ShimanoDobynsGuy

Just got my new rods in. Ordered these back in November I will be updating this thread after I get some time on the water with them.

Ok went a total different route. I'm struggling to decide which route to go. Leaning xbites.

What route did you end up going? I'm in the same boat trying to decide xbites or 893 to go with my 894. Not opposed to a conquest either.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I just learned about the gt56 so I'm still considering Garmin. From what i can see from the video's i like the look of the active target better then the live scope. To be honest i like the images of the humming bird mega the best. I don't like the idea of waiting till march to see what mega live is going to look like. And I'm a little concerned that it doesn't use a black box when the other brands do. Do you use Garmin? If so why did you choose Garmin over the others?

I'm overwhelmed with the comments

First off I hated to make a new thread since there was one just below but My budget is much higher I actually have no budget I just want the best tool for the job. So with that being said I'm from Illinois most of my fishing will be done in IL,WI,MO in water less then 40 ft with quit a bit of cover. I like to fish for Panfish Bass and walleye so structure fishing is pivotal. Kayak is a Old Town 136 autopilot. For some reason they didn't put ILink on these trolling motors just ipiolot so that eliminates the need for a HB unit for linking purposes. I originally thought i was gonna go Garmin for live scope but then HB announced mega live and then Lowrance announced active target. So to be honest I think Garmin is now out for me, I left in the discussion to keep options open but as of writing this I am leaning towards HB or Lowrance. That's where things get muddy Lowrance has a done a great job at getting plenty of video out of active target so it looks awesome defiantly almost pre ordered one. Now HB on the other hand has not and from what I read and from talking with others they are concerned the imagery wont be the best dew to the lack of the black box a selling point for HB. Most are saying it will compare to Garmin's gen 1 version plus it doesn't release till march kind of late but first tourney isn't till may so I would have time. So any help pictures of images of both units you can share or link thoughts on active image vs lives cope vs mega live and last but not least 9,10in or 12in unit for size. Thanks for your time

Update Finally was able to replace my gear. Bought 5 2020 Metanium 150s 1 Fanford 3000 1. dobyns 744 champion extreme with a 8.1 frog set up 2. Dobyns 734, champion with a 7.1 all purpose 3. Croix TBC 6.8 with a 7.1 top water jerk bait 4. Dobyns 705cb with 6.1 crank baits 5. NRX 894 with 8.1 jigs Spinning 6. Poison Adrena 6.7 with a Fanford 3000 If you have thoughts or suggestions please let me know. Thanks

Thanks for sharing that. I must say if they have a RRA around you "Rod & Reel anonymous" you might want to give them a jingle. JK? Nice collection you have there.

OK I'm thinking 2-2020 mgls 8s 2- not sure yet 7s 1- not sure yet 6 whats your rod selection look like? brand and power action and thoughts.

Any preference on gear ratio?

I actually thought they were a finesse reel as well. Seems like you have plenty of experience with these reels could you give me some food for thought on them. I am a buy once cry once kinda a guy so price doesn't always concern me. I don't want to waste money but i do want high quality gear that will last a lifetime. I am open to other brands as well I have owned several shimano and a couple abu garcia. I'm looking at buy 5 BC and not sure on finesse set up ive always been under the impression a spinning set up is the go to for finesse but after reading your post i see there must be good BC options. The problem here is i want to buy everything at once so i can get a better discount and i want to go fishing. I have no gear but the rods i mentioned no tackle left not even crappie jigs. It was all sold. So i need people with knowledge of this stuff to fast track me so i dont have to spend the next month researching all the different things out. Thanks for your time.

Thanks for the input. I should of been a little more clear. The reason i was thinking all mgls was for one they are easier to find right now. Im having a hell of time finding the dc I found 3 in one place a 6 & 2 7s. They dont have MGLs in stock so not sure wanted to buy everything from one place so i could get a discount. 5 BC 2 spinning reels 3 rods one spinning set up is replacing my panfish rig The other reason was when i bought the mentaniums back in 2014 it seemed like i didn't want to pick up the curados defiantly just being picky. Before i started out with 4 curados bought 2 mentaniums when they came out. Next thing you know im selling the 2 of curados and buying 2 more mentaniums. I defiantly agree with what you said thats secretly how i was leaning on going just didn't want to influence peoples input. I am torn on the rods what i have left are Dobyns 734c Dobyns DX 744c Dobyns 805CB Croix LBC68MF Dont think i will ever use the 805 in a kayak. But thinking dobyns 705cb for shallow to medium depth I would really to have a frog set up and good finesse rod and maybe a nrx for my jig rod. Never owned a loomis so not sure. Knowing what rods i have left. any suggestions? I plan on taking 5 BC combos 2 spinning one for panfish for dinner. **** maybe im crazy for trying to take so many combos in a kayak. Ive only owned boats up until now.

Long story short my gear has all been sold with out my knowledge till now. I haven't bought new gear since 2013-14 time frame. I decided i was gonna buy a autopiolit 136 and get back into fishing again owing a business ahs taken me away from the things i enjoy and i decided it was time to make time to fish again. So i went to get my stuff where i had it stored and most of its gone. I am trying to purchase new reels and things but not up to date on the latest options. So i have narrowed it down to curado dc 150 or mentanium mgl 150s Im buying 5. Obviously the cost for the curado is significant and could buy me a spinning reel and another rod. I had 4 2014 mentaniums and 2 curado 200s that were sold. So i'm looking for some real life experience to help me decide. Money really isnt a oblect but i dont want to set it on fire either. I have a lot of stuff to replace pretty much everything but honestly just want to get some stuff on the way so i can at least go fish use the new kayak Im also used to all dobyns rods i have 4 rods left i will update post when i get home from the office with what i have left. I know i need a pitching rod and finesse spinning rod and a shallow CB rod not sure if i should stick with dobyns or buy loomis so any suggestions there would be great as well. Thanks for your time

Lots of great opinions. Hopefully this will help someone else out in the choice they make. I have decided to buy another pair of Costa and get green lenses this time. I like Companys don't have a bad thing to say about either.. Just feel that the Costa lenses are better for fishing.. Now if I'm buying a pair of sunglasses to wear everyday I'm going Oakley for sure.. I think Oakley hands down takes the cake for style.. Costa I am not real fond of any style they offer. But they are great for fishing..

This is what I'm gonna do.. I have 3 pair of Oakley for just sunglasses one pair is polarized and one is prescription. The others are what wear golfing. But i agree I think for fishing the Costa is a better choice. Gonna get 580 green lense this go around already have the 580 blue. And like them why change brands.

Thanks guys for the input

I have a pair of these should of got green lenses. Got blue https://m.costadelmar.com/#shop/sunglasses/man-o-war-1 Was thinking about grabbing a pair of Oakley what's people's opinions.. Thanks

I feel your pain I have fished for around 100hrs and have caught all of 3 fish. And those were dinks. I've tried everything but night fishing and finesse so I guess this weekend I will throw shaky head and drop shot allot. I'm baffled by my poor fishing this year.. But the way I look at a 100hrs fishing is better then 100hrs of work..

Look at a Dobyns 765flip or 766flip heck call Gary and tell him. What your fishing and he will tell you what to get.. I went with a 766 lots of hydrila cat tails Lilly pads. GL..

The beast pulls this one rite up and out. But the fishing boat gives me trouble every time.

Not sure why can any one give me some advice?

Ty

A shot of a few of my rigs..

I have 2 brands I fish with. I'm definitely no expert on fishing rods. But after talking with Gary Dobyns it will be hard for me to not use his rods. The guy just is a people person and will BS with you about fishing and tell you not to buy rods that arnt needed. He is exactly what I'm looking for in company I want to do business with.. Now as far as golf clubs go now that's my cup of tea. Have played golf since I was 5 played all through school. Have loads of knowledge about different shafts and heads.. But with golf as stated before a little easier cause anyone that knows better will not pick a club or a shaft. They will let the head and shaft pick them. I don't care about brand when it comes to golf cause the launch monitor takes the guess work out of it for me... I would say find a company that will let you try different rods and has a 30 day no questions asked return policy.. So you can fish with them and see what you like..

I would say if you wanted 6 rods at once. Of your choice you could call and get 20% off what ever rods you pick out. I know a place that will do it for dobyns rods. 3DX and 3 champions would cost $1460.00 with a savings of $364.00 and it wouldn't have to be 3dxs im sure. Not sure what kinda money your talking. I know when it comes to golf i have around 1400.00 in my irons 360.00 in wedges and 1100.00 in driver and a 3 wood and sometimes i throw a hybrid in the bag. My driver and 3 wood are shafted with UST elemenst chrome shafts so they are a little pricey. But unlike fishing rods i let the launch montor decide what im gonna swing.