ChiCityBasser

I think the Cabelas Prodigy is a pretty good B/C for a beginner and its on sale now for I believe around $70. It's made by Daiwa and I pretty much learned with this one and still have it in my setups. It gets less use than my Quantum reels but is still a pretty good reel and backed by the Cabelas warranty.

I primarily use spinning rigs and at the suggestion of RW I also use Yo Zuri Ultrasoft but went to big on my setups also with 10# and had many of the memory issues. After he suggested 6-8# for the spinning I went with the 6# and haven't had those issues. I also use P-Line CXX in the 8# version with no problems on my spinning gear. I also now spray them with the KVD line & lure conditioner just as a bit of an insurance policy and no issues. My B/C pretty much all has braid on it with one setup having mono

I'd probably go with the 2500 or 3000 since they are very very close to one another with the 3000 being able to hold more line due to the larger spool. I got the 1000 cause it was all that was in stock at a Cabelas in store sale that allowed me to get a Cabelas XML for $50 instead of the regular $139

I went through the same type of problem when I got my Shimano Sahara. Cabelas had a buy the reel get a XML rod for 50% off but they only had the 1000FD in stock. I wanted the 2500FD but ended up getting the 1000FD and its been a great reel. The only drawback with the Sahara 1000 is that it's a Graphite frame but since its not a every time out reel its been fine for the year I have owned it. I have it spooled with Original Spiderwire 20# 6 on a 6'6" XML. If the MgFB is all aluminum I would say the 1000 size would be fine but sure others will chime in also

Of those 3 from Cabelas I would go with the Prodigy reel which is made by Daiwa for Cabelas. I have the B/C reel and it is d**n good and have handled the reel in store but picked up the Daiwa Regal Xi off ebay for cheap. Even though I'm a Quantum guy I couldn't recommend the Kinetic A but would reommend the Kinetic B

I have the Shimano Sahara in the 1000 size and its a very good reel. Very smooth and handles everything I have caught on it with no problem. Drag is ultra smooth as well. I would also look at the Daiwa Exceler and the Cabelas Prodigy(Daiwa Made). The Quantum Kinectic B is also a pretty good reel and can be had on ebay for less than $100 as well

Lately I have been throwing white and will try white/chartreuse

Great Job and the reel looks really good and wish I had the patience and talent to do a couple of my reels myself.

I guess the rod selection depends on the area cause the one I regularly go to in Hammond, IN has a large selection of rods but the one here in Hoffman Estates, IL had a very small selection of rods.

Strike King 1XS which runs I think 1-3ft in Gizzard Shad and also in Sexy Shade. This is pretty much my go to shallow lure since the weeds have grown up in most of the lakes and ponds I'm fishing. Depending on how I hold the rod I can run it just about the weeds and it has worked pretty well for me.

I have it spooled on a spinning reel in 8lb test and it does have a bit too much memory when trying to cast lighter lures. I will probably go down to 6lb test or switch over to Yo Zuri in the 8lb test

I have some spooled on a BPS Viper reel and it depends on the water you are fishing in regards to how visible it is at least with my experience. In clear water I would see bluegill nipping at the line and following the lure in and it was very visible. Stained or murky water I'm sure its not as visible.

ive been having your same problems with the spro, i think ill stick with my snagproof frog never had any problems with it. also, try braid or flouro instead of Mono. Mono stretches a lot and can mess up a good hookset. Didn't think about the line factor and the stretch of Mono. I have another setup already spooled with braid and let me see if I have better results with it Rod: Cabelas 6'6" XMLRJ MH Reel: Quantum Accurist PT Line: Berkley Fireline Smoke 30# I'll use this setup for the frogs and try the other setup for something else. Thanks

It's like fishing with a small shoestring....white above the water, white below the water I agree after watching bluegill follow and gather around my line as I'm reeling in a lure that it looks exactly like a shoestring in the water.

:-?I have a pile of em in the garage! They all spin backwards because the antireverse pins break. No more for me. I was thinking of adding a Shimano Symetre to my collection but think I'll pass on it for now. The new Quantum Kinetic PTI-B is a great reel and with the weight reduction for the A to B it's even more solid. I have the KT20PTiB and its super smooth, 6 bearings and now weighs in at 10.5oz. Caught a couple of 3lb's on it and not one problem with the drag or anything. I know thats not really a true test of the drag but the reel performed great.

The Daiwa Exceler Combo seems to be pretty good with Bassmaster having a writeup and recommendation on the reel awhile back. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0066762124204a&navCount=1&podId=0066762&parentId=cat601359&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat21404-cat21406-cat601359&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601359&hasJS=true

Thanks Dan and I'll keep at it cause I know I'll get it right soon enough and not like I have never missed a hookset with a crankbait and given up on them

Ok tried my Spro frog again tonight and a fish hit it and took it under and again I got a missile coming back at me. I waited a couple seconds and guess I will try another brand of frog as well cause no hookups is frustrating and its the Spro Jr frog. My setup is a 6'6" MH Cabelas XMLTi with a Quantum Energy PT 6.3:1 with 12lbs Trilene Mono

Cabelas for me with both Cabelas(Hammond, IN) and BPS(Portage, IN) being within about 30 min. Cabelas customer service has won me over as well as the layaway program for Cabelas. Actually the only time I go to BPS is during the beginning of the season sale when they have the reel trade in and I'm purchasing a new reel. Cabelas

I agree with letting the fish tell yuo what they want. Last outing I had using the frog they wouldn't hit it hopping and pausing it but on a steady retrieve a fish took it under. Work it til a fish takes it

I have some of the Bubble Gum colored floating worms and gave them a very brief try with no success and guess its time to pull them back out and give them more time in the water.

I can't say about the Code and how good it is or isn't but if the reviews aren't that great I would say step up. The New Quantum Accurist is only $10 more or the New Kinetic PT for $30 more at least at Cabelas. I have last years Accurist PT and it is a great reel and I think Tackle Tour did a brief write in regards to ICAST on the reel.

I agree about the Prodigy and here is the setup listed in the flea market. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1248372546

I have one of the 08 Energys also and have heard nothing but good things about the 09 models. Less weight and much smoother and just from the reviews and the posts I've seen this is my next B/C purchase.

I have the Cabelas Prodigy and its a great reel and even a better bargain at the sale price. Pretty easy to setup and as my second baitcaster it was and still is worth even at the full price. I haven't tried to cast anything extremely light with the combo I have but it worked well.