Top 5 Rods for Kayaks and Other Small Crafts

Kayaks, float tubes, and other small boats present a unique set of challenges for bass fisherman. Unlike the larger bass boats, small crafts require unique gear to fish effectively. From length restrictions to dialing in the actions to account for instability, there are a lot of aspects to consider when purchasing equipment.

Below we break down the top 5 rods that we recommend for an angler that is seriously considering fishing from a tube, kayak, jon boat, etc. These are rods that work for a variety of techniques and won't break the bank. 

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With these 5 rods you should be able to throw a dropshot, a frog, and everything in between. 

Rod/Reel Combos...

Spinning Rod - Zodias 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Spinning Reel – Shimano Nasci : http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Spinning Rod- Dobyns 7' Medium Fury: http://bit.ly/2e7HZPF

Spinning Reel- Shimano Nasci: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Casting Rod- Zodias 7' 2” Medium: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Casting Reel- Shimano Casitas 150: http://bit.ly/2geKxsp

Casting Rod- Dobyns 7' Medium Heavy Fury: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Casting Reel- Shimano Citica: http://bit.ly/2dWFHA4

Casting Rod- G Loomis E6X 7'1” Heavy: http://bit.ly/2bQNaBn

Casting Reel- Shimano Curado 70: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Jerkbait Review: Megabass Kanata and Jackall Dowzvido

Matt reviews two new jerkbaits that really stood out from the crowd this Winter. The Jackall Dowzvido and the Megabass Kanata are both great ripbaits to add to your arsenal for the Spring and Prespawn. 

The Jackall Dowzvido stook out because of the great color patterns, excellent side to side rolling action, and amazing castability. If you're looking for a compact jerkbait to dive deeper and fool those finicky fish, this is the one for you! 

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The Megabass Kanata is an oversized jerkbait but it fishes much smaller than it really is. If you're looking to upsize your catch, this is an awesome option! With a ton of flash and roll to attract fish, this bait is sure to be a winner!

Jerkbaits are an awesome way to catch big fish during the cold water months. As bass move into the shallows in Spring the jerkbait becomes even more effective! These two baits will be a great addition to any bass fisherman's arsenal. 

Baits in this video...
Jackall Dowzvido: http://bit.ly/2laGa7G
Megabass Kanata: http://bit.ly/2jG4Q85

Jackall Gamakatsu replacement hook: http://bit.ly/2dWWAut
Megabass Owner replacement hook: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Matt's preferred Gear for the Dowzvido...

Rod- Loomis IMX Jerkbait: http://bit.ly/2bp9tOj
Reel- Curado 70: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt
Line- 20 lb Sufix 832 Braid: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader- 10 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2aiu0Wu

Matt's Preferred Rod for the Megabass...
Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Curado 200: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK
Line- 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader- 15 lb Maxima: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Jerkbait fishing can be deadly effective once you understand the cadence. Check out this video if you'd like to learn how to fish a jerkbait: https://youtu.be/53KaZSeIdFM

Shimano Tranx 300 Reel Review

Shimano just released the Tranx 300 and 400 as new additions to their casting reel line up for fresh and saltwater applications. If you've been looking for a super strong reel to throw swimbaits, big baits, A-rigs, Crankbaits, or cross over into inshore fishing, this might just be the reel for you!

The Tranx 300 fits the big bait niche perfectly for us. We found that it paired very well with our swimbait rods and worked equally well with big softbaits and hardbaits alike.

The addition of a high speed version (7.6:1 Gear Ratio) is another awesome upgrade from previous offerings into this category. With a high speed option the effectiveness of reactive fishing with glidebaits, wakebaits, and other fast moving baits is very high. If you're in the market for a big bait, high power, or offshore reel be sure and check out the new Tranx casting reel by Shimano. 

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See the gear here...

Tranx Reel : http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw
Matching Rods: http://bit.ly/2emaKYZ

Baits We've successfully used with this reel...

Huddleston Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2azFTon
Osprey Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0
10XD Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0
Lucky Craft Magnum Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2l1RDDR
River2Sea S-Waver: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
Gan Craft Magnum Glidebait: http://bit.ly/2l3bxgM

Tim's 2017 Rod and Reel Arsenal

In today's video Tim shows his 2017 rod and reel combos. From affordable to outrageous, he's got an assortment of gear that puts most tackle shops to shame! Our viewers asked for a tour of our gear so here it is...

We both LOVE high end bass fishing gear but we know that not everyone can afford to use the best gear on the market. We spent years and years using low end bass fishing rods and have slowly worked our way up. Don't feel pressured to spend outside of your budget but when the time is right, be sure to check out the equipment we use as a point of reference for your own fishing. 

Links to our favorite combos...

Rod- GLX Spinning DSR820: http://bit.ly/2bhCI2O
Reel- Sustain 1000: http://bit.ly/2hntKFi

Rod- NRX Spinning 852: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv
Reel- Daiwa Luvias Air: http://bit.ly/2jllD06

Rod- Dobyns 792 Spinning: Discountinued
Reel- Daiwa Luvias Air: http://bit.ly/2jllD06

Rod- Dobyns 743 Spinning: http://bit.ly/29OVnDa
Reel- Daiwa Luvias Air: http://bit.ly/2jllD06

Rod- GLX 895: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT
Reel- Chronarch 150 CI4+: http://bit.ly/2kinLFT

Rod- GLX 894: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT
Reel- Curado 70: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Rod- Loomis GLX 853C JWR Casting: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50 HG: http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Curado 200I: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Curado 200I: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK

Rod- G Loomis 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2c58qD3
Reel- Shimano Curado 70: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Rod- Dobyns Champion Extreme 784: http://bit.ly/2ab2kRX
Reel- Revo MGX: http://bit.ly/2hen4eR

Rod- Zodias Glass Cranking: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Antares 7:1: http://bit.ly/2ha2zNI

Rod- Dobyns 795 Flip: http://bit.ly/2ab2kRX
Reel- Curado 200I: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK

Rod-Dobyns 766 Flip: http://bit.ly/2afyhHp
Reel- Shimano Curado 200I: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK

Rod- Dobyns 736C: http://bit.ly/2abq8nl
Reel- Revo Orra Inshore: http://bit.ly/2axc1a1

Rod- Daiwa Tatula 7'4": http://bit.ly/2jMpeRe
Reel- Curado 200I: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK

Rod- Dobyns 734: http://bit.ly/2aFrSYt
Reel- Revo SX: http://bit.ly/2kinpis

Rod- Dobyns 704CB: http://bit.ly/29OVD4V
Reel- Shimano Curado 70: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Rod- Dobyns Champion 805CB: http://bit.ly/29OVD4V
Reel- Abu Garcia Orra Winch: http://bit.ly/2hbQg6l

Rod- Dobyns 807 Mag: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Reel- Revo Toro Beast: http://bit.ly/2bgJDds

Rod- Dobyns 807 Mag: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Reel- Shimano Cardiff: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

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Rod- Dobyns 867: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Reel- Revo Toro Beast: http://bit.ly/2bgJDds

Rod- Dobyns Swimbait 806H: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Reel- Shimano Curado 300: http://bit.ly/2bqtNx8

Rod- Dobyns Swimbait 908: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Reel- Revo Toro Beast: http://bit.ly/2bgJDds

You do not need the top of the line rods and reels to catch more bass but it definitely makes the experience more fun! 

We hope you enjoyed this in depth look at our rod and reel arsenal for 2017!