Current rod and reel grouping

[LogFinder]

On 1/15/2023 at 11:58 AM, casts_by_fly said:

i typically carry 5 rods in my kayak. I always have three of them.  From there I supplement with 2 more depending on the lake and season. I’m also a falcon guy so they are all that I carry basically. I always have:

 

• 6’10” head turner heavy fast.  Lighter side of heavy, almost mh. Does about anything well but is my primary chatterbait and swim jig rod.  If I throw a spinnerbait it’s probably on this rod. This rod has my metanium on it.
• 7’3” hudson special. Mh MF.  Does most of my heavy lifting with treble hook baits. Lipless, medium cranks, ploppers to a 105 size. Big buzzbaits.  This has a chronarch on it 
• 7’4” heavy cover jig. It’s a jig rod and that’s what I’m doing with it. I fished bigger swim jigs as well as pitching jigs last year. It’s a good bottom contact rod on the whole. I have a zillion on this rod.

past those three, I have some lighter and some heavier that I carry often.  Early season I grab a 7’ trapcaster for an added lipless or crankbait rod (later season we have too much grass to justify a second crankbait rod).  I pulled back out an older st croix 6’6” medium moderate for jerkbaits this spring.  I almost always have my 6’10” expert finesse jig with abu Garcia mgx as it’s amazing for the lightest baits but still fishes a big chatterbait well. I have a 7’3” amistad for mid to late season grass pitching.  I just picked up the 6’11” eye crosser for frogs and big spinnerbaits.  That one will do early season duty for big chatterbaits as well. These rods all have Abu Garcia on them, either an STX gen 4 or a revo SX (plus the mgx on the finesse jig rod). I have other rods that make an appearance now and then but these are the ones that get regular use. 

 

 

Seems you are one of the few guys talking about the Hudson on here so I have a question for you. How does the Hudson compare to the trapcaster and the swimjig rod?

[casts_by_fly]

10 minutes ago, LogFinder said:

Seems you are one of the few guys talking about the Hudson on here so I have a question for you. How does the Hudson compare to the trapcaster and the swimjig rod?

I own the bucoo sr trapcaster and the expert Hudson. I have felt the bucoo sr swim jig in store.  Take my comparisons in that context. 
 

The trapcaster is 7’ and a moderate heavy. Maybe on the lighter side of MH but more than a true medium. Plenty of oomph to cast a half ounce red eye shad a mile. I have fished a lot of things on it and different lines including braid, fluoro and mono. With fluoro and mono, the action is a little mushy in the middle of the rod to get a strong hook set at distance or with any type of heavier single hook. It’s okay, but more power is better for those. I prefer it with braid and 3/8-1/2 crank baits. 
 

The Hudson is like the big brother to the trapcaster. It’s longer, heavier, and has more power in the rod. The action is similar, though I think the flex profile is smoother and better designed. It has more power for casting bigger lures and more power higher in the rod for hooksets. It’s still not a jig and worm rod but I do fish a buzzbait on this one and it would be fine with single hook moving baits. If you prefer a more moderate rod for chatterbaits for instance it would be a great one. 
 

The swim jig felt like a different animal. It had a light tip but quickly went into power up high. It definitely felt like a fast action. I hear it’s a great lipless rod but can’t confirm. 

[LogFinder]

8 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

I own the bucoo sr trapcaster and the expert Hudson. I have felt the bucoo sr swim jig in store.  Take my comparisons in that context. 
 

The trapcaster is 7’ and a moderate heavy. Maybe on the lighter side of MH but more than a true medium. Plenty of oomph to cast a half ounce red eye shad a mile. I have fished a lot of things on it and different lines including braid, fluoro and mono. With fluoro and mono, the action is a little mushy in the middle of the rod to get a strong hook set at distance or with any type of heavier single hook. It’s okay, but more power is better for those. I prefer it with braid and 3/8-1/2 crank baits. 
 

The Hudson is like the big brother to the trapcaster. It’s longer, heavier, and has more power in the rod. The action is similar, though I think the flex profile is smoother and better designed. It has more power for casting bigger lures and more power higher in the rod for hooksets. It’s still not a jig and worm rod but I do fish a buzzbait on this one and it would be fine with single hook moving baits. If you prefer a more moderate rod for chatterbaits for instance it would be a great one. 
 

The swim jig felt like a different animal. It had a light tip but quickly went into power up high. It definitely felt like a fast action. I hear it’s a great lipless rod but can’t confirm. 

Thanks man. I’ve got two of them on the way. I have/had both the Bucoo swimjig and the trapcaster. I felt the trapcaster kind of felt like a decent utility rod that would do almost anything. So hearing that the Hud is a tad beefier makes me feel better about blindly pulling the trigger?. The swimjig rod I hated for a swimjig it felt way underpowered for the technique. Truthfully I’m hoping the Hud falls directly inline between the swimjig and the heavy cover jig model ??. 

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, LogFinder said:

Thanks man. I’ve got two of them on the way. I have/had both the Bucoo swimjig and the trapcaster. I felt the trapcaster kind of felt like a decent utility rod that would do almost anything. So hearing that the Hud is a tad beefier makes me feel better about blindly pulling the trigger?. The swimjig rod I hated for a swimjig it felt way underpowered for the technique. Truthfully I’m hoping the Hud falls directly inline between the swimjig and the heavy cover jig model ??. 

 

I also have the HCJ (and amistad, eye crosser, head turner, finesse jig, table rock, and Lizard dragger across various lines).  You're right about the trapcaster being a utility rod.  It has a light enough tip to cast a quarter ounce and enough power to throw a 1/2 oz double willow with a big trailer.  It was the first rod I bought new when we moved back to the US (I was previously using 15 year old rods I already owned).  I fished it with anything from 10 lb mono to 17 fluoro and anything from small crankbaits to topwater spoons, spinnerbaits, and most everything else that first year.  It does a lot of things just fine.  It does some things pretty well.  Falcon describes that action as having a "long tapering mid section" and I think that's what I don't like.  Its like there are 3 distinct rods that were pieced together.  The tip has a good progressive bend for the top 25% of the rod.  A light force on it and just that top quarter bends.  As you add more force though, instead of the bend becoming progressively more and working its way down the rod, the mid section starts to bend a lot more (proportionally) than the top and it bends all the way to the bottom of the middle section almost like its a straight taper tube.  So you go from a very light force bending the tip to just a bit more force putting you into the butt.  I find it works best as a crankbait rod for 3/8-1/2 oz sized cranks (up to a DT10).  Braid helps the slightly mushy feel in the middle and of course amps up the sensitivity when you're crawling over rocks.  The rod has the bend/forgiveness to fish braid.

 

The Hudson is definitely beefier (still a falcon 5 power though) and the progression of the action down the blank is smoother to me.  Far better designed blank.  The tip is a little heavier than the trapcaster.  Where you can get away with a 1/4 or 5/16 bomber A on the trapcaster, you'd struggle to throw it on the Hudson (and the Hudson's rating starts at 3/8 oz for that reason).  The same DT6/10 is fine on both.  The Hudson would also take a DT14/16 without trouble where the trapcaster would struggle with it.

 

The HCJ is a different animal yet.  Its a full power higher in rating and even within the 6-power falcons some are 1/4-3/4, some are 3/8-1, and the HCJ (in the Cara I have) is 1/2-1.  The HCJ is a little bit faster than the hudson and a full power rating more powerful.  Its a significant step up in size.

 

You don't say what you're going to throw on the rod.  Remember that the swim jig rod was designed for 1/8-3/8 'finesse' style swim jigs with lighter hooks and for lighter cover.  If you're throwing a heavy wire and weedguard swim jig I can see where you'd think it a little under powered.  I fish the finesse jig rod with small swim jigs like that and its fine because they are light hooks and I'm doing it in light cover.  For a beefier swim jig (or even a finesse swim jig) I throw the head turner.  That's my chatterbait and swim jig rod (and spinnerbait if I throw one).  I think that's the perfect balance for a 3/8-1/2 oz swim jig in moderate cover.  I have the bucoo and expert versions and the actions are similar.

[MiceNReets]

On 1/15/2023 at 12:27 AM, Eric 26 said:

I mainly used 3 this past season. For bass it was my Wright & McGill 7’-0” med rod with at first a Shimano SLX than a Daiwa Tatula 80, for spinning duties it was my 13 fishing defy black 7’-1” med light with a 13 fishing creed LTE 2000. For panfish duties it was my 7’-2” BPS Panfish Elite light powered rod paired with a Piscifun Carbon X in 1000 size.

How are you liking the BPS panfish rod?    I love my st croix panfish series rods but curious on the bps panfish.  

[ska4fun]

1- Conquest 51 Custom + Acehawk Victory rod (PE0.4)

2- Conquest BFS HG + Custom Fiberglass trou rod (6lb)

3- Daiwa Tatula 100 + Brazilian OEM Brand Rod (12lb)

[Eric 26]

51 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

How are you liking the BPS panfish rod?    I love my st croix panfish series rods but curious on the bps panfish.  

I’m very pleased with the 2 I have (6’-8” UL) & (7’-2” Light). With that said I’m hoping to pick up a St Croix Avid panfish series rod this season. I originally was looking to purchase the St. Croix panfish rods 2 seasons ago but bought the 6’-8” BPS rod instead which I liked enough to pick my 2nd one up last season. I’ve seen 1 reviewer saying he finds it tip heavy but I’ve paired both mine with a Piscifun Carbon X 1000 at 5.7 ounces and love the balance. I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase another and in fact I am contemplating picking up the 6’-0” UL this upcoming spring sale.

[Eric 26]

@MiceNReets I was gifted a Okuma TCS-A 7’-0” med plus for the upcoming season. I know you have/had this rod so my question is what was the reel pairing, line used and your favorite application’s for the combo? I’m planning on pairing it with my Tatula 80 which is spooled with 10 pound Seaguar Basix fluorocarbon.

[webertime]

Megabass Levante Brailist with a Zillion TW SV (jigs)

 

Megabass Levante Perfect Pitch with a Catalina TW (frogs and Magdrafts)

 

Legend Xtreme 66Mf with a Kage 2500 (anything small)

 

Custom NFC 807HM spiral wrapped with a Tatula HD (Carolina Rig and Chatterbait)

 

Evergreen Moving Special with an OG Zillion. (Topwater and bigger trebles).

[MiceNReets]

2 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

@MiceNReets I was gifted a Okuma TCS-A 7’-0” med plus for the upcoming season. I know you have/had this rod so my question is what was the reel pairing, line used and your favorite application’s for the combo? I’m planning on pairing it with my Tatula 80 which is spooled with 10 pound Seaguar Basix fluorocarbon.

 Fantastic rod.   At least the Scott Martin version was.  I’d imagine this is the same.    Used to use it for everything.   Just take one rod out and it would be that one.  I mostly used it for t-rigs and topwater and chatterbaits.   Used it with an Okuma Helios (the green and black one) with 30lbs braid.   

[Cbump]

My most used currently are: 

 

Tatula Elite Seth Feider 6’9” ML, Tatula Limited SV 7.1

 

Falcon Lowrider “Head Turner”, Tatula 150 6.3

 

St Croix Mojo Bass MH Mod Fast, Tatula TW SV 103

 

Daiwa Tatula TWS 80 6.3:1, Daiwa Tatula 7’ glass cranking M

 

JDM Daiwa Zillion TW HD 7.1:1, Dobyns Champion DX746

 

Daiwa Tatula Elite 8.1 w/ power knobs, Dobyns Champion 804c c-rig special

 

Daiwa Zillion SV 7.1, Daiwa Tatula Elite Brent Ehrler Finesse

 

Daiwa Tatula SV Limited 7.1, Daiwa Rebellion 7’3” MHF

[JediAmoeba]

Small Swimbaits and heavy jigs - Daiwa Tatula 8'0" Heavy with an 7.3:1 Daiwa Zillion

Swimbaits - Daiwa Tatula Elite 8'0" XH with a 6.3:1 Daiwa Lexa HD 300

Texas Rigging and smaller jigs - Daiwa Tatula 7'6" H with an 8.1:1 Daiwa SV 

Chatters and Spinnerbaits - Daiwa Tatula Elite 7'3" with an 7.1:1 Daiwa Tatula SV

Jerkbaits and Topwater - Daiwa Tatula Elite 6'9" ML with an Zillion SV TW 7.1:1

Deep Cranks - Daiwa Tatula Elite 8'0" MH Crank with a 5.5:1 Daiwa Tatula 150 

Swimbaits - Daiwa Tatula 7'9" XH with a 7.1:1 Tatula 300

Hair Jigs and Dropshot- Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse UL 7'4" with a Daiwa Alphas with an aftermarket spool and Ceramic Bearings

Small Cranks - St Croix 7'0 M Premier cranking stick with a Tatula 5.5:1 

 

 

I have decent spinning combos but I don't use them unless I really have to...boo to all spinning reels!

[Boomstick]

I have something like 11 rods and 9 reels. Some of the reels do have a dedicated rod, and others will mix and match depending on what kind of cover I am seeing and where I'm fishing etc.  I usually carry 3-5 on the kayak, so this has worked quite well for me.

 

Matched pairs:
7'5" Daiwa Steez AGS Bottom Contact MH-H/F with a Steez SV for jigs, weighted T-Rigs and C-Rigs. 16# fluorocarbon

7'1" Daiwa Tatula M/F Elite Brent Ehrler dropshot rod with a Tatula LT reeel.

6'9" St Croix Avid X ML/XF with a Daiwa BG

 

Other Rods:

7'6" Daiwa Tatula H/F flipping rod

7'4" Daiwa Tatula H/F

7'1" Daiwa Tatula MH/XF

6'10" Daiwa Tatula MH/F

7' Daiwa Tatula Elite Brent Ehrler "Finesse" M-MH/XF
6'8" St Croix Mojo Bass "Topwater" M/XF
7'2" Daiwa Tatula Glass MH/R

7 Daiwa Tatula Glass M/R

 

Reels:
7.3:1 Daiwa Tatula SV with 16# fluorocarbon

7.3:1 Daiwa Tatula SV with 12# fluorocarbon

6.3:1 Daiwa Tatula Elite with 12# fluorocarbon
7.3:1 Daiwa Tatula CT with 65# braid

6.3:1 Daiwa Tatula SV with 50 or 65# braid (had 12# flurocarbon on it this year, but it's replacing my Tatula 150 that broke for braid)
7.1:1 Pflueger Patriarch with 12# mono

[LogFinder]

18 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

I also have the HCJ (and amistad, eye crosser, head turner, finesse jig, table rock, and Lizard dragger across various lines).  You're right about the trapcaster being a utility rod.  It has a light enough tip to cast a quarter ounce and enough power to throw a 1/2 oz double willow with a big trailer.  It was the first rod I bought new when we moved back to the US (I was previously using 15 year old rods I already owned).  I fished it with anything from 10 lb mono to 17 fluoro and anything from small crankbaits to topwater spoons, spinnerbaits, and most everything else that first year.  It does a lot of things just fine.  It does some things pretty well.  Falcon describes that action as having a "long tapering mid section" and I think that's what I don't like.  Its like there are 3 distinct rods that were pieced together.  The tip has a good progressive bend for the top 25% of the rod.  A light force on it and just that top quarter bends.  As you add more force though, instead of the bend becoming progressively more and working its way down the rod, the mid section starts to bend a lot more (proportionally) than the top and it bends all the way to the bottom of the middle section almost like its a straight taper tube.  So you go from a very light force bending the tip to just a bit more force putting you into the butt.  I find it works best as a crankbait rod for 3/8-1/2 oz sized cranks (up to a DT10).  Braid helps the slightly mushy feel in the middle and of course amps up the sensitivity when you're crawling over rocks.  The rod has the bend/forgiveness to fish braid.

 

The Hudson is definitely beefier (still a falcon 5 power though) and the progression of the action down the blank is smoother to me.  Far better designed blank.  The tip is a little heavier than the trapcaster.  Where you can get away with a 1/4 or 5/16 bomber A on the trapcaster, you'd struggle to throw it on the Hudson (and the Hudson's rating starts at 3/8 oz for that reason).  The same DT6/10 is fine on both.  The Hudson would also take a DT14/16 without trouble where the trapcaster would struggle with it.

 

The HCJ is a different animal yet.  Its a full power higher in rating and even within the 6-power falcons some are 1/4-3/4, some are 3/8-1, and the HCJ (in the Cara I have) is 1/2-1.  The HCJ is a little bit faster than the hudson and a full power rating more powerful.  Its a significant step up in size.

 

You don't say what you're going to throw on the rod.  Remember that the swim jig rod was designed for 1/8-3/8 'finesse' style swim jigs with lighter hooks and for lighter cover.  If you're throwing a heavy wire and weedguard swim jig I can see where you'd think it a little under powered.  I fish the finesse jig rod with small swim jigs like that and its fine because they are light hooks and I'm doing it in light cover.  For a beefier swim jig (or even a finesse swim jig) I throw the head turner.  That's my chatterbait and swim jig rod (and spinnerbait if I throw one).  I think that's the perfect balance for a 3/8-1/2 oz swim jig in moderate cover.  I have the bucoo and expert versions and the actions are similar.

The application I had in mind is a finesse jig, 5/16(max) swimjig, 1/4oz or less T-rig, war Eagle finesse Spinnerbaits, Lipless. Would be fishing braid to leader around sparse cover. Does that make sense?

[casts_by_fly]

34 minutes ago, LogFinder said:

The application I had in mind is a finesse jig, 5/16(max) swimjig, 1/4oz or less T-rig, war Eagle finesse Spinnerbaits, Lipless. Would be fishing braid to leader around sparse cover. Does that make sense?

makes sense.  For me, I fish the head turner for most of those.  Lipless go on the hudson or trapcaster.  For the jig and texas rig applications I prefer a little faster action so that when I set the hook I'm into the power of the rod quickly.  For lighter wire hooks the Hudson should be fine (much like the finesse jig).  Braid definitely ups the feel of oomph on a hookset.

[A-Jay]

On 1/14/2023 at 9:36 PM, BassSteve said:

Hey,

 

So what rods and reels are you all using regularly? I don't mean the collection you have, but the combos you tend to regularly use. For me it's:

 

1. Curado 200k on a castaway crankin' rod.

2. Curado 70 on a gander mountain tournament series rod.

3. Bantam mgl on a shimano intenza rod.

4. Stradic 2500 FL on a defy black rod (looking for a better rod for this reel)

5. Scorpion bfs on a shimano clarus rod.

 

Thanks

Hey Steve ~ 

I end up going fairly long periods without being able to use any of my gear.

So when the time comes, I use it all ! 

Casting reels are Shimano and Quantum mounted on St Croix, Quantum & Alpha Sticks.

Spinning reels are Shimano & Diawa sitting under Shimano, Diawa, St Croix, Quantum & Fenwick blanks. 

A-Jay