new2BC4bass

Baitcasters require a smooth cast. One of the easiest ways to stay smooth is with a roll cast. AFAIAC the roll cast is also the best way to keep the rod 'loaded'. I even try to incorporate a little roll with my overhead casts. However, I feel I lose a little accuracy using the roll on an overhead cast. The weights you are using should be fine with MH rods as long as that weight is within its rating. Try to use a total weight that is near the middle (or a bit higher) of the rod's rating. 3/8 oz. plus plastic should meet this requirement for most rods rated MH. One of my Medium rods carries the same rating as several of my MH rods so there are exceptions. I can't really answer your question about the best action to load a rod, but it seems to me a slower action would take less effort to load the rod. I am not sure I agree with those saying not to go below 12#..and 15# is better...on a casting rod. 12# is my standard line weight on MH rods. 8# is my standard on most of my Medium rods. I think that 12#-15# is a good range to use while learning. After that use what you want.

Going to be in the DeLand area for the next two weeks. Is a frog a viable option at this time of year in this area? Thanks.

I have 3000 yard spools of 12# and 8# AN40. My grandsons will inherit what is left. OP. Use the line you prefer. I don't think anyone is trying to talk you into mono. Only giving you our opinions after having used it for many years. Many, many years in some of our cases.

I am the same as you and Tom. Caught more fish in the 15 year period between age 5 and 20 then all the rest of my years. I'm 71. Did it with Trilene XL. 4# and 8# almost exclusively (spinning only in those days). Course I wasn't a "bass fisherman" back then. Today I use braid for frogs and slop. Everything else is a mono or co-polymer.

HSDF review. http://tackletour.com/reviewdaiwatdx.html I believe all these reels were discontinued before I got back into fishing in 2009. From what I have been able to find out a Carbontex drag upgrade is a must on my other two models as they are a single disc and weak. That was taken care of by the guy that gave me the reels. I can't find any information on these reels to speak of. If anyone knows where to find some, please post a link. I think the HVA has a deeper spool and thus holds more line. I didn't get any boxes with the reels.

Thanks. I gave up on getting any replies awhile ago. Rod is not a broomstick.

Never heard of them. I am looking forward to some replies as a rod at that price is always of interest to me.

I have an older S that hasn't been used in several years because it has the flipping switch instead of a thumb bar. I prefer a thumb bar. Reel casts great. Finish seems to be a lot tougher than on an X or Z model. Years ago I purchased a TD-X 103HL and TD-X 100HSDF that were in good shape. Still are as I keep covers on all my reels when not in use. I was given a TD-X 103H and TD-X 103HVA for services rendered. Clean up those thoughts. Cosmetically they leave something to be desired. Mechanically they are great. Guy also gave me a TD-Z US Trail with a Steez 103 spool. Same condition as other 2 reels. At least one of these last 3 will be going to Florida with me next week. Finish on the Z series sucks as well. BUT I love my 105Hs. My 103ML is on one of my crankbait rods. My TD-Z 103HL Type R is another reel that hasn't been used for several years because 1) it has the flipping switch, and 2) it is on a rod that was designated for a technique I seldom use. However, I like the rod and the reel has been tuned and upgraded so given the money invested in both I am going to start using the combo more. Think I will try frogs on it. As luck would have it most of the X reels and the S reel have a 12# Co-Polymer on them....12# AN40.

I wasn't trying to talk you into any specific reel. I will say that 180 yards is a lot more than I have ever needed...or expect to need any time in the foreseeable future...so the 200 holds more line than I could make use of.

My bad. Tacklewarehouse lists 12/250. That is what I looked at, not the 16/185 listed right after that. Where did you find the listing for amount of braid on reels? The vast majority of 65# braids I looked at listed a .016 diameter. Mono/Co-Polymers/Fluorocarbons weren't as consistent. Checked a few and .016 diameter ran from 14# XT to 25# Super Natural.

Wouldn't do me any good to know Alex's last name because I couldn't pronounce it anyway.

Sooooooooooooo I don't know which Avid X you bought, but guessing it is one that sells for $230 at TW. The Deputy sells for $210 at TW so it would seem Alex is asking quite a bit for changing thread and logo colors.

The 7'4" is my dedicated frog rod that I keep in Florida. The reel I used on it last year (1st time it got used) was a Curado 201E7 with 60# Original PRT. A 1/2 oz. frog only gets so-so distance. A 5/8 oz. white frog is not visible until reeled in a ways. Distance is very good with the 5/8 oz. IMO. Unfortunately I am not one who can unload a whole spool of line so my idea of excellent distances may not be the same as yours. I recently purchased a few frogs from 1/2 oz. to 7/8 oz. and will be taking 3-4 with me this year on my trip. I have no experience with the 7'1" but am partial to the original Tatula rods. I can only assume it would be fine for your needs. I only read great things about Fred's Magic Stick, but it is 7'5" long and from what you are saying that is too long. The CT is listed as 100/16 and 65# braid is about the same diameter....depending on whose line you are comparing it to. That is plenty of line for me. I don't see me needing the line capacity of the 200 even with a swimbait rod. However, I've never used a big swimbait. Maybe I could get twice the distance as my normal lures. I still wouldn't need anywhere near 250 yards of line.

Personally I love that used custom rods don't command a price near what they should. I've bought 3 thanks to that little bit of truth.

Wish I had a dollar for every time I thought that................I'd have enough money for another rod. Do you live in the ABE area? Cuz they suck here. I shop Dick's sales. Better prices and a whole lot bigger selection. Ugly is right and the only reason I don't have one. Don't know about the other guys, but you can take ww2farmer's word to the bank.

I believe it was Tom (WRB) that mentioned Fins. I've got yellow 60# Original PRT on my dedicated frog reel. May drop down to 50# next time line needs changing. I have a hard time believing line color has any bearing on bites...especially in those conditions. I like being able to see my line. I just received samples of 3 other braids from Fins to try. Windtamer, 40G and XS in various colors...blue, pink, hot orange, chartreuse and yellow. Already had blue 45# 40G on a reel for using locally on my Toadface, but only managed to get out once with it before it got too cold for me to be out.

First to the forum. Second I am a bit confused. You said "Finesse would be nice at times, but this is not a priority." But then said seldom would you throw over 1/4 oz. To me you are talking almost strictly finesse. If that is the case then a Tatula SV would be a good reel, but personally I think given your experience with baitcasters that a used Pixy would be a better bet. Now if what you really meant was that you would seldom throw under 1/4 oz, then there are a lot more options. Some of my favorite reels for distance are no longer made. Both my Helios Air and Primmus have impressed me with their casting distance. I've read (and been told) the Supreme XT gets excellent distance. I will know more in 2-3 weeks as a new one is going to Florida with me.

Torx screws. Personally I feel you are less likely to slip off them than with a slot or Phillips head screw. Just don't get carried away tightening them. Of course that is true for any screw. Never could understand the need to apply 50 ft.lbs. of torque to a screw that only needed one.

Tackletour tested the OG Fuego at 5.4 pounds and the Scorpion 4x4 SVS at a mere 3 pounds.

I've given away a couple items, but have never been able to make myself sell any. Losing a lot of $$$ is another reason I don't sell anything. Versatility is why I chose the 2 ALX rods I have. Would love to have the Dream, Maestro and Twitch.

Invest in the better setups. I have a lot of setups. I would much prefer to only have about 10 good ones. Maybe I should qualify that statement. Decent is okay. Just be satisfied with what you have. Make sure...as best you can from reviews and opinions given on sites like this...that the rod does what you want it to and with enough sensitivity for its intended uses. Believe me when I say it is easy to get caught up with the idea that you think you have to have a rod or two from the current favorite line of rods. Whether they be $110 rods or $350 rods. Just take a gander at my basement. If I had the money back that I've spent on rods, I could have 10 Megabass, Witch Doctor, etc. rods and probably still have money left over. Then I wouldn't be standing there debating on which rods to take out this time.

Not with a Senko, but last year I was fishing an older Fenwick Elite Tech 7' MF Jig & Worm spinning rod, 10" ribbontail, 30# braid and throwing it into lily pads. No problems setting hook or landing fish. I don't know about rods that fish lighter than their rating. I'd have to let guys fishing those type rods answer that question. What rod are you thinking of using?

How has it been customized? Details, man!

Like others have already said....this subject comes up all the time. You notice that it doesn't stop us from posting our preferences....every time. We do like to poke fun once in awhile. No disrespect meant. It is all in good fun. Lots of topics get rehashed. Sometimes we even change our attitude on a subject so we get to give a new opinion on an old subject.