Any New Gear for 2015?

I added yet another frog rod combo to my collection; A 7:1 Tatula reel and 7’4″ H Tatula Rod. These are my first Tatula’s. I’m really impressed with the light weight of the rod. It is definitely seems stiffer than the 7’3″MH LTB Carolina Rig St.Croix and my Lamiglas Excel 735 MH, but not as stiff or H a rod as my Avid 7’3″ MH’s. I had the combo out throwing plastic swimbaits for Pike’s on ML. I was also impressed with the rods sensitivity. I’m not sure how it’s going to work for swimbaits with the sensitivity/stiffness. I’m thinking it would double better as a jig/Texas rig rod in addition to frogging.

As for the reel the magnetic settings are different than what I was used to on my other Daiwa reels; It’s a 20 point scale, not 10. I had the breaks set at 20% to start instead of at 40%, which seems to be the sweet spot for me. Once I figured that out I was casting like I’m used to doing.

So what’s new for you this year?

Moving from lakes to rivers. Gething a designated spinnerbait rod 13 Fishing Omen 6’10” M Casting with a Lews Speed Spool or Tournament MG. Also picking up a spinning rig for tubes.

Sounds like a well thought out frogging setup, with some multi-use options. I have a St Croix avid, 7’10” heavy that I primarily use for flipping jigs, and part-time for frogs but it is definitely heavy. For 2015, I am looking for a MH jig rod, 7′ or better as a primary jig rod. Ideally, not so damn thick and heavy like the telescopic avid. I’ve tried the Abu-Garcia Veritos and liked it, and looking for a spinning setup for drop-shot, either TF Outfitters or Loomis variation. Not looking to break the bank.

Also, tried a few of the Okuma rods for jigs and a heavy rod for Carolina rigs. I liked them. They were paired with curado 7:1’s

theodorenugget wrote:

Sounds like a well thought out frogging setup, with some multi-use options. I have a St Croix avid, 7’10” heavy that I primarily use for flipping jigs, and part-time for frogs but it is definitely heavy. For 2015, I am looking for a MH jig rod, 7′ or better as a primary jig rod. Ideally, not so damn thick and heavy like the telescopic avid. I’ve tried the Abu-Garcia Veritos and liked it, and looking for a spinning setup for drop-shot, either TF Outfitters or Loomis variation. Not looking to break the bank.

I have that same Avid 7’10” Telescopic. I got it about 15 years ago on a manufacturer discount program back when I worked for Gander Mountain. I don’t use the rod much because it just wears me down so fast.

I’m toying with picking up a St. Croix new model this year – the Avid “X” bait casting rod. I need something for jerk baits and topwater. There is a 6′-4″ medium extra fast and their rep at the NW Sportshow thought it would be very good for that application.

Haven’t decided on a reel yet, but something very light might be a good combo with that rod which is only 3.6 oz. Cuts down on wrist fatigue..

A new Dean Rojas series Duckett Frog rod.
A couple new Quantum PT Smoke reels
A couple new Shimano C14 reels, found a smoking hot deal.
A bunch of new Strike King KVD 1.0 & 1.5, hard to pass up at less than 3.00 each.

Yeah, more stuff than needed but….

Ron

All brand new Denali Rods for this season. 1 J2, a Kovert, and a few Rosewoods. with Stradics, Lew’s BB1 Pro’s and a 13 fishing concept C.

Denali Rods are sick!

I tied a bunch of flies and made up some poppers over the winter, does that count?

Can’t wait to do some Bass fishing, feels like it’s been forever.

SR