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I bought two Todd Huckabee rods at the Mid-South show in Bixby today. I got the meat draga and pulling rods. What type of line would a guy use on these rods for dippin trees? I always use power pro braid 20lb,(6lb dia.) on my other light crappie rods because I like the feel and never loose a fish due to a break. Your advice is appreciated
I bought two Huckabee rods at the show and was promptly told by Ken Roberson (Power Crappie LLC) working the booth with Todd that using braid voids the warranty then he showed me the card with Todd's picture attached to the rod so I could read it. Todd spoke up and said because of the stiffness of the 3 rods you do not need braid. I will be using 10 lb mono.
Frank depending on technique dictates the lb test mono I use. It also dictates the type reel I use also. I use 10lb BoneHead of Vicious Hi Vis while vertical with 2 big jigs and baits and also while pulling. When dipping timber either 6 or 10. While swimming baits it's always 6lb Hi Vis. As far as reels most of the time they are just line holders. And most cases you don't need a lot of it either. I use a small level wind That's about the size in diameter of a silver dollar that holds about 50yds of line. Do not buy the Wally Marshall or BP models cause they are junk. I use the BnM brand reels and have never had a single problem. If I am fishing deep like in the winter then I use a bigger level wind for that technique.....Have any concerns or Questions give me a call Frank. You certainly have a couple fine rods to work with......Ranger
Thanks Mark! Will do. I look forward to using them. I do not bass fish any more and have some top of the line open face reels I will use. They were collecting dust anyway.
I may catch a little flack over this but here goes. I use 6 1/2 foot rods from Walmart that cost a whopping $16.96 for double dipping. If any of you know me that is my technigue 75% or more of the time. So my point is my CHEAP rods get quite a work out. I use braid exclusively on these rods and have NEVER broke a tip. I find it hard to believe that the braided line would break the tip of what is supposed to be one of the best rods available. My guess is it is not the braid breaking the tip. So if I choose to put 30 lb mono (which is the test I sometimes use in braid) on the rod and use it would that void the warranty? I almost always fish braid unless casting and dragging so unless something changes that keeps me from purchasing a Huckabee rod. I don' use braid just for feel, I use it also to be able to straighten out the hooks on my Crappie Pro jig heads. Don't crucify me over this it is only my opinion. I think Ken and Todd are both great guys AND HAVE A GREAT ROD. I suspect some of the people reporting breaking the tips are blaming braid when it could have been operator error.
Odie
Odie I agree with you! I also suspect user error and not the rods! I use braid 99% of the time. Ken and Todd are standup guys, I have broke the tip on a meat dragger but it was operator error not the braid that caused it!
X3, People set the hook too hard and break the tip
I have four VERY little BnM BGJP rods I use braid on all the time. I have never broke a rod tip. If you have your "drag" set properly I not understand why you would break the tip. Just my 2c's
People don't set the drag properly and yank the rod too hard when hung up and/or setting hook or all of the above. This can happen anywhere, anytime on any rod and with any type of line. Heck I did it with fluorocarbon on my bass rod once yanking away at it when it was hung up. Also did it with monofilament on my Crappie Maxx rod. I have learned my lesson. Better to cut the line and loose the jig than the tip of my rod.
I have never broke a tip fishing so I am no expert on the matter but, when I get hung and I know it's going to be tuff getting free I point the rod right at the hangup as straight as I can. That way there is no bending pressure on the rod. If my drag starts talking to me I wrap the line around the rod handle to take pressure off the drag. If I still cant pull free or break the line, I cut it. Just my .02 cents. You got what you pad for....
Here's the way Todd explains the issue with braid...when braided line wraps around the rod tip and pressure is applied (maybe by setting the hook) it can cut into the graphite. Then when you set the hook on a big fish...it can break. And regarding hooks that can be straightened out, he says...he likes hooks with no flex. They can be driven into the bony part of a crappie's mouth better and not miss the bite. The reason braid is helpful on rods with very soft tips (ones that start bending mid-rod) is that the rod is absorbing the feel of the bite. Huckabee rods are designed with a great backbone and stiff tip so they don't absorb the "feel of the bite (the thump)". The thump transfers all the way to the handle. That's why many of Todd's clients say, "these fish hit harder than crappie on my lake". They bite the same, but they are feeling the thump with a stiffer rod.
Great explanation with detail Ken. One reason I don't fish braid on a lot of occasions is braid has no stretch and it makes it much harder to sling shot or rubber band the jig off of wood or a rock when it gets snagged. So using mono I am able to save a lot of baits with clients in the boat....saving baits means saving dollars......now I didn't say I didn't use braid cause I do when the technique dictates it......Ranger
That's also a good point Mark. I guess what is important is finding out through trial and error what works best for you and in what situations. I'm just now learning about braids and have alot to learn. But I also have some personal opinions that won't mean anything to anybody but me because of how I fish.
Very informative thread. I have never had any braid on any of my rods or reels in my lifetime. I have been thinking about giving it a shot. Thanks for the information folks.
Bobo
Heard some conversation at the show about Berkley's Nanofil line. No stretch but not as abrasive as braid. I've not used it and don't know anything more about it. More info on it at cabelas.com.
I have tried the Berkley line and certainly didn't like it at all. But that's just one opinion. Heck they may have improved it since last year who knows.....Ranger
Just exactly what is proper drag set when fishing braid? Does the rod dictate that? We dummies need all help we can get. Thanks
Hat it's not Rocket Science. Lol. Sorry Buddy I couldn't help it. You was to back off the drag enough that hooking a fish doesn't rip line off but hooking a tree limb does. There is a fine line between that setting I know. I just back off the drag enough that I can pull it off the reel with my hand easily. If you hook a fish and it slips tighten it up a little. Best I can do. It's all trial and error.......Ranger
I know I am alittle slow Ranger! BUT MY BOAT DID PASS INSPECTION ! Sorry buddy I couldn't help it. LOL Even if we can't catch fish we can have fun. I appreciate all your help on things. Remember it's guys like me that make you look smart.
Hat55, very good question. I am not an expert and look forward to comments for others. Here is what I have read.
Drag the amount of force at which the reel give up line to keep the line or pole from snapping (the weakest link in the system). The unwritten rule for drag is simple. Whatever the strength of the line your using, divide it by 4 and thats how much pound of force it should take to get the drag working. This is correct for line "only" Connect the line to an accurate scale, back up 5-6 ft. with the rod tip at a 45 degree angle the drag should slip at the above calculated force. Example: 12# braid divided by 4 equals .. 3 lbs. But as you know not many crappie rod are designed to swing a 3 lb. crappie in the boat. I have not seen too many crappie rods designed to even swing a crappie larger than 3/4 - 1 lb. in the boat and UL maybe only 1/2 lb. ( then as Todd said, if up get the line around the tip and don't notice ) you have "0" drag. You would be surprised how much force is at the rod handle on a 10ft. rod with a 1.0 lb. drag. Hope the Big Guns get on here and line us out. dj
Hat55, didn't notice Ranger (Mark) had made it so simple. That's pretty much how I do it now. Experience with your equipment is a great teacher. dj
Thanks Great answerQuote:
Originally Posted by rdjj71m
Mum is the word. Lol. Hat who would of thought a new boat would have a defective extinguisher. Lol. The response certainly made me laugh. For me it's just a feel kinda thing. I never excelled at Math especially the AB = C thing. Lol so for me it's just a eye, hand, feel and maybe some but limited experience when setting a drag for braid. When I jerk and it slips I tighten it up a little.......ain't this fun and what good friends we have found from fishing.......Ranger
Amen brother.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger09
I use braid and just crank my drag all the way down. It gets a little dicey if you snag something never broke a rod yet
What rods do you use ?Quote:
Originally Posted by clfarms1
A couple of pinnacles and bnm jig poles. I have bent them pretty hard but no breaking I am looking to get some trolling rods
Well I, ll probly get run outa town too.....we been using braid since it came out. I only use mono when minnow fishin, which we dont do much. Agree with ya odie I never broke a rod using braid. There, s still such a thing called drag....set to the type or action rod and your all set. Oh by the way I might just be qualified to make such a post...lol!
With braid drag settings all your after is taking the shock load off the rod itself......tie off to something solid load up the rod as you normally do on hookset, you want it slip enough to not straighten hooks but tight enough to let your rod do most of the work.....play around with it before you go out and you will be dialed in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hat55
Well dang, broke my first rod ever last weekend. Don't think it had to do with braid or the drag. Probably it was more the wind blowin a metal do shut while my rod was still in it! I think that what caused it to break! And it was one of my high dollar $19 rods from wally world! Big sigh......................
Leland - good to hear from you again!
Leland??Quote:
Originally Posted by IkenI
HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE"S ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have not been on here in what 2 years??????????????? My Slabstick- pro model has not been home to see Poppa in too long. You and Sissy OK????? Yes, I would say you are qualified to talk about braid and drag. It is GREAT to hear from you.
You have been missed Leland.
Yes, you have been missed. You certainly taught me alot when I was just getting real serious about catching crappie. I hope you come back on board and post.
Leland, are you still growing those big tomatoes in those hay bales? They sure were good.
We been ok hope all ya'll are ready as we are to get after em way to cold huh? I got one of them new pads kinda hard to but used to but It work. Yes I'll be on here every o and then.
I take it you have moved. It is great to hear from you. Ed Godfrey asked about how you had been. Glad you are back:biggrin
How ya been Hat? Nope dont grow em in bales. I'm trying the grafted tomatoes this year.I'm also thinking about grafting black\white crappie too!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hat55
No Gorge...still in L.TownUSA.Quote:
Originally Posted by cricket george