David P

I've really been having a lot of fun with Big M's custom cranks. He posts on here in the Tackle making section frequently. Well priced, and they run true right away, unlike most crankbaits even in the higher price range. I haven't had a single issue with these, and they flat out catch fish.

If you're going to replace them, I'd highly suggest stepping up to some longer rods.. 7'4 range. Better hook sets cause you move more line, and longer casting. I personally feel like I can work a bait better with them too. For 2 awesome all around rods, the 743 and 744 are awesome. Jigs, Senkos, Spinnerbaits, Buzzbaits, Rat L Traps, Spooks, Poppers, Small swimbaits, there's not much you can't do with those two rods. Great all around sticks.

It's not just the line cap, but also the weight of these swimbaits and the strain they can put on regular low pro reels. 4-6oz swimbaits can be a lot on a regular low pro reel. For baits over 4oz I use a Daiwa Luna 300, but used to have a Calcutta 400. It really depends on how heavy of baits you're throwing.. 8" Swimbaits can weigh 1oz or 6oz, there's a big difference. I use a Curado 300E and it's not a bad reel, but I don't cast baits over 3oz with it. Probably could, but feel much more comfortable with a round reel for the heavy stuff.

I personally have found out that hand pours give me much more confidence then throwing mass produced baits. I started fishing Dichoso Baits, and I can pick the stiffness of the plastic, colors, and color of the flake. Just gives me confidence knowing no one is throwing the exact thing I am.

Snag Proof Bobby's Perfect Frog, haven't found a frog better. I love these things, they walk with ease, great hook up ratio, and awesome colors.

Hands down the 743. The extra length helps you cast further, and move more line on the hook sets. The 743 is one of my favorite rods, although I throw jigs on the 744. I do however throw senkos, top water (poppers and stuff) and occasionally spinnerbaits on the 743. Very nice rod, and definitely the added length is nice.

Dobyns 795 DX Flippin stick or the Dobyns 805C Punch Rod. Both great rods, just depends how much you're looking to spend.

The 705CB is a great rod, I really also like the RM 764 CB rod, depending on length, both will do the trick great for baits in that range. The 705 makes an awesome ripbait rod as well. The 765 is an awesome flipping rod. Depending on how heavy the cover is though, you may want to look at a 766. I think the 765 is one of the most versatile rods in the line up, sick jig rod, can double as a frog rod when needed, and definitely is great for flipping and pitching. The majority of what guys flip the 765 would be great, but if you're flipping really really heavy stuff, the 766 is a nice fit. PM me with any questions, I have both rods, as well as many others.

Split Grip for finesse baits Full Grip for non finesse baits

You'll be fine casting lighter baits with an E7, the higher retrieve speed really helps. BUT, I've had awful experiences lately with the quality of Shimano. I prefer the STX's and can cast just as well if not better with them. If price is the main thing though, I'd still take the E7 over an SX and cross my fingers that I don't have problems with it. But if you can get an STX even an 09, I'd go that route.

Definitely don't get a slow retrieve reel like a E5 for weightless plastics and such. Look for a high speed reel. Revo SX has high speed or STX, both solid reels. I've had awful experiences with the Curado E7s so I wouldn't recommend those. STXs I had 12 of them at one point and was very satisfied with them, built solid, and never had an issue.

From what I have heard, craws have more protein, get bigger, and are certainly easier to catch.. Less exerted energy and more filling meal.. Craws!

Could be wrong but I think the 703c is ExF while the 743 is Fast i'll have to check though The G2 rods went to all fast actions, although the added length causes it to bend just a tad more. The shorter the rod, the slightly stiffer it is with these rods. The Champions are 7'3 and the Extremes are 7'4 with these models. Always go with the longer rod when you can.. I switched even my spinning rods to 7'4 and there's a major difference.

Can anyone actually write a review that has actually used the line. Fact: Braid does break, it is not indestructible. Regardless of whether you have broken it or not, it does break, braid does get weak and can get bad spots, it can break from a fish, rock, or casting.

Dichoso Baits Nightcrawler, and Ticklestick. Get to pick your own color, flakes, and softness of the plastic.

Definitely the 743... Longer rods really help with setting the hook, moving more line, and casting further! You will be very pleased!

No price point listed, but by far my favorite frog rod is a Dobyns 736, awesome rod, and perfect for frogs. Light enough to effortlessly walk a frog all day.

#1 Dichoso Baits Nightcrawler #2 Dichoso Baits Ringworm #3 GYCB 4" Cut Tail

There is a major difference, everything from the blank, guides, and so on... The easiest way to tell the difference is just checking on Tackle Warehouse, all the ones listed and shown there are Gen 2. The Gen 1 rods from above the reel seat up to the bottom guide has a carbon fiber look to it. Gen2:

Fireline definitely breaks, I haven't personally broken it on casts, but I have broken it with relative ease on snags. Has broken fair easier then a handful of other braids I have used.

Over here it's not too uncommon, I've seen a handful of photos with bird legs sticking out of a big fish's throat.

I sold my 844GLX and replaced it with a 734 quite some time ago and couldn't be more happy. Far better customer service, and more choices for models and lengths.

Savvy for sure, over both kistler and the avid. The quality is absolutely top notch and the customer service the best I've ever come across.

Really hate to even make this update... Sent in a few Curado E7s that were making the noise, along with a new (used 3 time) Stradic. I received the Curado E7s back 2 weeks after I shipped them (not bad at all). Curados worked fine, although no reason as to what fixed them and why they were making the noise. The Stradic on the other hand... They needed to order parts, Shimano needed to order parts! Not only that, but for a brand new reel, that's barely been fished. I waited another few weeks and just received the Stradic last week. Problem fixed, after replacing the pinion gear, drive gear and ball bearings... Now as of last week, yet another Curado is making the noise (not one of the ones that had been sent in). Again, at my expense, I'm having to send it in! To be fair, the ones that are working and haven't had trouble, have been good. They're smooth, cast well, and great reels for the price, but the troublesome ones have been a lot of trouble!

Nope, never pin pointed the exact problem, one of them they replaced the bearings, others just cleaned them up.. The one that was really bad I'm assuming is the one they replaced the bearings.