new2BC4bass

Seriously???? Are you trying to make the rest of us look bad? OP, double the number of rods, and you'll almost be halfway to having enough for a short outing. Just kidding! Are you satisfied with what you have, or has the Bait Monkey been giving you the come hither look? I used to fish with one rod and caught more fish than I do today with a much larger arsenal.

If this is the case, maybe attaching the line to something solid, walking off the line, and then giving it a good stretch may help.

I prefer a Low Profile reel. I do have 3 Black Max 1600C and a Morrum Mag SX 1600C and 1601C. Also a 40 plus year old 5001C. Really need to get the Black Max out again. The couple times I used one when I first got them surprised me at how well it would cast a small fluke on a bare hook directly into a pretty good wind. Better than many low profile reels.

Don't recall ever saying not to use your thumb. I admit that at least 90% of the guys here are going to be better casters than me. I started late in life. Past 5 years has seen me getting out only a few times each year so I haven't really gained any experience during this time period. How do you explain a backlash at the end of a cast if gravity prevents it past mid-cast distance? I always have my thumb over the spool. I've tested Magforce 3D with no thumb at the end of the cast. I had to make a conscious effort not to press the spool at the end of my casts. I'm right handed, but had much better thumb feathering control with my left hand when I started with a baitcast reel. Discovered this setting in front of the TV and practicing my thumb control. Haven't tested thumb control since then, but hope my right thumb has caught up with the left one in the past 15 years. Right thumb used to be like a light switch....either On or Off. My first year with a baitcaster had me setting spool tension way too tight. Backed off to where it should have been at the start of my second year, and basically had to learn casting all over again. Was worth the effort, tho.

Good answers. I feel loose line at the beginning of a cast is most likely poor casting technique. Loose line at the end of a cast requires more spool tension or more brakes. I prefer loose spool tension and more braking. Fluff in the middle of a cast doesn't bother me as long as it is gone when the lure touches down.

As Mike said, depends on the rod. I have a 7'6" MHF rated 3/8-1 1/4 oz. I felt a 1.5 oz. bait was pushing it. I lobbed it. Yet it was lousy with a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait. Personally wouldn't use less than a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait. If you read the TT review of the Okuma Helios 7' MF (rated 1/4-5/8 oz.), you will see a lure totaling about 1 oz. was okay. Rod lure ratings are sometimes sheet and giggles. You need to try for yourself to see what weights are comfortable (for you) to use.

Once I reached my mid teens, I switched to 4# XL. I believe my best fish with it was a 10# carp.

Got me again. I now have a new-2-me Falcon Expert Headturner. Hoping there will be a sale on the Lowrider Trapcaster at the end of this month.

Obviously you aren't into fly fishing if you think a $600 NRX+ rod is expensive.

Recently received a pair of rods from GReb. One was broken just above the handle. Tube was kinked, but straightened out as much as the shipping handler could get it. I've received about 6 broken rods over the years. GReb is the only person to ever refund my money. Obviously he is an upstanding guy. Wish we had more like him.

OP: Wow! We have a similar line up. Never touched an Aldebaran. My Scorpion 1000 series is the 1001 4x4 SVS and my two matching Steez are right hand....only because that hand was what I got a good deal on for used reels. I too am going to try BFS with casting gear. Recently received a Roro BFS spool that fits an Alphas. Bulldog1935 gave me the link for it. The spool was out of stock the day after I ordered mine. First I have to unpack all my reels and get them sorted out. When we removed them from my rods, we didn't have time to sort through the boxes and put each reel in its proper box. BTW, my two matching Alphas reels will remain as they are. Will be using a Purple Alphas with the Roro spool.

OP, just noticed your username. Bow hunt much? Hopefully this isn't so far off topic it gets deleted.

I used an older BPS Crankin' Stick 7' MLF as one of my rods to learn how to cast a #5 Shad Rap (3/16 oz.). I was getting enough distance that I think the rod could handle 1/8 oz. if I had the ability to cast that light. No idea how it handles 1/2 oz. Weight range is 1/16-1/2 oz. It's an $80 rod. Another rod of mine that should handle that weight range okay is no longer in production. Look for a used Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" MF. It's rated 1/8-5/8 oz. The Smallmouth series fished above their full price. However, they all have short handles should that be important to you. At least the 5 different casting rods I have in that series do.

What are the lower weights you use with this rod?

In my youth I never changed line unless it got too low on the spool. Still don't. Landed a 35 pound carp on 8# XL that had been on the reel for several years.

I've purchased rods and reels from them. No problems yet.

Voted 'No' for 2 reasons. 1) Price 2) My age & that I already have more than I can use

Like MediumMouthBass I have more MH rods than any other power. A few haven't been fished yet. I purchased rods even when life was getting in the way of my fishing. Of those I've used a few times, some favorites are: Smallmouth 6'10" MH-MF Tatula 7'2" MHR OG Falcon Expert 7' MHF older Powell Endurance 7'2" MH-EF Witch Doctor Shaman 7' MHF Rainshadow RX7 7' MHF

My youth was spent fishing Northern PA and Southern New York with an occasional trip north. Never fished just for bass. But if I were to do so today, my number one rod would be the do everything MHF casting rod with 12# mono or co-polymer line. I prefer 7' minimum. Longer would be better. Never ever fished where a Heavy power rod would be better than a MH. Even when visiting Florida I used a MHF with 40# braid for fishing lily pads and weeds. However, in Florida I fished from a Gheenoe instead of from shore so I could go get a snagged lure. Second rod ET Smallmouth 6'10" MF rated 1/8-5/8 oz. No problem fishing trebles with this rod or lighter wire single hooks. 8# mono or co-polymer line. Third rod harder to name. Would require some thought and actual use. My first thought is my custom 7' LF rated 1/16-3/8 oz. with PE#1 braid for extra casting distance (hopefully). It is a more specialized than all around rod. The following rods would be contenders as more all around rods: Smallmouth 6'10" MH-MF, Headturner, and Tatula 7'2" MHR with 12# mono or co-polymer. The lightest lure I've used so far for bass is the #5 Shad Rap and F-11 Floating Rapala. Easily handled by the above MF. I prefer lures in the 3/8-5/8 oz. range. OP didn't ask about reels and only a couple have made suggestions so far. For the MHF I would be hard pressed to choose between a Helios Air and Primmus HS Xi. Both cast far and line handling is very good on both. Pixy on the MF. Tuned and upgraded Air Red would be my first choice of those I have. LF would get a Purple Alphas with Roro BFS spool.

Was easier to dial in my E-series reels than the SVS Infinity reel. Also feel the older reel is less finicky once both styles are set. Although I have a couple MGL reels, I've yet to use one so I can't comment on them.

Hahaha. My OG Tatula 7'2" MHR is said to be great with Keitechs. I purchased a few 3.8s to try.

I always assumed line capacity was based on the 1/16-1/8 below the rim. Seems Shimano is way off base for the Curado BFS. Wonder if I've been spooling 150-160 yards instead of the normal 125-135 yards listed on many of my reels.

That's 23 yards more than what is listed for line capacity. Do you fill to the bevel, or 1/16-1/8 inch below rim as most manufacturers suggest? I've always wondered where on the spool line capacity is figured from by the manufacturers. Personally I fill to the spool's bevel. Last reel I purchased has a line around the spool about 1/16 inch from the rim. I wondered if this is where the manufacturer felt line should be filled to.

Not so awesome to find one.