trwoh Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 Ok BR, i have about 200-250$ to grab my first bait caster reel and rod as a beginner. I used a wealth of information here, including some of y'alls tips, to buy my first spinning rig and am extremely happy with it (even if i went a little above my price point - Dobyns Sierra rod/pfluger supreme xt reel). I know these questions are posted through the site, but as a newbie getting direct and precise tips for particular set ups really hits home harder than reading general information - if that makes sense. I plan on getting this set up this weekend and giving bait casting a go. I know typically at minimum three rods is ideal, but i have spent so much just getting started i can't get a strictly hog rod and reel for thick cover after this second rig. Main source of fishing: Ponds, ponds, and ponds (until i can befriend a guy with a boat ha!) Main intended uses: Froggin, Jigs, Jerks, spooks and really anything else other than plastics and small lures (not sure if ill crank because i have even less idea on that than i do jigs and I'm fishing smaller ponds). Size: 7' MH? This seems to be the best all around from what i have read - although i have just seen some other threads that mention MM (this confuses me). Line: I have seen everything from 17# mono to 50 pound braid. As always i appreciate those who take the time to offer advice to us beginners, has to get taxing at some point! Todd To piggy back on my own novel, i have read a lot about fuegos and tatulas - they are definitely on my radar. I also really like the Dobyns i purchased, it feels great in my hand and really balanced - the mojo bass and st. croix premier didn't feel good to me with the pflueger but that was for my spinning set up. Quote
TylerT123 Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 Get a Dobyns 734 or 735 and Fuego CT or Tatula CT. Ha! Beat you to it! @CroakHunter Quote
trwoh Posted July 25, 2018 Author Posted July 25, 2018 Why the HF and not a MH? Whats the biggest difference/what do you sacrifice in noob terms out of curiosity. I have read a lot of good things about that rod and as i mentioned earlier i like my spinning dobyns. Quote
TylerT123 Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 12 minutes ago, trwoh said: Why the HF and not a MH? Whats the biggest difference/what do you sacrifice in noob terms out of curiosity. I have read a lot of good things about that rod and as i mentioned earlier i like my spinning dobyns. Dobyns 734 is considered their most versatile rod. HF vs MHF, heavy can through heavier baits, MH can throw lighter lures better. The H is more “powerful” and probably shouldn’t be used for treble hook lures. Plus Dobyns Rods are overrated (power wise). Quote
trwoh Posted July 25, 2018 Author Posted July 25, 2018 ahh ok, thanks. Speaking of trebles, i am using my spinning setup - MF - to throw treble top waters staying within the rod limit. Is that acceptable for treble lures until i can furnish a third set up? Quote
Super User islandbass Posted July 25, 2018 Super User Posted July 25, 2018 5 minutes ago, trwoh said: ahh ok, thanks. Speaking of trebles, i am using my spinning setup - MF - to throw treble top waters staying within the rod limit. Is that acceptable for treble lures until i can furnish a third set up? Since a rod's power can vary between manufacturers, generally speaking, mediums should be fine for treble hook lures (cranks, topwaters, jerks) and even lighter wire single hook lures. I think you're alright that spinning set up serving that role. I think MH power rod and whatever reel you want to use will be a decent first setup. You might suffer in the frog department, but one rod can't do everything and still be a good rod. Besides, it's all the bait monkey needs to coax you to eventually fill in the H powered rod in your arsenal. I don't have an H rod in my arsenal because my situation doesn't have need for one yet, but I'd still want one, and that's messed up, lol. Quote
trwoh Posted July 25, 2018 Author Posted July 25, 2018 What is a good all-round line? I read 40# test is safe because of the strength and the thicker diameter to reduce "cut-ins", whatever that is ? Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted July 26, 2018 Super User Posted July 26, 2018 59 minutes ago, TylerT123 said: Get a Dobyns 734 or 735 and Fuego CT or Tatula CT. Ha! Beat you to it! @CroakHunter I second that if you go Dobyns, the 734C is the way to go. It's called a heavy/fast action rod but dobyns runs a power higher, so it's really more of a stiffer MH/F. I have a Daiwa 6'10" MH/F rod and a Tatula SV reel that would also be a good choice. Quote
Super User islandbass Posted July 26, 2018 Super User Posted July 26, 2018 If you don't want to know what line dig is, stick with 40# braid and up. Line dig is real on a reel, lol. Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted July 26, 2018 Super User Posted July 26, 2018 9 minutes ago, trwoh said: What is a good all-round line? I read 40# test is safe because of the strength and the thicker diameter to reduce "cut-ins", whatever that is ? For a beginner to the baitcaster, I would NOT start with braid. I would go with a thicker mono that will birds nest less, and be easier to remove a birds nest. Something like Suffix Siege in 14lb or 17lb should be a good line to start with. Once you get to the point you are more comfortable with the baitcaster, then upgrade to braid or even flurocarbon depending what you want to throw. 1 Quote
TylerT123 Posted July 26, 2018 Posted July 26, 2018 Yeah, for line get like 17# Berkley Big Game, it’s less than $10 for 900 yards. Quote
Hurricane Posted July 26, 2018 Posted July 26, 2018 For that price you can buy 2 Abu Garcia Black Max Combos... Never had a problem with them.. Quote
CroakHunter Posted July 26, 2018 Posted July 26, 2018 Love my 735's but if you plan to use spooks and jerkbaits it would be very far down on the list to use with those lures. I use one of my 735's for 3/8 up to 3/4 ounce flipping and swim jigs and the other for deep texas rigs, magnum shakey heads, football jigs, and carolina rigs. I think The 704 or 734 would suit you well. Depending on what you like length wise. Another very versatile rod that I like is the lews tp-1 speed stick. 7Ft medium heavy. I have used this rod for Everything from senkos, frogs, jigs, flipping, Texas rigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, underspins, swimbaits, and buzzbaits. As far as line goes, 40lb braid is a good starting point. Trilene xl, xt, or big game are good monofilament choices as well as seaguar senshi. I have 20lb senshi on a couple rods and although it sounds like big heavy line, it works very well and has very small diameter for 20lb line. Kastking super power or daiwa j-braid x4 Are my favorite braids. If you are thinking about using fluorocarbon at all (i wouldn't being that you are new to baitcasting) sunline assassin in 15lb test is a good line with decent manageability. P-line cx or cxx in 12-15lb sizes are solid choices as well. Good luck with your search and make sure to post up what you purchase. Quote
trwoh Posted July 26, 2018 Author Posted July 26, 2018 27 minutes ago, CroakHunter said: Another very versatile rod that I like is the lews tp-1 speed stick. 7Ft medium heavy. I have used this rod for Everything from senkos, frogs, jigs, flipping, Texas rigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, underspins, swimbaits, and buzzbaits. I have read a lot about this combo for beginners. If you could start from scratch..is worth buying TP-1 combo or the 704 and a daiwa tutula or fuegos for the money/learning/quality/long term use aspect? Quote
CroakHunter Posted July 26, 2018 Posted July 26, 2018 Honestly it's a toss up for me. I like both cork and winn grips and despise Eva foam so the grips for either wouldn't be a deciding factor. Of it were me I would put a fuego ct on the tp-1 And tatula ct on the fury. Just because those reels and rods match up very very well. Quote
Matt_3479 Posted July 26, 2018 Posted July 26, 2018 I agree on the 734c being a great first rod, it was my first baitcaster. It’s labeled as a heavy but is very much so a medium heavy which is what your looking for. Great action for majority of baits. Light for frogs but would work in a pinch. I don’t own any other dobyns and prefer a few different companies rods over dobyns personally but the 734 is a tough all around rod to beat! I agree on the Fuego CT though. I am a shimano guy myself but if your budget is 200-250, the Sierra or champion on sale in 734c and take whatever’s left over for a fuego when they go on sale. A lot of reel for the money Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted July 26, 2018 Super User Posted July 26, 2018 Gary Dobyns has said quite a few time the 734 is his most versatile rod. It is nice in the Fury and Sierra lines. I am a Dobyns fan, but I fish his higher lines. My friend Kris had 5 Fury rods in his arsenal. Qs for the MH vs Hvy confusion every rod builder rates their rods the way they want and there is no standard. As many have said a Dobyns fishes about a 1/2 power lighter than rated. Now the lure weights recommended is spot on. Take a look at a few other rods too.. Irod makes a quality rod especially in the Genesis II series. they have two rods I love for your needs. Check out a IRG693C “Harold’s Lone Star Special. This is the definition of all purpose rod. You could also go for a IRG744C. take a look on the Irod site. These cost $150.00 Another rod I love to use as an all a rounder is my Powell Max 683CEF MH. That has been replaced by the Powell Max3D series. Look at their closeout deals on both the 683 and 723 CEF MH These normally run $150 and are on sale for $119 Match any of these rods up with a Diawa Tatula CT in 6.3 or 7.3-1 and you are ready for catching some nice fish. Quote
trwoh Posted July 26, 2018 Author Posted July 26, 2018 Thanks guys for the advice guys. I’m gonna check all these out. Quote
trwoh Posted July 30, 2018 Author Posted July 30, 2018 What is the difference between the Daiwa CT and Type-R? Discount tackle has a type R on sale for 143, and a CT on sale for 103. Although the type R is a 8:1 ration (not sure if thats really what i need). I am leaning hard on the Dobyns 734C with the Tatula, and now this throws a wrench in the Reel plan. Side note, didn't know Daiwa made Acura's ?. Quote
trwoh Posted July 31, 2018 Author Posted July 31, 2018 So for some that wanted to know what I went with, I got the Dobyns 734 and the Daiwa Tatula CT 7:3:1. Havnt gotten line yet, I’m torn between letting cabelas do it or giving it a shot myself. But I’m gonna go with mono, so if(probably when) it backlashes I’ll only be out a few dollars until I really get the hang of it. As always thanks for the advice BR. Quote
Matt_3479 Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 31 minutes ago, trwoh said: So for some that wanted to know what I went with, I got the Dobyns 734 and the Daiwa Tatula CT 7:3:1. Havnt gotten line yet, I’m torn between letting cabelas do it or giving it a shot myself. But I’m gonna go with mono, so if(probably when) it backlashes I’ll only be out a few dollars until I really get the hang of it. As always thanks for the advice BR. Sounds perfect! Your going love that set up. Which 734c did you go with? Fury, Sierra, champion? Haven’t used the tatula ct but have the sv and it’s fantastic Quote
Super User islandbass Posted July 31, 2018 Super User Posted July 31, 2018 Let them spool this time around so you can get right to fishing. ? congrats! It was exciting for me and I wasn’t even the one buying, lol. Thanks for the ride. 1 Quote
trwoh Posted July 31, 2018 Author Posted July 31, 2018 I can’t wait! This weekend I will be tied to the water for sure hah! Quote
Matt_3479 Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 Well congrats then on the new rod! You’ll love it. Got a Chatterbait tied to mine currently and just love throwing that rod! Quote
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