Scratchin' that itch

[TN-riverRat]

Anyone else struggle with gear acquisition disorder? Just purchased Dobyns KD734cb and Dobyns DX745c and need advice on picking reels to match.
KD734cb - Plan is to throw medium diving cranks (0-10'), mayyyybe some walking baits.. idk haven't used it yet but has a soft tip perhaps not enough back bone though. What reel would you pair with this rod and application? I'm thinking a 6.x:1 gear ratio, around 26 IPT, under 8 oz reel weight, 10-14# fluoro ?

• Daiwa Fuego CT 6.3:1 (matchy matchy)
• Daiwa Tatula 150 6.3:1
• Daiwa Tatula elite 6.3:1 (I don't prefer the smaller handle and knobs on this for cranking though)
• Shimano Curado MGL 6.2:1
• Chronarch 150 MGL 6.2:1

Reel pricing increases through the list. Do you think its worth a more expensive reel for crankbaits? Also thoughts on 6.x:1 vs a 7.x:1 for this technique?

DX745c - Jigs, jigs, and oh did I mention this rod will be used for jigs?? Swim, flipping, football, skipping.. well at least I'll try haha. This will be my first true jig rod. Not sure if this should be spooled with braid to rod and a half length leader or just straight 12-17# fluoro. 7.x:1 or 8.x:1??

• Daiwa Tatula Elite
• Shimano Curado MGL
• Daiwa Mangetsu - limited edition reel. Looks cool but at that price point should I just go with Zillion lol
• Shimano Chronarch 150 MGL
• Shimano Bantam MGL A

Appreciate all insight from those of you who've had the chance to fish with these rods and reels. BOCO: buy once cry once am I right.. then do it again!

[Phrog Phil]

I recently got the Mangetsu as an anniversary gift and in very limited use I like it. The free sweatshirt is nice too.

[coreynov902]

My 2 cents:

Do you prefer Daiwa or Shimano when it comes to their braking systems, or doesn't it matter? Me personally, I have struggled trying to dial in the centrifugal braking system that Shimano uses. When they are dialed in, they can really sling a bait, but I just have found the magnetic braking on Daiwa reels to be more user friendly for me. I'd personally go with a 7:1 ratio since you may have times where you want to burn a crankbait and that will be easier with the 7:1 vs. a 6:1 reel. You can always slow down your retrieve with the 7:1 if you want to crawl through cover.

For the jig rod, even though I like Daiwa better than Shimano, that Bantam MGL A is a fantastic reel. It's a little heavier but it's built like a tank and pitches and casts great. So if you prefer Shimano, I'd definitely go that route. If you like Daiwa better, the Zillion is awesome, but if you like a bigger handle, the Elite Pitch & Flip is a great reel for jigs and T-rigs and it makes a great frog reel too. I'd definitely go 8:1 for this reel. And I prefer going straight braid or braid-to-leader, but that's going to be personal preference.

[TN-riverRat]

I appreciate yalls insight. Honestly I haven’t used any newer shimano reels. Have an old chronarch 200e that I like. But don’t have enough experience with either brands to know which works best for me between Daiwa and Shimano. From reading this forums both brands offer quality products.

I’m starting to lean towards the 7.x:1 gear ratio to really get these crank baits moving. Quick start and stop movements of the crank bait.

[TN-riverRat]

I recently got the Mangetsu as an anniversary gift and in very limited use I like it. The free sweatshirt is nice too.

yeah that sweatshirt is cool!

[Rangerdeepv]

Struggle with it everyday...............