Yes, another "help me pick a rod" question

[The one that got away]

I haven't bought any new equipment in several years and want to add a rod.  I fish from a canoe.  I'm in the back seat and my fishing partner is riding in front 80% of the time, so I want to keep it to 7ft or shorter, if possible, because I don't want to be smacking him upside the head on hooksets.  I prefer full cork handles, but they seem to be few and far between nowadays, so I might have to go with some type of split grip. 

 

I want a rod that is well balanced and I can fish for an extended time in comfort.  I plan to use the rod for frogs and weighted plastics on 50lb braid in moderate to heavy vegetation.  I want to have confidence with this rod horsing them out of the slop. Haven't decided on a reel yet, but will probably be a Lew's.

 

I want to keep it $200 or less (less is preferable).  I'm thinking of a Dobyns when they go on sale at TW.  Maybe a 705?  Anyone here use this rod?  Any other suggestions?  I'm pretty open to anything.  

[Big Hands]

I have been fishing a Daiwa Kage (KAG731MHFB (All Around) MHF 7'3" 1/4 to 1 oz lure size) for the past few months. It is 7'3", but the butt section is slightly on the long side, so it may fish a bit shorter. The blank is matte finish, and guides wrapped black, so aesthetics are 'all business' and will look good with any reel. I'm very pleased with it so far and feel it's a great rod for under $200.

 

You will only find them at small chains or local tackle shops because Daiwa won't allow them to be sold online. 

[garroyo130]

2 hours ago, Big Hands said:

You will only find them at small chains or local tackle shops because Daiwa won't allow them to be sold online. 

 

That's interesting. Several websites list them but don't allow you to purchase online. I wonder why ...

 

https://www.tackledirect.com/daiwa-kage-bass-casting-rods.html

[GetFishorDieTryin]

2 hours ago, Big Hands said:

I have been fishing a Daiwa Kage (KAG731MHFB (All Around) MHF 7'3" 1/4 to 1 oz lure size) for the past few months. It is 7'3", but the butt section is slightly on the long side, so it may fish a bit shorter. The blank is matte finish, and guides wrapped black, so aesthetics are 'all business' and will look good with any reel. I'm very pleased with it so far and feel it's a great rod for under $200.

 

You will only find them at small chains or local tackle shops because Daiwa won't allow them to be sold online. 

I had heard that the Kages were essentially the same as the Tatulas but the Tatula has a cork over the locking nut so maybe the blank is just the same.

 

I really like the feel of the Tatulas, I got to use the 7'3 MH F for a few hours.  I only got to throw a handful of baits on it, but it handled all of them well, its a solid all around rod.

 

Take a look at the Loomis E6X, they offer standard actions and Mag Tapers which have a tip with some flex but a strong spine so you can throw a bunch of different baits on them. 

[Big Hands]

1 minute ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

I had heard that the Kages were essentially the same as the Tatulas but the Tatula has a cork over the locking nut so maybe the blank is just the same.

 

I really like the feel of the Tatulas, I got to use the 7'3 MH F for a few hours.  I only got to throw a handful of baits on it, but it handled all of them well, its a solid all around rod.

 

Take a look at the Loomis E6X, they offer standard actions and Mag Tapers which have a tip with some flex but a strong spine so you can throw a bunch of different baits on them. 

The Kage rods have Alconite guides, and the Tatulas have Fazlite guides.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I head Daiwa made the Kage line to kind of throw the dealers a bone.  Daiwa sells them at a discounted price to the pro shop, so even if the pro shops sells them at a discount they are still making money.  I don't think Daiwa designed new rods and reels to make the Kage line, they kind of are just rebranded Tatulas.  

41 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

The Kage rods have Alconite guides, and the Tatulas have Fazlite guides.

Thats why I said essentially the same.  I think they used the old Tat design for the Kage with some superficial differences and they just put out a new Tatula so they wouldn't have 2 rods that are exactly the same.  Daiwa does the same thing with reels.  

[scbassin]

Staying under $200. T/W is having a sale on Dobyns Rods in 4 days. If the Champion XP DC610 4C ( I have this rod & have not used it much for skipping for I suck at that. I have used it about everything else but Crankbaits.) It's a excellent rod. If it goes on sale I'll be getting another one. In your case If it's not on sale look at the Sierra line, The SA 684C . I have 2 of these & they are always on deck. I have 15 Dobyns Rods & the one I like the most is the XP DC 610 4C. I like the length, balance, power is great. It is also very versatile.  Good luck with your choice, I hope this helps.

[Big Hands]

Dealers would cut prices on rods and the small retailers couldn't compete. So, with the Kage stuff, only small retailers can get them, so no online price competition.

 

There are small differences in the features on both rods and reels, but not much (bearing count, cork handles on the reels), and the rods are not the same length and actions across the board, though some appear to be. The price is not that different either.  They probably fish more or less the same. I like the matte finish on the reel seats on the Kage.  Just different enough to be different, but either Tatula or Kage are good choices.

[Teal]

If you go dobyns, you will have more versatility out of the the 4 power, but if you anticipate heavy this grass and are typically throwing 1/2 ounce or better lures, go with that 5 power.  

 

I think most 7'H rods will do well, unless u plan on throwing lighter stuff too.  The moment you said frog, I said heavy.  

 

Tatula 7'1 heavy

Dobyns champion 705 

 

Also check out the new megabass levante line and see if they have a rod that will fit your needs.  They are 200 bucks...might take till january or February to get tho.  

[WRB]

Hmmmm. Sitting in a canoe as a back seater and casting frogs to heavy cover using 50 lb braid...right?

Trying to picture how you could hit the front seater on a hook set using a rod longer then 7’. To do that you are using a side sweep set I guess?

Retrieving frogs across the slope you want the line off the water as much as possible so longer rods are helpful. Sitting with a 7’ rod limits your ability to work the frog and pull bass up out of the weeds. Too fast a action with a heavy power rod makes it difficult to cast sitting. Using braid isn’t forgiving near the boat using a heavy fast rod. 

Ideally a longer rod between 7’3”-7’5” seems about right.

My suggestion is Dobyns FR735C or IROD IRG754F. Both are good utility rods and frog rods.

Tom 

[Columbia Craw]

A Champion 705 or 735 would easily meet your needs. At 30 percent off , you are looking at $182.00 and that’s not bad.  

[new2BC4bass]

Falcon Expert 6'11" H

 

 

[The one that got away]

9 hours ago, WRB said:

Hmmmm. Sitting in a canoe as a back seater and casting frogs to heavy cover using 50 lb braid...right?

Trying to picture how you could hit the front seater on a hook set using a rod longer then 7’. To do that you are using a side sweep set I guess?

Retrieving frogs across the slope you want the line off the water as much as possible so longer rods are helpful. Sitting with a 7’ rod limits your ability to work the frog and pull bass up out of the weeds. Too fast a action with a heavy power rod makes it difficult to cast sitting. Using braid isn’t forgiving near the boat using a heavy fast rod. 

Ideally a longer rod between 7’3”-7’5” seems about right.

My suggestion is Dobyns FR735C or IROD IRG754F. Both are good utility rods and frog rods.

Tom 

Thanks for the reply, Tom.  It is tough with two guys in the canoe.  It's a 14'7 Old Town.  It's my canoe, so my choice on sitting front or back.  I would rather be able to control the trolling motor, be able to see the fishfinder, and have a bit more legroom, so I take the back.  Fishing from the back of the canoe poses a unique set of circumstances.  I can't fish the same way someone does while standing on the deck of a boat.  I can't cast directly in front because my partner in front.  Assuming straight ahead is 12 o'clock, I usually fish from about 2-4 o'clock to my right and 8-10o'clock on my left.  If I'm casting somewhat behind me on my right or left, I first have to make sure I'm not hooking him when I cast, and secondly not hit him if I do a sweep hook set.  There can be some play with this; if he's casting repeatedly to a spot off to his left, I can kind of shoot a cast over his right shoulder towards the front, and that kind of thing. 

 

I have room to move around a 6'6" rod from one side to the other without interfering with him.  All of my rods right now are 6'6" for this reason.  I can still use a longer rod, but it can just be more of a hassle.  Going solo is always much easier.  I can cast anywhere I want and I can just lay the rods I'm not using in front of me.  If he's with me, I have to slide the unused rods between my legs, push the butt end to the rear, and lay the tip over the side. 

 

He and I have been friends since '73, so it's not like I can tell him to stay home, and it's more fun when to fish with someone else.    

 

As far as what I'm going to get, I'm pretty sure it will be the Dobyns 705 or 735.  Just waiting for the TW sale at this point.  

 

Thanks to everyone who replied.  Happy Holidays 

 

[Tank1018]

If you’re looking for a good rod under $100 I would check out the Falcon HD series. 
 

$70 Rod

Fuji Guides and Reel Seat

Full Cork Handles 

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

23 minutes ago, The one that got away said:

Thanks for the reply, Tom.  It is tough with two guys in the canoe.  It's a 14'7 Old Town.  It's my canoe, so my choice on sitting front or back.  I would rather be able to control the trolling motor, be able to see the fishfinder, and have a bit more legroom, so I take the back.  Fishing from the back of the canoe poses a unique set of circumstances.  I can't fish the same way someone does while standing on the deck of a boat.  I can't cast directly in front because my partner in front.  Assuming straight ahead is 12 o'clock, I usually fish from about 2-4 o'clock to my right and 8-10o'clock on my left.  If I'm casting somewhat behind me on my right or left, I first have to make sure I'm not hooking him when I cast, and secondly not hit him if I do a sweep hook set.  There can be some play with this; if he's casting repeatedly to a spot off to his left, I can kind of shoot a cast over his right shoulder towards the front, and that kind of thing. 

 

I have room to move around a 6'6" rod from one side to the other without interfering with him.  All of my rods right now are 6'6" for this reason.  I can still use a longer rod, but it can just be more of a hassle.  Going solo is always much easier.  I can cast anywhere I want and I can just lay the rods I'm not using in front of me.  If he's with me, I have to slide the unused rods between my legs, push the butt end to the rear, and lay the tip over the side. 

 

He and I have been friends since '73, so it's not like I can tell him to stay home, and it's more fun when to fish with someone else.    

 

As far as what I'm going to get, I'm pretty sure it will be the Dobyns 705 or 735.  Just waiting for the TW sale at this point.  

 

Thanks to everyone who replied.  Happy Holidays 

 

When I visit Florida I am in the same situation.  Fishing from the back of a 14 foot dinghy.  No motor and no depth finder.  My rods are 7' with one 7'6" for my frog rod.  Requires changing my casting stroke which gives me fits while getting used to it....again.  Normally casting from shore standing up.  Would be better if I liked spinning, but much prefer a casting rod in my hand.

[WRB]

Having fished from a canoe in Canada I understand the how confined they are. Usually we cast from the front while the back seat controls the boat 1 angler at a time and always cast from the same side. My confusion was hitting the front angler during the hook set.

All my custom jig & worm rods are 6’10” because that length fit my bow area perfectly and works for for everything except swimbaits and frogs, then 7’5” and 8’ rods one at a time on the deck.

Very limited in a canoe. Agree the 735 is a good choice and 1 longer rod can be managed.

Good luck and enjoy your with your buddy, the time together is priceless.

Merry Christmas and New Years.

Tom

PS, contact Gary he may a good deal for you.

[waymont]

Champion 705