new2BC4bass

I couldn't make a recommendation as I am not aware of any 63 foot long (or longer) rods.

I'm leery when I see "I am going to switch all my rods to ABC". Especially when it is a little known company. I've got rods from at least 17 brands. Sure a few wouldn't be missed....especially if I could upgrade them....but I can't see me EVER going to just one brand of rod. Too many good ones from many different brands. I know some like to stay with one brand so they know exactly what to expect when buying a new rod. I suspect most saying the above are pushing the product like some we had on here before. EDIT: However, I always look forward to reviews from an impartial judge....which most on here are.

You know...that is a good idea. Plenty of stress here. I have a Limited Edition Tatula Type R that I should bring in and set on my desk. Too pretty to fish with.

Could also look at the ALX rods.

From what I have read, Shimano uses good bearings. I have a tuned and upgraded Curado 51E and a stock one. I really don't see enough difference between the two to pay for the supertune and upgraded bearings. One of our moderator's sent a Curado to DVT and said it was a huge improvement. Mike did mine, but I've already mentioned my results. Could be my lack of skill is holding the reel back. I almost always have a Carbontex drag installed when I send a reel for cleaning and always when getting a reel tuned and upgraded. I figure that if I am getting a reel supertuned, then I might as well go for better bearings while the tuner has the reel apart. That way I know I am the limiting factor. Two of my 5.8:1 reels are now faster.....one is now 6.8:1 and the other has a 7.2:1 gear set. I still have a couple with 5.8:1 gears, so not a disadvantage going to the faster gears in those two. Actually I find it to be the opposite of what FishDewd said....for me. I find I can usually run a supertuned and bearing upgraded reel with fewer brakes on than a stock reel. Not in every case, but most of the time. I don't see a big improvement in distance, but it is easier to achieve the distance I was getting before. Some claim to get a lot longer casting distance. I've not seen that. But...again...it could be me. I did replace the spool in one in an attempt to turn it into more of a finesse reel than it was....a Sol. I've never replace handles, spool tension caps, etc. I have had new and used reels tuned and upgraded. TD-Z 105H and Alphas SV105 are examples of each that I have had work done on. The SV105 was backlashing a lot as it came from the factory. Setting it up the way videos show, and how people here told me to set it up didn't help. A tune and upgrades have turned it into a totally different animal.

I'm not islandbass, but if the rod's ratings are true, then you should be fine.

3/8 + 3/16 = 9/16 so half way between 1/2 and 5/8 oz. Don't mind me. I'm just keeping myself occupied during lunch.

A budget always helps. I assume it will be used for a little bit of everything??

to the forum. Seems you have been paying attention. Me, I would go with one of the MH rods. I like faster reels, so am probably a little prejudice. You can always slow down on the retrieve. Cranking fast could get old quickly. I recently purchased two 2-piece rods to keep in my trunk. They haven't seen much use yet, but the consensus seems to be that it is hard to tell the difference between one and two piece rods these days. Personally I am a fan of Daiwa. Nuff said.

It would seem some people don't pay attention. OP. What do you consider cheap? Some people think $250 is cheap for a reel. For me that is expensive. The Mettle sold by Academy Sports is said to be a good reel. About $60 regular price. PQ on sale is an excellent buy. The Fuego CT is another very good choice. Upping the anti a little...besides the Tatulas and Tournament MB mentioned (they are both excellent reels)...consider looking at a Pflueger Supreme XT. A $150 reel that a quick search turned up for as low as $118. Very under-rated by many. To be honest, I like to look at the used markets. Many times you can get a reel in very good condition for 50% of what it cost new. Sometimes even better deals can be found. A few months ago I got a $250 reel for $65....and it is in very good condition. It is a previous generation model, but I already owned 2 so I knew how great a deal I was getting.

Zolo Toadface?

A 5 year review of the PQ. I've no experience with the Daiwa Aird X, but a fellow member (ww2farmer) has high praise for them. I am also a fan of the Fenwick HMG line. I have several, but not the 7' MHF which is probably the one you would want. Buying the PQ on sale for $80 or the Fuego would let you pick up a Fury for $110 and still make your budget. I have never used a Fury, but quite a few guys on here highly recommend them. You have a fair number of options that should result in a combo that would last you for years if taken care of properly. EDIT: Lew's Tournament MB in excellent condition $100 TYD on another forum. 6.8:1 ratio. This is also a dual brake reel. I don't know how it compares to a PQ as I've never handled a PQ.

Love my Tatulas! No experience with any of the Heavys other than the 7'4" HF which I wouldn't use below 5/8 oz. if looking for any distance. It will do 1/2 oz. (I used a hollow-bodied frog), but distance isn't great. Much, much better with the 5/8 oz. frog. I agree the 7'2" MHR should do well with the jigs LionHeart mentioned. Really nice rods. You could look at the Daiwa Fuego. Can be found for around $70 on ebay, and sometimes less. I have seen it as low as $56....but not lately. Word must be getting out about how good it is for the money.

First.... to the forum. Three possibilities. ML or M spinning rod for finesse Crankbait rod MF baitcast rod I'd be a little leery using the MHF Abu for crankbaits. Which rod is it? Most Abu rods are known to fish heavy. It should do well with bottom baits. If you decide to go that route I'd put the MB on it. Otherwise I'd put it on the MF rod.

Doubt it.

I knew what you meant. I was just busting your you know what.

Isn't a baitcaster a little too heavy to be casting on an UL rod? What do you catch using a baitcaster as a lure? Joking aside, why would you use a spinning rod if you can cast 1/64 oz. lure further using a baitcast reel?

You are lucky. My local Walmart doesn't carry anything but junk rods/reels. They don't even carry Berkley Lightnings or Lightning Shocks. I get better prices on lures from DSG whenever they have a sale. Walmart probably doesn't carry much in fishing gear because fishing sucks so bad in this area.

Hope so. Just about every reel I have that I put backing on has 12# mono for backing. I've never gotten into the backing casting or with a fish on.

Nice! I have a stock Chronarch 100B. Like you said, these things will cast as far any of the newer reels I've tried....and I've tried a few.

I hope you aren't. Anyone else on the forum live near him? A visit with a may be called for. Or something a little more drastic.

Won't hurt the rod.

I've used from 6'6" to 7'6". I prefer 7' or longer for about everything, tho.

Yup stick with islandbass' recommendations. Only thing I would change is to use 40# braid or heavier to start. I purchased a used baitcast reel that came with 30# Ghost. First thing I had to do was spend a little time getting the "dig ins" out. I haven't had a problem with it since, but every so often I make sure the line is on tight. I've never ever had a problem with 40# and it was the first braid I tried.

I like smaller reels, but recently read an article posted in a thread about a tournament fisherman that uses spinning reels only...and in size 40...for everything. His philosophy made sense, but not something I personally would follow. If the reel feels good to you once on a rod....then use it regardless of what any of the rest of us might think.