new2BC4bass

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/kastking-assassin-review.html https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/kastking.html https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/review-kastking-assassin.html https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/kastking-stealth-reel-review.html https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/kastking-assasin-reel-review.html I can guarantee a search for "Kastking" will turn up quit a few more threads.

To heck with that. Couple years ago I landed 5 bass in about 10 casts. Then gave my brother-in-law the same lure, but the bass had moved on. Neither of us caught another at that spot. I was too excited to even think about checking the line after every fish. But, hey, I fish for fun...not money.

Okay. Thanks.

Yahoo...so I can download Flickr...so I can upload pictures...so I can download pictures to this site. Whew! Birthday gifts to myself arrived Saturday morning...a BG1500 and Major Craft Benkei BIS 672L spinning rod. Will be my dedicated Ned Rig rod. Late Saturday evening a Villain 6'10" ML-EF casting rod arrived. Carelessness on my part because I was expecting the spinning rod. I was one letter off. Oh well, I have casting reels looking for a home, and the new Villains are getting some pretty high praise. Would be nice to share some pictures here. I don't have any expensive or blinged out reels or expensive rods, but I am proud of what I do have and would like to share occasionally. Hopefully that will get done this weekend. I'll try not to flood bassresource with too many pictures.

100% on! Personally with the size of the trout in my area I would want 2 rods, but I tried to find a rod with a wide lure range with the hopes it could cover both ends for the OP.

I have zero experience with Ugly sticks although 55 years ago I wished I could have afforded one. Personally I am a fan of Fenwick rods. They make a 6' and 6'6" 2-piece spinning rod in the Eagle line. Lure rating is 1/8-3/4 oz., 6-12 lb. line for both. Price about the same as the GTX. But if you want to stick with an Ugly Stick, a fast is often suggested for an all around rod with a Moderate-Fast liked by some. I am coming to like that action myself after investing in some Tatula casting rods with a Regular action. Length is up to you. Will you be fishing along streams where a short rod would be better? EDIT: I should add I have zero experience with the Eagle line. All my Fenwicks start at the HMG line and go up from there. I've handled Cabela's Fish Eagle in store and it seemed like a nice rod for the money.

A quick search turned up smoothdrag and ebay. Personally I get mine when I have my reels cleaned and/or upgraded.

Let's hope that in the almost 5 years since the original post that the OP has improved his casting technique.

Never used either Quantum rod, but got to tell ya at that price I'd much rather have the Tatula 6'10" MHF from Jet for $93.28 with free shipping. Matter of fact I did. Not used it yet, but I have used a couple other Tatula casting rods so I know I am going to like this one as well. AFAIC they are easily worth the $149.99 MSRP. Now if you want to spend $175 then maybe a Dobyns Sierra might be a better choice. Maybe. I've never handled a Sierra so I couldn't say. Beside the Inferno or iRod, possibly a Fury or new model Mojo. I have to wonder what jig rods you have tried if you haven't found one you like yet, but are asking about rods costing $100 and $150. If the other rods were in this price range, then maybe you should stretch your budget to try something like an ALX or higher end Dobyns/GLoomis/St. Croix, etc. My guess is you haven't found "the one" because none have had the sensitivity you want.

My 1500 BG arrived this morning. Feels like a little tank. Bought an RG last year for a brother-in-law's birthday. He is lovin' it.

First Welcome to the forum. Daiwa BG, Pflueger Supreme XT (Supreme for less), Okuma RTX or Helios SX, Shimano NASCI are a few possible options.

3? I fished for umpteen years with one....a Mitchell 300.

The Tat SV holds 100 yards of 14 lb. test line. I never know if the ratings are to the bevel or the 1/16-1/8 inch below that is normally suggested. I fill to the bevel. I assume you won't be going higher than 12 lb. for light lures. Personally I use lighter. You are one heck of a lot better caster than I am (not hard to be ) if you can unload over 100 yards of line. Besides, the smaller diameter of line on the spool at that point will automatically lower IPT if you are worried about a higher ratio reel. If you like the Tat SV, then that is what I'd get.

X1000 Sufix Performance is the first braid I bought. Fades fairly quickly, but that doesn't affect performance of the braid. Was on vacation when I had to change it. Had to go to regular PowerPro as that was all Walmart had. Original PP is noisier thru the guides, but works just as good otherwise. If you want a braid that is thinner per size, then one possibility is Daiwa Samurai. However, it may not be quit as strong as other braids with larger diameters.

The OP is not asking about a line-to-lure knot, but a line-to-line knot. AFAIC none are easy. I use the Alberto shown above, but I haven't tied it enough to be able to do it with just my two hands. An easier knot to tie is the Albright Knot which is the knot used to make the Alberto. Probably not quite as strong, tho. For me the Uni Knot is easier to tie because I have been using it for decades. However, I don't use if for tying line-to-line as it isn't as slim as the Alberto/Albright.

I really like Siege Neon Tangerine. Sufix Performance Fluorescent Neon Fire braid sure looks orange in pictures. Be sure to post back how you like the pink. It is a color i thought about using, but I read that it becomes invisible pretty fast.

Water visibility is not very good. I am going to be setting up 2 rods...one for Ned Rig and one for Drop Shot. Both new techniques for me. My understanding is both techniques require line watching.

I have a few questions. Need a highly visible braided line. My initial thought was to use nothing heavier than 10#...preferably less. Will a line that light still be highly visible, or will I need to go heavier? I am using 10# Ghost on my panfish rod. Seem to see it ok. I do prefer the Neon Tangerine of the Siege and have no problem seeing it in 8 lb. However, there are braids thinner than the 4# equivalent of 10# Ghost. I see Hi-Vis is available in yellow, pink, fluorescent fire and neon lime. Then we have white Ghost and KastKing has a blue line. Does that cover all the possible options? Is the blue easy to see? I can find most companies on TW, but I don't think they carry every brand and I know they don't carry every option in all the lines they do carry. So what else is available? How light can you buy braid? I found as light as 5#. One of the reels for this line is a 1500 Daiwa. Not exactly a line holding champ. Thanks in advance.

I've been using the Uni Knot for somewhere in the 50 year neighborhood. I have straightened out jig hooks with the same 30# braid. Steady pull, naturally.

And I don't think you will. All kidding aside, the Tat SV is a sweet reel. Reel size and weight doesn't seem to bother me, but I will admit that even I notice some reels fit my hand better than others. (My wife says I am clueless. I assume that is also true with my fishing. ) Honestly.....if you haven't purchased a new reel since the 153HSTA, then I think you deserve to treat yourself to a new one. JMHO. I know in my case new gear is what keeps me going out. Otherwise I'd quit....again...as fishing in my area is pretty bad.

I was curious as to how far I was casting a #5 Shad Rap (lists 3/16 oz.) on two of my rods. I paced off 30 yards in most casts with both rods....different rods, different reels. Admittedly not very scientific, but I have measured my paces before with a 50 foot tape. I know I am pretty close. I feel I was within +/- 3 feet and probably less over that short distance. I tried not to make my casts seem longer by taking shorter steps. My Gen 1 STXL is spooled with 40# Performance. Not to the 1/16-1/8 below the bevel as recommended in the factory sheet that came with the reel, but to the bevel. I believe the reel is listed to hold 135 yards of 12 lb. mono. The braid is equivalent to 10# mono. 3/4 oz. spoon, 7' MHF Jupiter...at least half the spool showing on most casts. I figure 65 yards is a conservative estimate. I know it is a heavier and more aerodynamic weight than in the test yet it is still a far cry from spooling the reel as several on here have mentioned doing with lighter weights than that. I will be the first to admit I am not the caster many of the guys on here are. The only guy I have stood next to who was using a baitcast reel is Tomustang that used to post on here. I can guarantee he is a more powerful caster than I am or ever will be.

Probably because when Abu went from Gen 2 to Gen 3 many people were disappointed. More than likely it will take time to get the word out that Abu is back on tract. If they are. Wouldn't know as I haven't purchased any more Abus after Gen 2. I like the first two generation reels that I have. I didn't like what I read about Gen 3s enough to chance buying one.

I think your post asks three questions. Favorite brand of rod. Best rod brand. Best built for certain techniques. (This could be broken down into umpteen techniques as the company making the best Drop Shot rod may not be making the best jig rod, etc.) I have at least 19 different brands of rods. (Many with only one example.) Yet I am a long ways from having tried every brand out there. I doubt many on here have tried every brand. Their opinion will be based on their experiences with the rod companies they have tried...just like mine is. I think the Tatula and Elite Tech Smallmouth are some of the absolute best rods for the money. They are favorites of mine, but that doesn't necessarily make Daiwa and Fenwick the best rod brands. Doesn't make them the best for the techniques I use them for either.

I know the Bait Monkey quite well. He is one persuasive dude. Your reels must be approaching a decade or more in age. I can see why a new reel...or two...would pique your interest even though the old ones work fine. I think you should consider a couple new rods to go with those new Tat SVs. I am sure there must be a braid you haven't tried yet. Now would be a good time to try it. Have you tried Sunline Shooter Defier Nylon Monofilament or Fluorocarbon yet? Megabass makes some pretty lures. A few of them would sure look nice with those new rods and reels. This new gear would look crappy on your old boat. I'd start looking for a new one now while prices are down. I'd also take a good look at your wife while you are at it. Glad to be of help.

Excellent sharp picture. And the handle is on my preferred side. What camera/phone did you take the picture with. I had to add the phone option as I think mine takes better pictures than my old DSLR.