Looking for a rod recommendation to cast a 3/4 oz Jointed Structure Head or Football jig with Craw trailer and drag across gravel/boulder bottom in 20 feet of water for Smallmouth.  Budget $200-300.  Suggestions?  

What Line ?

A-Jay

38 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

What Line ?

A-Jay

Good question... am torn between using a spool of 14 lb Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon I already have... or using braid and tying a leader.  

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

Good question... am torn between using a spool of 14 lb Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon I already have... or using braid and tying a leader.  

OK - So I use a similar presentation - 

My deal is almost always clear deep water, so I'm making a decent cast, length wise.

It ends up being a balancing act between the rod & the line that centers around sensitivity, hook setting & fish fishing. 

The other part of the equation that I can't over look is the size/gauge wire of the jig hook. 

Super heavy every where doesn't seem to work well for me; neither does going on the 'light' side. 

Boils down to this - the big smallies I'm targeting with this presentation Are Tough - so a stout system seems to be what works best for me.  A 7'1" or 7'3" MHF stick seems to be the sweet spot.

There's a couple in the ST Croix LTB line in those action / lengths that I like a lot.

And I'm usually spooled with 17lb fluorocarbon here.  

Hope that helps.

A-Jay

 

 

11 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

OK - So I use a similar presentation - 

My deal is almost always clear deep water, so I'm making a decent cast, length wise.

It ends up being a balancing act between the rod & the line that centers around sensitivity, hook setting & fish fishing. 

The other part of the equation that I can't over look is the size/gauge wire of the jig hook. 

Super heavy every where doesn't seem to work well for me; neither does going on the 'light' side. 

Boils down to this - the big smallies I'm targeting with this presentation Are Tough - so a stout system seems to be what works best for me.  A 7'1" or 7'3" MHF stick seems to be the sweet spot.

There's a couple in the ST Croix LTB line in those action / lengths that I like a lot.

And I'm usually spooled with 17lb fluorocarbon here.  

Hope that helps.

A-Jay

 

 

I’ve been thinking St Croix as well since I have several of their rods... 

 

But also Megabass Orochi XX EMTF or Perfect Pitch.  Have a friend who swears by Dobyns Sierra or Champion in 7-3 Heavy or Mag.  

 

These are brands I’ve not fished but am keeping an open mind... it’s still below zero here too much time so planning for spring!

And while we're on the subject of swing heads - 

The Freedom Lure Stealth Swing jig really EXCELS for this constant dragging on the bottom presentation.

Comes over, under and through most anything and allows for a Tex-posed trailer.

That 'on the nose' line tie is sweet and I love being able to change/match my hook to whatever trailer or situation I need. 

A-Jay

http://www.freedomlures.com/stealth.html

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

And while we're on the subject of swing heads - 

The Freedom Lure Stealth Swing jig really EXCELS for this constant dragging on the bottom presentation.

Comes over, under and through most anything and allows for a Tex-posed trailer.

That 'on the nose' line tie is sweet and I love being able to change/match my hook to whatever trailer or situation I need. 

A-Jay

http://www.freedomlures.com/stealth.html

Looks like that jig and the football design have Mille Lacs written all over it.  Like the customizable aspect!

6 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Looks like that jig and the football design have Mille Lacs written all over it.  Like the customizable aspect!

Don't tell anyone but I SLAMMED smallies on this last fall - and I mean Slammed. 

A-Jay

7 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Don't tell anyone but I SLAMMED smallies on this last fall - and I mean Slammed. 

A-Jay

Pics or it didn't happen. ??

Just now, 12poundbass said:

Pics or it didn't happen. ??

Yea - if you're not sick of looking at me holding brown tanks at this point - you're in worse shape than me . . 

A-Jay

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

And while we're on the subject of swing heads - 

The Freedom Lure Stealth Swing jig really EXCELS for this constant dragging on the bottom presentation.

Comes over, under and through most anything and allows for a Tex-posed trailer.

That 'on the nose' line tie is sweet and I love being able to change/match my hook to whatever trailer or situation I need. 

A-Jay

http://www.freedomlures.com/stealth.html

A-Jay...I've tried those, and others like them...and while they produce OK, they've never knocked my socks off.

 

If it's OK to ask...what is is your presentation like?

1 hour ago, Further North said:

A-Jay...I've tried those, and others like them...and while they produce OK, they've never knocked my socks off.

 

If it's OK to ask...what is is your presentation like?

 Not to be a Hi-Jacker  but . . . The best way to describe it is  . . . It's like working a jerkbait Right On The Bottom.

Long cast.  Baits on the bottom.  Two reel handles - stop. wait 2 seconds - Two reel handle - stop.  Wait two seconds - two reel handles stop.   Fish usually grab it as soon as it stops.  Really seems they like to chase it a while and then when they've had enough of that - they Choke it. 

Below is a clip - I was using no skirt and just the head with a Rage Bug - 

A-Jay

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

 Not to be a Hi-Jacker  but . . . The best way to describe is  . . . It's like working a jerkbait Right On The Bottom.

Long cast.  Baits on the bottom.  Two reel handles - stop. wait 1 second - Two reel handle - stop.  Wait two seconds - two reel handles stop.   Fish usually grab it as soon as it stops.  Really seems they like to chase it a while and then when they've had enough of that - they Choke it. 

Below is a clip - I was using no skirt and just the head with a Rage Bug - 

A-Jay

Thanks!

Now that I’ve had 9 minutes to further salivate over the coming Spring... (Thx for the great video A-Jay!)

 

Looking for specific rod recommendations for dragging these types of 3/4 oz swingin’ heads plus trailer, 15-24 feet of water... 

 

Brand, length, power, price... thx!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I use a 7'9" H/F Aetos or a Dobyns DX745c. Anything long, heavy and sensitive would work great. I use the same rod for wobble-heads, Carolina rigs, and footballs. Specifically, in your price range, the Champion DC744c would be perfect, 7'4" Heavy Extra Fast for $260. I also use heavy gauge hooks and 17lb FC (PLine Tactical currently).

11 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Yea - if you're not sick of looking at me holding brown tanks at this point - you're in worse shape than me . . 

A-Jay

I went ice fishing yesterday if that says anything about my current mental state. ?

7 hours ago, Robert Riley said:

I use a 7'9" H/F Aetos or a Dobyns DX745c. Anything long, heavy and sensitive would work great. I use the same rod for wobble-heads, Carolina rigs, and footballs. Specifically, in your price range, the Champion DC744c would be perfect, 7'4" Heavy Extra Fast for $260. I also use heavy gauge hooks and 17lb FC (PLine Tactical currently).

That Dobyns does look nice...

 

Any opinion how it might compare with the Megabass Orochi EMTF?  They look similar in many respects.

 

 

4 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

That Dobyns does look nice...

 

Any opinion how it might compare with the Megabass Orochi EMTF?  They look similar in many respects.

 

 

I've seen the EMTF recommended for everything from finesse jigs up to 1/2 oz football jigs, but I think the general consensus is that it tops out around the 1/2 oz mark (excluding soft plastic trailer).  For a 3/4 oz weight and deep water you might need to go a little bit heavier.  If you're thinking Megabass, the 2nd generation Orochi XX rods will be showing up in the next couple of months and there may be better options in the new lineup.

 

Kistler is running a 20% off sale, consider calling them up for a recommendation.  A Helium 3 for just over $200 is worth looking into for any technique where sensitivity matters.

 

Disclaimer - I do not own the EMTF, just summarizing a bunch of research.

Anyone familiar with Dobyns 744c. Highly recommended to me from someone else.  Top end rated at 1 oz seems a little light for a Heavy rod..?

Do you plan on using a 1oz weight? I've thrown 1oz Carolina rigs on my 745 with no problem. I also throw primarily 1/2 and 3/4oz football jigs and have no problem either.