John G

Are you fishing from the bank?

Assuming you are just talking about Squarebills, my recommendation is a Shimano Citica 200E. The gear ratio is 6.2:1. I have an almost new one with a new Hawgtech Handle with Shimano Power Grip II knobs for $125.00 tyd if you are interested. A Shimano Curado 50E would be nicer but you will have trouble finding one at your price point.

I have some 5'6" pistol grip rods. The shortest rod that I use on a regular basis is a 6 footer.

The JDM Aldebaran MG7 and the Aldebaran BFS and the Scorpion XT1000. Japan Tackle has the XT1000 for $199.00. It can be found cheaper than that if you look hard enough. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it essentially the same reel as a Curado 50E. I would say it's the nicer of the two.

Japan Tackle says 2015 for the new Conquest 50.

I know it may sound obvious, but make sure spool is completely full of line. Your casts will be shorter if it's not full.

I have 3 Hawgtech Handles. I used the standard Shimano Power Grip II knobs on mine though. If you want to upgrade a reel that has a handle with no bearings, these are definitely an upgrade.

Use a little heavier lure and lighten up the brakes and try 10 or 12 mono or braid instead.

Made in America Seibert Outdoors Spinnerbaits. He also makes a darn nice jig!

I bought one from these guys the other day. Fast shipping with no issues. The one that I received is red. I have not used it yet but I will soon enough. http://www.ebay.com/itm/291074296266?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

It can be either. If it's a two handed cast, the reel is usually straight. If it's a sidearm cast, then it's angled.

Line

I would buy a Shimano Antares DC7-LV and match it up with a Shimano Poison Glorious rod.

7.1 Frog 7.1 Jig and Trig I know that you didn't bring it up, but could use the 6.5 MH combo for a Spinnerbait?

Thanks

Is Tatsu the best there is or are the Japanese keeping the really good stuff over there?

I owe I owe so off to work I go!

The do count knob bearings

There are 2 different spool bearing here. A Shimano Calcutta 100B is advertised as having 3+1 bearings. It has 3 on the spool and 1 Anti Reverse Bearing. My Calcutta 100B now has a total of 8 bearings because I added a handle that has 2 bearings in each knob. Bearings in the knobs definitely make the reel feel smoother on the retrieve. A Conquest 50 has 11+1. It has bearings everywhere. LOL Using brakes on a reel with really good bearings that are well maintained does not negate the really good bearings. Even though you are using brakes, you can cast a little farther, sometimes much farther with less effort and casting lighter lures is easier with better bearings.

This info was posted on the wall at the FWC Exhibit at the Florida State Fair last Saturday when I was there. 17.4 1/4 oz for the Fl record.

You should find out if it's a medium or a medium heavy.

What 6'6" do they have? Is it a Loomis? Not all Loomis's are created equal. Is it a MBR 782 or 783 or something else? GL 3, IMX or GLX?

30# I know this method of putting braid on a reel won't work for everyone cause not everyone has a spare reel that they are not using. I used to have the problem with braid digging into itself when pulled really tight so when putting braid on a reel, instead of running the braid through my fingers, and hoping the braid is going on tight enough, I will put the braid on a reel with a larger line capacity than the reel that I want to put the braid on. I will then put the rod/reel with the braid on it, on my bed, and then tie the loose end of the braid to the reel that I want to have the braid. I adjust the drag on the reel that has the braid on it so that when I am reeling the other reel, the braid is coming off with a lot of constant resistance. You will know if your drag is too tight when you start to pull the one combo off of your bed.