Darren.

They are, indeed, durable as all get out. I have been a big fan, but over time, my styles changed to one that *feel* was more important. Ugly Stiks just do not have the sensitivity that I need. But for live bait situations (salt water, etc.) they are excellent. The Elites are supposed to be better, and they are lighter, but still heavy for my liking. The rods I use now are BPS Carbonlites. Light, sensitive, and strong. But not nearly as tough as the Ugly Stiks.

Not yet. I'm hunting 'em this year, though

Welcome aboard, Joe!

Lots of options. I used an 8 and then a 15# mushroom anchor when I did the canoe thing. The 15 was a three "prong" anchor, and I never had problems in the windy waters here.

Welcome aboard, Frank!

If spinning, 10lb Power Pro + 10-15lb leader (for timber). Casting, only change is 20lb Power Pro, same leader. And the leader will be either Yo-Zuri Hybrid (10,12), P-line Floroclear (15), XPS fluoro (10,12).

Fantastic streak! Jealous

Welcome aboard, Curt!

You can use a baitcaster for finesse techniques. I do. A Chronarch 50e + a 6'6" ML rod can throw weightless Zoom tiny flukes. Spinning gear is fine, though, but not absolutely necessary. The setup you describe above, 6' rod, spinning reel will work fine as you hone the "finesse" craft. No need to break the bank right away. For me, I use braided mainline and always tie on a leader, though that is not absolutely necessary, either. I even fish with 1000 size Shimano Stradics and 10 lb Power Pro braid on M and ML setups. Most of what I do would be described as "finesse", but to be technically true, you can "finesse" a 1 oz jig. So it is more a matter of how you fish the bait, though most would say the lighter the gear, the more finesse the style.

Agreed. And welcome aboard, Tom!

Good gravy! Beast of a fish.

In-store only sales right now. If you can find a BPS near you, maybe they'll have stock, maybe not. Either way, after the in-store Spring Classic, it will probably go online, and you might find deals then. Maybe, not for certain at this point. EDIT: Price depends on length and whether or not micro. I bought my 6'6" ML for $63 and change (tax included).

Hey David, welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Matt!

Chronarch 50e for me. But "best" is quite subjective. I like smaller, lighter reels. 50e fits the bill perfectly for me. But there are plenty of excellent options in that price range, though. Get your hands on 'em at your local BPS, Cabelas, or local shop and feel how they palm in your hand, the smoothness, etc. Got big hands, small hands? Does reel weight bother you? Prefer larger, smaller reels, etc.? I own Shimano, Daiwa, Quantum. 50e reels are the most expensive I own, and about all I use now.

Whichever you choose, I think you'll be best served with a fast or extra fast tip for wacky rig, soft plastics fishing. Just my opinion. St. Croix will tend to be a tad stiffer than the rating, at least in my experience. I'd think the Triumph X would be fine for your purpose, or the Fenwick fast tip. Really, if you can get your hands on all these rods prior to purchase, the better. Even better is getting your new Lexa 2500 on all the rods to compare how it feels in your hands.

On Sunday I got to fish side-by-side with the black Carbonlite and the white model - both with Shimano 1000-size reels. The white was - by far - more tip-light than the black, and the black was a ML 6'6" I had just bought the day before for 40% off. I took it back that evening to Bass Pro and exchanged it for a white 6'6" M rod. I have three other black Carbonlites, a 6'6" M spinning rod that is very close to the 6'6" white in lightness, but is still heavier in the tip. The black casting rods I have are lighter than the spinning rods, and balance perfectly with my Chronarch 50e reels. Either rod will serve your needs well. The odd thing to me was that the ML black was heavier than my M black. Not sure why, if it was a fluke. But it was a no brainer to return it for a white model. Bottom line for me, thus far, I'm pleased with where the white rods are going. I wasn't early on, but now that I've fished one, my mind has changed.

Yeah, it really is a "what fits you" or "what you like" type of thing. I just happen to like smaller reels. Kind of fits with my baitcasting, too, as I prefer my Chronarch 50e reels over any other baitcasters I have. I am not a big guy, don't have big hands, and smaller lighter gear is less strenuous on my elbows.

It is fine to learn baitcasting, but only if you really want to. It is not necessary to use one for bass fishing, as *plenty* on this forum can attest to. For me, I can say I chose to learn baitcasting because I wanted to, but I could do everything with spinning if that's all I had to use. Up to you, man.

I have two 1000FI Stradics and they're used for bass fishing. I have caught dozens of bass over 5 pounds with these on M powered rods. I personally prefer that size over 2500 and such. And don't think it is a necessity to have a larger reel for bass fishing. Nothing I've encountered thus far has given me pause (including 4lb pickerel, catfish, etc.). 10lb Power Pro spooled on gives me plenty of line for playing a larger fish if I need to. Just my .02.

Welcome aboard!

So I was in Richmond, VA for a soccer tourney for one of my boys. During the downtime I went to the BPS there as I knew they had old Carbonlites (called first). I wanted a 6'6" M, settled for a ML as the only 6'6" models were 2 piece, not what I wanted. Anyhow, today my buddy and I walked a local pond and fished. Me with my ML Carbonlite + a Stradic 1000FI, him with his new white Carbonlite (M 6'6") + a new Sahara 1000. I tried it out. The white was WAY more tip-light than my ML. SOOoooo, I went to the Hampton BPS tonight, exchanged the ML for a new white M. Anyhow, not sure why the ML was so different in tip-heaviness. My black M is only a tad more tip-heavy than the white M, but less so than the ML. Curious.

A legend, who coached future legends. RIP, coach.

Have a happy!