Steve S

Seaguar smackdown in 15 is amazing. It is way thinner than Other brands same lb line and I rarely ever get wind knots. I had been using suffix 832 10lb and was getting windknots a lot.

I had this happen with the old SV and the New one I sent in to the tackle trap as they are authorized repair shop and they said that one of the main gear teeth had broken and replaced it. They said that sometimes you can either not have the clutch all the way engaged or accidental re-engage it mid cast. So far since they fixed it I haven’t had an issue

I heard back from Gary Dobyns on another forum the below is his answer. “ The 734C would be the better choice for swim jigs. You need a bit of power in a jig rod. The 1/8-1/4 Texas rigs could use the 733C. It'll have a bit too much power for casting a 1/8 oz but will work great with a 1/4 oz. THX!! Gary D. The 733C will handle 1/4 and 3/8 rattle baits. I think for Chatterbaits that a 4 power is better, we do have some anglers wanting a softer power for these baits. Maybe 20%. 80% would want a 4 power or even heavier. As far as TX rigs you must also think about the bait weight. Most generally I'd say anything 3/8 and above would be a 4 power territory. THX!!” so I guess I’ll go with the 734C to have some better versatility

I heard back from Gary Dobyns on another forum the below is his answer. “ The 734C would be the better choice for swim jigs. You need a bit of power in a jig rod. The 1/8-1/4 Texas rigs could use the 733C. It'll have a bit too much power for casting a 1/8 oz but will work great with a 1/4 oz. THX!! Gary D. The 733C will handle 1/4 and 3/8 rattle baits. I think for Chatterbaits that a 4 power is better, we do have some anglers wanting a softer power for these baits. Maybe 20%. 80% would want a 4 power or even heavier. As far as TX rigs you must also think about the bait weight. Most generally I'd say anything 3/8 and above would be a 4 power territory. THX!!”

What is the heaviest t-rigs you would recommend on the DC 733C @iabass8 the would still fee good? I’m looking for what range t-rigs you can use for the 733 compared to the 734. Thanks

Thanks for help I ordered a 734 this morning

I guess they don’t have the Sierra 734c in stock anymore so it’s either the 733 or 734 champion. Which would you go with for the baits I listed? I’m so torn between these 2 models. I have a Falcon Bucoo SR MH 1/4-3/4oz 6’8” casting rod now if that helps to rule something out

I guess Gary is in lockdown in California. What would you recommend Tom. I usually throw 1/8-3/16 t-rigs and small paddle tail swimbaits (gambler ez swimmers) on 1/8-1/4 oz jigs heads (These 2 baits are probably 85% of what I throw). Also what would be the big difference between the Sierra and Champion XP. I want to take advantage of the 40% off all rods sale they’re having right now. Thanks for your guidance

I tried contacting him but haven’t heard back yet.

Hi all I was wondering if you could give me some guidance on which rod to get. Was thinking of getting a good all around casting rod and was looking in the Sierra or champion XP line and wanted to see what you would recommend? I live in Florida and mainly fish ponds (not much cover and throw Texas rigs 1/8-1/4 (mainly 1/8oz) ,senkos, small Plastic Swimbait a on 1/8-1/4 jig heads, and most of my hard baits are 1/4 to 1/2oz( avg 3/8). Trying to figure out what model to get and which line from. Thanks for any guidance you could give me with my decision.

@iabass8 wass wondering what Dobyns you would recommend for someone throwing 1/8-1/4oz Texas rigs and 1/4-1/2oz moving baits (mainly Texas rigs and small soft plastic swimbaits (gambler ez swimmers on 1/8-1/4 jig heads) looking at the 733 or 744 and trying to decide between the Sierra line and champion xp thanks for the help.

great post!! The online outdoorsman channel on YouTube is awesome. Ethan has the best Ned rig how to and technique videos I’ve been able to find

Have found a great jig for Ned rigging called the Berkley Half Head Jig. The 1/16 comes in packs of 8 and can be found on sportsman’s warehouse for only $3.19 where other places charge $3.99. These are the best value/amazing quality I have been able to find for a Ned jig. The bait keeper is mediocre but I always use a dot of super glue on any Ned rig to keep the plastic on always. The hook feels very strong and have never lost a fish to a bent out hook (I fish using a Med light with 15lb braid to 8lb mono leader). Hope this helps anyone looking for hooks to try

what is the smallest lb braid you would recommend going on a baitcaster reel. I’ve heard you shouldn’t go to small of a diameter. What lb test would you recommend of seaguar smackdown as I know it’s thinner than other brands or what size in general would you not go under to prevent having issues with digging birds nests etc? Thanks

@Glenn what is the smallest lb braid you would recommend going on a baitcaster reel. I’ve heard you shouldn’t go to small of a diameter and I know smackdown is smaller than other braid. What lb test would you recommend of seaguar smackdown? Thanks

Who manufactures TSI 321 I can’t find a direct buy website. Thanks for the help

Love the grip in front of the reel seat on Tatula rods. So comfortable

I think the Med is a good choice and great all around rod. You could probably get away with some of the lighter lure techniques but would be able to fish a lot more techniques on the Med compared to the Med light. I never realized how heavy a Senko was until I weighed one (3/8oz plastic alone) Hope you have a blast with your new rod. The 7’ Med Tatula I have throws 1/8-3/4 and can throw most lighter baits (Ned rigs)ok but is great for senkos and the other techniques listed. I mainly use light to Med wire hooks on that rod

Got my 712sf this week and really liked the feel of it. My reel seat was out of alignment to the first guide though so they are swapping me out for a new one. Great customer service! The balance fees good, the rod is really light and has a better fee in hand than my 7’ Med Tatula. The one thing that I feel should be improved just from a short amount of hands on is the reel seat knob. The knob doesn’t feel very sturdy compared to other rods I have. I do think this series will be great and am really excited to fish some Ned rigs on it.

@J Francho @roadwarrior where do you order your TSI 321 and Shimano bantam oil from? Thanks:)

6’ light power ugly stick was my first and still my most used rod. Love it for pond fishing with Ned rigs

Love Smackdown in hi vis in the 15lb. What people will notice is that smackdown is much thinner than other brands in the same pound test. I have the 15lb smackdown on a 2500 Daiwa Exceller and it performs pretty much flawlessly. I have rarely gotten a wind knot with this line.

For spinning reels the line should come off the spool counterclockwise

Surprised not a lot of people use Uni knots. That’s all I use and it has worked great

Which big bite baits jig head are you using