JGBassinAL

7' will work just as everyone has said. K_Mac is right about the casting distance and keeping the bait in the zone longer. I prefer a 7'10" rod when deep crankin, but its all personal preference. I also fish the Tennessee River Systems where deep crankin is a way of life so I have 3 deep crankin rods. Two are 7'10" and one is 7'4". I can say that I can cast farther with the added length of the 7'10", allowing me to keep bottom contact longer. If you are more comfortable with a 7' rod though that is what you should get. I used to wouldn't use a rod over 7', I was pretty intimidated by them. Now I only have two rods under 7'. A jerkbait rod and a 6'9" rod for weightless senkos that I use in close quarters. If you do decide to get a longer rod, you will get used to it and I think you will appreciate the added casting distance.

I know a lot of people use the 7' heavy Duckett Micro Magic for froggin and love it. I used to use the 7'3" heavy White Ice and I had no problems with the micro guides. I have had two *** Omens in the past and both of them snapped at the tip, I was pretty disappointed as they are aesthetically pleasing. I do not use either of those brands anymore, but I think the Duckett would do you just fine for froggin. Never used a Mojo Bass, but if you really don't like micro guides then I wouldn't buy the Duckett from Gander Mountain. Their return policy sucks.

X2 on Dan at Reel-Ex. I didn't want to post that since he isn't a sponsor because it seems when I post on here about a service or store that is not a sponsor here I get wailed on about how the sponsors here are better. I'm not saying that Mike at DVT isn't better, I have just never used him. I'm sure he does a great job as many people on this forum recommend him. I have used Dan though and my experiences have always been more than great and I would recommend him to anyone looking to get their reels serviced.

If I would have known about these yesterday when I ordered four handles from you guys I probably would have picked up one of these too. No big deal though, I'll get my hands on one soon enough! Love your handles, everyone should give them a try!

Only thing about this is...if you don't like it don't give up on fluoro. I see a lot of people buy a lower priced fluoro and not like it and assume it all handles the same. Not saying that you will, but a little higher priced fluoro like Invizx or Sunline Sniper is a world of difference from Red Label. I think the best value priced fluoro is Sunline Super Fluorocarbon. If you want fluoro on a budget then I would try it!

There is no comparison between the Orra SX and the Tatula. The Tatula is even better than the Revo STX, don't stone me ABU guys...

I don't fish whole "sets" of rods, yet all of my rods are made by Scott Dobbins at Tigerodz. Before I got on with them I had Powells, Ducketts, and Dobyns and liked them all. Now that I use all of the same brand though, I feel as if I like it better. All of the rods are made out of Rainshadow 7 blanks, so I feel a bit of consistency when I pick up a different rod for another technique.

Exactly!

Duckett will replace it, just give them a call.

I go with 14 lb Sunline Reaction Fluoro for my spinnerbaits and 17 lb Sunline Sniper Fluoro for my chatterbaits.

I'm with you on this one. I even throw my texas rig on a heavy power rod. I think in that price range I would look at the *** *** 7'3" Heavy and the Duckett Ghost 7'3" Heavy.

The 7'11" will work, but I find it to be too stiff of a rod. I throw my jigs on a 7'4" heavy with a moderate fast tip if I am flipping them in moderate cover. I use a 7'6" heavy if I am casting and working ledges, and I use a 7'6" Heavy flippin stick if I'm flipping into heavier cover.

Fluorocarbon stretches a lot more than a lot of people think. Braid has no stretch, while fluorocarbon (besides Trilene 100%, Seaguar Abrazx, and other stiff fluorocarbons) does have some stretch to it, especially compared to braid.

I personally would never throw a crankbait on braid, unless it was a rattle trap and I was fishing around thick grass. I feel that the bend of a glass rod does not make up for the no stretch quality of braid. I use glass rods and fluorocarbon for my crankin. You guys keep saying you can use 20lb braid for smaller diameter because it has the diameter of 8lb fluoro...You can throw crankbaits on 8lb fluoro and not have to worry about the no stretch. Heck, I throw all of my deep divers on either 8-10lb fluoro, even 10XDs. The properties of fluorocarbon far outweighs braid when crankin IMO.

I use 14 lb Sunline Reaction FC and I love it!

At that price point Duckett is way better, but if you move up to the Champion and White Ice then go with the Dobyns.

Noooo you need this...

You guys are crackin me up. I used to have 14 setups and now I'm down to 10, but it keeps building and building. I find myself having saved enough for another rod (that I don't need), which I always buy, then I forget that I have to buy a reel too. AFTER I buy the rod...

I throw my swimbaits up to 1 oz on a 7'3" Heavy glass rod that was custom made. The glass gives the fish more time to inhale the bait, and a heavy action glass rod doesn't have too whippy of a tip like glass crankin rods, but it is still more moderate than a heavy action graphite rod or flippin stick. Best of both worlds in my opinion. I also throw chatterbaits on it.

Yeah its $99 at the place I mentioned earlier, I'll just leave there name out since they are not a sponsor.

A Tatula Type R is $129.99 thru them. I agree that if the difference is minimal then you should buy from Valley Sports since they sponsor this forum.

I don't get it. By all means I want him to check with the board sponsors but I don't understand why you say "before buying anywhere else." I hope Valley Sports matches the price for him that Sportsman's Outfitters has because it is a heck of a deal if I have ever seen one. I'm just trying to help the guy get an awesome deal.

and that it is very hard to cast 65 yards so you don't need any more than that much fluoro on your reel.

Call Sportsman's Outfitters for a price on the Tatula and Tatula Type-R. They have better prices than anyone on these two reels, including fleabay. Not gonna post it on here, just call and see for yourself!

Abu Garcia now makes an Ambassadeur STX which retails for $99. I would ask for pictures because it might be a Revo STX which retails for $200.