Shif29

I was looking at the evergreen combat stick in the 7’3” “Med-Fast” is what tackle warehouse calls it. I’m currently using a dobyns 733 but i feel as if it’s a little light for a medium heavy. i’m looking for a true medium heavy that i can slam hooks into a fish with. Also, I feel like I would want a rod that i could also throw bigger crankbaits on which is why i want a more of a medium heavy than my 733. I usually use 12lb mono when i throw a spinnerbait or chatterbait to combat the fast tip on my 733 so I think I should be able to throw some big cranks on it. I have a daiwa tatula elite glass right right now that i throw my 1.5’s and traps on which works fine but I’d love another rod that could handle all 3 baits if possible. Anyone have any ideas? i’d like to keep it under $200.

Good to know, thank you. The 7'3" heavy is a one piece blank right ?

I’m looking for another Jig rod and I have a Tatula Elite rod right now and i’m looking at the 7’3” HF Omari pitching rod because i love my tatula elite rod I have. However, I have 2 Dobyns’s fury’s and I love them just as much which is why I am curious about the Dobyns Champ XP. Which rod would would be a better overall rod for jigs? The extra $70 is not a problem for the Dobyns Champ if the extra performance is there.

Will do! Thanks for the info buddy!

does anyone know any good places for smallies other than the james that are around richmond? even an hour away from Richmond is still fine.

Absolutely can’t wait for this.

So would you say the casion rod would serve me better for cranking than the tatula elite glass?

i just looked at these and they are exactly what i’m looking for. do you have any experience with them?

I just went and looked and that rod does fit what i’m looking for very well. i will definitely consider that as option, thank you sir yes this does help a whole lot and I understand what you are saying. I believe I just need enough sensitivity to tell the difference between a fish and sticks and rocks etc. I will definitely consider. Any other advice you have is appreciated. i did check this rod out too and this +1 helps.

I really would love to go the glass route but I am very worried about the lack of sensitivity. I like the graphite because I can feel every little thing. Is Daiwa glass sensitive enough?

After trying some crankbait rods out, I realize that I want to crank with graphite rods because they just feel better to me. The options I am considering are the Daiwa Tatula 7' medium regular and the Daiwa Tatula Elite 7'2" Medium Heavy Regular. Im leaning more towards the Tatula Elite because I like the medium heavy since ill be throwing a lot of KVD 2.5's and medium sized cranks, yet sometimes some KVD 1.5's and 3-4 foot divers. Occasionally I will throw some deep divers as well. I am kind of looking for an all around crankbait rod, and the medium heavy and the length of this rod is what appeals to me. Do any of you have experience cranking with this rod and do you think the regular taper of the rod will have enough flex for the cranking I am doing. Any other suggestions or criticism is very much appreciated.

good point I agree. I just wanted to make sure before i spend some bones on one.

I don't mean 2 pieces in the middle of the rid like some spinning rods for example. I mean that the blank is a separate piece than the handle and they are joined at the handle.

anyone know ?

I have the SLX and Tatula CT. I would say I prefer the Tatula because it's larger and feels more like a workhorse, but it is more of a confidence thing to me. As far as quality goes, they both are great. I used my SLX for everything: Jigs, crankbaits, senkos, chatterbaits and it has not had a problem with anything. For $99 they are outstanding. That being said, I do prefer my Tatulas just because to me they seem more of like a tank and they aren't as small. If you want to spend the extra $30 on the Tatula then by all means but I promise if you buy the SLX or Tatula you will be very pleased in performance because they are both on the same level there. On top of that, the SLX can bomb casts. As far as the Tournament MB goes, I cannot speak for it. I have used a BB-1 and it did not feel as solid as a Tatula or SLX but that is just my opinion.

i waded it all day last weekend and didn’t get one...

I cant remember where I got this info, but I read that the Tatula elite rods were a 2 piece at the handle instead of the rods being a one piece blank. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Thanks.

Anyone know any good spots for smallmouth or other good bodies of water near the Richmond, Virginia area?

The same places you have been pulling them out of

You're exactly right. I am a Daiwa fanboy but I will never spend more than $200 on a rod or reel. My most expensive setups are around $250. I still get outfished by the old guys I fish with and they use the same old gear they have had for years and everything they have is spooled in 6lb mono. They bring in a couple citations a year too. Just something to think about.

Daiwa. enough said.

Man is right about the Shimano SLX... but I would stick with the LFS because if it works don’t fix it.

I plan on buying a tatula SV and either a dobyns champion 7’3” Heavy fast or the daiwa tatula elite (not the AGS) 7’3” heavy fast to pitch, skip, and flip jigs with. I’m aware that the champion is a decent amount more than the tatula but that is not really an issue i just want to know which rod would serve me better. Also if you think the 7’6” Heavy fast AGS tatula rod would be the best choice that can be considered. Any input is appreciated.

yeah it should be the other way around. I cant remember off the top of my head how much the mach 2 is but i think it is very deserving of an aluminum frame. I think if they did have aluminum frames a lot more people would throw them.

Not sure but their mach crush spinning combos are nice