2 setups smallmouth fishing

[HighLow12]

Hey guys,

 

I am usually a flathead fishermen, so I would like to have 2 setups as to not go crazy. So far I have a St Croix Mojo bass medium light with a Daiwa Fuego. that i use for my soft plastics and light lures. I have a Daiwa Tatula CT for my baitcaster, and I would like to get a medium heavy rod for it. I would like to have 50 lb braid on it for topwater as well as throw some chatterbaits and lipless cranks. I know these lures are quite different, just listing what i usually like to throw on my medium heavy. Since I will only have 2 setups, I am guessing I would need kind of an all around purpose rod then correct? Any suggestions for the under $200 price range? I was thinking a fenwick hmg or another Mojo bass but in medium heavy, but didn't know if there might be something better for the purpose. Thanks guys! 

[ironbjorn]

Dobyns Sierra 704c or 734c is my favorite do it all rod under $200. From jerkbaits to jigs and everything in between, it will work.

 

[FrnkNsteen]

I also really like my Sierra 734 as an all around rod. I mainly use mine for swim jigs, but it also does well for Whopper Ploppers, Chatterbaits, Spinnerbaits, due to it being a little slower action. In a pinch it also works for jigs and worms.

[ironbjorn]

4 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I also really like my Sierra 734 as an all around rod. I mainly use mine for swim jigs, but it also does well for Whopper Ploppers, Chatterbaits, Spinnerbaits, due to it being a little slower action. In a pinch it also works for jigs and worms.

A 4 power Dobyns is absurd. I use a 684 Champ to beat the banks. I can go from jacking jaws in cover with a jig, to slinging a lipless, to finding deeper open water and throwing a Vision 110, to throwing around a wacky rig, to target casting spinnerbaits.

[NYWayfarer]

My vote would be for a St Croix Victory the one they labeled “The Grunt” it’s all purpose casting

[HighLow12]

8 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

A 4 power Dobyns is absurd. I use a 684 Champ to beat the banks. I can go from jacking jaws in cover with a jig, to slinging a lipless, to finding deeper open water and throwing a Vision 110, to throwing around a wacky rig, to target casting spinnerbaits.

I really don't have experience with Dobyns rods, but it seems like the ones being mentioned are either medium or heavy. Seems like all of their rods are very technique specific

[HighLow12]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

My vote would be for a St Croix Victory the one they labeled “The Grunt” it’s all purpose casting

I noticed the max lure weight is 3/4. You think this rod will be fine for frogging as well? Im surprised, i thought st croix rods ran a bit heavier. 

[LCG]

Daiwa Rebellion 6'10" MH-R. 

[ironbjorn]

3 hours ago, HighLow12 said:

I really don't have experience with Dobyns rods, but it seems like the ones being mentioned are either medium or heavy. Seems like all of their rods are very technique specific

Dobyns rods have a different scale than most other companies. What they call a Heavy is most other companies Medium Heavy. Their 4 power (called a Heavy, but performs like a Medium Heavy) is their do-it-all power. All their rods have listed techniques but it's just to give you an idea of what they think it's good for. Dobyns also has a softer tip, making them really versatile. Don't get spooked because of what's written on the rods. It's all about performance in hand.