Chrisran99

I too fish for both species and my go to rig is a Stradic FJ 2500 with a Fenwick HMG 7’ medium-light. To me it’s a little heavier than most ML rods but not a stiff on the tip as a medium, which you will want if a good red or gator trout decides to bite. I use 10# braid to a 8# floro leader for smallmouth but I like a 10# mono leader in the marsh, I think the stretch helps not to rip the hook out of the trout’s mouth. I have a few of both the Ci4’s and regular Stradic’s and prefer the plain version because I feel it balances better with the heavier rod.

Seen a video on youtube for a new Fenwick HMG travel rod. I'm looking to buy a few rods to keep in the car while traveling and have been pleased with the few HMG's I've fished with in the past. Anyone out there tried one of these travel rods yet? http://www.fenwickfishing.com/fenwick-travel-rods-fenwick-hmg/fenwick-hmg-travel-spinning-rod/1447350.html http://www.fenwickfishing.com/fenwick-travel-rods-fenwick-hmg/fenwick-hmg-travel-casting-rod/1447349.html

My Calcutta is one of the best casters I have, after making sure the brakes on the spool are pushed all the way out the only suggestion I can think of is to switch out you centrifugal brakes. I’ve never herd of it before but they may be out of spec and not slowing down the spool.

I use a Cardiff 100 for smaller cranks and a 200 for deep cranking. I’ve done a bearing upgrade on both and can not think of a better reel for $100. I also use a Calcutta 200b for inshore fishing.

As other have said I like this action for tossing shrimp to specks in the marsh, but I have started using a 6’6” Clarus MMF for wacky rigging worm that are nail weighted. I have a lot better hookup percentage than a faster action rod.

Check out Falcon rods. I have a 6'8" M MF Lowrider Salt that I use to throw small traps. It's got a soft tip and good flex but backbone when it's needed. I like it so much I bought one in the XG model for a loner rod and can't feel much difference between the two.

I use Shimano Cardiffs for cranks. I have a 100 for shallows and a 200 for deep divers. I find it easier to slowdown or speed up the retrieve with the 5.8-1 gear ratio. Install a set of ceramic bearings in them and they are as smooth reels costing twice as much. Cranking power form the round reel( 200A ) paired with a 7'6" MH cranking rod that makes dragging 6xd's and DD22 all day at Pickwick bearable.

I usually carry three. 6'9" M XF spinning rod for sinkos and weightless flukes, 7' MM casting rod for cranks, and a 6'8" MH F casting for heavier baits. I usually like shorter rods for kayak fishing but I like the 7' cranking rod for the leverage, I've tried shorter moderate rod and can't seem to control the fish as well when I get them closer to the boat.

Easy there John, I'm looking at the 70 Curado just to see how it fits in the hand compared to the 200i. Again, I have no experience with other brands besides Abu. I'm coming from saltwater to the bass world the last few years and don't know if I've ever casted a diawa or quantum. The smallest reel I have ever fished with is a Cardiff 100 that I use for cranks and even it has 100 yards of line that would never see water for this application.

I'm thinking 1.5 square bills and small spinner baits weightless finesse worms. Really looking for accuracy. Last time out I tried to use my 7' ghost cranking rod, I liked the action but i need something to hit those sweet spots under bushes and around cover. As for budget I subscribe to the "buy once, cry once. But i have made the conscience effort to not spend over $200 on a rod, I don't want to know how much better the top tier rods are. As for a reel, I would love to find a 50 Calcutta but I will be looking at the new 70 Curado.

Looking to put together a small combo for fishing Creeks out of the kayak. I like to bring two setups with me and one is going to be a 6'6" avid MLF with a stradic, now I'm looking for a compact casting combo. I want a rod that is around 6' with a slower taper maybe a mmf and a smaller reel to match. Never fished with anything but Abu and Shimano so I would love to know what else is out there in the smaller size.

Make sure you don't have the screws to tight. I know if I crank down the frame screws on my 200 it binds the reel.

I'm a fan of Shimano spinning reels so I think the Sahara is a good choice. My wife only uses spinning reels and has 3 Sahara's. A 2500 on a Clarus 6'6" medium medium fast for Creeks, 6'8" Compre with a 3000 for bass and a 4000 on a 7' Falcon XG for anything bigger. Her favorite is the Compre setup she'll grab it before anything else and says there's no need to learn how to use a baitcaster, her spinning reels work just fine. I can't wait to see how the new model preforms.

i have a Duckett Ghost that I have slowly came to love for my shallow cranks and squarebills. I started out fishing a Cardiff 100 on it and felt it was to light for these baits. But, after switching to a low profile 6.4 it's a rig I can cast all day and really bombs the light cranks a long way. I did swap out the tip for a titanium after a lot for reviewer were reporting grooves from on the stainless ones. I switch to a heavier rod for anything that dives deeper than 8-10 feet. I'm sure there are better rods but I have a medium 7' BPS cranking stick that works and won't break the bank if you catch it on sale.

I found a killer deal on a St. Croix Tidemaster 7' heavy fast today rated for 3\4-2oz. I thought this might be a good A-rig or frog rod. I got a hole $50 in the rod so I'm sure I can get my money back if it don't workout. Anything else y'all can recommend I can try on this rod? I have a older curado 300 or Calcutta 200b to pair with this rod but not limited to just those.Got to love the clearance racks this time of the year.