the slack and then set the hook, and the other says to drop the tip of the rod and then use that slack to gain speed in setting the hook. So slack or no slack when setting the hook? What do you do?

Do you find bass are a lot less active at night during winter months? I would think the night bite would be a lot less during colder months, but maybe I’m wrong. What do y’all think?

Thanks! So do you use them for all your rods? Also, they look like they have two spinning rods in that range...the don lovino rod and the ms1 rod...which you like better? Thanks again

Thanks Tom! Would you mind sharing what makes them more high-quality then another major brand rod like tatula? What’s the actual components that make it a good deal versus a major brand at the same price point. Just trying to learn. Btw, stopped by store and handled a tatula, st croix avid x, and fury. Nice rods! Thanks!

Ok thanks! Yeh I have heard good things about the Tatula line. Would love to hear from others. Especially those who have used ALX, irod, or similar smaller companies. Wondering if you can get more custom, better quality for the price point. Thanks!

Looking for a second spinning rod/reel setup. Was looking for something around $150. Was looking at getting g another Dobyns fury or st croix Moho, but there I read Someone recommending one of the smaller brands like alx. Can anyone offer some advice on best bang for the buck? Just looking for a good spinning rod for ned rig, drop shot...will probably pair it with a stradic or something similar. My main focus will be on sensitivity. Thank you all!

Ha yeh things can get complicated quickly. I don't mind complicated, as long as there's a science/reason behind it (fg knot ha). But I would like to try to keep things as simplified as possible, while still using the best technique. I understand fluoro helping get to depth with cranking so that helps. Now just trying to decide on the others. Thanks again for all the help and advice everyone! Love hearing the different opinions on why you use what you use. Very smart people here!

Ok great thanks! I guess it just depends alot on whether you are fishing shallow or offshore. I wonder what the percentage is of shallow/dock fishing vs offshore fishing is. I would prefer fishing shallow/shoreline all day every day, but trying to learn when to pick shoreline vs offshore now. Thanks again everyone

Talked to a dealer and they recommended yamalube ring free and then also yamalube fuel stabilizer and conditioner. any use this stuff? Thanks

Im trying to get away from leaders. I love fishing with braid but just get tired of tying an fg knot and hearing it hit the guides and worrying about knot failure. What are the cons of fluoro for crankbait and finesse?

Cool thanks! Do you use your electronics much for finding cover, bait and bottom texture or do you mostly use it for temp and depth? Just trying to figure out the balance of looking for cover/bait in graphs and just fishing specific locations (ie points, docks...)

Just curious what you do. If you are somewhat unfamiliar with the body of water you are on, do you first go around and graph for awhile (hour??) or do you just find a spot that looks good and start trying to find a pattern? This is for fishing deep or shallow. Just curious what your system is. Do you go around and try to be positive there’s bait and bass in the area or do you just look for what looks right to you and start covering water fishing? Thanks for the thoughts and tips

Interesting. Moss green color? Lb test?

Has anyone seen any research or actual scientific studies to show when certain line is better? (Eg guy who said only braid...) Or is it just by experience that you have come up with these conclusions? I’m still new to dishing somewhat so please don’t take my questions as an offense. Thanks!

I've seen so many various recommendations lately, so I thought I would just see what everyone here is using. It seemed like a year ago or so, alot of the major fishing guys I know, were switching to braid for everything with the fluoro leader if needed. But now, I am seeing several of those going back to fluoro as a main line for several different techniques. So which line and strength do you use for: squarebill, medium and deep cranking, frog, football jig, dropshot, spinnerbait, chatterbait, pitching/flipping, and finesse (ned rig, shaky head...)

Ok talked with my dealer as well. He just recommended changing the oil which I have, and then lowering the motor, take out the plug, and add a stabilizer to the fuel. He didn't mention which stabilizer. I saw several recommend yamaha ring free. But then I also saw where people said that ring free isn't a stabilizer...so should I add ring free, as well as a stabilizer? If so, which ring free should I use (ring free or ring free plus fuel additive) and which stabilizer should I use? Thanks again for all the help! And thank you Francho for the links...good help as well.

Greensboro, North Carolina

are you guys using your boats in the winter? I will probably use my boat a few times during the winter. Does that matter? How does that change things?

Thanks for the link. I’m somewhat surprised all it says is change oil, keep plug out, open hatches, remove battery completely out of boat, and add a fuel stabilizer. I would have thought there would have been more.

So what else do you do other than this?