So I lost my beloved slx dc and phoenix feather rod in the ocean today.  Im still kicking myself.

 

im thinking of getting the currado dc and currado rod.  Im open to other reels/rods as well.  Maybe the chronarch with another phoenix or dobyns.  My budget is in the $500 area all in.  Let me know what you guys think.

 

I primarily like to throw weightless plastics with occasional jigs, crank baits,etc thrown in there.  I also want something i can take calico fishing on occasion.  I loved my phoenix but feel it wasnt stiff enough to handle some heavier lures.

 

thanks for your help.

It is very sad to see any piece of equipment lost to the water gods. Luckily for you, you can buy new stuff! I can tell you that I recently got a chronarch and put it on a shimano expride A MH/F and I am struggling with the idea of buying a different rod or reel ever again. It just feels so good. I know it’s a little over your set budget point but I would really consider the extra few bucks to get a supreme setup. The insane sensitivity in the expride will allow you to use it for a ton of things. I’m probably biased at this point as I have fallen in love with this setup. 

I got a Curado DC as a gift.  I like it so well that I sold a Chronarch to make room for another DC.

Did you get a hang on your DC reel? Did you change any setting (spool tension and brake setting) after I set it for you? You should borrow your son the K and try it out. Set 4 brakes on inside and outside dial to 3 start from there, remember lighter lure you need to set dial higher, heavier lure you can go all the way down to 1. If you still like the DC setting, no mess no fuss, I don’t see no reason to change, get another DC reel, either one is fine. 
For rod, I would look for MH Fast action. If you gonna spend money on Curado, I like Zodias better. Another option is Daiwa Tatula 6’10 MH/F is my all purpose rod from Senko, chatterbait all the way to 1oz topwater lure.

For inshore ocean fishing, I recommend reel with bait clicker like Abu 6500c3, Komodo 364, Daiwa Lexa 300CC, when you bait and wait (using live bait or cut bait). Only use bass gear when you fish with jig. 

thanks for the replies guys.

At this point im leaning towards a curado dc and a st croix avidx.  Is tacklewarehouse still the best place to grab these items?

6 hours ago, skekoam said:

thanks for the replies guys.

At this point im leaning towards a curado dc and a st croix avidx.  Is tacklewarehouse still the best place to grab these items?

That’s exactly one of my setups. Balances well and feels indestructible. Good choice!

56 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

That’s exactly one of my setups. Balances well and feels indestructible. Good choice!

I also have this setup and love it! I have 3 curado dc’s and love them! avid x is also a great rod 

Did you drop a pin where you lost it?

 

I think I would get some Mike Long Signature snagging jigs and go fish for that setup for a while.

4 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

Did you drop a pin where you lost it?

 

I think I would get some Mike Long Signature snagging jigs and go fish for that setup for a while.

I was in the ocean in about 60 ft of water in the ocean.  It would be like winning the lottery to snag that thing

On 4/27/2020 at 6:18 AM, Finessegenics said:

That’s exactly one of my setups. Balances well and feels indestructible. Good choice!

hi @Finessegenics

 

I just received my St. Croix.  Any issues with the braid knot getting caught in the small eyes?  I hope this isn't a problem when actually fishing.  I'm using 40# braid tied to a 15# leader.

 

thanks

54 minutes ago, skekoam said:

hi @Finessegenics

 

I just received my St. Croix.  Any issues with the braid knot getting caught in the small eyes?  I hope this isn't a problem when actually fishing.  I'm using 40# braid tied to a 15# leader.

 

thanks

I fish straight fluoro...Knowing myself I probably wouldn’t want braid to leader on micro guides. Still lots of guys fish braid on the avid x and have no issues but make sure you’re tying good, clean connection knots. As annoying as it is, it might be a good idea to learn the FG Knot or Blood Knot. If you haven’t taken the tags off yet you should probably test it out with the tags on and return it if it’s an issue. 
 

@norb also fishes the avid x and he might use braid to leader so hopefully he chimes in. 
 

 

26 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

I fish straight fluoro...Knowing myself I probably wouldn’t want braid to leader on micro guides. Still lots of guys fish braid on the avid x and have no issues but make sure you’re tying good, clean connection knots. As annoying as it is, it might be a good idea to learn the FG Knot or Blood Knot. If you haven’t taken the tags off yet you should probably test it out with the tags on and return it if it’s an issue. 
 

@norb also fishes the avid x and he might use braid to leader so hopefully he chimes in. 
 

 

Thanks for that.  I need to try it on the water first to see how annoying the guides are.  Either that or I may just need to switch to straight fluro as well.  Good lesson and I didn't research the guides well enough before purchasing.  The alberto  know is fine through the eyes except for the very last one, which is super small. 

Don't take your highend freshwater bass tackle out on the ocean. Calico bass are3X stronger then LMB, they live in kelp beds. Most Calico bass swim jigs are are 1/2 to 1 oz then add 4" to 6" boot tails, you need at least a MH swimbait 7'10"  bass rod and 300 size reel to get the fish out of it's home.

You are talking 2 different outfits.

Tom

8 minutes ago, WRB said:

Don't take your highend freshwater bass tackle out on the ocean. Calico bass are3X stronger then LMB, they live in kelp beds. Most Calico bass swim jigs are are 1/2 to 1 oz then add 4" to 6" boot tails, you need at least a MH swimbait 7'10"  bass rod and 300 size reel to get the fish out of it's home.

You are talking 2 different outfits.

Tom

Thanks Tom.  Lesson learned.  I'm going to use a crappy abu garcia black max combo for the ocean going forward...

3 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

I fish straight fluoro...Knowing myself I probably wouldn’t want braid to leader on micro guides. Still lots of guys fish braid on the avid x and have no issues but make sure you’re tying good, clean connection knots. As annoying as it is, it might be a good idea to learn the FG Knot or Blood Knot. If you haven’t taken the tags off yet you should probably test it out with the tags on and return it if it’s an issue. 
 

@norb also fishes the avid x and he might use braid to leader so hopefully he chimes in. 
 

 

i use braid to 12lbs fluoro on my avid x and never had a problem using the alberto knot

thanks @norb.  I had some time to fish today and absolutely no issues with the braid to leader knot.  especially when I was cashing heavier baits.  I need to try a weightless senko next to see of the know hinders casting at all.  I will say when i hit the casting button to see if my gears are set correctly that the knot always get caught in the eyes and causes a small backlash.  a bit annoying, but Im enjoying the rod.