ironbjorn Posted September 21, 2021 Posted September 21, 2021 Several years ago I was fishing a river for SMB and not having much luck. There was a guy not too far from me along the banks absolutely slaying them. I asked him what he was using. He was using a squarebill. After that day the squarebill would become one of my favorite lures. I also asked him what rod he was using. He said, "the wrong one." It wasn't until several years later that I finally understood what he meant by "the wrong one." He was on the bank with one rod and a small box full of lures. He was using the "wrong rod" because he was maximizing his mobility and therefore effectiveness on the bank As I said in another thread asking about the SLX XT, I recently got a promotion and my wonderful fiance bought me a gift. The rod I'd been wanting for pounding the banks for quite some time. The 684c Champion XP. I was "allowed" to pick a reel of my choice under $200. The SLX line of reels perfectly matches the Champion XP line of rods and I'd been wanting to try one since the original SLX came out, what, 2-3 years ago? Perfect! My reel (7.2:1 SLX XT) arrived yesterday, so today I pounded the banks with my new setup all morning, occasionally breaking to enjoy the nice day, read, browse the web on my phone (I have a bad lumbar spine). This. Thing. Is. Awesome. I caught 2 on a 3/8oz Divine Hybrid Jig with a Rage Bug, 3 on a Culprit Worm, and 8 on my ultimate confidence bait, the Original Rat-L-Trap in 1/4oz Blue Shiner. This setup was allowing me to cast my 1/4oz Trap 40 yards. Granted I always have my spool tension so loose that I have to be careful not to lose the knob (it's happened before!) and my external brake is set at 1. I didn't miss any fish on the Trap with this setup. I had no business bomb casting a 1/4oz bait on the 684c, let alone hauling in fish with its small treble hooks, but I was. I remembered that man along the banks of that river all those years ago this morning while doing so. What rod? "The wrong one." I couldn't be happier with the versatility of this rod and reel. In the other thread I said I wanted to try the SLX MGL and get a Champion XP in the 3 power to put that reel on, and I do, but it won't be this year. I had already upgraded all my Furys to Sierras and Kadens, and this rod was a special gift, not a green light to buy even more. So we're going to avoid that in the immediate future. 6 Quote
HookInMouth Posted September 21, 2021 Posted September 21, 2021 Glad you like it. I've been eyeing one of those a topwater / jerkbait rod. 1 Quote
GReb Posted September 21, 2021 Posted September 21, 2021 I have a Champion XP 683 with a Tatula SV and really like it. I have several crank bait rods but I have no issues throwing cranks, jerkbaits, topwater, etc with the 683. I also throw senkos and shaky heads with it. 3 Quote
Super User T-Billy Posted September 21, 2021 Super User Posted September 21, 2021 Glad you're liking the new rig. 3 hours ago, ironbjorn said: I didn't miss any fish on the Trap with this setup. I had no business bomb casting a 1/4oz bait on the 684c, let alone hauling in fish with its small treble hooks, but I was. Gotta love that great Dobyns tip. I spent a good part of the day skipping, pitching, and throwing low, fast, underhand casts up under overhanging brush with a 1/4oz jig, using my new Kaden 744c/SLX XT. Light jigs, T rigs, and tubes will be it's primary purpose, but this rod is up to alot of tasks. Plenty of feel for bottom contact and a soft enough tip for moving baits. The SLX XT is also a pleasure to fish with. Both are worth every penny and pair well together. I'm getting my broken Sierra 765 replaced with a Kaden 765. Can't wait to give it a workout next week. 3 Quote
Fishlegs Posted September 22, 2021 Posted September 22, 2021 It feels good to find equipment that fits you and your style. Congrats on finding yours. 3 Quote
The Baron Posted September 22, 2021 Posted September 22, 2021 36 minutes ago, Fishlegs said: It feels good to find equipment that fits you and your style. Congrats on finding yours. This was going to be my general comment. I found a reel/line/rod/bait combo on the weekend that I love. It’s a good feeling. 3 Quote
Super User WRB Posted September 22, 2021 Super User Posted September 22, 2021 I currently don’t have the “right” crank bait rod and using Major Craft Iovino Splash-it rod for medium diving crank baits? My “right” crank bait rods were Loomis PR845C for smaller crank bait and lipless etc & older Lamiglas 705 for deep divers. Sold everything and use what I have. Tom 2 Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted September 22, 2021 Super User Posted September 22, 2021 9 hours ago, ironbjorn said: this rod was a special gift, not a green light to buy even more. You've got more common sense and self-control than many people I know. Sounds like your fiance is an angel, too. ? jj 3 Quote
ironbjorn Posted October 2, 2021 Author Posted October 2, 2021 I said I wouldn't do it, but I have no self control. ? I bought the 683c like a junkie. Full of shame I was explaining to my fiance what I'd done like a 10 year old caught doing something bad. This woman told me it's ok and that when she bought me the one she knew that we were buying two. ?? 3 Quote
Super User T-Billy Posted October 2, 2021 Super User Posted October 2, 2021 ATTA BOY!!! Congrats on the new rod, but more importantly, GET THAT KNOT TIED!!! You don't wanna let that girl get away!!! My wife gave me a funny look recently when two rod tubes showed up on the front porch on the same day. I told her I couldn't help it. I have a birth defect. I was born without a willpower. She told me to go buy one online like I buy everything else!!! ? 2 1 Quote
LCG Posted October 3, 2021 Posted October 3, 2021 4 hours ago, ironbjorn said: I said I wouldn't do it, but I have no self control. ? I bought the 683c like a junkie. Full of shame I was explaining to my fiance what I'd done like a 10 year old caught doing something bad. This woman told me it's ok and that when she bought me the one she knew that we were buying two. ?? Shes a keeper Actually my wife never cares what I buy, but I try to keep it within a budget. Sounds like a great combo. Congrats 2 Quote
Super User DitchPanda Posted October 3, 2021 Super User Posted October 3, 2021 5 hours ago, ironbjorn said: I said I wouldn't do it, but I have no self control. ? I bought the 683c like a junkie. Full of shame I was explaining to my fiance what I'd done like a 10 year old caught doing something bad. This woman told me it's ok and that when she bought me the one she knew that we were buying two. ?? Me and my lady have a little thing worked out where as long as the bills are paid there's no judgement on buying personal stuff. She buys art supplies, books, clothes or coffee...I buy fishing gear. Sounds like we both found good ones. 3 Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted October 3, 2021 Super User Posted October 3, 2021 On 9/21/2021 at 12:55 PM, ironbjorn said: In the other thread I said I wanted to try the SLX MGL and get a Champion XP in the 3 power to put that reel on, and I do, but it won't be this year. My oldest son has a Sierra 703C and a SLX MGL 70. That's an even better setup for square bills, but that reel really shines with bomb casting weightless soft plastics. 2 1 Quote
Super User T-Billy Posted October 3, 2021 Super User Posted October 3, 2021 9 hours ago, Boomstick said: My oldest son has a Sierra 703C and a SLX MGL 70. That's an even better setup for square bills, but that reel really shines with bomb casting weightless soft plastics. I just got an SLX MGL for my 765 Kaden. Spooled it with 17# XT. Pitched and cast REALLY nice out in the yard. I'll get to spend some time with it over the next few days. Super smooth out of the box. 2 Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted October 3, 2021 Super User Posted October 3, 2021 5 hours ago, T-Billy said: I just got an SLX MGL for my 765 Kaden. Spooled it with 17# XT. Pitched and cast REALLY nice out in the yard. I'll get to spend some time with it over the next few days. Super smooth out of the box. Yeah, it's also good for pitching and skipping with as well. But the Shimano MGL spools imo are the best at casting lighter lures. I was amazed how well it cast. 1 1 Quote
Lmsmbassaddict Posted October 3, 2021 Posted October 3, 2021 On 9/21/2021 at 10:56 PM, jimmyjoe said: You've got more common sense and self-control than many people I know. Sounds like your fiance is an angel, too. ? jj Yeah he does. I've never been in any position to really do what I can now... Even now being sober for some years find myself saving pocket change and dollar bills. My dad instilled the power of saving up, and putting money back early on. It finally sunk in. I have nice stuff now but it's for sure modest compared to a lot of people. But my dad came to the rescue again and instilled the power of not comparing myself and what I have to another man. You will never win that battle. Just do the best you can and keep it pushing, but also remain grateful and humble for your blessings. I ended up giving my dad all my old custom spinning rods and to this day he doesn't put them down. 2 Quote
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