FishTank

Without question the rod. As long as the reel can cast and bring fish in, what else is there? As far as the rod goes.... it communicates what is going on under the water and somewhat on top, it sets the hook, and handles the fish.

I have the 844C GLX and the 783C GLX (both the older versions). The 844C is a great rod but to me it's too stout for most chatterbaits and buzz baits. The 783C on the other hand is perfect and is also great on a kayak. The shorter length just seems to work better for most baits when I am out on the water. As far as, what you can do with this rod, just about anything. I have used it for T-rigged soft plastic, spinner and chatter baits, and, my favorite, jerkbaits. I use the 844C for bigger topwater baits, big jerkbaits, and jigs.

What's your budget and how heavy of a jig or T-rigged setup do you want to use?

I have G. Loomis 903C IMX and it is a great rod. I would imagine the 906C wouldn't be that much different. It's sensitive (but not too much), light, and the end of the rod is longer as mentioned. Another one I would consider is the St. Croix Legend Glass 7'4'' MH. It is closer to the price range you mentioned.

I sort of had something like this happen on my Curado DC. I cleaned it some and oiled the spool bearings but when I put the side plate back on I didn't get it set just right on the reel and I also got oil on the inside of the dc drum that covers the spool. I am not sure which one it was but I took a cotton swab to excess oil and I put the side plate back on properly. Has worked fine ever since . I know you DC system is different but maybe this will give some insight.

Shimano SLX. When DSG has a their Black Friday Sale, there is usually a 25% off coupon. Last years had no restrictions. That would put you around $75. It would be a great beginners reel as well as one he could get some long term use out of.

I have tried the KVD stuff and it does work but I found that I really don't need it if I use good quality line. Some heavier mono lines do benefit more from it, like CXX or Big Game. I have since moved on and decided I am OK without it.

I have tried one from Outkast and did OK with it but it wasn't enough for me to change from a either a swim jig or a regular casting jig.

When I first started using baitcasters, I used right handed reels and it just didn't feel comfortable even though I am right handed. It's sort felt and looked like I was throwing a baseball with my left hand. I picked up a left handed baitcaster, problem solved. I have been using them for 15+ years know. I have tried going back to right handed reels and same issue. I think I am stuck with them for the rest of my life.

They are becoming hard to find but I have always liked the Lucky Craft Flat Mini series.

Sorry. It's an Avid.

St. Croix 6' ML Fast. I have used this rod for just about 12 years and it has stood the test of time. I use it for inline spinner baits and 4in senkos. As small and light as it is, it has brought in some big fish for me, including my PB (10lb 2oz).

The closest you are going to get in a spinning rod is probably the St. Croix Legend Glass that goes up to 3/4 of an ounce. I have not used it but held it in hand at a show last year. It is pretty stoat and it might be able to handle that size of lure. But as others have stated, you would be better served going with a casting set up. I would suggest again a St. Croix Legend Glass 7'4'' MH and a Shimano Curado with Sunline Defier 15lb. This combo will get the job done, be fun to fish, and would be close to the cost of a GLX rod alone. On a side note, I would say that a GLX level of sensitivity is not really needed with crankbaits. I have owned one of the old GLX crankbait rods. It was a great rod but too sensitive for crankbaits and I ended up selling it. I know it sounds weird but it can be a disadvantage, at least for me it was. I found I was setting the hook too soon and missing fish. I currently own four crankbait rods.... A G. Loomis IMX Pro, a St. Croix Legend Glass, a Shimano Curado and a Quantum KVD Launcher rod. The each have their uses. The IMX pro is pretty much perfect for all my small cranks, the Legend Glass is my do all, the Curado for deep cranks and the Quantum does my heavy stuff.

For all year round fishing..... 5in senko black and blue flake 4/0 EWG hook 1/8oz bullet weight Any Green Pumpkin and black colored jig with a zoom chunk trailer

Megabass Dark Sleeper. I have caught just about anything and everything on this lure.

St. Croix Legend Glass 7'11'' Heavy

I had rod that I broke earlier this year. It was an older CBR series rod. I was able to use the Xpeditor service and I got an IMX. It showed up in less than a week. The NRX though is getting updated. You may get lucky and get the new version.

This maybe a repeat from above but Vanish is just bad stuff. I like XL better and it's mono. For FC though, I like Invizx and Abrazx for jigs. I have used straight braid for jigs and didn't care for it. It's not a sensitivity issue, it's the how the line goes slack when bouncing it off the bottom but with a FC leader it's a nonissue.

I know the $175 is steep for the Conquest but sometimes the Xpeditor service is worth it. They will send you a rod almost immediately and they can tell you what they have on hand.

Needed to restock on some jigs and stuff. But the real reason for the post, I found some original Flappin Hogs. I found them in a clearance bin at a local shop. They had a few more bags but I don't use these very often. Notice there is no tag in lower corner of the bag. I thought it was strange but I think these maybe prototypes or something. The tails are just slightly different from the new version and the original.

The Curado DC would be great for long distance, amongst other things. What rod, line and lure you use will be key. I have not been a fan of braid with this reel but FC has been fantastic. As far as lures go, if you want to cast something a mile, the Megabass Dark Sleeper 1/2oz will cast a long way. And for a rod, I would suggest a 7' M or 7' MH Fast St. Croix Avid.

PM sent.

I have the 783C as well and the 844C. If you can find a good deal on a 784C, I would grab it. I picked up my 783C about 15+ years ago and I loved it so much I wanted the 784C but I picked up the 844C instead. I would use it for jigs, heavier jerkbaits and topwater.

I think you are looking at a swimbait rod for that bait.