kayaking_kev

Fuego CT can usually be had at Walmart for $75 and I'm not sure how the Tatula compares to the Tatula XT, but the XT is/was on sale at Sportsman Outfitters for $70.

I paid $40 shipped each for a few 7'1 MH Fate Black Rods a few months back, I wouldn't pay much more for them to be honest. I don't buy and resell to make money, I buy to try out different stuff and resell to make my money back, but in this case I got them and didn't even care to use them. I did like the 13 Defy Black Crankbait Rod though.

So much of it is personal preference, some guys like different actions, lengths and powers versus others for specific techniques. Then there are those that prefer graphite, glass, or composite for certain techniques. And, then it also varies on where you are located at, Northerners usually like lighter gear than Southerners, because of less vegetation. This is pretty much on what I have personally settled on after trying about 2 dozen rods in the last 6 months. 7'3 H/F = Jigs, Frogs, 1/2 oz Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits, 1/2 oz Dark Sleeper, Buzzbaits, 110 Whopper Plopper 7'2 MH/F = T-Rigs, Finesse Jigs, Lipless, 3/8 oz Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits, Neko Rig, 1/4 oz Ned Rig & Shakeyhead, Wacky Rig 7'0 M/F Glass Composite= 1/4 oz - 1/2 oz Crankbaits, Squarebills 6'6 MH/F = Jerkbait and Kayak Utility Rod 6'3 M/MF = Kayak Cranking Rod, 90 Whopper Plopper, Poppers 7'0 ML/F = Spinning Rod for Finesse Techniques

I had that rod and put a 2500 on it, and it balanced perfect, so I would go with a 3000. But, the 2500 I had on it was also as heavy as the Fuego LT 4000, so I'm sure that would also balance well if you liked the bigger reels.

This is a puzzle I have been trying to solve also. My rivers are even shallower that only kayaks and canoe can navigate and this time of year with all the rain, the flow makes it hard to fish. I always catch something, but sometimes it's just a rock bass this time of year and nothing like it is when it warms up a little. I mostly fish a section that is between two dams that are about 20 miles apart and although there might be a few deeper holes, it's pretty shallow for the most part. I haven't actually fished the whole 20 mile stretch between the two dams, but it just seems like the smallies aren't there. If they are they aren't biting or they must really be on top of each other in what deeper holes there are. I don't want to hijack the thread, but do you think bass are able to navigate through these dams at all? They aren't the highest damns, maybe 4 ft at it's highest, but I guess when the water is really high it might be pretty easy for them to navigate.

I would hope nobody is choosing to buy high end gear over shelter, food and other essentials. I could care less what other people are using. I used an Ugly Stik GX2 paired with a Abu Garcia Black Max for most of my 515+ fish last year and still plan to use it in some this year right along side my Xtasy. The year before that I used a Zebco 202 combo that I got for $10 from Walmart and I still have that also. I know what gear you have and it's pretty good and nobody honestly needs anything better than that. I believe you have AirXD's and a Fury and that's some of the best gear you can get based on price vs performance.

That's what people who laugh at us who buy high end gear don't understand. I always get a few people who laugh when I post high end gear for sale, especially locally where everyone seems to use Ugly Stik's. Don't get me wrong, I love my Ugly Stik GX2, but it's not the same. This is only my 3rd season fishing and I just started buying high end gear in October and already have got to experience more rods and reels than most people have in their lifetime. I have a meme that I always reply to those that want to laugh at high end gear, it says, " Just because you don't understand it, doesn't mean it's stupid, it means you are".

No problem, I enjoy talking fishing, it helps me learn as well. Are you dead set on that rod or Shimano in general? I was going to ask if the Tatula XT cranking rods are available in your area. I know sportsman outfitters have a 7'0 Medium on sale for $80, not sure if they ship to Japan though. https://www.sportsmansoutfitters.com/products/daiwa-tatula-xt-rod And, I'm not sure how much you are paying for the SLX MGL, but I got mine from Japan for a good price from here. https://fishing.asian-portal.shop/category/select/cid/352/bid/49/pinfo/10000-to-19999/pid/295258 Maybe it will save you some money to spend on another rod.

I'm sure it's decent if it's a Shimano, I've had a $15 Shimano rod before and it was pretty good for the money. Shorter rods will cast more accurately, but generally won't cast as far as longer rods. It just depends on the types of rivers you fish. I kayak fish a lot of small rivers sometimes and I use a 6'3 Dobyns Champion crankbait rod for that, because accuracy is more important than distance. Last year, I used a 6'0 rod for cranking on small rivers and loved it. I use the 7'0 from the bank to get more distance. That Shimano ML is rated up to 1/2 oz or 15g, so you could probably throw your 1/2 lures on it, because Shimanos are usually true to their ratings, but I wouldn't throw 1/2 on it all day, everyday. A Medium might work out a little better and still throw those 1/4 oz lures and probably balance with the reel a little better.

I have no experience with that rod, but I have the SLX MGL 70 6.3.1 and I like it a lot. The reel should be able to handle what you want it for without any problems and fit plenty of 8lb line, which is what I have on mine, paired with a Dobyns Champion 704cb Glass for the same weights as you want to throw.

It was this, until I sold it this week. Dobyns Xtasy 755c ($550) JDM Daiwa Catalina ($350) Now it's... Dobyns Xtasy 723c ($550) Daiwa Tatula SV TW103 ($200) Since October, I've bought $6,635 retail worth of rods and reels, but have spent $4,218. A savings of over $2400. I'm now in the process of thinning out my collection though to get a new kayak. I'm only keeping 6 of my 14 Dobyns rods, and have been getting what I have paid for them, so I basically got to experience them and many other brands for free.

This happened the other day.

I've done a little practice so far on an old rod by taking the guides off and putting them back on. I used a homemade wrapper made out of a cardboard box and bought some sewing thread and locktite 5 minute epoxy. The wrapping wasn't that bad, but the epoxy was inconsistent looking. I'm not sure how much of it had to do with the supplies I was using, but the 5 minute stuff was probably not the best stuff to start with. It seems I would be able to get the job done on the homemade wrapper, but a rod dryer would be useful. I considered buying a cheap little motor like the ones microwaves use to turn the glass plate and rigging it up as a dryer. The biggest concern I had was reaming. But, the turnkey kit is a pretty good deal, I am a little worried about it not having a wire chuck on it though.

Wow, it seems it won't be as easy as I wanted it to be, most of it seems so foreign to me right now. I will have to do some research to figure out exactly what exactly you guys are even talking about, but I'm sure it gets easier after you have done it. I may just buy a Conquest 843 and put off on building one for now or I may look into just getting the NMB843 that comes with the Turnkey kit, but I'm a little skeptical about the components.

I'm looking at building a all around casting rod and I got some components in mind, but I'm clueless about the sizing and whether they will fit with each other. I'm also clueless about using trim rings and accent parts. I'm looking for something to compliment my Dobyns Xtasy 755c. I'll list what I have in mind from Mudhole so far. Right now, I'm kinda wanting to do a blackout thing with carbon fiber grips and black alconite fuji KW guides. I will most likely be ordering the startup kit to build it with. MHX 7'0 Elite-X Rod Blank NSJ843-MHX - (I'm thinking this has a softer tip and will be more versatile) SKU: #NSJ843-MHX Fuji KW Casting Rod Guide Kit - Black Alconite - (I was going to get the Titanium Torzites, but they are back ordered) SKU: #KWC-KIT-70-BA Fuji All Purpose Spin/Cast Top - Black Alconite - Size 5 - Tube Size = 4.0 (Not sure if this is the size I need) SKU: #BFAT-5-4 Fuji ACS Trigger Reel Seat - Size 16 - Inside Diameter 12.0 - (I kind of wanted an exposed reel seat, but not sure it would be wise for a 1st build. And again, I'm not sure whether or not I have the right size.) SKU: #ACSM-12-B CFX Composite Carbon Fiber Grips - Casting Split Grip - ( I believe this is the rear grip only and the fore grip was back ordered, but would still like a link to a good recommendation for them. I do want Carbon Fiber Split Grips, just not sure which ones would fit best for my blank) SKU: #SG387 I would also like to add some sort of cosmetics to the build, such as trim rings and accent parts, but I don't know where to start. Any advice or recommendations will be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Dobyns Xtasy 755c is amazing!

I had to laugh at your post because I did the same thing and learned the lesson the hard way when trying to put 20# Fluorocarbon on a spinning reel, it was frustrating as hell! I think it was even a 4000 size reel I tried to put it on, but it wasn't the best brand either though, it was Berkley Vanish. If you do a lot of fishing in rivers like the Great Miami, I think Braid is less visible anyway. I seen a line visibility test done in different types of waters, and in the rivers like the GMR, the Moss Green braid actually was the least visible. It's only in clear pressured water that I would throw on a Fluorocarbon leader.

You can use the 703 for just about anything within it's lure capability. I've used it for jerkbaits a lot this winter, but I have thrown squarebills, chatterbaits, lipless, senkos, finesse jigs, and more on it. I like it so much I got the 663c a few weeks ago. I have owned 14 Dobyns, including the DC 734c & DRX 723c and I think the 703c is my most versatile.

I got this one for $15 with free shipping from www.lakesidecollection.com on sale and it hold 5 combos on the outside but the inside is like a huge duffel bag and you could fit a lot more inside if you really wanted to, but there isn't any holders or straps on the inside. It also has a big pocket on the backside that a lot of people stick a chair in, or it could fit other supplies. The only downside is that it doesn't stand up by itself as shown in the pics unless you get a 8" concrete tube from Lowes and stick it inside to help form it. The bags are available from multiple brands, but they are the same bags. https://www.amazon.com/Allnice-Durable-Canvas-Fishing-Organizer/dp/B01AG0N9K6/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=rod%2Bbag&qid=1587536757&sr=8-3&th=1 I also have the cal coast rod mule that I have put 10 combos in before. They are more minimalist bags that won't hold anything else, but it does look nicer than the bag above. One good thing about them, is when you have your combos with rod sleeves inside in it, you can just unbuckle the strap and slide whatever rod you want to use out of the sleeve and when you're done, slide it right back in the sleeve, without taking it all the way out of the bag. I find myself using the cheaper one more than the rod mule so far, especially for quicker trips and when I don't want to take more than 5 rods.

I regret nothing, because at the time that's what I wanted and I always get good deals on them, so if I decide I don't like something I can always sell it for what I paid for it. Some examples are the 13 Fishing Fate Black rods. As soon as I got them, I knew I was just going to sell them, but I only paid $40 each for them. The two SLX rods I got in the combo deals weren't my favorite either, but I sold them and just ended up getting great deals on the reels. At least I get to experience the rods first hand and in most cases get to fish with them a little bit.

Same here. I had to downsize my Lunkerhunt frogs from 1/2 oz to the 1/4 oz pocket frogs, because it seemed like the river smallies has trouble with the bigger size. I think a big factor is going to be using a reel that can cast lighter baits well, as well as using the thinnest diameter line you can get away with, like 30# braid. I might look into a mgl reel, maybe something like a SLX MGL 70. You should still be able to fit plenty of 30# braid on it and never spool out, unless you are an amazing long distance caster. As far as the rod, you probably want something that has enough tip flex to load up on 1/4 oz, but yet has the backbone. I would choose the Colt 734, or Sierra 734, if you like Dobyns. I'm not sure how good the Fury 734 will cast a 1/4 frog, it's a little stiffer than the Colt & Sierra. The SLX rods are lighter and their bad balance on the MH, won't really matter much with frog fishing, but their warranty isn't as good as Dobyns.

I have some, but haven't got to use them yet. I use Big Bite Bait 1/16th oz. jigheads for panfish, they have some good stuff for the price and a lot of stores carry them around here.

Spinning or Casting?

Which reel do you like the most?

SLX MGL 70 for $125 is an alternative to the Curado 70. I haven't thrown anything less than a 1/4 yet, but it has done great with that. https://fishing.asian-portal.shop/category/select/cid/352/bid/49/pinfo/10000-to-19999/pid/295258