I tie small hair jigs to present to the large smallmouth that swim in my home water. For some years I've been casting a St. Croix 7' ML and have been pleased with its performance delivering 1/8 oz. bucktails and other small baits.

 

Now I'm thinking I'd like to get a bit more distance yet still have the power to whup a 5 lb. smallmouth. Looking through TW's extensive offerings, what appeals is the Dobyn's Champion Extreme HP Spin Rod 7'4" Light 741. If any of my fellow BR members have experience with this rod, I'd appreciate your comments. Thanks!

What kind of line are you using?

Changing lines might be enough to make a difference.

1 hour ago, mrpao said:

What kind of line are you using?

Changing lines might be enough to make a difference.

 

I've been using 6 lb. fluorocarbon and prefer to stick with it. Would 6lb. or 10lb. braid to fluoro make a significant difference in casting distance?

  A few years back, I used a 7' ML St Croix Avid X to present 1/8 oz hair jigs.

Along with an super light 8lb braid mainline, casting distance was just OK.

The blank didn't feel like it loaded much and casting felt more like a buggy whip deal.

Fast forward to two seasons ago, I couldn't take it any more and finally went for a longer blank. 

After some back & forth I decided on the Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Spin Rod 7'6" ML Feider.

MUCH BETTER !  Same main line I'm getting perhaps another 1/3 of the cast distance.

Which in the scheme of things can make all the difference; you Know. 

Initially I was concerned that the longer stick might be a noodle but that is not the case. 

There's just enough tip for everything I need one for and Plenty of back end HP to take care of business.   In fact I was pleasantly surprised how much pressure I could apply. 

I also use this stick for my neg rig needs which it has handled very well.

Accounted for several 5 & 6 lb brown bass and one mutant that was a goby shy of 7. 

So there's my 2 cents. 

Best of luck with your research & final decision.  

A-Jay

 

 

3 minutes ago, Will Wetline said:

 

I've been using 6 lb. fluorocarbon and prefer to stick with it. Would 6lb. or 10lb. braid to fluoro make a significant difference in casting distance?

Maybe not in distance but definitely in hook set. 

A-Jay