fishindad

Tube TRD (Ned rig) Keitech Fat Swing Impact Senko In that order

In-line spinner like the Mepps Aglia/Vibrax/Rooster Tail (size 0-3) or 1”-3” white single tail grub on a jighead (1/16th-1/4th oz). Will catch almost every species that swims.

There is nothing like seeing (and hearing) bass blow up on top. My favorite these days I a Chug Bug in bone. Don’t give up on topwaters. Having the “right” combo helps. As does having poppers, prop baits and walking baits at the ready and keep switching until you see what they want and try different pauses. I fish topwaters here in MI from postspawn until late Fall. Mornings and evenings being best but they’ll hit em mid day too. I miss it already!

If going St Croix, I completeyl agree with the others that the M is more what ypu want rather than the MH. St Croixs tend to run on the heavier side in terms of power. That said, Dobyns makes some awesome sticks in their Champion series. Their 705CB would be perfect for the squarebills, bladed jigs and blade baits you mentioned.

Yup, I’ve been fishing from a 2002 Alumacraft multi species rig and have boated my fair share of big smallies and largemouth bass. There’s not many times I wish I had a bigger rig because when it gets too rough for me the bass boats also get off the water. I’ve upgraded the trailer, TM and electronics since and have no desire to bigger, heavier setup since I mostly fish solo. I’m looking to get a used kayak to fish the many small rivers here in the mitten state.

Welcome, Blaine, from Washtenaw county!

If you want to stay with St Croix I would agree with FishTank and get the Legend Glass M or MH. You’ll probably need 2 rods since I’m surprised you felt the SC M fast was underpowered. If you’re on a budget then get the Cashion since you’ve had your hands on it (I’ve never fished one but am sure it’s a nice crankin rod).

Regarding the opinion that spinning tackle is “new” to bass guys in the last 10 years, some of the finest bass anglers ever have fished with spinning rods: Billy Westmoreland, Tom Mann, Guido Hibdon, Charlie Brewer, Jerry McKinnis, Al Lindner - over 50 years ago. Most of today’s Elite pros from the Midwest and Canada grew up with spinning rods. To the OP, the Falcon “swim jig” rod (7’2” MH mod fast) is perfect for traps and square bills.

I have and use a SC legend extreme 7’ MLF for dropshot and Ned. My buddy prefers his Avid MLXF rod. I use 6 and 7 lb Sniper so I like having a more parabolic action of the MLF St Croix. I think it depends on what lines, weights, baits you plan to use. If you dropshot Texas style the MLXF may work better for you.

I haven’t fished the jackhammers but throw and have success with the Picasso version. And I know what you mean about not wanting to lose lures - we have big toothy critters (muskies) that have stolen more than a few $$ jerkbaits!

Thanks, A-Jay and agree 100% anglers often get caught up in fine details vs "right time-right place" (easier said than done). After Jay Yelas whacked 'em on St Clair on a chatterbait recently, no question it's a proven big smallie bait and I am pretty sure he used a Zako trailer, since he's sponsored by GYCB (lucky guy). And often the hardest part is locating the brown monsters, at least on big water. PS: those are some awesome footballs ya' got there! I can understand why the Jackhammer is always tied on!

I’m curious A-Jay if you think I’m success was more due to the trailer or the Jackhammer? Did you try fishing the Jackhammer with a different trailer as well as the Thunder goby on a jighead? My guess would be you’d have similar (or almost) results with say a Fat Impact in Ayu since the smallies are so aggressive hitting the chatter they probably don’t focus so much on the trailer. Don’t get me wrong I’m a firm believer in fishing what gives you confidence just curious if you tried fishing the goby by itself..

So far, tube is MVP for smallies since it accounted for year’s biggest (21”er). For greenies, a swim jig with a Keitech or Rage swimmer as trailer.

Exactly same as NYWayfarer

In no particular order: Poor Boy’s tube, 4” GY Senko, 5” and 4” GY Fat Ika GY single tail grub, 5” Keitech Swing Impact Fat, 3.8 Jackall Crosstail Shad Don Iovino Fat Boy worm, 4.5” Zman TRD

I read the OP's post similar to most of his other posts, where he constantly references the past. 1990 was 30 years ago! and in 1990, the Techna AV along with Loomis GLX was state-of-the-art. And the Daiwa TDX (and TDZ) reels were also among the best USDM reels available. I don't know why the OP feels a need to post this opinion but take this this statement as an example: "Most (meaning the majority, meaning more than 50%) bass anglers believe (as if he has personally polled every bass angler in the world to ask what they believe) highend high tech rods weighing under 4 oz and reels weighing under 6 oz is mandatory (meaning required by law or rule, per Webster's) to have state of the art bass rods and reels". Since when has anyone else on this forum ever - ever - come across as stating they or any other bass angler believes it is mandatory to have high end tackle? When I read posts from BR anglers who share their happiness about their rods and reels, no matter what they cost, I read it as pure enjoyment they are sharing with others from a new rod, new reel, new setup. Fishing is all about enjoying the time off work to be on the water (by foot, kayak, canoe, boat) and spending your hard-earned money and time to acquire "toys" that add to the enjoyment. If someone wants to buy (or not buy) a rod or reel based on style, what do I care? It's their money and choice. PS: "Not 1 of the biggest documented bass ever caught with the angler using a reel under 8 oz or rod under 5 oz." Dan Kadota fished top end Shimano reels and GLX rods to fish live craws in SoCal lakes to catch record FL strain largemouth. 30 years ago. So all other BR members - keep posting and sharing about the latest and greatest!!!

If you fish with braid to leader the ML power is best. If you fish straight fluorocarbon or mono then a M power rod will work better. Especially if you fish for smallies on Erie.

Fishing has changed dramatically since I was a kid. Growing up, Homer Circle, Jerry McKinnis and others used 5:1 ratio baitcasters, 6 foot Fenwick and Eagle Claw fiberglass rods, Stren mono line with Eagle Claw hooks. Now we have high tech no-stretch braided lines, 7 foot plus high modulus heavy power graphite rods, and ultra sharp Gamakatsu and Owner hooks. Even Charlie Brewer used 4 1/2 foot glass Slider rods and 4 lb mono to boat thousands of bass. If I lose fish, it's surely "operator error" be it setting too quickly or too slowly or the fish threw the bait back at me. It's surely not for lack of the right rod length. Find the fish, put the bait in front of them and set the hook. I'll quit fishing if I need to consider whether my rod is at a 15, 30, 60 or 90 degree rod angle in order to figure out what type of hook set to use in order to boat a bass. Best answer.

Mobasser, I actually still have a stock of Guido's thin-walled tubes from back in the day. I do throw those on spinning tackle like Guido did but my usual target is Great Lakes smallies and they prefer the thick-walled tubes. Plus the zebra mussels that cover the rocky bottoms will shred your line so you need to use thicker, tougher line.

Light line = 6 or 7lb Sniper Ned rig/TRD Don Iovino Fat Boy worm on 1/8th oz. darter head (Slider head around grass) Dropshot Me too! Except I use 14 or 15lb. fluoro and a MH baitcaster. Land way more smallies and safely release them since I'm not fighting them for 5 minutes.

I still use two green Curado 100Bs. They've been tuned routinely but they are going strong and are one of the best mid-priced reels Shimano ever put out. The Daiwa TDX and TDZ are another time-tested casting reel.

Relax. No ones on their high horse. It's not like people have a choice when it comes to phones since none are made in the US ? and the same goes for computers/laptops although not all are made in China. People can make all the excuses they want to buy rods from China but as long as there's still companies producing rods here in the US, there's nothing wrong with folks going out of their way to support them.

Like Russ, I own and fish two 2500 Excelers and have nothing bad to say about them. I fish smallies on St Clair so they get tested. I have no experience with the Eliminator.

Depends on what weight lures you typically throw and how much cover is in the river. I agree with scaleface to go with ML since generally, river fish fight harder, especially river smallies, than lake dwellers. A L power rod would be more fun to fight them but you should try upsizing the lures you use to entice, and land, the bigger ones. That said, St Croix rods run a bit more powerful than others for their rating.

I don't own these rods but if I were to do some bushwacking into small waters, I would strongly consider these 4-pc rods. They each come with two tip sections that you can swap out depending on what lures you decide to throw. The other choice I'd consider are the Falcon 3 pc Lowrider rods as NJBasstard mentioned. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-ABURODS.html?from=basres