new2BC4bass

I've got to agree about going for a longer rod like a 6'6". I grew up with spinning rods and like 6'6" or less. Two of my old rods are 5' or slightly less. A favorite is my 6' Lightning. However, when I went to baitcast rods I found out that I prefer over 6'6". The Fuego CT and a Lightning...or Lightning Shock...rod is going to put you over budget, but you will have a combo you can use and enjoy for years to come. An alternative is to keep an eye on the classifieds in various fishing forums. Or your local craigslist. Going to be hard to find that cheap of a rod due to shipping costs, but one that is near enough for a local pickup is an option. Mainly I would look for a quality used reel and a new Berkley (preferably on sale) to stay within your budget. Are you looking for a left hand or right hand baitcasting reel?

I wouldn't worry about a .4 difference in ratio. What would that amount to....about 1" IPT? Maybe...depending on spool sizes. If it bothers you that much, don't fill the spool all the way. That would also help your casting as a newbie. The Dobyns Fury line has been getting good reviews. They make two with those specs for $110. I'd probably opt for the 704C over the 703C. A Tournament MB off ebay would run just under $110. Total well within your max budget. Or upgrade to the equivalent Sierra and still be under $300. I really like my original Tatula rods. I am also a fan of Fenwick HMG at the $100 price. Haven't handled a new Aetos, but the originals are extremely nice rods for the money. I didn't mention the Diawa Tatula casting reels as I assumed you had eliminated them as a choice. (Been typing this up for awhile. That's what happens when your youngest grandson is bugging you. ) My personal choice would be the Tatula SV TWS for less than $135 on ebay. Or opt for a regular Tatula for less than $90. https://www.ebay.com/i/132266675452?chn=ps&dispItem=1 A Tat SV and Sierra would run right at your max. You can get a pretty nice combo for $200-$300 these days. Manufacturers seem to be targeting the $100-$150 range for rods...and reels. EDIT: BTW, to the forum.

Nice find, Ron. I am not going to disagree with the other posters....especially considering I am a Diawa fan....but another option is the Lew's Tournament MB for about $110 from ebay. The PQ is often mentioned as a great reel in its price range. I personally would pick the Tatula over it any day at $100, but if you can get a PQ on sale for around $50-$60 then it is another good option. Some swear by the $100 Lew's, but I've no experience with any below the Tournament MB. Another option is buying used off one of the fishing sites. My first Patriarch XT was a like new one at 50% of its new price....which incidentally makes your $125 limit. My last one was $65 with a few light scuff marks. (The older blue model.) It is a $250 reel. I see you like acoustic guitars. Love them myself. Unfortunately my music ability is nil. Two years of lessons, and I gave up. Can't memorize worth a darn anymore. My fingers don't want to move fast enough for chords, either. EDIT: Check the Flea Market on this site. Do not stop at page one. Some great deals on some very nice reels. Also check that bass boat site. Some states have bass forums. Two I have used are Texas Fishing Forum and the New York Forum. More traffic on the Texas one, but you have to get through all the other ads. I have seen some really great deals on the NY one.

20, I think.

I'm sure you understood it was a bit of humor on my side. I tried to change my username, but couldn't figure out how. My username doesn't fit me as I've seldom used a spinning reel since getting back into fishing in '09 (when I joined several forums). I hesitate to mention how many baitcast reels I've accumulated during that time. Let's just say it is over 50. A carp is the biggest fish I've caught to date. A 35 pounder at least half a century ago on a K-Mart special and 8# XL. I have been strictly an artificial fisherman since getting back into fishing. Trouble is fishing from shore in my area sucks due to so much fishing pressure. I am seriously considering trying for fish other than bass. We have some decent size catfish in the river. I don't recall anyone ever mentioning carp, but would be surprised if there weren't any. I don't really don't care what kind of fish I catch as long as I can catch something. Well......I don't care to catch eels these days. Have gotten squeamish in my old age.

Haven't used a Shimano newer than the E series, but the MGL gets excellent reviews. I like Daiwas (slightly over half my reels are Daiwas). But the most user friendly reel I have is a Pinnacle Primmus Xi HS. 6.3:1 ratio and 5.8 oz. Nice looking, casts like a dream and gets good distance. Another seldom mentioned reel I really like is the Okuma Helios Air. Only got out once with my Tatula SV TWS so far. Like how if feels....and looks. Distance nothing to brag about yet, but it was increasing by the time I packed it up to go home. By that I mean distance was average at first. Only time will tell (for me), but it handled well so far. Pflueger casting reels seldom get mentioned. Look at the reels from the Supreme XT up in price range. My Patriarch XT has been a fine reel. Also very user friendly with its dual brakes. Spending the kind of money a Chronarch costs will make it almost impossible to find a bad reel. I've got to say that if you are a Shimano guy, then I would stick with a Shimano because it will most likely please you the most.....even if some of it is only in your head. We like what we like. Me........I like um all.

Some seriously nice fish........but you need to change your username.

Gorgeous. Extremely nice pike. Excellent report. Waiting for more.

Congratulations. The MGL gets good reviews. Let us know how it works out for you. Shimano makes some nice reels, but I have none after the E series.

Yup. First thing to check. At least you remembered to set spool tension. I have been guilty a time or two of forgetting to set both spool tension and brakes with a new-to-me reel....to my sorrow on the first cast. The good thing is I am pretty good at removing backlashes now.

Angealy I would agree that 15# PowerPro is not the line for a beginner to learn on. It is equivalent to 4# mono and will dig in easily. I would also agree that 14# mono is a good line to learn on. However, I disagree that braid can't be used by a newbie. Had you gone with 40#-50# I don't think you would have had one backlash due to line digging in. I prefer mono or co-polymers, but use 40# braid for throwing into lily pads and such. I can't recall ever having a dig in even though I have been snagged more than once.

20lb+....Wow. Nope. I've got 17lb. on 2 reels. One a 5001C on a MHF that is rated for heavier lures than the HF rod on which sits a Trion. I use a lot of 12# mono or co-polymer on MH rods and 8# on Medium power rods. I will go as low as 6# on a ML or Light, but most have 8# on them. All my brother-in-laws live in Florida. The oldest is my fishing partner whenever we visit. He fishes 40# original PowerPro on his spinning reels....and he only fishes with spinning reels. Although I keep one spinning reel there, I hardly ever use it. He thinks baitcast reels get better distance than spinning reels.

X2

Welcome to the forum. Not that I know of. That is the whole reason behind higher gears.

Yes. Use the listed line weights as a guide for you to pick the right size reel. Don't buy a reel that lists 100 yds of 4# line if you plan on fishing with 10#. You will severely limit the amount of line you can get on the reel.

I've used my 6'9" MF V.I.P. with Black Max 1600C to cast a small unweighted fluke straight into a pretty strong wind. You might find a used reel, but highly doubt you can locate the rod. Can't remember the price of the rod, but I got it on closeout for less than $50, I think. That would make total cost less than $85. I'd imagine most of today's reels are capable as are an awful lot of rods. The above combo mention in the other posts would run you a bit over $200. The same reel and a 7'3" MH Hammer would run closer to your $300 limit (about $270) and give you a very versatile rod with excellent sensitivity. The Dobyns Sierra 6'8" MF and CT would be about the same price. A rod I really like is the Helios 7' MF. Tactical Warehouse has 2 left at $107.09 but I don't know if shipping is free. Rod weighs about 3.5 oz. I put a Helios Air on one and a Tat SV TWS on my other. Both make for a nice feeling combo. A Fury and Primmus Xi HS would put you about $40 over budget, but the reel has to be the most forgiving reel I own. Nice looking, light, and casts like a dream with very good distance. Or you could try to find the Primmus for what I paid for my last two and the total with a Fury would be about $215. Good luck with that, tho.

And you won't find it at places like TW. It was a first generation rod that is no longer being offered. Paste this into Google search " 6'6" MLM aetos casting rod on ebay " Asking price is $89.99 plus $16 expedited shipping. I wouldn't wait too long to buy it if I were you. Send smalljaw67 a PM about this rod. I bought it based on his opinion. I had gotten so I didn't like 6'6" rods. Too short. I absolutely love this rod. Here is a link to the seller, but I don't know if it will be automatically deleted. Some links are not allowed. http://www.ebay.com/itm/FENWICK-AETOS-CASTING-ROD-6-foot-6-inch-length-medium-light-power/391831101244 EDIT: Got to thinking about it this afternoon and I am pretty sure I need a second 6'6" MLM Aetos.

Wow. Didn't know that. Fishing was still available the last time I was there. Still catch and release? Just great. It was suppose to be legal to keep fish (other than trout) after June 16, 2016. Then it was pushed back to this year. I didn't realize the state pushed it back again. Wonder if I'll be able to keep a Largemouth from there before I die. Actually it doesn't bother me as I practice catch-and-release anyway, but I know others like to eat some of the fish they catch. A buddy's wife pulled a 6 pound plus Largemouth out of the Lehigh. Pretty sure he said it was a Largemouth. Also he and his wife hit the crappie run a couple years ago, and were hauling out a lot of nice ones. The 2 I caught up by the Rt33 boat ramp were very nice.

Baitcast: 7' MLF Crankin' Stick - trebles 7' ML HMG - little of everything 6' 10" ML NV - new-2-me but imagine whatever falls in its lure range 6' 6" MLM Aetos - trebles 7' 1" MLF Recon 2 - had out once & was using a finesse worm and if 1/8 minimum qualifies for a ML then a 6' 10" MF Smallmouth - little of everything Spinning: 6' 9" ML Villain - seldom fish a spinning rod anymore, but this has the power for single hooks 6' Lightning - trebles...used to also fish nightwalkers, leeches, crayfish & grubs with it 7' MF Aetos is rated down to 1/16 oz. Never seen the water.

Will the next time I am out. Yard work tonight after work, but maybe there will still be enough time to head on down to the Lehigh for some practice.

Leaving rod material and design out of the equation, a Fast should be more sensitive than a slower action while and ExtraFast should be more sensitive than a Fast. However, the action of a rod is only a very small part of what makes one rod more sensitive than another. A Fast action is often suggested for an all-around rod.

40# Sufix Performance. Back spool with mono. Fades fairly fast, but doesn't affect performance. Has never dug in for me, and I have pulled my brother-in-law's dinghy over to where the lure was snagged more than once. Quieter through the guides than original PowerPro.

Very nice David. Glad I don't know how to download pics from my phone. EDIT: The forum that has cost me the most money is that bass boat one. Have bought the majority of my rods and reels from it. I have been having success muffling the Bait Monkey. Have passed on several reel deals. Haven't shut him up entirely as I recently let him talk me into a Tat SV TWS. I blame it on being late at night and I was in a weakened state.

If it works for you, then duplicate rather than getting different. I would think a little slower action would be better for trebles. Majority of my rods are Fast action and I will carry more than one of each power. I'm lazy. I'd rather grab another rod than retie. Plus I don't get to spend a lot of time on the water so I make the best use of it while out there. That means casting, not retying.

and Sorry, but I don't. I tried fishing for 2 years after I moved to this area, and then quit for 23 years. However, at that time I only knew of Beltzville Lake and Lake Nockamixon. Beltzville can be good fishing if you know the lake and can get out on it at night time in a boat. Used to live next door to a young fellow who did quite well there, but he'd leave about 8 p.m. and get home about 12 hours later. Forget about it during the day. Too much boat traffic. Do you have a boat? Leaser Lake is an option. Keeping fish is now legal there. The lake had been drained for the dam to be repaired (rebuilt?). I've heard the Muskies are reaching 40 inches and some decent size Largemouths are being caught. Trout are also in the lake, but a boat helps a lot. Just like any public lake these days, there is a lot of fishing pressure from the shore....which is how I have to fish. It is a nice looking lake and I think you can walk all the way around it...with enough time on your hands. Minsi Lake is another option. I've caught more fish there than anywhere else.....which isn't saying a lot. It is also a trout stocked lake so you will need a trout stamp to fish it. It is also a bass management lake. Don't know if the lake is back up, but a few years ago it was down 4 feet due to a leak in the dam. Deepest spot was about 14 feet before the drop. Been 2-3 years since I was last there. It is possible to walk around at least half of the shore. There are also 2 fishing piers. Depending on the route you take to Lake Nockamixon you can drive by Lake Towee. Again a boat is almost mandatory. Everyone with a boat fishes the far side....which I don't think can't be gotten to from shore. Lake is very shallow on the boat ramp side. Kaercher Creek Lake is no longer maintained by the state, county or whoever was taking care of it. (My understanding is the lake was donated to the state.) I heard the various governments had a dispute about whose responsibility it was to maintain the grounds. Too bad as it was a nice place for a picnic. However, the boat ramp is still open. You can also walk that side of the lake....just can't drive any further than the boat ramp. Trout, bass and Muskies along with catfish, sunnies and bluegills are some fish in the lake. A friend told me he has seen large Muskies come up out of the water on the far side to take squirrels and birds off low over-hanging branches. On any of these lakes live bait is your best option unless you have a boat. Might be your best option even with a boat. I fish strictly artificials. If you have a boat, there are some nice fish in the Lehigh River. Unload at Rt 33 boat ramp just off Rt33 and Freemansburg Ave. I practiced at this ramp a lot over the past few years. I've even managed to catch a few fish there, but catching one is definitely an unexpected bonus. I've managed to catch Smallmouth, Rock bass, pickerel and (2 very nice) crappies at the ramp. Even caught a 25 inch Muskie there one day. However, I don't recommend fishing at the ramp. Sometimes I've gone about 2 years in a row without catching one fish from that spot. A boat capable of handling the Delaware River could produce a lot of Smallmouth bass for you. There is a fourm on the Delaware River Smallmouth bass fishing. It isn't unusual for guys to catch over 100 in one day. Most aren't big, but a few are very nice. I wish you and your grandfather the best of luck. You are going to need it. EDIT: If you don't mind a little drive, you could take a trip to Jim Thorpe (not too far from Beltzville) and fish Mauch Chunk Lake. Pretty lake. There is a beach there for swimming. Place to buy food. Boats for rent. Can walk a lot of the shore. And this is one lake where artificials can work very well...........but again a boat is the best bet. Talked to one guy who hadn't been catching any, but saw another fisherman who was. Asked what he was using. Was lucky enough to have the right colored worms. Said the next day his arms were sore from all the fish he caught after switching to the right colored bait. He fished from his boat.