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Topic starter
August 29, 2025 8:55 am
We were recently on vacation on a small lake. Of course, I brought the boat loaded to the gills with 20+ rods and oodles of tackle. Much to my dismay, the lake didn’t have a boat ramp so I couldn’t get the boat in the water (the lake map we consulted before booking was apparently outdated and the public ramp got converted to a private beach, *sigh*), what a bummer… So I ended up fishing from the dock with my 7-yo daughter for 3 days… Which obviously led to a much more rationed rod arsenal. I played around with various rods but eventually ended up with 2 “junk” combos, one casting and one spinning. Didn’t want 10 expensive rods sitting on the dock for the kids to step on…
- Evergreen IRSC Super Raven casting rod with Megabass FX73SV reel
- Steez “The One” spinning rod with Exist 2500 reel
The Super Raven is as bougie as it gets for a fishing rod that can do it all - Cranks, top water, jerkbaits, jigs, chatterbaits, etc… It’s a great “jack of all trades, master of none” rod. It has the taper of a spinnerbait / swimjig rod much like the P5 Dark Sleeper (which I tried and didn’t love the rod overall but the taper is super versatile). No wonder Imae calls the Super Raven “a versatile rod for the 2020s”. It wouldn’t be my go-to jig rod, but I could enjoy it for pretty much everything else. I recently read that Imae fished a tournament and had 10 of the Super Ravens on deck… Really simplifies the rod options.
I had also forgotten how great the Daiwa T3 platform is… I could set it up easily with the Magforce 3D brake to cast a country mile whether it was a 1/4 oz jig, a 1/2 oz jerkbait or a 1 oz top water. The 60 different possible settings came in really handy and could easily cover any of the lures I was tossing with max distance and no backlash (ok, maybe a couple bird nests ;-). This is really the first time I tried all 3 of the major settings: “Long Cast”, “All-Around” and “Maxbrake”. Historically, I just left it on “All-Around”… Putting it on “Long Cast” made a huge difference, especially when aiming to maximize distance… I can’t think of another casting reel that can give me the distance I was getting for this wide of a range of lures without needing an experienced thumb…
The Steez “The One” was a great complement, being 7’6” M-ML. Could cast a jerkbait in the wind and sling spybaits, small swimbaits, ned rigs, etc… far into the distance.
Needless to say, my 7-yo daughter outfished me with her $50 6’6” pink spinning rod and reel combo, casting a grub about 10’ from the dock… But hey, is the enjoyment really about catching fish???
This will definitely be my one-two punch next time I’m fishing from shore. The silver lining of not having the boat is a less focus on finding spots / electronics / catching fish and more time focusing on gear setup / capabilities / experimentation / exploration. You gotta roll with what you got.
What are your go-to “junk fishing” combos, one casting and one spinning?
dragon1 reacted
August 29, 2025 11:09 pm
“Didn’t want 10 expensive combos sitting on the dock for kids to step on”…but two is ok…🤣
Great thread to start. Your story reminds me of our vacation a couple years back. I flew with 20 rods and reels, ended up buying a boatload of tackle when we got there, thinking we were renting boats the whole time. Upon arrival, found out boat rentals were OBSCENELY expensive and decided to just utilize the kayaks that came with the Air B&B we were staying at on a small lake. Had to downsize drastically and ended up with 3 combos and a tiny ITTY BITTY tackle bag full of necessities. I didn’t bring any spinning combos, but the 3 casting combos I relied on to cover everything were:
1) The Amart Crane Ltd F572XRC Racing Condition/Megabass IS73 Viola
2) Steez XBD/SV103 XS
3) Super Eiger/12 Aldebaran
Of those 3, the F572XRC/IS73 Viola was (and has been) the rod/combo that easily handles so many things. Yes, it’s limited (99 made) and yes it’s an older offering, but man…talk about timeless. This is one blank/taper that absolutely has proven itself so many times over the years for me and will continue to ALWAYS be on hand. From lipless and spinnerbaits, to cranks, topwater and bottom contact, it’s VERY capable. Outstanding rebound, crisp, sensitive, balanced with plenty of power when needed. Additionally…At 7’2” it’s, IMO, the right length to cover lots of things. For me, a multitasker has to be on the longer side to be able to handle bottom contact duties and take up line on a hookset with that more “versatile taper”, as well as be slightly more capable with trebles. It also handles a very wide range of lure ratings. Easily a top pick for me.
Of note, that vacation was one of my top 3 fishing excursions in terms of pure fun. It was also what made me decide it was time to buy a Yak, as I REALLY enjoyed the downsizing, simplicity and intimacy of fishing from one. Definitely reiterated the importance of enjoying the essence of fishing and not always being inundated with stupid amounts of tackle and a big boat. Sometimes…less is more.
If I had to pick a spinning combo, it would probably be either the X7 Powerhouse/Exist Steez Custom combo or the Daiko Dreadnought Burroughs Plus Complete “The Clarity” BRDS STX610 M-ML with a IOS Factory tuned 12 Exist 2506 mated to it.
Dug out some OLD pics of the Racing Condition…Sorry…none with the IS73 on board, but it’s the reel that lives on the one I fish. The second is brand new and a shelf queen.
Topic starter
August 31, 2025 5:48 am
Great stuff as usual, Greg. And thanks for the journey down memory lane…
I have been toying with the idea of kayak fishing but can’t get over the limited space. Knowing me, I would load it up to the gills and capsize, lol.
RISE reacted
September 1, 2025 12:25 am
Great stuff as usual, Greg. And thanks for the journey down memory lane…
I have been toying with the idea of kayak fishing but can’t get over the limited space. Knowing me, I would load it up to the gills and capsize, lol.
I sincerely believe that you would thoroughly enjoy it. It forces you to downsize, but in a good way. It’s almost like you end up savoring everything you’re using and fishing just a good bit more because you’re much less distracted. Plus, as a bonus, it helps keep you in shape….
dragon1 reacted
September 4, 2025 11:51 am
I want say ultimate but certainly up there the foxy and Steez limited
it will come through
I didn’t even know this fish was hooked lol
i thought i brought crooked line that didn’t retrieve straight lol
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