TNriverRAT

@woolleyfooley you end up getting an x-series rod? If so, how do you like them?

I appreciate your advice and leaning towards exactly what you’re saying. Vanford for strictly finesse fishing on the levante and a 3000 reel for the U-call rod. I’ve never seen one in person but pulled the trigger while on sale during Labor Day weekend. The reel seat is interesting. Should come in early this week. Excited for it, but do need to order a reel for it soon as possible.

So where does the jdm shimano 2500s perform best? How do you spool a shallow reel without backing? Talking stradic and twin power. I’m guessing finesse lures with .191-.209 mm diameter braid. Then the twinpower C3000mhg is a do it all reel? Finesse and power fishing (keitech swimbaits, mini-max bladed jig).

I vacation at the beach once a year. So would be nice to have a reel that can perform inshore/surf fishing when needed. Already own the vanford and it’s on my levante shakey head rod. First ever $$ reel and I love it. Smooth, good drag and casting ability. Thinking about stepping up a bit this next go around. I’m interested in the short spool reels but don’t have any experience when it comes to them and spooling them. I’ve always filled half the spool with cheap mono then 10-15# braid - to leader. Reason I brought up the stradic models above is digitaka has a sale on them. Not sure exactly how I’d use them. I’ll need to pick up a new reel for the U-call midnight spinning rod (specs above). Guess I’ll need to wait til the rod is delivered to get a feel for it and see how heavy it is. But I’d like a new jdm twin power on it! Your @bulldog1935TP reel looks sick!

TTT Also like the fact that the twinpower is salt water capable.

I have a question about two rod pairings. 1.) Megabass levante spinning rod in “shakey head” model. MB rates it as a 7’ medium light, lure 1/8-1/2oz, 5-16# line. 2.) U-call Midnight spinning rod 7’3” medium (732). Rated 1/8-3/4oz, 8-16# line. Mainly fish for LMB, SMB, and spots. Think the MB rod will be used for more finesse lures - Neds, dropshot, skipping wacky rigs, smallish minnows, 3/16 (and lower) skip gap/bass union jig heads for Texas rig crawl. Just ordered the midnight spinning rod so haven’t felt weight of it or action in person. I’m thinking get a reel from the Shimano “power” line of reels. Either the stradic or twin power. To throw bigger dropshot, mini max bladed jig, large minnow (sakamata shad, biwaa scorptail). Reels in question: Shimano Vanford 2500HG (currently have on MB rod) Shimano JDM Stradic C2500s, or C2000SHG (I know this is geared more to light weight rods.. I do have an old finwick silver hawk 6’6” UL that could use a new reel) Shimano JDM 24 Twin Power C3000mhg (?) or do you suggest a different size reel for the U-call midnight reel. is my thought process right to have vanford on MB rod and get a twin power for the U-call 732? TIA

Haha definitely don’t have $ to burn. TW had it listed as a daily deal end of last week. I ended up not pulling the trigger as I have no experience with glass rods. Would hate to spend that kind of money and end up not liking the feel/weight of the rod. But glad it was been a good purchase for you! I’m still in the market for a 1/2oz and up bladed jig rod. Want something that will work well for bladed jigs and lipless cranks. I fish the Tennessee river system and the rod must be able to rip lures out of grass. Been eyeing the Dobyns DC746cb rod. Not a lot of information on that rod either.

@Smirak that would be cool! Did you end up going to gville Thursday? I believe you were talking about it!

hahah yeah she do look thick!

Nah definitely can't move my gas tank, batteries.. maybe. Hmm guess I need more tackle then to add more weight! Wife will love that excuse lmao. Just like I need a newer (also heavier) trolling motor up front for weight balance haha. Been thinking about getting a cheap socket set for the boat from Harbor Freight or something. Never know when you may need tools on the water. I can add that to my bow hatch. If I do go to 24v trolling motor system down the road. Then I'll have to add batteries up there as well and wire everything to the helm. Only have enough room in my stern cavity (guess that's what is called) for 2 12v batteries on one side and the gas tank, spare oh s**t gallon tank and gatorade bottle of oil if needed.

@JHoss yeah I’m going to stick with only two graphs for now. The more time spent using them I’ll have a better idea of how I want to move forward. But I definitely need a graph mount setup for the bow. Bass boat technologies has some pretty good looking mounts. Prices are very similar for two graphs and the single graph mount. I’m thinking about getting the two graph mount, so in the future I’ll be set up to expand if needed. An ultrex or the Garmin force would be a major upgrade to my minn kota maxxum. I want spot lock in a bad way. Also think the added weight on the bow would help ride stability. Currently have a lot of weight in the back of boat. Between myself, gas tank, batteries, outboard motor, electronics, etc.

@JHoss heck yeah, I’ve been thinking about doing exactly option 2! But I’m thinking leave the 9” on the bow, an extra cradle for the 12” and bring it back and forth from helm to bow. I like having the bigger screen for sonar when graphing on the big motor. And everyone I’ve talked to says the 12” should be used for livescope over the 9”. Bigger screen helps distinguish what you are seeing from the transducer. But.. like your buddy I could do two 9” at the console. Have side and down scan on one, and traditional/mapping on the other. Ah so many options!

Oh cool! Preciate the heads up

@txchaser yeah what a bummer! I just talked myself into pulling the trigger and the price changed. Not going to get it anymore.. I’ve never had or even fished a glass composite rod, so was worried I wouldn’t like it. And that’s a hefty price point to find out I don’t like that style rod. But dang, from the pictures it sure looks like a beautiful rod! Am I in the wrong to think a bladed jig rod can also double as a lipless? Guess I should look at moving bait specific rods.. any recommendations? Also what’s this sale thread you mentioned?

@Smirak sure did turn out to be a beautiful day! Alabama weather is always difficult to predict right now. Hope the weather cooperates and you crush em! Went out about 3 weeks ago or so. Put in at alreds and had a good day in the back waters around the marina. Found a spot with a bunch of activity, lots of blue gill popping and the grass was just right. Pitched around a Texas rig and caught a couple 4 #ers.

@torm did you end up getting this rod?

@Eric 26 thanks Eric I will do check it out.

@djhands what are the guide size on this rod? I don’t really care for micro guides to be honest.

I appreciate everyone’s advice. Will adjust the transducer height to be flush with bottom of boat. Guess I was confused because installation manual that came with Garmin said to have ducer 10mm or 0.375” below aluminum hull. Wasn’t sure if that’s from the top of transducer or the bottom. So thanks again for yall clarifying this. I will not have a transducer on the bow besides livescope. Basically use the gt56 on the stern and account for boat length when using traditional/down scan when fishing on the bow and mapping. Have the 12” strictly for ffs when fishing. Hope that will work ok. That being said, would you say it’s overkill to have both graphs on the bow? I like having the 9” at the helm for mapping while the 12 is used for sonar at the helm (which may also be overkill, since the ultra2 is quick to process and change layouts). Wondering if I should just sell the 9” and purchase another 12” ultra2. Have one 12” at the helm and a 12” on the bow. I don’t want to be THAT guy with 3 to 4 screens on a tin boat. My dad joked on me about having more money in the electronics than the boat is worth lmao!

Would you say it’s stout enough to rip lipless cranks and chatterbaits through grass? Also, what reel did you pair it with?

TW has a daily sale on the Evergreen Brett Hite Super Combat Stick Casting Rod. it’s a sharp looking rod and for 45% off I’m tempted to pull the trigger. Anyone have experience with this beaut? Lure rating goes up to 2oz which seems like a wide range of applications. Looking for a rod to rip chatterbaits and lipless cranks through grass. Not sure if the moderate slow action will be the ticket for this. TIA

Tilt the aft end of transducer down?

Haha when is this weather gonna turn?! Feel like it’s rained the past two weeks!

Wanted to revisit this thread and give an update on progress. Bought the garmin livescope bundle when it was on sale. Still needed a transom ducer for traditional, down, and side scan. So I got the 93 uhd2 with gt56 transducer. Had a mounting fixture made for the fish finder, painted it and secured it to starboard side gunnel. Still have some quirks I'm trying to dial in with transducer placement on the transom and trying to get a better picture. Didn't want to drill holes below the water line so I used an old cabelas ducer bracket that hangs it off the back. It works okay, but starting to think a more secure hold would be best. Also, with the bracket hanging in the water it seems to make more disturbance and spray which might be contributing to some of my signal/picture issues. My dad and I ran all the wiring, installed new batteries, fuse block, and circuit breaker. I was giddy to have this done and work properly. In the long run should have had someone more experienced install this as I think some mistakes were made. Didn't think about it till afterwards but I need one of the graphs on the bow.. duhh for the livescope on the trolling motor!! smh Currently have the 12 running sonar and the 9" for mapping both at the helm. Think I may buy a dual graph mount from bass boat technologies. Put the 9" up front where it will stay. Therefore, I can send way points to it for fishing on the bow. The garmin is convenient enough to take out of gimbal bracket to take upfront for livescope. One day down the road buy another 12" to keep at the helm to eliminate taking it back and forth. But for now I believe this will work. Just wasn't in the cards financially to buy a 3rd graph. What are your thoughts? TIA What are your thoughts on transducer placement and bracket. Does this look too low? I've noticed once the boat gets above 10 or so mph traditional and down scan starts to get a reduced image. Also, seem to get prop wash. Which makes me think location is off. Do yall think the transducer should be mounted directly to the transom and my main issue is the cabelas bracket stability? Any advice would be helpful.