Hey Fellas, 

 

I could use some general or specific direction on building up my arsenal. I'm in college, I don't have a lot of money, but I'm slowly adding rods. Thankfully I'm sponsored by St. Croix and LEWS through my college bass fishing team, which allows me a great discount. I would like to try a Dobyns in the near future, but it's so hard to buy any other brand when St. Croix gives us a great discount. Here is my current lineup: 

 

1. St. Croix LTB 7'2" MM "Small Cranker"

 - Chronarch 201E6

2. St. Croix Premier MHM Crankbait 

 - Abu Garcia Revo SX 6.4:1

3. *** *** 7'1" MHF (for jigs) 

 - Daiwa Tatula 6.4:1

4. Shimano Clarus 7'2" MHF (for t-rigs and worm)

- Shimano Sahara 2500 6.2:1 

 

Extra Reel: Daiwa T3B 8.2:1 

 - I may be switching this reel with the Tatula for pulling fish out of cover quickly or possibly buy a frogging rod and put this on there. Any advice?

 

Do I put that extra Daiwa reel on my *** or use it for another setup? Would you guys suggest moving around any of my reels around? Finally, what's the next step? Frogging rod? Light spinning setup? Plastics or spinnerbaits? So many choices... My budget per rod is usually $300-400. 

Wow!  Nice budget.  I work full time and can't afford that.  I'll have to let others with much more experience with various techniques answer your questions.  I wll mention that spinnerbaits are a top producing lure for me.  (My catch not being anywhere near that of anyone else on here. )  Also drop shot seems to be a very productive technique.  One I haven't tried yet.

 

Seems to me you are putting together a pretty nice arsenal.  You are correct.  Way too many choices. 

I would add an AVS68MXF spinning rod to the mix.

 

 

 

 

I would put the t3b on the jig rod for faster line per turn, the tatula on the MHM crank rod for long distance casting, keep the e6 on the MM crank rod because chronarch/curados seem to be great for square bills, and then put the SX on a spinnerbait/rattletrap rod (MH) with 30lb braid.

If your budget per rod is 3-400 that's more than enough for almost any dobyns at retail

If you fish jerkbaits, get a justerkbait rod and put the extra daiwa reel on it.

Jerkbait rod

St croix avid 6'2" M XF (model AC62MXF)

If your budget per rod is 3-400 that's more than enough for almost any dobyns at retail

 I know, it's just hard to pull the trigger when I can spend less money for a St. Croix through the sponsorship. 

 

 

If you fish jerkbaits, get a justerkbait rod and put the extra daiwa reel on it.

Jerkbait rod

St croix avid 6'2" M XF (model AC62MXF)

I have thought about a jerk bait rod, but I haven't even tried jerkbaits yet. 

If you go to colgardsports.com, they have the daiwa tatula rod on sale for $110. That is $40 off on a rod that is getting great reviews, and is very lighweight. I would say this is your best bet.

At 400 you could pick up 2 Dobyns Champions from BTD. I would use those for your jigging and texas rigging and find another use for your ***, maybe spinnerbaits, chatterbatis, etc.

I would buy a Berkley shock rod ($55.00) in the 7'6"H for frog fishing and put your tatula on it, switch your T3B to your jig rod. Then I would pick up a rod for topwater/ swimjigs like a st. croix mojo bass(or rage depending on your discount) 6'8" M/XF. for the reel lews tournament MG or tournament SS (depending on your discount again.) for the gear ratio either  6:1 or the 7:1.  

 

Mitch

Add some more versitility in your line

Spinning 6'10MXF-2500-10lb, multipurpose. Jigs, rigs, jerks, etc

Baitcast 6'8MF 10/12lb, multipurpose. Jigs, rigs, jerks, etc

Baitcast 7'HF braid. Frogs and for the thick stuff

Add some more versitility in your line

Spinning 6'10MXF-2500-10lb, multipurpose. Jigs, rigs, jerks, etc

Baitcast 6'8MF 10/12lb, multipurpose. Jigs, rigs, jerks, etc

Baitcast 7'HF braid. Frogs and for the thick stuff

That's what I need, more versatility. I have too many MHF rods that are great all around rods but I want technique specific and I'm thinking I will add a Rage 6'8"MXF and 7' HF for now, and then I'll get a MF after that.

At 400 you could pick up 2 Dobyns Champions from BTD. I would use those for your jigging and texas rigging and find another use for your ***, maybe spinnerbaits, chatterbatis, etc.

I will probably add Dobyns to my arsenal next year when I graduate and won't have the St. Croix sponsorship anymore. I really want to try these rods.

I would stick with St Croix for now. The Legend Xtreme is their top of the line for a reason. I don't think the the Dobyn's come even close. St Croix has every technique or set up covered. Take advantage of their sponsorship, that's why you have it.

If you go to colgardsports.com, they have the daiwa tatula rod on sale for $110. That is $40 off on a rod that is getting great reviews, and is very lighweight. I would say this is your best bet.

Sale must be over.  Rods price says $149.95.  Too bad.  I'd have taken a chance on the wife's killing me for getting another rod.