new2BC4bass

You mean to tell me a 3/8 oz. crankbait could weigh more............or less? I'm well aware that lures like jigs and spinnerbaits weigh more than listed, but I thought crankbaits would be very close to listed weight. Here I thought my 3/16 oz. Shad Raps were a true indication of how light I can go with several combos. Now I have to find my powder scale.

The 6 point something reels are generally considered good all-around reels. That number seems to be going up as reels get faster. Most people use the 5 gear ration reels for deep diving lures. Of course it wasn't too many years ago when 5.8:1 was considered fast. You don't see many people clamoring for the 3.8:1 reels anymore.

Congratulations. You are doing better than I did when I started with a baitcast reel. Stren will be fine. Years ago a buddy only used Stren while I used Trilene XL. Neither of us ever had a problem with our line.

I don't know how light you plan on going but either should work with a reasonable weight. I've never used a 50MG, but the Sol will do 1/4 oz. easily. I've never tried less than that...yet...with mine. I use an Airy Red and PXL for 1/8 oz. I use TD-Z 105Hs and gold Carbonlites for 3/16 oz. Both will toss that weight a good distance. I don't have the Pro Max Maxximus Rednekcus mentions, but I have Black Max 1600Cs. Not the tightest reel, but I have cast a small fluke on an unweighted hook directly into a strong wind with excellent results. I keep wanting to try one of them with lighter weights, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Some of the long time baitcast users on here don't need a finesse reel for light weights, but I do. I may be an old fart, but I am relatively a newbie when it comes to baitcast reels.

X2 EDIT: A reel similar to the Daiwa Advantage HTSL is the older grey Cabela's Prodigy...made by Diawa. A nice solid reel that will run you very little...if you can find one.

If you are casting a 1/8 oz. lure on those reels, then you are already a much better better caster than I am. As far as distance and backlashing with one reel type versus another, I think it is what a person is use to. I learned on a Fuego. I don't see a difference in distance between a Shimano or Daiwa with the same lure. (Well, some models are a little better than others, but maybe it is just me rather than the reel. Or maybe my particular reel.) I am just the opposite of you. I'd rather grab a Diawa than a Shimano for lighter lures. Unfortunately my best Shimano reels for light lures are the Curado 51Es. I have less problems with backlashes using a TD-Z 105H.

They give a pound test and the number of yards the reel will hold for that pound test. Has nothing to do with line rating for the reel. Also these figures are almost always for mono lines not braid. People use 20-60# braid for several reasons. One being it requires a lot heavier braid for a given diameter. 50# Sufix 832 Ghost is equivalent to 12# mono. Therefore if the reel says 12# / 135 yds, it will hold 135yds of 50# 832 Ghost. As you can see it pays to use a cheap mono backing with braid. Another reason is for fishing in heavy cover. My brother-in-law uses 40# braid on all his spinning reels because he is throwing back into lily pads a lot and doesn't like losing lures. Braid has very little abrasion resistance so if you are fishing in an area where you need an abrasion resistant line...and are using braid...then you'd better increase the size of the braid. You might be able to land a fish in those circumstances with 50# braid whereas 20# braid might be weakened enough (from abrasion) to break on the hook set.

Something to keep in mind. I don't know about your local Walmarts, but mine carry squat in fishing gear. And what they carry never goes on sale. However, they offer a lot more in their Online store. Prices sometimes vary from week to week so you need to periodically check on an item you want in order to get the best price. I've bought several rods from their Online store at very good prices. Rods that weren't carried in either of my local Walmarts. Have also bought a reel or two from them.

It is too bad most of us have to learn on our own. A friend who is proficient with a baitcast reel to watch us cast and make suggestions would be a big help. Also if they could cast the reel well, then we would know it was us and not the rod/reel combo. I know it took me longer to become decent with a baitcast reel than it should have. I like seeing people use a baitcast reel because I like them so well, but I'd rather see you stick with a spinning reel if trying to use a baitcast reel caused you to give up fishing. There are a few on here that only use spinning. Nothing says you have to use a baitcast reel if it is causing you too much frustration. Fishing should be fun....whether you are using a baitcst reel, a spinning reel or a line tied on a cane pole. I don't know where you live, but I am certain that if there is anyone on this board living near you, they would be glad to help you learn to use a baitcast reel. You probably have mentioned where you live, but I don't remember, and there is nothing in your profile to give a hint as to your location. Stop by if you are ever in my area. I've got several baitcast reels and would be willing to let you try them.

Have you read any of the stickies yet on using a baitcast reel? Don't cast hard. Be smooth. Use a weight from middle up for the rod's rating. (Aerodynamic lure doesn't hurt.) Use a roll cast. Set cast control (spool tension) to where the lure slowly drops with no over-run when it hits the water (ground). Start with brakes high and work down. Use something like 12-15 pound mono or co-polymer line. (Many suggest braid, but it is a bit expensive.) Sure I am missing more suggestions.

Old thread. Hey, WdyCrankbait I took my Primmus to Florida again this year. Don't know wind speed, but it was fairly stiff. I was casting straight into it with a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait with Colorado blade. Only once did I have to lift the rod to remove a couple loose coils. Was standing at the boat ramp so I couldn't change casting direction more than a few degrees. Reel continues to impress me. A $225 reel is something normally not in my budget, but I got the last two for $104. (First wasn't much more than that.) It was a no brainer at that price. Still waiting for a left hand model and faster gearing although to be honest a new reel isn't something I see in my future. Already have too many. Too bad Pinnacle isn't more popular. Would't trade or sell mine.

I had to put a Helios Air on the first one. Gold accents aren't too bad a match. 3.5 oz. rod, 5.6 oz. reel plus line. Don't have any idea what the line adds to the total weight, but should be around 10 oz. total. Nice! I recently acquired a Helios reel with green accents. That should match up perfectly with the other rod. Unfortunately it is one of the reels still in Florida.

Okuma lists the Helios 7' M at 3.5 oz. This is for the completed rod. No idea of blank weight. Love mine. Bought two. Walmart currently is asking $107.90 for this rod. A $72.09 savings. Free shipping to a store near you, but you have to pay tax. Jet has them for the same price. Free shipping, and I think no tax.

Yup. Except for one minor detail. I can guarantee your release points are not in the same location for both types of reels.

Wow. You guys use some heavy line! I think I've cut out my line 2 or 3 times. I have spent over an hour removing backlashes that number of times (or more) as well. Was leaning over the reel picking out a backlash for so long one time I had to go to the chiropractor to get my neck adjusted. Needless to say if I had known that was going to happen, I would have cut the line out that time too. No pictures, tho, but at least one looked like Oklahoma Mike's.

All good advice. As someone who came from using spinning reels, my side arm casts were going way left...I cast right handed. You definitely need to release sooner than you are use to with a spinning reel. It helps to make a roll cast instead of a straight side cast....which I didn't try until I was already casting halfway decent. That will help straighten out the cast some and help with backlashing as it smooths out the rod's reversal and keeps the rod tip under load. I much prefer a 2-handed cast versus 1-hand. I feel it gives me more control. Plus it helps when I need extra distance. But then I am seldom trying to hit close targets.

Very nice! Congratulations. Enjoyed your post. I for one like a little meat with my potatoes. Meaning I don't mind the background information. Much better than a three sentence post about the rod. Nice pictures, too.

So......looks like a $100 reel here costs you $140 US in Mexico. Is that correct? Sucks if that is the case. BTW, specs say a precision machined aluminum frame, but doesn't mention side plates so I assume they are made from something other than aluminum...or any metal. Have alternate materials reached the point where we don't need to worry about flexing/alignment?

Yup. I am using a 7' ML Hurricane Redbone rated 3/8-3/4 oz. Must be an older model as I see the new ones are rated 1/4-1/2 oz. Either that or it is mislabeled.

If the ponds are open (no trees and brush along the shore), then a 7' rod would be okay. Otherwise I would stick with a shorter rod. I like Fenwick rods as a general rule, and the HMG is one of their lines I like. Your son's current rod is rated 1/8-1/2 oz. An HMG MF (6' or 6'6") is rated 1/4-3/4 oz. The 6'6" MHF is rated 3/8-1 oz. I'd select the model where the weights you plan on using fall somewhere in the middle. Unless you are fishing heavy cover in which case I would go the MH route and throw a lot of 1/2-3/4 oz. lures. I gave my brother-in-law a Daiwa RG spinning reel for his birthday. He is loving it so far and tells me it is very smooth. You could also look at the Daiwa REVROS. The President is always highly recommended. I've read good things about the Pflueger Trion, but have never used one. I've seen the Okuma RTX recommended, but I'd look elsewhere unless you can find one at a good discount. Otherwise it won't leave a lot for the rod. Nothing wrong with a Berkley Lightning or Lightning Shock if you want to go for a more expensive reel and a less expensive rod. Too bad Fenwick dropped the Smallmouth line. Otherwise I would be recommending the 6'9" M-XF.

I like my 201E7 a lot, but as already stated, I can't see paying $190 for one even if it is new. I see they do bring premium prices on the used market. I'd have no problem paying $150 for a new one, tho.

Very nice. Love the papermouth (what my dad sometimes called a crappie). Yeah, that is one of the reels I wouldn't mind having, but I am finding it hard to justify any more reels. Now I have to live vicariously through these pages. Thanks for the read.

Not much you need 50# braid for, but it can be used for a lot. Throwing into weeds and lily pads, jigs and I was watching a show today were they were using 50# braid fishing buzzbaits. I don't use much braid so I'm sure others here could be more helpful. Some use braid for everything although I doubt 50# is on every reel.

Any softer mono type line will have less memory. I also like Sufix Elite and Sunline Super Natural for that reason. A friend suggested AN40 and I have it on several casting reels. Currently trying Izorline XXX but haven't used it enough yet to form an opinion.

You are entitled to your opinion. I read the same thing several years ago. I didn't agree with that opinion then, and I sure don't now either with the advent of the Tatula line. I will agree the less expensive Daiwas are a bit heavier and larger than many competitors in the same price range. Doesn't make them inferior AFAIC. A Procaster 100HN cost me $30 on closeout ($70 retail) a few years ago. I feel it is a nice solid reel. Casts quite well. TT gave it an 8.50 rating which is pretty good. It is on my short, dedicated spinnerbait rod. Have not used the new Fuego so can't comment on that one nor the Exceler that a few guys on here say is a good reel for the price.