Just bought a spinning setup. Now what?

[Rolltide09]

Just ordered a Dobyns champion 703sf with a Stradic Cl42500. Kind of bought it on a whim. This will be my first spinning rod. What all will it be good for?

[Hammer 4]

If you didn't know what it is good for, why'd you buy it..?   

[Dave T.]

Just ordered a Dobyns champion 703sf with a Stradic Cl42500. Kind of bought it on a whim. This will be my first spinning rod. What all will it be good for?

I have a St. Croix LE with the same power, action and lure rating as that rod, and I have the same reel on it. It's a fine "all-around" rod for almost anything in it's lure weight range other than the heavier (anything over 3/8 oz) spinner baits and crankbaits, and that's because the spinning reel isn't ideal for those type lures.

With that said, your combo should work just as well. Just put something on there... jigs, jerkbaits, senko's, topwater, worm rigs... etc.

[new2BC4bass]

Just ordered a Dobyns champion 703sf with a Stradic Cl42500. Kind of bought it on a whim. This will be my first spinning rod. What all will it be good for?

Wow!  Wish I could afford that kind of gear on a whim.  From all the research I've done, I would have to say you done good.  Better than good.  Great!  Three power is suppose to make a fairly good all-around rod, depending on the type of cover you fish.

Enjoy that beautiful combo and good fishing.

[Rolltide09]

If you didn't know what it is good for, why'd you buy it..?

Just one of those bait monkey type deals. Might try to use it as a weightless t-rig, shakey head and lightweight texas rigged plastics setup.

[Hammer 4]

Sorry, I was just being a smart *** Looks like a nice set up. I have a 806 mag, love for swimbaiting..I'm sure you'll have a great time with yours.. 8-)

[midnighthrasher]

Catching Fish!!!

[flippin and pitchin]

That is some top notch stuff !  The 703 is so versatile. Shakey heads, flick shake, wacky worms, drop shot, Mojo rigs, split shot rigs, small finesse jigs, tubes, spider jigs, you name it.  Enjoy !!

[Shane J]

Nothing. You'd be better off sending all that crap to me.

Just kidding, that would be a great combo for drop shots and shakey heads. Between just those two techniques, you'll catch a lot of fish with that setup. Enjoy!

[Sam]

Some suggestions.

1.  Do not overfill the spool. It will cause the line to jump off and twist. Have at least a quarter inch of space from the top of the spool to the line.

2.  Use Kevin VanDam's Line and Lure Conditioner 9or pure silicone) and run the line through a wash cloth with one section soaked with the spray to remove the coating and memory off the line as you spool.

3.  Right now don't be concerned about the position of the spool when you spool the line onto the reel. Just do it and run the line through the KVD product.

4.  As you spool spray the line already on the spool after every 10 or 12 revolutions to soak it.

5.  Rig your favorite Shad Rap, shaky head, drop shot, Texas rig, unweighted Senko, etc. on your favorite six or eight pound line. Check the reel's and rod's specs to make sure you do not go over the recommended line test limit in additon to the bait's weight on the rod.

6.  Use a "weedless" hook as you will be throwing your plastics in lots of structure.

7.  Practice casting in addition to flipping and pitching. Especially pitching.

8.  Yell "Roll Tide" after every cast.

9.  Yell "Geaux Tigers" after every cast if you want to catch a nice size largemouth bass!!!  ;D   ;D   ;D

(Sorry, just getting ready for football season)

10.  When reeling the line back onto the reel run the line through your thumb and first finger to have the line go back tight onto the spool.

11. Practice underhand casts, skipping casts, overhand casts and side arm casts.

12. When hooking a fish be sure to set the hook hard on plastics to cross their eyes (like Nick Saban's eyes) or swing the rod sideways to set a treble hook bait.

13.  Go to YouTube and look for anything about pitching and flipping you can find.

14.  If you get line twist, make a cast and reel line back onto reel through your thumb and forefinger. Or, if home and want to take out the line twist before you go back to fishing, tie the end of the line onto a small tree or something stationary, walk away allowing the line to spin off the reel, then close the bail and pull on the line a few times. Using the KVD Line and Lure Conditioner (or pure silicone) respool.

15.  If the line twists off the spool DO NOT OPEN THE BAIL.  With the bail closed, loosen the drag and then pull the line off the reel. Then respool the line tight onto the reel by running it through your thumb and forefinger. Ole pro's trick.

Be sure to set the drag so that it is tight but you can pull some line off with your hand. Or keep it tight if you want. Personal preference.

Good luck.

Geaux Tigers!!!!        

[Dave T.]

Some suggestions.

1. Do not overfill the spool. It will cause the line to jump off and twist. Have at least a quarter inch of space from the top of the spool to the line.

2. Use Kevin VanDam's Line and Lure Conditioner 9or pure silicone) and run the line through a wash cloth with one section soaked with the spray to remove the coating and memory off the line as you spool.

3. Right now don't be concerned about the position of the spool when you spool the line onto the reel. Just do it and run the line through the KVD product.

4. As you spool spray the line already on the spool after every 10 or 12 revolutions to soak it.

5. Rig your favorite Shad Rap, shaky head, drop shot, Texas rig, unweighted Senko, etc. on your favorite six or eight pound line. Check the reel's and rod's specs to make sure you do not go over the recommended line test limit in additon to the bait's weight on the rod.

6. Use a "weedless" hook as you will be throwing your plastics in lots of structure.

7. Practice casting in addition to flipping and pitching. Especially pitching.

8. Yell "Roll Tide" after every cast.

9. Yell "Geaux Tigers" after every cast if you want to catch a nice size largemouth bass!!! ;D ;D ;D

(Sorry, just getting ready for football season)

10. When reeling the line back onto the reel run the line through your thumb and first finger to have the line go back tight onto the spool.

11. Practice underhand casts, skipping casts, overhand casts and side arm casts.

12. When hooking a fish be sure to set the hook hard on plastics to cross their eyes (like Nick Saban's eyes) or swing the rod sideways to set a treble hook bait.

13. Go to YouTube and look for anything about pitching and flipping you can find.

14. If you get line twist, make a cast and reel line back onto reel through your thumb and forefinger. Or, if home and want to take out the line twist before you go back to fishing, tie the end of the line onto a small tree or something stationary, walk away allowing the line to spin off the reel, then close the bail and pull on the line a few times. Using the KVD Line and Lure Conditioner (or pure silicone) respool.

15. If the line twists off the spool DO NOT OPEN THE BAIL. With the bail closed, loosen the drag and then pull the line off the reel. Then respool the line tight onto the reel by running it through your thumb and forefinger. Ole pro's trick.

Be sure to set the drag so that it is tight but you can pull some line off with your hand. Or keep it tight if you want. Personal preference.

Good luck.

Geaux Tigers!!!! :D

... or just use braid  ;D 

Just kidding... great tips!

[Grey Wolf]

Send it to me , I know what to use it for. I'll PM you my info.

[A-Rob]

tie a senko on that upside down rod and go catch some big bass on light line!

Enjoy the new rig bro!