JohnnyRebTX

I wonder how the Dobyns Champion Extreme HP compares to the Helium's. I've heard good things about both.

Thanks for the advice guys. Since TW is running the 15% off, what about the new St Croix Legend tournament? I read that the old models were tip heavy. With the sale going on and if they improved them, they'd be roughly the same as an Expride.

The more that I read reviews and specs, the more I wonder if maybe a medium casting rod is what I'm looking for. The T-rigs that I enjoy throwing the most are with 3/16oz weights. That seems to be below the specs of many MH rods. Plus I plan on throwing 1/4-1/2 lipless cranks on it as well as 3/8 oz spinners, chatterbaits, 3/16 oz underspins, and possibly square bills. These seem to be on the lighter spectrum of a medium heavy, and my Heavy Expride can cast 1/2-1.5oz. Thoughts?

I wish that model had cork grips. I just looked them up. I've heavily considered the Tequila Baccarac for an umbrella rig rod as well as some swimbaits. That one definitely interests me.

I agree that the more someone pays in a hobby doesn't equal better skill, but I've always said to each his own regarding just about anything. Some fisherman will never pay for more than a $20 combo from a big box store. Does that make them less of a fisherman? Nope! I can almost guarantee that just about anyone with fair incite can outfish me. That's why I don't fish in tournaments. It doesn't interest me, but like I said. To each his own. Like your gun references, I will never buy firearms upwards of $1,000 personally. But I don't blame people that do. I think they're cool. Just wouldn't spend that myself is all. Most of my buddies won't go above $100-$150 on a rod or reel. I don't blame them either. I mostly bank fish, and fishing is my favorite hobby. So a few hundred on four or five nice setups as opposed to $100-$150 on twenty setups for a tournament angler is not far off. Just depends on what we enjoy doing, and we are willing to pay.

Got any favorite MH's?

I was just offered a legend x for about $100 off brand new. I was leaning towards a Loomis GLX, but the price is tempting. Could I snag a GLX for below 400 during holiday sales?

I have been upgrading all of my gear lately. I've already purchased a G Loomis NRX+ Medium JWR spinning rod, and a Shimano Expride Heavy casting rod. What's y'all's thoughts on one medium heavy caster that can do a bit of everything that y'all prefer? Daiwa Steez AGS MH? A Loomis NRX+ or GLX? Or something else like a Dobyns Champion Extreme HP, St Croix Legend X, Kistler Z-Bone, or save a bit with another Expride? Primary uses will be Texas rigs, but also used for moving baits.

Tackle Warehouse & Ebay

Gotcha. Any rods in the $100 price range that fit that bill?

Yeah, I think I've scratched the idea of throwing Spro Rats at 2.5oz. I'll sell them in favor of the 1oz. size 40 rats. Now it'll mostly be used for throwing 110 whopper ploppers and Spro rat 40s at both 1oz. Rare occasion a 130 whopper plopper at 1.5oz. Now, I've already ruled out the Okuma TCS based on previous comments. So will the Tatula XT heavy rated for 2oz. do the trick, or is another contender a better option? Like a Dobyns Fury 735c? That one is rated to 1.5oz which is what a whopper plopper 130 is, so also based on prior comments would be bad for pushing its limits.

I also own a regular Tatula, but it's a Medium Light spinning rod paired with a Daiwa Legalis LT that I use for ned rigs and drop shots. It's the old Tatula too before they switched to cork. I was referred to them on here, and they're hard to find now. Love em for finesse. I just wasn't sure how good Diawa rods were for power. The current stoutest/stiff rod that I own is an Abu Garcia Veritas medium-heavy. It has yanked out some good ones out of slop, but it's supposed to only be good up to 1oz. baits. Y'all are awesome. Great info. It seems like instead of buying a rod for two baits, that I should just use the smaller versions. I'll get a setup that can toss the 40s and 30s which a lot of reviews on Tackle Warehouse seem to say are better for bass anyways, and 110 whopper ploppers and smaller with the occasional 130 tied on. I do have lots of ploppers from 75 to 130. The 75 has caught me the most so far.

Here's a thought after y'alls advice. Since the Spro Rat 50 is the only bait that I own or would throw heavier than 1.5oz., should I downgrade to a Spro rat 40 or 30? Sell the two 50s that I have. So with Spro Rats an ounce or less and whopper ploppers 1.5oz. or less, would a Tatula Xt Heavy or Okuma TCS heavy still not cut it?

What's the other rod that you use for frogging?

Which of the two rods would y'all recommend? They're both on sale around the same price, and I'd like to stick to around that $100 price point. It will be used for Spro Rat 50s, Whopper Plopper 130s, and any of my other heaviest baits. Both of these rods are rated for up to 2oz. baits which is also what I was looking for as many other heavy rods that I looked at were rated up to 1.5oz. which is pushing it. I mostly bank fish. Occasionally kayak. What do y'all think? Thanks!