Chris Shonefeld

I need help. My fiancée always out-fishes me when we go to her grandparents' lake, which requires finesse techniques. She uses my Dobyns 703SF Champion with a 2500 Shimano Stradic, mainly fishing with a wacky rig, TR worm, or weightless fluke. I don't have another medium-powered rod and my lighter powered rods (L and ML) don’t have the same hookup ratio. I'm looking to get another medium spinning rod for similar applications and light jigs. While I love my Dobyns Champion, I’m open to trying new brands or series, like the Kaden series. I want a rod ready for wacky rigs and use the other rod for other finesse techniques even when she isn’t fishing with me. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!! Cheers!

Looking for advice! Just fished last weekend with a 1/8oz swim jig with a 7ft light spinning rod “fast action” (more like moderate). Absolute blast. Now I’m hooked and was thinking of getting an extra light 7’ spinning rod from Dobyns. I really don’t want a super whippy rod. I do want the sensitivity and fast action for a good jig hook set. My hope is for a multi species rod that can handle 3lb+ fish, but can make fighting 1lb fish a lot more fun!! The other thing I was thinking was the Sierra pan fish rod. Just worried about the larger fish. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Really appreciate you taking time to type this up!! Very pumped. Cannot wait to get out there and give it a shot. Going on a fishing trip with some good friend at the beginning of April to Newton lake in Illinois. Haven’t told my buddies I got this rod. Pairing it with a JPN Zillion I just picked up. Also, was thinking of going straight flouro 15-17lb. Thoughts?

@TNBankFishingthank for such a thoughtful answer. Pumped to hear it. Can’t wait to try it out!!

I just got this rod as a gift and I couldn’t be more stoked. Never had a rod of this caliber. As excited as I am, I’m not really sure what to use this rod for. I’ve been looking around and I’ve seen some people using moderate fast action for pitching and punching. Some say bladed jigs. Some say cranks. Would love to pick this crews brain - what techniques will this rod excel at? Anyone own this exact rod - thoughts? TIA!!

Do you know if there is a way to switch the forum myself? I tried to edit but didn’t see that as an option. Any suggestions? @A-Jayfunny enough I’ve actually watched both of these before. Thank for the video and thanks for sharing in this thread. Definitely helped me make the decision to purchase the legend tournaments.

Dang it! My bad. Thanks for the heads up. Where should I have posted it?

Happy Sunday, Thank you all in advance!! Would really appreciate your honest input. Questions: What is your experience with St Croix Legend Tournament series and how do they compare to other series/brands regardless of price point? Do you have experience with “The Workhorse” and/or “The Power Glass Cranker” from the 2022 St. Croix Legend Series? Thoughts? If you’ve tried the St. Croix Legend Series, is there a brand/series you like more that is at the same price point? Why? Background (no need to read but posting for additional info): I recently picked up my first Legend Tournament rods, “The Workhorse” and “Power Glass Cranker”, from FB Marketplace and haven’t had a chance to try them (still pretty cold in MN) The nicest rods I’ve used is from the Dobyn’s Champion lineup and absolutely love them. As excited as I am to try out the Legend Tournaments series, I’ve been wondering what people thought of the St. Croix Legend Tournament series and how the series compares to other series/brands. I’ve watched all sorts of YouTube videos on gear reviews, read a bunch of blogs, but it’s hard to know if a lot of these people are sponsored and by who. It’s also nice to have the chance to interact with the people who post and ask any follow-up questions. I also know this is subjective but I am the type of person who loves to gather as much info as I can when doing my research. I’d love to hear this groups opinions, the good and the bad! Like many of you, this definitely isn’t my last rod purchase (much to my fiancé’s dismay) and your input will help influence those future purchases (and hopefully my placement in some of this year’s Kayak tournaments!!)

Can you send me one too?! Also asking for a friend😜

Thinking more about this, I am going to get the 7.1 zillion when I comes in stock but would also love your input on what line to get for a “do it all” MH rod. I have quite a mix at the moment of suffix braid to FC leader and straight seaguar FC for my other rods. For this rod, I want to jig with it, throw top water, maybe a frog here and there, shallow to medium diving crank baits. I was thinking of getting 30lb 131 suffix to seaguar FC invisx leader 12-15lb. Was also thinking of going straight FC and doing 15-17lb to skip tying a leader. I’m open to all suggestions!! Thanks again. This is such a great community. Really appreciate everyone chiming in!!

Nvm! Just found this thread. Appreciate everyone chiming in. Looks like I’ll be getting the zillion once it’s back in stock!!

One last question, what’s the difference between the digitaka zillion and the one that’s sold in the US for $370?

Thank you all!! Really appreciate it. I’ll keep an eye out for when it comes in stock. dies anyone know how long that takes to get to the US?

Thank you!! I’m taking a look and have never used Digitaka. Having a difficult time pulling it up. Looking for a right hand gear ratio of 7.X reel. Any chance you could link it? Would love to take a look!!