FishTank

Just curious, what Dobyns rods have you purchased so far? I have the 7' BFS Ultra Light and have been very pleased. It's not the best made rod but it's just fun to fish and gets the job done. For the money, I think it's a great value. Some of the Dobyns rods I have looked at have been OK but not exactly what I was looking for. I may have to look more closely. The ones I have held in hand and I may have fished/tried a Champion some time ago, they seemed a little stiff and tips were either too soft or not soft enough (in terms of their jerkbait, crankbait, and jig/worm rods). I am surprised you didn't look at Ducket. They seem more closely related to the BPS line of rods you have mentioned.

With the exception of Berkley, I have moved on from everything that Pure Fishing offers. In a word, it's just... bad. And it's also a shame. The President was, at one time, one the best bang for the buck reels out there but time and time again, I see more people getting burnt by their equipment. I know it can sometimes but operator error when it come to how a reel or rod fails but a handle like in the pic above, no way. On a side note from Berkley.... When did they become the brand that rips off other baits or did I miss something? Their stuff does catch me a lot of fish so I am not mad at them. It's just a curiosity to me as to when the other brands they are copying from will have enough.

I use to feel the same way about St. Croix. I would use the 7' MH Fast Avid as my bench mark for testing out a new reel. I knew exactly what to expect out of this rod and how it would fish with any given line or lure but as of late I think something at St. Croix has changed in their newer rods. I had a chance to fish a Victory 7'1'' MH fast and it seemed lighter (less powered) and a little softer than many of St. Croix's older versions. It felt more like something from G. Loomis's MBR line. After checking this one out, I turned around and purchased a 7'4'' Legend Tournament Power Cranker. It too felt less powered and lighter. The old LT rods were stiff and heavy. The new version feels totally different and not even close to the old version. With that said, two things...... I really don't know what to think of St. Croix rods as a standard for power and feel anymore and what they have done to these two lines of rods isn't a bad thing, it's just different. The LT Power Cranker I picked up is a pleasant surprise from the old. I can't put my finger on it but it just feels right for the task. After they revamped this line of rods, I am curious as to what they will do the Legend Elite.

I read the original post and was about type "fish it" but if it's clicking, I would return it. I don't think oiling is going to get rid of clicking. It was probably bad from the get go.

I have used both and like both but out of the two, I like Smackdown better. It just handles better, last a little longer, it seems thinner, and doesn't tie in as easy. With that said, I like Sunline Xplasma better than either of them.

12lb mono. Suffix Elite or Seige. Trilene XL is also great. Braid to me is not general purpose line, especially if you are new to a baitcaster. Its great for topwater and getting through vegetation.

I have thrown them on a couple different ones...... Quantum Tour KVD 7'10'' MH Shimano Curado 7'4'' MH Mod Megabass Valkryie 7'2 H Fast - this rod works great despite being labeled as Fast

I like the Citrus Shad, Blue Back Chartreuse, and TN Shad. I always change the hooks on them. They're not the greatest. I do have a particular spot I like to use them where my depth finder reads 18-20ft and I have no issues hitting the bottom but I do have to cast these things a country mile in order to hit that depth.

That this guy likes to fish. Not huge fan but from what I read, he is addicted.

For bank fishing, I take as little as possible so usually 1 or 2 setups. I am the total opposite on a boat. I will bring everything if I can. On a kayak, I try to target specific techniques that I want to try out or improve.

I just got into it myself, less than a month ago. It's been a blast so far. I am currently using a 22 Shimano Aldebaran BFS and a Dobyn's Sierra Ultra Finesse. Both have been great but I have come to the conclusion that backlashes are just part of it and easy side arm casts work better than over head casts. Distance is dictated by the wind and my thumb. It is a totally different fishing experience than spinning gear and regular baitcasters so there is a bit of learning curve. Once I got casting down and what baits to use, I have caught over 100 fish with it but nothing over 3lbs. That 3lber felt like a gaint though. These guys have been killing any of the baits I have used.

I haven't had any real issues with mine. It casts well and feels as good as the day I got it. I do still get an occasional backlash though. Nothing major, it just seems like I get one when I am testing the limits of what it's capable of.

Years ago, I could have cared less but today I want it all when it comes to rods.... balance, power, light weight, sensitivity, ect. In the end, the rod and reel should feel like a magic wand.

Tried some leader material from Sunline and it wasn't bad but I prefer Gold Label from Seaguar. It holds up better and the knot strength is marginally better.

I will use it on occasion. It works though. It's probably one the oddest most well thought out pieces of soft plastic. If you fish it and see how it is made and what it can do in the water, you will understand. I try to order them from Japan when I place an order for a reel. At almost $11 a pack, it's kind of crazy. They do last a long time though.

If you are just starting out, I would go with Seaguar Invizx in either 6lb or 8lb. It handles well on spinning gear and the price isn't too crazy. It will not last as long as Tatsu but it will be better suited for spinning gear. Tatsu is pretty much as good as you can get though. Another suggestion if you can find it is Sunline Shooter Finesses. Tried it for the first time this year and I have been very happy with it.

Scum Frog, Big Gabbot, and the Gavacho. I haven't had the best of luck with Booyah and Live Target.

Cumberland Pro big shakeyhead and a Zoom Ol Monster have pretty good for me. I need to fish it more often.

I have the Curado K and the DC. They are both great and I haven't had any issues with either of them. The DC is great for windy days and the K does ok but with certain baits the DC is amazing. It does feel a little bit smoother but is marginal. I guess if I was choosing I would think of the conditions I fish and choose the best braking option.

I set aside $200 a month. That's for everything fishing related..... gas, food, launch fees, tournament fees, tackle, rods, reels, food, etc. It sounds like a lot but it goes quickly.

Flonase and/or a mask. Next would be tea with some type of antihistamine. My go to when I feel crumy has been Yogi Honey Chai Turmeric Vitality. Sounds weird but it works. I always feel better and I can breathe after drinking it.

How does this differ from the 3in fat senko?

Sometimes it's looks over function but when you get both in a JDM rod, it's magic. I have also noticed the slower tapers. The deeper I go into the JDM rod rabbit hole, it seems they make their rods more geared towards doing a lot of things rather than it being more technique specific. The rod above is rated 3/8 - 2 oz and it can handle any lure from a crankbait to jig in that range beautifully. There are not many US rods that can do that.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. They are many differences between some reels but some are exactly the same and while others my have the same frame but different spools and handles, the parts on the inside are the same.... Custom Lite and the Liger 30.

I have several Shimano and Daiwa reels. If you compare the top of line ones I have (Steez and Antares), straight out of the box the new Zillion is best out of them, in my opinion. It's smooth, cast a mile, and the drag is a little different but for the money, I haven't found it's equal.