burns

Hi folks, I'm looking for a frog rod and don't want to spend too much; as I don't think sensitivity is a huge issue with frogging. I would also use it for my Whopper Plopper 130's. I was thinking of the 7'6" Heavy Berkley Shock, but I can't find it on Walmart's website, and they don't have it at my local Walmart which normally charges around $40 for Shocks; other retailers charge $59 for it, and at that point I might as well upgrade to an Abu Veritas or Vengeance for $69 or $79. Have you guys seen that size shock at your local Walmart? Do you guys have any thoughts on this rod? I would pair with 30-50 lb braid and my Daiwa Tatula CT. I know 50 lb would be better, but I have 30 already. Thanks, Burns

Much like you, I learned how to cast, basically, from a fly-fisherman. He was my good friend's grandpa who was a very, very good caster. Learned in a yard in about 2 hours, then went to a stream and the fellow guided me and helped me get my first trout on a fly rod. When I got home from that trip, I got this video which you might be able to find at the library: https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Anglers-Basic-Casting-Swisher/dp/B00FIF5R46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492447932&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+casting+video It was very, very helpful. Learned to roll cast and other techniques by practicing and watching the video over and over. One of the tricks shown in the video, "Scientific Anglers Basic Fly Casting with Doug Swisher", is to take a the smaller piece of a short two-piece rod, tie a piece of yarn to it, and work on your casting at home in front of the TV, watching your "trailing loop". The yarn should be thick. I learned on a 6-weight, 8-foot rod and it was great for that.

I agree w/ DVT, buy a tapered leader with a tippet spool. 3X size is a good starting point for bass, but it depends on the fly size you are throwing. You can do a loop-to-loop connection from the tapered leader to the fly line, and surgeon's knots when you replace depleted tippet material. Easy. FOR BASS, you can "get away with" a 5/6 weight rod until you get a "real" bass rod. I have caught a lot of bass on 5 weight or 6 weight, and even 4 weight lines (not really the best option). I caught a huge carp on a 4-weight last year, so it CAN be done but...if you want to get serious and want to throw bigger bugs, you really want bigger rod with more backbone (would be nice to own an 8-weight), especially if there is wind. FOR TROUT, there is no greater fishing pleasure, in my humble opinion, than trout on beautiful small streams with dry flies and light lines. You said "creek" trout, so I assume this is more or less what you are talking about. For this, I love my 7'6" moderate action fiberglass 4-weight. Your Browning will work for this. On larger rivers including western streams from a river boat, I use (most often) a 9', moderate-fast action 5-weight for a little more punch, distance, and backbone. I also use this rod on spring creeks where I want a bit more distance for some reason, or am casting a double nymph rig, for example. I'm a believer in starting with a moderate action rod to learn to cast, moving up to a faster rod once you have developed your cast a bit, but I'm unaware of your casting skills. Others may disagree.

Had a blast the last couple days. Caught 5 bass in an hour and a half a couple days ago at one local pond, and another 7 or so yesterday evening at another local pond, all on my Ugly Stik and Shimano Sienna and some really old shoddy mono, with lipless cranks and an in-line spinner. So, I went a little overboard cause A) life is short and B ) I decided just to buy a couple different things, see what I like and sell off what I don't like. So I found a Curado 70 series on eBay new for $160 and ordered that in 7.1, then ordered a Daiwa Tatula CT on eBay for $100 in 7.1 which, which should be a little faster. I figured if I end up liking and keeping both I can use the Curado as the "all-rounder" with one line type and the Tatula for frogging if nothing else, with another line type. Or I can just sell one. Got an ABU Veritas on sale in a 2-piece 6'9 MHF to keep in the back of my car. I decided I definitely wanted at least one two-piece casting rod. I'm probably going to get a second rod sometime this summer, maybe a Mojo Bass. Thanks for the advice folks, this is going to be a great fishing season; I'm going to get out more this year!

Thanks for the info; if you go to the size 70 instead of 200, are you saying it makes sense to go to a more aggressive gear ratio to make up for the smaller spook? I was going to go with the "middle of the road" 6:1. So, if you go to 70, is 7:1 a better "all rounder"? Where do you fish in NOVA? I'm in Haymarket.

Thanks for the advice fellas. I definitely am going to order a Curado 200i (lefty) for $149. I just like the reel having played with it tonight at Cabelas. I took a look today and am still thinking either Mojo Bass MHF or MF, or Veritas 6'9" MHF 2-piece. I really like the look and feel of the Mojo more but as I was thinking about it, the 2-piece would be nice to keep in my trunk...I travel a lot. It's also $50 less. Wish Croix made the Mojo in a 2-piece. I know I don't need such expensive gear but I'm kind of a gear head, and I'd rather spend a bit more $ and get what I really want so I don't end up "upgrading" within just a few years. That said, if you think the Curado is overkill, and something a bit less pricey is just as good please let me know.

Hi folks, It's my first post here, and I'm glad to be with you. Most of my fishing over the last 20 years has been with a fly rod, but I've always enjoyed spin-fishing at the local lakes and rivers as well. That said, my spin / bass knowledge is way behind to my fly / trout knowledge so I'm here looking for help. Lately, I have access to a good bass pond and I'm fishing with the spin rod more often. The bass in there get pretty big. My most-used setup is a 6'6" Ugly Stik Elite, Medium Power, X-tra fast, with a Shimano Sienna 2500. I mostly fish with Senkos (fished weightless), cranks and in-line spinners, but I'm learning and expanding and just bought some horny toads and a light chatter bait to try out because I want to learn. I want to upgrade to a nicer spin outfit, but first, I'm getting a thirst to try bait casters. Rather than upgrade in a year or two, I want to get something fairly nice and I'm budgeting right around $300 for rod and reel. That said, I wouldn't mind spending less and I really don't want to go much higher than that at all. I'm thinking that, based on my most-used lures, I want something around 7', MF or MHF. So my first question is, based on the aforementioned lures, do you think I am on the right track with this rod type, and should I go MF or MHF? Second question; I've been reading here a lot and am leaning toward either a St. Croix Mojo Bass, Cabelas Tournament ZX or a Abu Veritas. I'm thinking of a Curado for the reel. I started out leaning towards a $59 Fenwick on sale, paired with a BPS TQ but decided I don't want to spend the money just to end up upgrading in years to comes. Thanks in advance for any advice you have on which rod (feel free to suggest others if you think I'm off track) and the length, action, power I'm leaning toward. Burns