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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | We normally troll with the Bassproshop specials... ...6'3" rod, i know it's not the best rod, but for the price you really can't go wrong, they have been dependable for the last 2 years. But we have always used smaller cranks baits. We are trying a new lake this year that likes big baits. Does any one experience with these rods and handling big baits, and does anyone have any suggestions on a big bait company. I'm not looking for a 24" crank, maybe a somewhere around 10+ inches. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | My suggestion is to get a Rollie & Helen's catalog, it is full of baits from different companies and you can pick and choose from there. Or, www.muskyshop.com. Smokey's has a good catablog, too. There are so many big trolling baits out there, really depends a lot on the type of lake, depth you expect to troll, speed, etc. \
Also, do a Google search on Tuff Shad, one of the most used brands of trolling baits in these parts.
good hunting, m |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | I've got a couple of the BPS rods and use them some. They're relatively short and stiff, not offering much shock absorbtion on the strike. Coupled w/ heavy mono I think they'd be fine, w/ superlines, you better have your drag adjusted properly or you might have troubles. But you're right, for the price, they're hard to beat. Baits - it's probably hard to go wrong w/ big Jakes, Grandmas, Believers and big spinnerbaits. There's a ton of specialty baits out there for the big bait guys, but most are way out of my price range. But then, a DDD is a huge bait for me.
Sorno |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | Basically we will be trolling Okauchee, which to my understanding is a big bait lake... |
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Posts: 20277
Location: oswego, il | I would not say ochauchee is a big bait lake ince it's main forage is not really big. With that said, I think those rods will be ok, stick with mono or flourocarbon of 20-40lbs and you will be fine. |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | Do you use a leader? |
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| I use the 7'6 cat maxx rods and can run anything from a 5 inch tuff to a legend plow with no troubles at all ! Great rods and they go on sale a couple times a year !
THE FERD |
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Posts: 2378
| Magruter - 1/3/2006 12:47 PM
Do you use a leader?
I use 4' 150lb floro leader |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | What's the purpose of using mono? Is it as reliable as braided? |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | Magruter - 1/3/2006 12:22 PM
What's the purpose of using mono? Is it as reliable as braided?
It allows for some stretch; the shock of a trolling strike, especially at higher speeds is more than some equipment and/or fish mouths can handle.
S. |
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Posts: 20277
Location: oswego, il | Yes, stretch is important when trolling, you can rip the lure from it's mouth without ever getting hooks in the fish. I also use light wire hooks like the mustad 1/0 to 3/0 sized short shank round bends. They turns rips into net jobs.
I use 100lb flourocarbon leaders of at least 3ft. Muskies like to roll in them and they are better on the fishe's exterior than are wire leaders. I do suppose a coated stranded wire leader would work too. |
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