Dirtyeggroll

I am wondering about what kind of casting distance people are getting throwing A-rigs. Currently, I am using a Cabelas ZX Crankshaft 7'10" Heavy/Fast rated to 2.25 oz (https://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-TOURNAMENT-ZX-CRANKSHAFT-RODS/1933023.uts?slotId=11) with a Curado K spooled up with 50-lb Sufix 832. My current A-rig is a Yum Flashmob Jr. with 2 Z-man Diezel Minnows on CPS springs and 3 on 1/8th ounce heads. Yesterday when I went to toss it around I didn't really feel like I was getting much for casting distance (10-15 yards) and it really felt heavy on the end of the rod. I know its a heavier bait, but I am wondering about your experiences throwing A-rigs? Do I need a rod rated higher? If so, I'd like to keep it under $100 and I was looking at the Dobyns Fury 795SB. I'm trying to determine, if a beefier rod will help, or if throwing A-rigs is just difficult. Thanks. ***Update March 12th, 2018*** Resolution: 100% operator error! I was not letting out enough line to hang the A-rig (I was only hanging 6-10”; letting out about 2’ helped tremendously!) and the tension knob was too tight (I was afraid to loosen it fearing a giant backlash with the heavy bait). The rod is quite the A-rig launcher now that I’ve got the technique down. That damned bait monkey really wanted it to be the rod, but you all saved me!

Me yesterday: "I'm having a hard time casting an A-rig with this Cabela's ZX Crankshaft 7' 10" rod." Bait Monkey: "You could probably have better luck with a dedicated swimbait rod. That ZX is only rated to 2.25 oz." Me yesterday: "I don't really need a swimbait rod, the ZX will do, its just not ideal. Plus I don't have an extra deep spool reel and I bought the ZX for A-rigs/Swimbaits/Big Whopper Ploppers." Bait Monkey: "Coupon code! Coupon code! Coupon code! Dedicated A-rig rod! Think of how well you could cast an A-rig with a Dobyns 795 SB!" Me now: "You know I did spend a fair amount of money putting together some A-rigs, I might as well be able to throw them effectively. Since I could probably get a decent Swimbait/A-Rig rod for less than $100 I might as well...

I was really surprised to find that the reel seat is not an exposed blank ?. For some reason I thought it was. I guess i’ll Find out how I like that

Got a lot better at skipping jigs and caught some nice fish doing it last year with a cheap old 7’ Berkeley Pro Signature rod. Excited to see what I can do with my new 6’9” Tatula Elite Andy Montgomery Skipping rod!

I bought one around Christmas. Haven’t had a chance to use it yet.

This rod goes on sale for $69.99 about every couple of months.

I stopped counting the number of videos from the YouTube guys (Flair, LakeForkGuy and 1rod1reel), that those Favorite rods have just fallen apart. Hopefully, Favorite will get those kinks worked out. Although, in reality, the primary demographic that I would think purchases (well uses actually) those rods is unlikely to really put them to the test. For now.

Nice one! I’m about 2.5 hours from Smithville. I’d be happy to help netting a few ;).

Boat angel (carangel.com)???? Although, after reading the website it seems like they might solicit you for life.

I ❤️ the PQ reels. I bought a whole bunch of them for dirt cheap to resell, and I just can’t make myself get rid of them (and I even have array of much higher end reels).

Someone locally was selling a Curado 70 XG and a 7’ Veritas 2.0 M/F for $100 in perfect condition. I couldn’t pass it up. As soon as I handed over the money I dropped the reel in the parking lot and dinged it up!!! ?

The same way one of those Roomba vacuums does... there’s a tiny man inside driving it.

It will work for frogs. Eventually you may want to move up to a Heavy power rod since you will likely be bringing in pounds of vegetation in with the fish when frog fishing.

Bass Pro runs specials for their call in ordercustomers. Usually on stuff that is useful but you might not buy otherwise. For example, low-profile baitcaster neoprene reel covers are $2.50 each (normally $5.99 each) right now if you call and order over the phone. They do this with other items too, I know on one occasion in the past it was rod socks.

The harder you resist the monkey, the more likely that $100 rod will turn into a $150 rod into a $200 rod...

5 power or possible even a 6 power Dobyns.

Curado 70 its a high enough quality reel you’ll likely never need to replace it.

If you know the weight your tube+rod and know the dimensions you can go to USPS online and print your own shipping label at home and then take it to USPS for them to ship. I have shipped several rods this year doing this and never spent more then $20. If you’re worried you won’t do it right, just make sure when you drop it off you have them weigh and scan it to approve that it will make it all the way to the destination and not get stuck at the nearest post office for someone to pick it up with additional fees.

Can you elaborate the primary reason(s) why?

So it’s a perfect crankbait line?

I would like to know if anyone has them. I haven't seen many good reviews for them.

First open tournament of the year is March 31st IF the water is thawed. Hopefully, these will be prime for ice out.

Not necessarily Lake of the Ozarks, just a lake in the Ozarks.

This is a bay arm of an Ozark Lake. Virtually every cove has flooded trees. Any takers? Lets start with Spring. Water temps rising into the mid-50's, maybe 60's.

I read a lot about people saying "chatterbaits for muddy water and grass lines". That being said last year was the first year I ever threw a chatterbait. Before I started reading "where to throw them" I had a lot of luck throwing chatterbaits in open water on the outside of deep (12-15') docks in clear water under schools of crappie (two of my biggest fish of 2017 were caught this way). Although, I also had good luck parallel to shallow grass lines and rocky water breaks in muddy water. This basically would have been all of the places I would have thrown a spinnerbait. But then again, I tend to throw whatever is tied on at just about everything.