T-Billy

TRD Bug on rock/rip rap has become my #1 cold water producer. 6# XT and either a 1/8 or 1/16 football head. I find 'em shallow often until the water hits 38 degrees. If it's calm and sunny they might be REAL shallow. Time to go hunting below 38 for me. Never had a good day below that, but I've had a few awesome days at 38. Something about that number in my area, at least for me. If they won't eat the bug off the bottom, I'll look for suspended fish in the same areas with a jerkbait or small swimbait. Seems like, if they're not holding tight to the bottom, they only want to feed upward.

I'll second this. I bought a pair of carbonlites 3 years ago. Felt cheap from the start and got geary in a hurry. They still work but don't see much use anymore. No more BP reels for me.

If you're not dead set on a Dobyns, check out the Ark Tharp series for just a few dollars more. My King Cobra has the same power as my 766 Sierra, only slightly faster, and is more sensitive and better balanced. Offshore Special should be pretty similar to a 765.

Balance matters more than overall weight to me. I balance all my rods with those slip on furniture feet filled with the appropriate amount of lead. I want them to balance on my middle finger when I open my hand. Makes a big difference in feel and reducing fatigue.

Those things fish way above their price point. IMO rod action is at least as important as sensitivity, maybe more important. I'll take a rod with a great tip and good sensitivity over a pool cue with great sensitivity every time. Dobyns excels in that regard, and the warranty/replacement plan is hard to beat. Simply a matter of personal preference. Find a rod with a blank that works for you, that has quality hardware, and go get 'em.

I'm happy with my Dobyns Sierra and Kaden rods, but my Ark Tharp rods are every bit their equal performance wise for $50 less. There are more rods from both companies in my future.

Wacky Senko.

Same here.

Found this 19" LM floating belly up last sping. Barely alive. Had a bad encounter with a muskie. I caught a 34" muskie a few weeks later that was all tore up from being T Boned by a giant.

My local Blue Heron population likes to wait until I'm directly under them before launching out of the tree screaching at the top of their lungs while I'm night fishing. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to start wearing depends when night fishing. There hasn't been an accident yet, but there's been a few close calls. ?

Cardboard tubes.... Hmm??? Got any black powder, parafin, and waterproof fuse???

I use stickbaits-lg grubs-worms-creature baits-craw baits-swimbaits-and lizards. 3/0 and 4/0 hooks EWG always just hook tip skin hooked, and heres the big difference to me. I fish them faster in more of a sluggo style w/jerks and twitches steady on retrieve. Seldom let them deadstick or sit for periods on the bottom, they move constantly and trigger a lot of strikes to keep me doing it for so many years. This is Dave's description. I've been kidding him about calling it a Dave rig. I need to spend some time with it. Sounds like it might be a great way to fish a beaver. Should have a great glide.

? Perhaps there should be a Mobasser morning coffee sticky!!!? Congratulations on enjoying your retirement Mobasser. God bless ya!!!

@Tatsu Dave will be along to explain. ? Seriously though, if you can swing it, keep the other two and buy the 8.3. Fast reels are great for taking up slack quickly when using techniques where you're moving the bait with the rod tip. Jigs,T rigs etc.

Still trying to find the perfect D Rig Rod. That new Kaden 744c might be it. Awesome tip on it.

Grandpa started me when I was 4. It's been my favorite past time ever since. Love the never ending puzzle. Learning new ways too fool 'em. The quest for a new PB. Quiet time to decompress. Fun trips with the wife and or kids. Time with my Lord and Savior out in his creation. Lots of reasons. It never gets old. After 48 years, it's still as fun as when I was a kid. There's something truly magic about it.

Agree 100%. Great abrasion resistance too.

Nope. Keep 'em both and buy the DC. Also, I highly recommend buying a new rod to put that new DC on. You're welcome.

When disassembling lay out parts in the order you removed them, facing the way they came out. Assemble in reverse order. + All the above tips.

Well........It works for dog turds so......... ?

That's where I've been get'n 'em. Since the Milfoil and Hydrilla started dying off, They've been in the brushy stuff. Big laydowns aren't producing unless they're covered up with Lilly Pads or Pondweed. Rip Rap with over hanging bushes been good too.

Glad you're liking the new rig. Gotta love that great Dobyns tip. I spent a good part of the day skipping, pitching, and throwing low, fast, underhand casts up under overhanging brush with a 1/4oz jig, using my new Kaden 744c/SLX XT. Light jigs, T rigs, and tubes will be it's primary purpose, but this rod is up to alot of tasks. Plenty of feel for bottom contact and a soft enough tip for moving baits. The SLX XT is also a pleasure to fish with. Both are worth every penny and pair well together. I'm getting my broken Sierra 765 replaced with a Kaden 765. Can't wait to give it a workout next week.

I also have the 151 XT. Nice reel. Very smooth. The lightest I've used it with is a 1/4oz T rigged 3.5 YoMama. It fished just fine with it. I currently have it paired up with a Kaden 744c. Nice versatile combo.

Just fish it. It'll get easier to see as it fades. My 2c.

My 1st SD is also 4yrs old. I have three and they are my most used casting reels. Never an issue with any of them and the oldest is still running smoothly. I don't see them wearing out anytime soon. Still in the honeymoon phase with the SP, but I'm dig'n it. Do you think the mag braking is the reason for the SD's extra casting distance? How much difference was there?