larrymarketfishing

Thanks for the advice! I just checked and yup holy crap almost a 2mi paddle from the boat launch at Shah-bush-kung to the point. Are you aware of any other more kayak-friendly launches on that side? Otherwise I was also looking at launching from Father Hennepin.

Hi, all! Heading up to Mille Lacs this weekend with my kayak and launching from the southwest side (Shah-Bush-Kung Bay and paddling along towards Vineland Bay). Any advice for targeting the smallies in and around that area? There’s a big rocky point that separates the aforementioned bays. Should I still be fishing the shallow flats since they’ll probably still be in spawn? I’m not super educated on dissecting bottom structure yet, so hoping for any useful advice so I don’t get skunked!

1/4oz up to 7/16oz jerkbaits 3/8oz up to 1/2oz squarebills

Anyone have experience with the Daiwa Tatula CT? This looks like a step below the Tatula 100. I don't have any experience with Daiwa reels at all. I've been eyeing the Tatula CT to throw lighter squarebills and jerkbaits. Thanks, all!

Question for any seasoned Dobyns Rods owners: Has anyone traded in their rods to Dobyns through their upgrade policy? On their site it says they will give you an estimated credit of 60-80% of the original value of the rod you're trading in. Curious to know if anyone has done this, what they offered you, and what you ended up trading it in for? Overall, how was the process if it was difficult or easy? I have a Sierra 705 that I'm looking into possibly sending in to upgrade to a Champion XP 736. https://dobynsrods.com/warranty/ Thanks, guys!

Anyone have any experience with the Shimano Curado 7’2” Heavy casting rod? Thinking about getting this to throw small to medium sized glides.

When you get a chance, look up NDYakAngler on YouTube. One of my favorite anglers..his topwater Pike footage is ridiculous. He's based out of Fargo, ND (real name Matt Nelson, he'll accept your friend request on FB, too!). Super awesome kayak angler that I've learned a lot from over the last couple years. He fishes in Minnesota quite a bit as well since he's right there on the border.

Thanks for the input, everyone! So I realized I was trying to combine techniques that are on the complete opposite sides of the fishing spectrum into one rod, so I ended up going with the Champion XP 683 to fish my lighter applications, and I also actually ordered a Sierra 684 for my jigs, spinners, and heavier 1oz topwaters. I was kinda looking for an excuse to buy a third reel anyway (I ended up getting a Daiwa Tatula CT), so hopefully I made the right choices!

Hi, all. New to the forum, very sorry if this has been answered already but I can't seem to find a solid answer anywhere. I'm trying to decide between the Dobyns Champion XP 683 or 684 as my kind of all-around casting rod. I'll be primarily throwing smaller topwaters like 1/2oz walking baits, 75 and 90 ploppers, 3/8oz-1/2oz jigs, and 3/8oz spinnerbaits. I also fish primarily on small river systems on my kayak up here in MN, so I wanted to stick with a slightly shorter rod so I can cast a little more accurately in tight spaces. I've come across a lot of forums that say the power on Dobyns rods are actually one step less than they're advertised. I have a 1oz Chug'n Spook and a 110 Plopper that both weigh 1oz, so I was curious for you guys that are seasoned Dobyns owners if the 683 would handle these slightly heavier lures just fine (the 683 has a lure weight of 1/4oz-3/4oz), or if I should move up to a 684 (1/4oz-1oz). My only concern is with the 683 is that if it really fishes more like a medium, that I can't rip my jigs and spinnerbaits out of the weeds as easily as I probably could with the 684, but with the 684 I'm more or less concerned the tip isn't as soft as the 683's that when I get a bite on a topwater those treble hooks don't get ripped right outta their mouths. Any thoughts and advice would be very much appreciated! Thanks, everyone!