new2BC4bass

Usually......not always....I remember to set brakes on a new reel. It is the used reels that I often forget to check. Sometimes the seller sets to zero before shipping. Poof. Instant bird's nest. However, I am good enough to backlash any reel even with the brakes set.

I've got to say you must be nearly as good with a baitcast reel as I am.

Yup, mono or co-polymer. I normally stick with 12#. Plenty of good lines. Some I've tried and liked are Siege, Big Game, Super Natural, McCoy Mean Green and AN40. Take a tour through the lines that Tackle Warehouse sells. Have only used one size on one reel so far, but a fellow member that has given me excellent advice many times says Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Monofilament is the best mono he has ever used. Has some memory in larger sizes, but not bad with the lighter sizes he uses on spinning reels. Lots of people here swear by Yo-Zuri and some of the Seaguar lines. I also have Cajun Red Cast on a few reels. Cheap, handles well and haven't had any problems with it yet.

Must still be a few guys cabin bound yet. ?

I know nothing of the Elite. Have you considered a Lightning or Lightning Shock?

Excellent pictures, and you are correct....the combo does match pretty good. The Lightning Shock has the reputation of being an excellent value. At least one of our members prefers it for certain techniques over rods costing several times as much. I have a 6' regular Lightning spinning rod that is over 40 years old. Guess you could say I've gotten my money's worth out of it. From the research I have done, I feel that Daiwa is making some very good reels that the Average Joe can afford. I bought a couple over the winter. Was out for the first time with one last Sunday. Seems pretty darn good to me. Have a rod coming for the other reel. Was suppose to arrive tomorrow, but latest update says Tuesday. Waiting is hard.

Be sure to use a lot of mono backing regardless of which line you use. 15# braid = 4# mono, 20# braid = 6# mono. That reel holds 240 yds. of 8# mono. Personally I'd be looking at the 2000H model...135 yds. of 6# mono equivalent. Reel is also almost 3 oz. lighter. You might want to consider a MHF. I've read a few good things about the Daiwa Aird X and Fuego lines. Both handle 1/4-1 oz. Both should be good all around rods suitable for a lot of different lures. The MF in those lines are rated 1/4-3/4 oz. How big of a spinnerbait do you normally use? I assume you are looking to keep the cost in the neighborhood of the Spec Tec. The Aird X is $55 and Fuego $70 at TW. Probably can find them cheaper elsewhere although TW is an excellent company to do business with. At $100 I like my Fenwick HMGs. The Fenwick Silverhawk gets good reviews as well. There are some store brands that get good reviews, but I am not familar with any other than the Cabela's Prodigy.

Will this be for bass fishing? Because the 4000 holds way more line than needed for bass. Even the 2500 holds more than I'd want. Personally I prefer baitcast reels. Some prefer spinning. What is your preference? What type of techniques are you planning on using? What kind of cover? What weight lures? Etc.?

I use a lot of Silver Thread AN40 and Big Game. Personally I think AN40 handles better. I don't fish where abrasion resistance is a factor so I can't comment on that. All I know from my reading is that if you want the best abrasion resistant line, then you better be willing to use line conditioner because you are going to have more memory than the norm. Think CXX and Platinum. I also use a lot of Siege. Also have Cajun Red on a few reels. I am trying some McCoy Mean Green and so far I like it. Seems to handle quite well. I don't have a problem with knot strength with any of these lines. Any line is going to have memory if not used on a regular basis. Some a lot worse than others. Until it gets wet, Big Game will give me more memory problems than Siege, AN40, Elite and Cajun Red.

I have to say I don't understand how so many people break a rod on a hookset. I don't have a monster hookset. Now back in the day you better not be standing behind my Dad when he swung.

I have a Team Daiwa S 1500CU I picked up used a few years ago. I hadn't heard of that reel until I saw it for sale. Never heard of the TD-Z spinning reel. A quick search turned up nothing. I'd be interested in hearing more about the reel.

I haven't used a Fury to compare, but the Tatula has to be the best $100 rod of the rods I own. Most of mine were a few dollars under that. I can't find a Fury for less than its $109.99 MSRP....even on ebay. Dobyns must be controlling the price. My second favorite $100 rod is the HMG.

They are basically the same reel....so I have read. I've used the Tatula and still have a couple Type Rs. The Tatula was the original model. Some complained it was a bit too big for them. The CT is the newer, smaller version. Personally I have no problem with reels of the original Tatula size. You probably need small hands for the original to be too big. Or else enamored with small reels...which a lot of people are.

A little heavy at 8.5 oz., but definitely not too big. I am using a BG1500 on my 6'7" Light with 5# braid. If you go with the 1000 size NASCI, then you can beat that weight by .9 oz., but if you go up one size in each brand then the NASCI is .3 heavier than the BG. The President 30X weighs the same as the comparable size 2500 NASCI. The Okuma RTX holds more line than the others and weighs less. So if you need a light reel at $100 the RTX is a better choice. It actually holds too much line for my needs. Now if the OP's friend needs a lower cost reel, then have him check out the Trion. Not the lightest, but a good reel at a very reasonable price. Had my BG1500 out yesterday for the first time. I am really liking it. I learned right away that I should use a leader with it as that light braid has very little abrasion resistance.....to be expected, tho.

St. Croix Mojo Bass and Daiwa Tatula SV. Will need to shop ebay to get the SV for $150 or less.

I am getting a used 6'10" ML Fantasista Regista. Suppose to be pretty sensitive from what little info I can find on it. I bought a 2000 Procyon on closeout last year over the winter. No line on it yet. I will try a fluorocarbon on this rod. 8# is in the middle of the rod's rating so I'll probably go with that size. Tatsu is more than a "bit" expensive. I have a gift card for DSG so I suppose I could go that route. Any suggestions for a good line that isn't quite that expensive? Thanks.

Either you got some bad line or there is something wrong with your equipment. No way should you be breaking 8# line on a bass. My PB bass was 7.2 lbs. I've caught heavier fish than that on 4# mono.

I gotta get a boat!!

Not Oregon Native, but in my case I bought a finesse rod rated 4-8 lb. Braid usually breaks quite a ways above its rating. I put 5 lb. braid on mine to continue the finesse theme. To continue with the thread...it is a Hi-Vis Yellow. Haven't had it on the water yet, but at 1.5 lb. mono equivalent I am not sure how "Hi-Vis" it is going to be. Thus my original question. 10 lb. PP is 2 lb. mono equivalent and 10 lb. 832 equates to 4 lb. I would think 832 would have the visibility advantage. I have 10 lb. 832 on one rod. Maybe I can find out if there is any advantage to going lighter. Now that I think about it I don't remember having a problem seeing the 10 lb 832. Actually kind of forgot I had it. I'd imagine 6-8 lb. fluoro or fluorescent lines would still wind up giving more line twist than braid. I have 60# braid on a frog rod. Am positive the rod isn't rated for 60# line. I could use 30# on my finesse rod without damaging it, but that is a bit overkill and I wouldn't feel like I was finesse fishing.

Why compare a Casitas from ebay against a Caenan or Fuego at retail? I have found the Fuego for just under $56. Have to check daily, tho.

It is a good thing you like short rods because they should stand a better chance of not being tip heavy. You could also research rods that balance well...such as Dobyns. I've got rods that are tip heavy, but I don't seem to notice it while fishing. Besides.....my wife tells me I am clueless so why change now? Ignorance is bliss.

I am like Mike L and kickerfish1....I accumulate, not replace, and it has been over the course of several years. Several of my reels purchased have been old models, not new. TD-Z 105H and ML, Airy Red, Chronarch 101A and 100B, Scorpion 4x4. Guess you could say I've been downgrading.

I've straightened jig hooks more than once with the Uni and 30# braid.

I agree two knots are all you need. Well....3 if using a drop shot although I think there is a type of swivel made just for that so back to two knots. Alberto to splice. Uni for everything else. Let's not forget Arbor knot.

Very nice!