new2BC4bass

Lots of great...or not so great...stories depending on how you look at them. Thanks for sharing. Glad none of those situations has happened to me. A couple would have left me still crying every time I thought about it. At least I shouldn't have to worry about losing my reels. Unless my nephew decides to let friends borrow a few. Happened with one of my rods, and I never saw it again.

No. I agree with Jeff. Now if you asked if a Steez, Zillion, Ryoga, Antares, Aldebaran, Conquest, Metanium, "E", Team Pro, Ito Monoblock, etc. were overkill, then I would say yes. A $280-$680 reel would be a bit much unless you have the funds and love having really nice gear.

You won't catch me trying to talk you into using it. I prefer mono or co-polymers. There are quite a few goods ones....Big Game, XT, Yo-Zuri, CXX, Platinum, AN40, McCoy, XXX, etc., etc.

Was just visiting relation in Florida. My brother-in-law tells me I like using baitcast reels because I enjoy removing backlashes rather than fishing. Has told me before that I am one patient man. However, he sees me at my worst. Takes about 3 days of fishing with him for me to smooth out my casting stroke because I have to change my casting stroke from how I always cast when home. Yet one afternoon I went to the boat ramp and spent a few minutes casting directly into a strong wind with a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait and never had an over-run much less a backlash. Of course he didn't witness that because he was working. Any more a backlash of mine that looks like that is because I either caught an object on the back stroke or I got a new-2-me reel and forgot to check the brakes an/or spool tension. Inevitably the seller backed one or both completely off. Only takes one cast to discover your mistake. Needless to say I have become very proficient at removing backlashes.

Got my fishing gear taken care of last night in preparation for this morning's departure. Was visiting relation in Florida and had a 7:05 A.M. flight to catch. Knew I had to remember to get my carry-on bag that contained a few lures and baitcast reels. Get on the plane, slide my medical bag under the seat in front of me and.....yup....you guessed it......realized my fishing bag was still sitting on my in-laws' porch. Seven baitcast reels in the bag. Most could stay there until my next visit. However, one was my Airy Red that had just been tuned, upgraded and fished for the first time. Add cost of reel to cost of work and upgrades and it is my most expensive reel. Reelly depressed. and at myself. Could ask them to mail them up, but guess I will survive until the next visit. No doubt some of you have similar tales.

Two of which reel?

I own cheaper and more expensive Pfluegers. No problem. Under-rated reels.

Sorry to hear that. Would upset me a lot, too. Look at the bright side. Bet you learned a lesson. One you won't repeat. Nope. That statement wouldn't help me either. I'd still be crying.

Take a look at the Hammer rods. Read a few reviews on them. There is currently a thread on a Bass Boat forum comparing them to several other rods including the NRX. I get the impression you won't find a more sensitive rod in the $200 range. Depending on length one would set you back $180/$187.

There is a new Lew's SSG1H for $80 (a $100 reel) on another fishing forum. Closeouts and For Sale forums are your friend. I especially love closeouts. The PQ often goes on sale for around $80. Not used one myself, but it is highly recommended by many others. The Tatula can be found for $15 more if you can come up with the extra. The H2O Mettle gets good reviews. An $80 reel that regularly goes on sale.

Welcome back, dodgeguy. Haven't seen you posting in quite awhile. Or else I haven't been reading the right threads. Sorry. Can't help with your question. Seldom use a fluorocarbon line.

Two problems. First is you are trying to cast a lure below the rods rating. Sometimes that is possible...sometimes not. That rod is rated for 1/4-3/4 oz. Quite possibly the rod isn't loading enough to make a long cast with 1/8 oz. Second problem I see is casting that light a weight requires a fair amount of skill and you said you are new to baitcast reels. That is definitely the wrong weight to learn on. Everyone is different, but it took me a lot of practice to get down to 1/8 oz. and I have the proper rod and reel for that weight. Are you using one hand or two for casting? I definitely suggest two. What reel are you using? Not many can handle 1/8 oz. unless you have an awful lot of experience with a baitcast reel. Some guys on here can do it with about any reel. I can't. Okay. fishnkamp posted while I was typing and pointed out the same thing I am mentioning. 1/4-3/4 oz. is in my MH category for bass using a casting rod. Most of my Medium rods top out at 5/8 oz. Not all. Depends on manufacturer and action, but I personally consider any rod that can handle 3/4 oz. to be a MH bass rod....for me.

Given that you want to keep cost down, maybe you should look at something besides a fluorocarbon line. If abrasion resistance is also paramount, then consider P-Line CXX or Izorline Platinum or possibly Izorline XXX. First two would best be served by using a line conditioner. XXX is said to be tough and handle better. I am currently trying some 10# XXX. I can sympathize with your desire to not loose terminal tackle. Unfortunately that is part of the game. Painful nonetheless...especially if it is a favorite lure.

This is my first and only Dobyns. May invest in another if I find one at the right price. I have been reading about the Hammer rods and want to try a couple of them. Well within your budget and made in USA. Don't need a lot of sensitivity for cranking, but a couple guys on another site rate the Hammer close to the NRX. Obviously not as good, but exceptional for the price.

Crankbait rods are something I am just getting into having previously used whatever MF rod was at hand. As much as I love my 6'6" MLM Aetos, my 704CB Glass is better for most of what I throw. Picked up the 7' Medium Aetos crankbait rod over the winter, but haven't used it as yet. I am going to guess that whichever new rod you get will be above my budget, and thus I can't be of any help. Only reason I have the Dobyns is because of the generosity of a fellow member. Sold it to me for a lot less than he could have gotten for it.

Besides St. Croix, I can suggest Hammer rods as another made in the USA rod that is very good. I have the 7'3" MH in the All American Elite Micro Series and the Lady Angler Series. What can I say, I got a good package deal on them. Sorry guys, but I even like the pink color on the handle! Daughter must be rubbing off on me. Pink is her favorite color. Doesn't seem to affect the rod's performance, and makes it easy for me to pick out the rod. Check reviews here and on other sites. A lot of rod for the money. Some say near the sensitivity of an NRX at much less.....over $300 or more less.

To be honest I don't remember all the different bearings I have in various reels. I do know that a few have ZPI SiC spool bearings. Bought a set from a bassresource member for my Curado 51E, but don't recall the brand. Really don't see a difference between that reel and a stock 51E...both gone through by DVT. I guess some reels benefit more than others. You could ask Mike at DVT. There are several places that clean and upgrade reels if you want a few other opinions. Mike has a good reputation, but so do several others. BTW, to the forum.

I am in the minority, but I hated the one micro guide spinning rod I tried. Took it back. I felt it severely restricted my casting distance. Probably me as I only used a spinning rod from 6 years old until 37 years old with about an 8-1/2 year period where I didn't get to fish much due to the job I had at that time. Like I said, I am in the minority. Most seem to love them. I don't mind them on a casting rod, but prefer standard for their looks and ease of stringing. Younger lads (and lasses) and people with better eyes often like micro guides on their casting rods.

I have a hard time tying it at home. Would hate to try in on a boat.....especially with a stiff breeze.

Yup.

Not picking on you specifically because a lot of people do it.............but an occasional paragraph makes a long post easier to read, IMHO.

My guess is that he is probably referring to the fact some manufacturer's rods fish heavier than rated. Abu is one.

I tried some 10#. First snag it broke fairly easy. I had extra reels with me so I switched it out immediately.

Did you look at the sheet that came with the reel? It will show you how to set the brakes. The side cover has to either come off or swing out of the way so you can get at the brakes. Here is a video on the previous model. Cover came off so I assume it will be the same on your new reel.

But what would you pick if given $500 that had to be spent on one rod and reel?