Going on a guided trip on St. Lawrence for smallies in the late Spring. Can only bring 2 rods. One will be spinner for finesse tubes, Neds, Senkos, etc. Other will be baitcaster for Megabass Dark Sleeper and Z-Man Gobius. Have heard 3/4-ounce is best for keeping these baits in the strike zone. So, should I bring G Loomis 783 or 844? Can’t decide between the two. 783 rated up to 3/4, 844 up to 1 ounce. So seems like 844 best. But 783 I think more versatile because I can throw some lighter finesse jigs, swimbaits, paddle tails on it. 

 

If this were the Delaware River—my usual location for river smallies—I’d definitely go with the 783 and throw a lighter-weight Dark Sleeper. But the smallies up in the St. Lawrence can be real beasts….

 

Thoughts? Thanks!

Edited January 6Jan 6 by MontclairDave
Added info

4 power for 3/4... I'd use my nrx plus 904c for dark sleeper in that size... 

It's not a big hook, I'd rather keep as flexible as possible with only 2 rods.  You have to weigh which direction is the best compromise.  I don't own a 3 power loomis, but think my 904 would be overkill yet doable.  I do fish braid to leader, which plays a role.

 

scott

For a 3/4oz Dark Sleeper, I would go with the 844C. I have an older 783C GLX and it works great with stuff around a 1/2oz. 3/4 seems to overload it. 

 

I tend to fish them like a jig by popping them off the bottom and not on a straight retrieve. I have fished a 3/4oz but tend to like the 1/2oz better. I throw them on a 803C GLX. 

844

9 hours ago, softwateronly said:

It's not a big hook, I'd rather keep as flexible as possible with only 2 rods.  You have to weigh which direction is the best compromise.  I don't own a 3 power loomis, but think my 904 would be overkill yet doable.  I do fish braid to leader, which plays a role.

 

scott

To your valid point about keeping as flexible as possible, Plan A will be to go down to the half-ounce dark sleeper and throw it on the 783. That way I can use the 783 for other stuff noted in my post.
 

I think 3/4 is overkil anyway—seems to be the weight people throw for really deep ledges or drop offs in river. I’m gonna be in 5-10 ft of water most of the time. So half ounce DS should be fine.

 

Plan B: take the 844 so I can throw 4” and 5” 1-1.5-ounce glides, and hope the 844 can also handle the half-ounce DS (pretty sure it can: I throw .5 football jigs on it and it works fine).

 

a few test days on the Delaware River should help me sort this out.

 

Thanks guys!

I use my Conquest 844C for that. I have 763 as well and I would use it if I want to cast it a country mile 😅

7 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

To your valid point about keeping as flexible as possible, Plan A will be to go down to the half-ounce dark sleeper and throw it on the 783. That way I can use the 783 for other stuff noted in my post.
 

I think 3/4 is overkil anyway—seems to be the weight people throw for really deep ledges or drop offs in river. I’m gonna be in 5-10 ft of water most of the time. So half ounce DS should be fine.

 

Plan B: take the 844 so I can throw 4” and 5” 1-1.5-ounce glides, and hope the 844 can also handle the half-ounce DS (pretty sure it can: I throw .5 football jigs on it and it works fine).

 

a few test days on the Delaware River should help me sort this out.

 

Thanks guys!

This exact reason is why the mbr action is so useful. Opens up a lot of options that aren’t exactly perfect but still doable and fine.  With what I know about the Great Lakes, I think you should bring the 3/4oz with you anyway. Lots of smallies hang out near current in 20-30’ fow. The ds likes to swim up on the retrieve and the extra weight in the 3” length is helpful keeping it down. 
 

scott

I think you could make it work on the 783, even if it's not ideal.

 

My NRX+ seems pretty stout for a 3.

Both great options but that 844 MBR will also get you a little more distance if you need to reach out to touch some skittish fish.