Fourth Rod Advice?

[NateW]

General Largemouth/Smallie fishing in western PA from a 14’ boat and am trying to get as much as I can from a reasonably budget minded 4 rod arsenal. I have three setups I’m pretty happy with for now, but I’m stuck trying to decide where to go with upgrading the fourth.
 

Current lineup:

 

7’3” MH F Tatula (heavier side of MH) + 24 Tatula 100 spooled with 17lb fluoro (>3/8oz jigs/Texas rigs/swimbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, lipless cranks, etc)

 

7’ Dobyn’s Fury 703c (M/Mod side of MH/F) + Tatula SV 70 and 12lb fluoro (1/4-3/8oz Texas rigs and paddle-tail swimbaits, weightless senko/yamatanuki, sometimes cranks/jerkbaits)

 

7’ ML/F Spinning setup with 15lb braid + Fluoro leader (Ned’s, drop shot, <1/8oz paddle tails, tubes, really light cranks/poppers, etc) 

 

My 4th rod has been a cheap 6’6” Medium power baitcaster with 40lb braid and I’ve been using it for hollow body frogs, skipping Zman ToadZ, whopper ploppers, Zara spooks, and, well, anything I want to throw on braid or without untying my other rods. 

So, obviously I need something better suited to being my dedicated straight-braid rod that will get frog use, but I’d love to be able to also be able to skip ToadZ under docks, pitch a jig into heavy cover, and hopefully even still throw my spooks and ploppers on it.
 

Looking at the Tatula XTs, but I’m open to anything under $200 if it will add a lot of flexibility to my quiver of rods. 
 

Any ideas? Thanks!

[new2BC4bass]

Budget?  People can make suggestions from a $30 rod to a $600 rod. 

 

 

 

[NateW]

11 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Budget?  People can make suggestions from a $30 rod to a $600 rod. 

 

 

 

Should have mentioned it at the beginning, but at the end I said probably under $200. Thanks!

[F14A-B]

37 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Budget?  People can make suggestions from a $30 rod to a $600 rod. 

 

 

 

Well if you would have actually read the entire post…🤪

[new2BC4bass]

5 minutes ago, alonerankin2 said:

Well if you would have actually read the entire post…🤪

Yeah.  I missed the $200 at the end of the post.  My bad! 

 

[TNBankFishing]

A heavy power fast action  or I’d look at a second spinning setup on the medium to medium+ side. 
 

Tatula Elite line is pretty solid bang for the buck. If you can stretch an expride during the now common ALF secret sales maybe that route. 
 

Your current baitcasters cover almost the entirely same techniques so I’d push more or less than another medium heavy fast. 

[Rockhopper]

https://stcroixrodfactorystore.com/products/mojo-bass-casting

 

7'4" HF

$125

[Bass Rutten]

6 hours ago, NateW said:

skip ToadZ under docks, pitch a jig into heavy cover, and hopefully even still throw my spooks and ploppers on it.

These applications scream medium heavy/fast to me, since you're already on team dobyns the 704 seems about right.

[LrgmouthShad]

Falcon Expert Head Turner sounds great for this

[PhishLI]

I'm really digging the standard Tatula Elite 6'9" Heavy F. Great for skipping or anything else I've used it for out of my un-decked jon boat. Got the latest BB1 Pro on it spooled with 50lb braid.

 

Daiwa | TATULA® ELITE™ SIGNATURE SERIES BASS RODS

Model Number	Developed by	Purpose	Power	Action	Length (Feet)	Pieces	Line Wt. (Lb.)	Lure Wt. (Ounces)	Guide Type
TAEL691HFB	-	SKIPPIN' JIG	H	F	6'9"	1	16-30	1/4-1 1/2	Fuji®Alconite
TAEL701MMHXB-AGS	Brent Ehrler	FINESSE	M-MH	XF	7'0"	1	8-20	1/8-1	DAIWA AGS®
TAEL711HFB	-	SKIPPIN' JIG	H	F	7'1"	1	16-30	1/4-1 1/2	Fuji®Alconite
TAEL731MHFB	Brent Ehrler	MULTI-PURPOSE	MH	F	7'3"	1	10-20	1/4-1	Fuji®Alconite

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Personally I get a TON of use out of a 7'1 M F.  Cranks, JBs, Free Rigs, weightless T rigs, topwater, mojo rigs, small swim jigs and so on.  

If I were you I would try to put the braid on the 7'3 as its a perfect do it all length and power for pitching, swimjigs or even frogs.  Going to braid actually makes the rod feel more powerful and faster in action because it eliminates stretch so keep that in mind. 

   

[Brian11719]

7'4 heavy fast would be my choice. Works great for frogs, toads and punching rigs but you can also swap out the braid reel and throw smaller umbrella rigs or 6" magdrafts with it.

In terms of brands Dobyns or St. Croix...the Fury is usually $130 or so and would make a fine frog rod. On the other hand if you are interested in doing more with 'medium heavy' swimbaits and still being able to throw frogs or punch with the same rod it might be worth stepping up to a Kaden (or Sierra) or a Victory.

 

Either way I'd sign up for the tacklewarehouse mailing list or wait until Sunday and then checkout american legacy fishing and save yourself a few bucks...

 

 

 

[NateW]

27 minutes ago, Brian11719 said:

7'4 heavy fast would be my choice. Works great for frogs, toads and punching rigs but you can also swap out the braid reel and throw smaller umbrella rigs or 6" magdrafts with it.

In terms of brands Dobyns or St. Croix...the Fury is usually $130 or so and would make a fine frog rod. On the other hand if you are interested in doing more with 'medium heavy' swimbaits and still being able to throw frogs or punch with the same rod it might be worth stepping up to a Kaden (or Sierra) or a Victory.

 

Either way I'd sign up for the tacklewarehouse mailing list or wait until Sunday and then checkout american legacy fishing and save yourself a few bucks...

 

 

 

Thanks, good stuff to consider. Whats happening Sunday at ALF?

2 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

A heavy power fast action  or I’d look at a second spinning setup on the medium to medium+ side. 
 

Tatula Elite line is pretty solid bang for the buck. If you can stretch an expride during the now common ALF secret sales maybe that route. 
 

Your current baitcasters cover almost the entirely same techniques so I’d push more or less than another medium heavy fast. 

Thanks! What are the “secret sales”? Is that something you get with a mailing list? 

[Brian11719]

32 minutes ago, NateW said:

Thanks, good stuff to consider. Whats happening Sunday at ALF?

Every sunday for the last month or two most of their stuff has been discounted. Not saying it will be again but it has for the last several weeks. Tacklewarehouse is also going to be giving people on their mailing list 20% off in the next few days which is why I mentioned that. Either way you should probably be able to pick up whatever you decide on and save some money and they are both good outlets to buy a rod from.

[new2BC4bass]

I never found a use for a true HF in PA or NY where I fished.  I've always consider a MH to be an all around rod as I never fished heavy cover.  Most of my lures fall within the middle of their weight ranges....from 1/4 oz. up to 3/4 oz. or 1 oz.

 

Although listed as a HF, the Falcon Headturner weight listing puts it in MH territory AFAIC.  Picked up a used one recently, but haven't fished it yet.  Seems to be a very popular rod for all around use.

 

I don't fish all the lures you listed, but seems like one rod will be a compromise.  Weight range for the Tatula Medium Regular puts it in the MH range for me.  It might be a possibility given that you already have a MHF, and the Fury for lighter lures.

 

I see the Tatula 7'2" MHR is no longer listed.  Upper weight listed as 1 oz. versus 3/4 oz. for the MR.  Both ratings are MH for me.

[NateW]

10 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I never found a use for a true HF in PA or NY where I fished.  I've always consider a MH to be an all around rod as I never fished heavy cover.  Most of my lures fall within the middle of their weight ranges....from 1/4 oz. up to 3/4 oz. or 1 oz.

Yeah, that’s kind of what I was wondering. In my western PA lakes bass over 5lbs are pretty rare. Probably don’t need a true Heavy rod and versatility might win out. Thanks for the suggestions!

[casts_by_fly]

46 minutes ago, NateW said:

Yeah, that’s kind of what I was wondering. In my western PA lakes bass over 5lbs are pretty rare. Probably don’t need a true Heavy rod and versatility might win out. Thanks for the suggestions!

im from western pa and still fish it a couple times a year with my dad who still is there. Depending where you are fishing, you could be throwing light stuff on the yough river for smallies, pitching heavy cover on pymatuning or Arthur, grass mats on most of the lakes, or any variation of pond hopping you want. You could make a case for anything from a 6’6” medium moderate up to a 7’6” swim bait rod and anything in between. 
 

I agree with the head turner reco above. I just got home and fished mine most of the night in similar cover to what you’ll be fishing. I fish mono, but with braid it becomes a decent frog rod. With mine as set up I fish bladed baits, big walking baits, swim jigs, the occasional pitching jig (that’s what it was originally designed as), and basically anything else that I need to throw but don’t have a specific rod for it. It will do just about anything pretty well. I’ve used it for frogs with braid and while I prefer a heavier rod for frogs this got it done. For $200 you can get the expert model (which I have) which is a great rod. If you’re only going to put braid on it you could get by with the low rider model and save yourself $75. 

[TNBankFishing]

10 hours ago, NateW said:

Yeah, that’s kind of what I was wondering. In my western PA lakes bass over 5lbs are pretty rare. Probably don’t need a true Heavy rod and versatility might win out. Thanks for the suggestions!

It’s not the weight of the bass it’s the cover you’re throwing into. I fished the Potomac a couple weeks back and there was enough vegetation I could use my punching rig. 
 

A heavy rod allows you to fish in the nastiest cover because honestly bass are hiding underneath it. If you see a massive cheese mat or a ton of milfoil there might be bass in it. You need the right gear to reach out and touch them. 

[F14A-B]

13 hours ago, PhishLI said:

I'm really digging the standard Tatula Elite 6'9" Heavy F. Great for skipping or anything else I've used it for out of my un-decked jon boat. Got the latest BB1 Pro on it spooled with 50lb braid.

 

Daiwa | TATULA® ELITE™ SIGNATURE SERIES BASS RODS

Model Number	Developed by	Purpose	Power	Action	Length (Feet)	Pieces	Line Wt. (Lb.)	Lure Wt. (Ounces)	Guide Type
TAEL691HFB	-	SKIPPIN' JIG	H	F	6'9"	1	16-30	1/4-1 1/2	Fuji®Alconite
TAEL701MMHXB-AGS	Brent Ehrler	FINESSE	M-MH	XF	7'0"	1	8-20	1/8-1	DAIWA AGS®
TAEL711HFB	-	SKIPPIN' JIG	H	F	7'1"	1	16-30	1/4-1 1/2	Fuji®Alconite
TAEL731MHFB	Brent Ehrler	MULTI-PURPOSE	MH	F	7'3"	1	10-20	1/4-1	Fuji®Alconite

I have an original Zillion, which is pretty much what the Tatula is now, although I think the Tat is slightly more advanced now. The zillion is an absolute awesome stick, mine is 7’3” medium heavy regular. It’s really a sweet rod. Titanium sic guides, eva full grip. Grip is a little slick though. I bought it from a member here a few years ago. Solid sticks…

[Eric 26]

I’m going to recommend the Okuma TCS-“a” casting rod in 7’-3” heavy power. Although I don’t use mine as much as I’d like I’ve thrown 90/110 sized whopper ploppers and 1/2/-3/4 chatter baits mostly on it but it’s a great rod in my opinion. It’s labeled as a frog/swim bait rod with a lure rating of 1/4-2 ounces and has a decently soft tip with a solid backbone and it’s priced at $164.99 currently at Tackle Warehouse. 

[Eric 26]

@NateW I should have mentioned Okuma has a 7’-0” heavy also but it’s a moderate fast which I have the same action in the 7’-0” medium plus and it’s definitely a different action compared to the fast action. I bought both rods based on prior recommendations from site members without being able to handle them prior to purchasing but I’m very happy I did especially the 7’-0” stick.