new2BC4bass

Agree. Nice looking combos and fish. I've stayed away from Loomis because (from what I read) the ones worth the money (over other brands) cost more than I have been willing to pay. I could sell 5 or 6 of my rods to buy one Loomis. But which 5 or 6? Not too long ago I purchased a few better rods (that I got at a good price), and know that I would fish higher end if feasible even though I don't catch more fish. I just like knowing I have nice gear.

I have more Daiwas than any other brand, but like all reels. If you like the idea of the Shimano, then that is what I would go with. EDIT: I use a lot of 12# mono or co-polymers on my MH rods. Big Game is a very good line, but I would suggest starting with 12# Sufix Elite. It is a softer line, and less apt to retain memory....which helps a beginning baitcast user. Sunline Super Natural and Trilene XL are two other similar lines. EDIT: I agree with LionHeart about reel speed.

Never handled a Lunker Stik. I do have a few HMGs and like them a lot. Another rod you might be able to find in your budget range is the BuCoo SR. Falcon makes some nice sticks. The Lightning Shock is obviously another contender.

Very upsetting to receive a tube like that. I had one that was at least that bad. No tape had been applied. You can imagine my surprise when I pulled the rod out and it was still in one piece. I currently have 2-3 rods in my basement that were broken during shipping....plus one that I took back to Walmart.

It is possible someone on here has tried the reel....if you told us what you are looking at. Won't be me, tho. I've given thought to trying a few less costly rods and reels, but haven't yet. I'd like to give some of the Kast King stuff a try. Especially the rods.

Knock-offs of what reel(s)? I've bought several reels (mostly baitcast) from ebay, but they were name brand reels. Haven't had a problem with one not meeting its description yet.

What I read was that it was a private lake....not a public one. I have to agree with 6 coves on the other side of the lake to fish (and 5 more on the same side) the other guys should have moved at least another cove away to start fishing. I try never to get too close to another fisherman....unless to say "Hi" or ask how they are doing.

I've had to buy almost all my rods sight unseen. Only one have I been truly unhappy with. Best I can do is read reviews and hope for the best. It doesn't hurt that every rod I've bought since getting back into fishing is better than the few I used to fish with. The only rod I still use from those days is a Berkley Lightning spinning rod.

In the Diawa line you should check out the Fuego CT or any of the Tatula models. Consider adding the Supreme XT and Smoke S3 to your options. The Revo ALX is on sale...$180 for a $250 reel. For a bit more I have to say that I enjoy my Helios LP. I am surprised no Shimano is on your list. Of the reels on your list I personally would opt for the Tournament Pro G.

Not only do I not have the nicest combo out there....I don't have one that even comes close to $1000. I couldn't say what my nicest combo is. I've purchase a few new rods and reels the past year...new-2-me anyway. Some haven't been used yet. Just guessing here, but... Spinning Abu Fantasista Regista / Procyon 2000 Baitcast....tough Rainshadow RX7 / Zillion 50th Anniversary or Diablo Spec R / Exsence DC or AlX Deputy / Steez

Generally speaking I would have to say the reel would play a minor part in distance. Rod and lure are more important. However, for maximum distance the right reel will help some. There are two sides regarding spool weight. Some feel a lighter spool will yield longer distances because it starts up faster. Some will say a heavier spool gives longer distance because it takes longer to slow down. I'm partial to this side for normal weights. Start up is near instantaneous. Spool slowing down continues over a longer period of the cast. Any reel recommendation I could give would be based on my preferences....not on any known fact of a reel's ability to put a lure on the moon. Some reels I have made long casts on: Primmus Xi HS, Chronarch 100B, 50th Anniversary Zillion, older Trion, Gen 1 STX, Curado 201E7, Helios Air, Curado 51E to name a few. Usually I suggest a person buy the reel that interests them the most. Should make them happier in the long run.

I have formed an opinion from my reading. I have no facts. Nor do I build rods. More expensive blanks are made from higher modulus materials. These materials are lighter (and more brittle) to achieve the extra sensitivity. Resins are used to glue the fibers together and give the rod more strength. Too much resin would defeat the purpose. I believe that knocking a rod against a hard surface could result in a higher modulus rod breaking on something like a hard hook set whereas say an IM6 rod wouldn't be affected. This is only my understanding from reading posts. I recently got a couple of these more expensive rods, but have as yet spent very little time with them. I do plan on handling them with care, but I do that anyway. I'll just try to be extra careful as $200 is a lot of money for me. Heck. Losing a $100 rod would be stressful for me.

When I got back into fishing a few years ago, I started buying a little better equipment. Almost every rod I bought was listed as having a Fast action. I bought this action because the consensus was that a Fast action rod was the most versatile and I wanted versatile rods. I really liked my first Tatula rod. It had the Regular action. I have purchased a couple others since then with the same action. I have come to like it a lot. I haven't fished jigs with mine yet so I can't comment on its suitability for jigs, but I feel the MHR should have enough power to set a jig hook without a problem. Junger, thanks for posting that video.

That should work fine.

I got back into fishing in '09 after about a 22-23 year hiatus. I went almost 100% casting. Previously was 100% spinning. You probably could guess what I would suggest.

Where can I find a new HMG for $60? I'd be interested in buying a couple more at that price. Whenever I have looked, I have been unable to find sales on the HMG line. This can be true. Especially for guys on here. However, not everyone can afford more expensive rods. Some that can won't spend the money feeling it isn't necessary. Maybe they like showing up their buddies that are using $500 combos. In my case I have upgraded some of my rods, and yes I would have been better off starting with the better rods. I wouldn't have near the number of rods I now have. However, when I got back into fishing I was not used to spending that kind of money on fishing gear. $100 was a lot of money to me...and still is, but I am more willing to spend it now. I have a Lightning spinning rod that is over 40 years old. It has caught more fish than any other rod I currently own. The rod has definitely been worth it to me. I hardly ever use it anymore, but that is because I almost never use a spinning rod. I don't ever see me getting rid of it.

Nope. Not used the travel rod, but like you I enjoy the HMG rods I have. I think you should buy one of each model and give us a review.

I like red highlights, but the CT's red turns me off. It is too much. I much prefer the looks of the original Tatula Type R. I've only got 3 Lew's reels. I like them, but do not find them to be the end all like some. One happens to be a Tournament MB. All 3 reels are nice looking reels...to me. I like their size, but am not nearly as in tune to size as most seem to be. Their is only one reel that I immediately noticed how much I liked how it felt on a rod...and it isn't to be mentioned. I've read a few times that the Lew's outcasts all other reels a poster has. I have not found that to be true for me. They cast as far as most...further than some...but not the furthest...for me anyway. I'm shore bound so I appreciate a reel that can reach out there. I agree the MB is a lot of reel for the $110 or less they can be found for. Heck, even at full price they are a very nice reel and not to be overlooked. I usually suggest that a person buy what interests them. In most cases they will be much happier.

If you don't want to buy a new reel, then I would suggest 40#-50# Sufix Performance braid. A quality braid at a reasonable price. Try to keep the braid relatively tight on the spool. If that doesn't cure the break-offs (and if it isn't your casting), then I'd suggest you bite the bullet and get a better reel. Actually I'd suggest the better reel right now if you can afford one. Might save you some time and aggravation. I'm a fan of Daiwa so I'd join the queue for a Fuego CT. Also FFO is having a buy one get second at 50% off sale. Either the Pflueger Supreme XT at $88.88 (reg. price $149.95) or the Pflueger Patriarch at $105 (reg. price $199.95) would give you a very nice reel for the money. Pflueger is a company that gets no respect for its casting reels, but I have enjoyed the ones I have. Another option is to haunt the classifieds. There is a Tatula CT on another site for $80 in VG/Excellent condition. Last year I got a Patriarch XT in very good condition for $65...a $250 reel when new.

Use 40# braid minimum. I've had no problems with it digging in. Sudden stops with braid is a recipe for losing lures. A good reel set up properly will help eliminate bird nests. The rest is up to you. It need not be expensive. Look for a quality used reel. Some great deals are out there. You just need to keep an eye an a few forums with classifieds. Our Flea Market is a good place to start. There are also state bass forums. I have found some really good deals on the Texas and New York ones. And...yes...I am aware many have no problem with 15# or 20# braid on a casting reel. The OP is. 40# should take care of it digging in until he gets more familiar with using it..

I've never heard of it being illegal in Pennsylvania. I just tried searching for this and couldn't find any mention of weights...period. I used to read the Yellow Forum (an air rifle community) and California was trying to ban lead for hunting. I can believe that state would have such a law. Actually I could believe any law being possible in that state. I have never seen a Game Warden look at the type of weights being used to fish. Check for licenses, catch...yes...but never terminal tackle.

You are bad. So so so bad.

What's wrong with wanting a higher end rod? You might not catch more fish with one (although a high end rod should be more sensitive allowing you to catch more fish), but catching more fish isn't the end all. Not many people on this forum fish for meat. We mainly fish for enjoyment. I know I get a lot of pleasure using better gear. My old Trion is fairly smooth, casts great, and is backlash free if I do my part, but I enjoy using my new-2-me Steez, more. They both accomplish the same thing. My Lightning is over 40 years old and I will never get rid of it, but I much prefer using one of my Smallmouth, Tatula, Falcon, Hammer or Dobyns rods. The Lightning has caught more fish than the others combined....mostly due to the fact I used to live in an area where fishing was excellent.

This was going to be my suggestion as well. Falcons have a more parabolic bend than many. Falcon has excellent customer service as well. At least they did a few years ago. Hammer is another rod with very similar characteristics. Both would be very nice upgrades. I am not convinced that the action is the sole determining factor in a rod's accuracy. The vast majority of my rods are rated Fast. A Gen 1 Shimano MHF hasn't been used in several years because I am not very accurate with it. Yet many of my other MHF rods are quite accurate.