David P

If you are looking for some excellent spinning reel fluorocarbon... Sniper FC in 6lb is absolutely amazing. It's very strong (dont' let the 8lb fool you), and it's very limp compared to any other fluorocarbon I've put on a spinning reel.

1/0 hook on a 6" worm seems rather small. Try a 3/0 Gamakatsu hook rigged the same way you had it done. Set the hook harder... You're using a very light rod, no harm in setting the hook good. Or try a different bait.. Maybe drop shot with that rod, that way you have an exposed hook...

I just got a free spool and spooled it up yesterday. I'll be taking it out Friday to see how it goes. It was 12lb though and I have it on a cranking setup. So in terms of spinning reels, wont' be much help. It honestly doesn't feel any more limp that most 12lb Fluorocarbon lines. Feels pretty on par with most fluorocarbons and nothing special. Just what I've seen so far. Sorry not much help.

Delta if you want Largemouth and those awesome silver fish. NorCal is covered in lakes and a great majority have bass, so really depends where you live.

Couldn't agree more. Are you sure there wasn't a misunderstanding with what he was saying? Or is there more to what he was saying? I've caught close to 20 fish this year between 6-7.5lbs all on top water, and the clearer the water by far the better the bite has been. The clearer the water, the better I do with a jerkbait as well... KVD throws spinnerbaits in clear water for reaction strikes.... I will say... Wind does help a spinnerbait or jerkbait bite... But it's still not a MUST to be successful.

TW has a few sales throughout the year where they give 10-15% off. Could also check the Flea Market here or other sites for a used one.

I love my Dobyns Rods so I'm slightly biased. I've heard good things about the *** rods themselves, but with newer rods and companies the longevity of the company, warranty, and customer service is always a concern. Just something to think about.

Dobyns 765 or 735, but if you're going to be pitching into heavier cover and throwing frogs in thick stuff, possibly a 736.

That fish has a large mouth, but looks skinny as a rail. Given the length, even with it being so skinny, I'd still say 7. Regardless, fun to catch big fish on top water!

Haven't really posted on here much this year, lost my passion and time to fish over the past year or so.. But started getting back into it this summer so figured I'd post a few fish from the past month or so.

I use a Dobyns 805 Punch Rod, Revo Premier with 80lb braid and a 1.5oz Tungsten weight. I like all beaver type baits. Some people like more durable baits so that the hook stays in better and doesn't go through the other end, but I have noticed a decrease in hookups with the stiffer baits. Usually go through a full bag of beavers, sometimes two in a full day trip of punching, but well worth the fun! Enjoy!

That's until you try Kaenon glasses.... I used to think the SAME thing..

Height really doesn't matter when it comes to longer rods, I know kids 5'4-ish that use 8ft rods. The 7'6 is a great flipping size, I use a 7'9 and 8fter. Depending on the company a MH or H would be the way to go.

Couldn't agree more, 734 is an awesome football jig rod. I use a Dobyns 744DX the next step up, but have used both. Sorry don't know about the newer rods you listed, and just was just adding to Thaddeus's suggestion.

Wait for TW to do their sales, or their gift card sales... By far the best way to get a bunch of them at a great price - and exactly the ones you're looking for...

Depends on your price range and how heavy of cover you plan to flip. Dobyns Champion 765, 766, or 805 Or my all time favorite, Dobyns 795DX Extreme Rod !

The 735 will have a bit softer tip, but the 736 will much better fit for throwing a frog in heavy situations. I throw Snag Proof frogs exclusively, and have no trouble with the 736, and I still have a Gen 1 736 that's even slightly stiffer. The 736 is perfect. Given that you're right in Novato, you could go to a shop and test them out, but the 736 is the way to go.

734

Dobyns 795DX - It's slightly longer than your desired 7'4 range, but at 7'9 it's still great for pitching and flipping, and it's one amazing rod. Sensitive enough to throw 3/8oz jigs and still easily feel the bottom, yet still enough to flip into very heavy cover. It's slightly over the $300 price mark, but if you can get one on sale it's a great rod. If you want something slightly cheaper, the 765C Flip rod is awesome, very versatile rod. It's the rod I first started using for pitching and flipping a few years ago, and still one of my go to rods.

I could, I'd make it even a little stiffer than it already is. The tip is slightly stiff, and takes a bit of getting used to when throwing a light frog, but once you get used to it, it's perfect, and the added power really helps. The 805Punch rod is a bit stiffer and I have been enjoying that as a frog rod and doing a little experimenting as well.

Rod greatly helps in feeling bites, and the bottom structure of the lake when you're fishing bottom contact baits. It also helps fight the fish and keep them hooked when landing them. The difference in casting distance and drag from a $100 to $200 reel that I have noticed isn't THAT much to where I'd value a reel more than a rod. I fish $200-$250 reels, but if I HAD to pick, I'd always pick rods over reels.

The 735C is too light for frogging on heavy weed mats and such in my opinion, the 736 can even feel slightly soft for fishing some of the heavy junk although it's the rod I use most. The 766 is also a GREAT frog rod. The 735Savvy has even a slightly softer tip than the 735C. I'd stay away from the 735 unless you plan to fish mostly open water and sparse weed mats, nothing clumped up and thick. The 745DX also is on the light side. Also, no need to spend the big $300+ on a frog rod when sensitivity isn't really needed, unless you plan to use it for other stuff. I'd pick either the 736C or 766C. If you want an all around rod that is sensitive to use for other things, yet also a SICK frog rod, the 795DX is an awesome rod for Flipping, Punching, Frogging, Jigs, Swimbaits, etc...

Tough to compare a Champion to a GLX, and just to throw this out there, I have never used that exact loomis rod, and only a few GLXs do I have experience with. The 805 is a great rod, but the 795DX is my all time favorite, it's absolutely amazing. Take a look at it.

Chris, CXX is very available at just about every shop, tough as nails, and dirt dirt dirt cheap. It's tough to beat!

If you find yourself in the Walnut Creek area, feel free to PM me, you can test them both out and see which one you like best. It's a lot of money, so making 100% sure is always nice, but I'm quite sure you will pick the 743 after trying both.