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For those who've used both of these mh crankbait rods, are they similar, what are the differences, which do you prefer? I've used the avid extensively and am considering the Dobyns, for no other reason than the avid is not available.

Looks like I'll try a bantam, the 5.5 gear ratio should be perfect for my needs. My old reel was 5.8- a touch slower wont hurt. You guys suggested some items I wouldn't have looked into- thanks!

Its still smooth on the original gears and thinking back it's probably closer to 16 years old- it rests somewhere in the Wisconsin river now. I guess gear wear is relative. I've never needed to replace gears but did, just prefer a smooth retrieve. It's been several years since I've replaced a set but it wasn't expensive, or at least it was worth it to me.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll take a look at those. While online shopping I found ebay has piles of used conquests for sale, I'm not sure I'll go that route but am considering it.

I do to save money. I'll go a little heavier on the braid and flip it every year or so, in addition to trimming the worn line I'll add some more mono backer to keep the spool full. With this method starting with braid only would be more economical.

You have a good point with the more frequent gear engagement with pitching. I can handle a semi rough gear set while taking up slack on my pitching rod though. I dont deep crank, mainly 2 to 6 foot runners and occasionally occasionally an 8, and probably use top water 30-50% of the time with it.Thanks for the suggestions, same ball park price as a conquest from looking at them.

No joke, I'm only asking for opinions on a smooth reel that is currently available. Trust me, if I still had the reel I'd change the gears if necessary- she gone!

Looking for a reel for my crankbait rod. My previous rod had a Conquest 101 which served me well, used it for a dozen years without needing to swap gears. I use mainly 1/4-3/8 oz baits and some 1/8 oz stuff. I've used curados and scorpions prior to the conquest, but the gears needed "regular" replacing. I still do use the scorpions on my pitching rods where the gears dont see heavy loads. Any suggestions for a smallish sized reel with gears that hold up to extensive use? A new conquest is out of the budget unfortunately.

I agree, but it appears st croix is having issues keeping up with demand. There are none to be found.

Thanks for the suggestions, I own a few falcon spinning rods but haven't heard of Dobyns, it's been awhile since I've bought a rod. Does anyone have experience with the championship xps crankbait rods? Is there a noticeable weight difference and blank quality over the fury?

I lost my beloved crankbait rod and am in the market to get a replacement. Before I buy another I'd like to hear some alternative options particularly if they are a better value. The rod was perfect, not looking to spend any more than the Avid.

I purchased 3 3000 yard spools of Stren Fluorocarbon many years ago after it was discontinued and it's still going strong. It's been stored in a detached garage that can see 100 to minus 20 temperatures. Depending on the lures you are using you may consider a thicker fluoro. I've been using 14# braid with a 20# leader for my cranks and topwaters joined with an fg knot. I've ripped my bait out of trees many times, and had I been using an Albright knot I'm sure it would have broken.

For senkos I use 14# braid and a 6 ft 20# fluoro leader. I've used mono leader as well in a pinch and really didn't notice a difference in fall rate. It's pretty rare for me to break one off, maybe 1 in 30-50 and then it's probably due to the leader already being shredded.

My Chronarch 101A is still the best reel I have mechanically. Smooth from thumb bar operation to cranking like just like when I bought it many years ago. The casting ability doesn't compete with modern light spools though. An 00 Conquest 101 is my workhorse for cranks, some scorpion 1001's for pitching, I guess I dont have a favorite.

For me it's a Tiny Torpedo. It's like a turd in a punchbowl when I 've thrown it at schooling, bait chasing smallmouth. If I threw it at shore enough I could probably get a reaction bite out of it. It does cast nice though so I have that going for me.

Retrieving stuck baits underwater is when I tend to knock the ring out of a guide. Is there a guide that is more durable to this kind of abuse than the Fuji alconite?

Thanks Mick, I'll check out the Fat alconites. I sent St Croix a list of 6 rods to see if they'll provide sizing.

Hi, I need to replace the tip on my AC66MM. I'm assuming it's a Fuji tip but am unsure which model to purchase. The tips inside diameter is 0.068" and the blanks outside diameter is 0.060". I am sure the measurements are off a few thousandths due to residual glue. So it appears I need a 4.5(64th) tube tip, any recommendations on which to get? I may order several backups for my other Avids as well. Or, is buying direct from St. Croix not that much more expensive?

Nice find! The rfr5 is one of my favorite river baits, catches smallmouth and walleye. Some of the largest walleye I've landed were incidental catches while bass fishing with it. The only downfall to it is that the lips will occasionally snap off when hitting rip rap.

Same here, after the leaves fall it's like Christmas. The half dozen or so I've found this spring were mostly deposited by spring flooding. Wireless sonar? Hmmm, that's a new one to me, but keeping up with the latest fishing stuff has been on the back burner the past decade or so. I'm pretty new here but yes, most everything has been done before- ha ha!

That's a pretty good haul, though it brings back painful memories of a $300 rig that was pulled overboard by a suspected walleye when I was worm fishing. That finally pushed me to buy some $50 set ups. The hole in my arsenal is still there though, it was never replaced, I need a minute here...

Nice finds! I found an old flicker shad this afternoon, the hooks were rusted off.

When the fishing is slow I look a little harder for lures that were abandoned in trees along the river. My wife spotted this Xcalibur xcs200 yesterday. Post up your latest find.

I do the same, but cut off the ragged line then top off the spool with backing before reversing. Some of my reels have 10+ year old braid. Mono or fluoro I'll burn through a couple spool changes per year on my crankbait rod and maybe one on my pitching setup.

Another issue I had using the 14# braid was the line went half way into the hook split ring. Not the kind of issues I want to deal with while holding in heavy current and lots of obstacles in the water.