Advice on New Rod and Reel setup

[finatic]

I've had a lot of people telling me I should get a longer rod (7ft or so). The two rods I have are 6' 6" (Lew's SpeedStik and a Berkley Cherrywood HD). They suggest a longer rod would be better for flipping, cranking, better hooksets, etc.

 

So yesterday I was at Cabela's and I got my hands on a St Croix Mojo Bass rod - 7' medium heavy fast tip with the micro guides. The sales guy suggested that a leader knot (fluorocarbon leader to braid) may have a hard time of it going through the micro guides. It seemed logical to me, given how small they are. There really wasn't anything else I saw that had bigger guides. I really like the Mojo Bass rod, and since I don't use a leader anyway I decided to check that one as a possibility.

 

Next I needed a baitcaster for it with a ratio of 6:3, because the advice I'd been getting is a reel with a lower gear ratio for flipping and even cranking, etc. The two setups I already have are a Diawa Tatula CT with a ratio of 8:1 and a President XT with a ratio of 7:3.

 

I really like the Tatula so I was thinking of pairing the Mojo Bass with another CT at 6:3, but Cabela's didn't have one available. The only 6:3 they had was a Diawa Tatula SV TW, but I didn't want to spend $200 on the reel. Gorgeous reel and I'm sure it would be great, but the CT is a more affordable $130.

 

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this rod, and the micro guides? Would this be a good setup to have (Tatula 6:3 with the Mojo Bass)?

[offsidewing]

I occasionally will tie 50lb PowerPro to a 12lb flouro leader using a double uni knot on a St Croix Avid X.  I have never had a problem with the knot casting through the micro guides. 

 

I seldom use a leader tho, typically straight braid.

 

Reels: with a little patience, great deals on reels can be had on a popular auction site from very reputable sellers.  Don't get too hung up on gear ratios and IPT.  Get a reel that is suited to the purpose you need, fits your hands when seated on the rod, and fits your budget.

[LonnieP]

I would look on Ebay for your reel. They can be bought new for a lot less than Cabelas. Are you sure that rod has micro guides? I have the 7' 1 mh/f Mojo and it has normal size guides.

[finatic]

Thanks for the tip on eBay. I went ahead and got the Diawa Tatula SV TW 6:3 for $166. Says it’s brand new so I just saved about 40 bucks or so off the retail. I loved this reel when I was handling it at Cabela’s so I’m excited to get this one.

 

Now to get the pole. I was thinking I might just going to get this one at Cabela’s or somebody local that might have one. I kind a like to have my hands on it and check out the guides and everything before I buy one.

 

For line I’m going to try the new Seagar smack down braid that just came out. Reviews seem pretty good on this line so I’m going to try to 20 pound for this set up.

[LionHeart]

The Mojo Bass doesn't have micro guides.  It should be able to pass a leader knot as well as any other rod.  If that's the only thing holding you back, time to pull the trigger.

 

 

[LonnieP]

1 hour ago, hawgwash said:

Thanks for the tip on eBay. I went ahead and got the Diawa Tatula SV TW 6:3 for $166. Says it’s brand new so I just saved about 40 bucks or so off the retail. I loved this reel when I was handling it at Cabela’s so I’m excited to get this one.

 

Now to get the pole. I was thinking I might just going to get this one at Cabela’s or somebody local that might have one. I kind a like to have my hands on it and check out the guides and everything before I buy one.

 

For line I’m going to try the new Seagar smack down braid that just came out. Reviews seem pretty good on this line so I’m going to try to 20 pound for this set up.

You will like the Tatula SV. I have 2 of them and they are by far my favorite reels. Smackdown is good braid but I think 20 lb is too light for a baitcaster. It has the same diameter as 6 lb mono. I personally would use at least 40 lb.

[finatic]

1 hour ago, LionHeart said:

The Mojo Bass doesn't have micro guides.  It should be able to pass a leader knot as well as any other rod.  If that's the only thing holding you back, time to pull the trigger.

 

 

 

All the mojo bass rods I looked at at Cabela’s had micro guides

[LionHeart]

33 minutes ago, hawgwash said:

 

All the mojo bass rods I looked at at Cabela’s had micro guides

That's weird man. I wonder if they have a micro guide version I am unaware of. I was just in Bass Pro looking at them 2 days ago.  I'm seriously thinking about ordering the 'Jig/Baits' model for my dad.

 

I have been looking at them for quite a long time now and definitely would not consider them to have micro guides.  Regardless of what you call them, I don't think you'd have trouble passing a leader knot through them.  Any guides will catch on a leader knot somewhat.

 

Disclaimer:  All my setups use an FG as the joining knot and it passes through guides much smaller than those on the Mojo.  Have never tried any other knot because I truly believe the FG to be far superior.  YMMV with larger knots but even then I think the Mojo guides should be no problem.

[finatic]

18 hours ago, LonnieP said:

You will like the Tatula SV. I have 2 of them and they are by far my favorite reels. Smackdown is good braid but I think 20 lb is too light for a baitcaster. It has the same diameter as 6 lb mono. I personally would use at least 40 lb.

 

Thanks again for the tip. I ordered the rod (Diawa Aird X 7ft MHF) and the line (Seaguar Smackdown 40lb). Can't wait to rig this guy up and hit the water. I'll update when I do. Thanks again everyone for all your advice.

[finatic]

 Well my stuff is on the way and I’m pretty excited about it. It should be here Friday and then I’ll go out take it for a test run. Hopefully I land some pigs and I’ll report back with some pictures. 

[finatic]

 

She's a beauty! This is the third time I've bought a rod/reel combo and the colors match. It wasn't intentional, just seems to happen. I took it out today and did some casting around. No fish, but the setup is insane. With the 7ft rod I can cast with much better accuracy and the reel is smooth as butter. I did a lot of flipping and even into the wind this thing refuses to backlash. Very impressed.

 

Not so much with the Seaguar Smackdown. Seems like nice braid, but it does have some line twist/memory and it doesn't cut as well as Power Pro. I'll give it some time and see how it holds up to some hawgs.

[Boomstick]

On 5/11/2019 at 2:41 PM, hawgwash said:

 

All the mojo bass rods I looked at at Cabela’s had micro guides

Are you sure they weren't Avid X rods? The Mojo Bass is basically the same blank, but one of the major differences is it does not have micro guides. I can't find anything on the Internet about a new micro guide version either. Anyway, you're going to like that reel if nothing else.

[finatic]

Just bought this beautiful hand painted killer craw 4" crank. Dive 8 - 10'. Can't wait to try it on the new rig.

 

[finatic]

Well guys I just initiated my new rig tonight. I got some new line (Sunline Fluorocarbon 20lb) and I also bought a pack of those Googan Bandito Bugs that I kept seeing the youtube guys using. I put one on a 3/8oz jig with a black/blue skirt and went out to see how the new line casted. I went down by the bridge in town where there was enough light and started casting the jig. I did not expect to catch anything, but then just as I was bringing it out of the water there was this humongous splash. My heart about stopped so I casted out again, this time jigging it near the surface and WHAM!!

 

I caught this mondo in the photo below.....

 

 

He put up on heck of a fight and I wasn't sure how I was going to get him in because I didn't bring any of my gear. It was still in the truck which was just behind me up on the road. Finally I pulled the line to get him up and possibly grab him and the line snapped and he plopped in the water between two rocks and just sat there. I quick went to the truck and got my net and came back and netted him.

 

I swear I have to get a GoPro....