new2BC4bass

No. EDIT: I have an older blue Patriarch XT. I run it with one centrifugal brake on and 3 magnetic brakes on.

X2

May have some answers. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/search/

Hey....a tough job but somebody has to do it. Nice guy that I am I would have done it if I lived closer.

I can't help, but smalljaw67 can if he sees this post. Or you can send him a PM. If you need a way to contact him, he has a post in this thread.

I was looking for the 7' MHF answer. That power and action is a very versatile rod. 6.4:1 is a versatile gear ratio. So a $210 value when new. Personally I think the reel is worth that price unless it has a lot of boat rash. I'd get it and worry about buying the Tatula later. You know you will buy one eventually.

I'd say it is a pretty good deal if the rod and reel are in decent shape. The reel listed for $130 in 2005 and TackleTour gave it a Best Value Award. I own the $100 older Trion and the $250 older blue Patriarch XT. Both good values. Personally I think Pflueger casting reels are under-rated. I've never used a Veritas, but many on here like the rod. I don't know what the rod sold for new, but I am guessing new value for the combo would have been around $200. So...yeah...if in decent shape, I would get the combo if the rod is of the power and action you would use. No rod or reel is worth the price no matter how good a deal they are if you don't like them enough to use them. I don't think that would be the case here. What model is the rod?

Took a boat trip on the St. James River once, but have never fished it. Wouldn't mind fishing it tho. My in-law's house is on South Lake Talmadge. We can fish 3 lakes without getting out of the boat.

Deland. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

I have a MH spinning rod there that seldom gets used. I keep a Medium and 3 MHF casting rods there, plus I picked up a used Medium crankbait rod last year before coming home. One of the rods I want to send down is a HF casting rod. I thought I might try a finesse rod when we are out along submerged weed lines. I like to try different lures, but my brother-in-law prefers to stick to two...10" unweighted ribbontail worms and a #11 Rapala. I did get him to invest in a few spinnerbaits after catching several bass while he got none with his tried and trues.

I am not looking to buy. I already have all the rods mentioned, thus why I listed them rather than asking what was the best finesse rod within a certain price range. The Aetos has not had a reel on it yet, so I will have to mount a reel and see if I have the same experience you did.

I use the Uni for all terminal connections. For splicing lines I like the Alberto or Albright, but a new one I want to start using is the FG knot.

If price is paramount, TW has the Exceler for $50 right now. Never used that particular model, but a few on here have and like it. I believe it is "farmer" who has several. I can help narrow the field. Of those listed my choices...in no particular order...would be the Tatula, Tournament MB and Curado. I haven't used any of the others, but don't think you could go wrong with any of the 4 I mentioned. EDIT: I hadn't looked to see what ratios were available from TW. You probably can find the desired ratio and same price elsewhere. As much as I like my Curado and Tatula Type R, I'd be tempted to go for the Tournament MB because I not only like its looks and feel, but I also like the dual braking.

I'm fond of it myself.

The 7' MH Escalade is rated 1/4 to 1-1/2 oz. and 10-25 lb. Listed at 4 oz. Dick's has them on sale at 50% off. A $100 rod for $50. I've only handled them in store, but they feel nice. TW has the Daiwa Exceler on sale for $49.97. It is a $100 reel normally. Should make a very good $100 combo. Looks like you have already done a lot of research. Pick the items that interest you the most. You will be happier that way.

Probably all would work, but which would you consider the better rod? Thinking of shipping a 2-3 rods to Florida for my upcoming visit with at least one being a spinning rod....maybe two...since I have casting rods there already. I am not planning on trying the drop shot, but want to try a Ned rig, and some small finesse worms. Never used either. Have always fished a 10" ribbontail worm. My choices are: Elite Tech Jig/Worm 6'9" MF rated 1/8-5/8 oz. and 6-12 lb. Smallmouth 6'9" M-XF rated 1/8-3/4 oz. and 6-12# Villain 6'9" ML rated 1/8-1/2 and 6-10# Aetos 7' MF rated 1/16-3/4 oz. and 6-14# Fuego 6'10" M-XF rated 3/16-1/2 oz. and 6-14# Thanks.

Yeah, I've had several reels tuned and upgraded. I'm kind of like you in that I'm not sure I can take full advantage of the increase in performance possibilities. However, I like my reels to be the best they can be with me being the limiting factor. Maybe some day I will grow into them. It doesn't have to be an expensive reel as long as it is one you like. I had a Prodigy (the older gray one) tuned and upgraded. It responded well. I got it on sale for something like $69. That reel feels like a tank....nice and solid.

Up to you. Besides what has already been mentioned, the Type R has 2 CRBB bearings. I am not fond of the red on the CT Type R. I prefer the looks of the standard CT. I own the original Tatulas. In that line I prefer the Type R. Like its finish better than the standard, and I got mine in the faster ratio that isn't available in the standard. For me the extra $30 was worth it. I believe all ratios are available for both models in the CT series with the exception of 5.5:1. Spool on the original Type R is a bit lighter than on the standard. Might be the same in the CT line. However, you are a better caster than I am if you can detect a difference between the two. (Admittedly most are better casters than me, but TT didn't notice a difference either.) EDIT: I see fishnkamp is also a faster typer than I am.

An earlier thread on this site. And another thread on the H2O Mettle. I've got the 7'3" MH Hammer and feel it along with one of those H2O Mettles would make an awesome first combo. The Mettle has an aluminum frame which is something not in other reels of this price...that I know of. $180 leaves you with enough money for line. I'd suggest a mono or cop-polymer to learn on. Others have suggested braid. I mostly use the former lines. I'd stick with a softer line to start with as it will have less memory. Some to pick from are Trilene XL, Suffix Elite, Stren (although I am not familiar with any Stren, but a fishing buddy used it many years ago while I used XL) and Sunline Super Natural.

I mentioned this in another thread...I stopped at Dick's on the way home tonight and they had some Escalade rods in stock. These are $100 rods on sale for $50. I've never fished one, but they feel very nice in the store. Light, IM8, 48 ton blanks. There are only 2 spinning rod models...both Mediums. The 6'6" is rated for 6-12 lb. and 1/8-3/4 oz. while the 7' is rated for 8-14 lb. and 1/4-3/4 oz. I considered picking up the 7' MH casting rod, but need another rod like I need another hole in my head. So I bought more plastics and line instead.....even though I need neither.

Dick's has the Escalades for $50 right now....a $100 rod. IM8 48 ton blank. Never fished one, but they feel nice in store. Even 4 oz. for the MH. Add a $50 PQ and you can buy 2 outfits for your $200 budget. Academy Sports Ethos rods and H2O reels get good reviews. Buy on sale and you could get 2 outfits there as well. Another fishing site has 2 new H2O Mettles for $30 each TYD or $55 for both. One of those reels and the brand new Hammer 7' 3" MH for $150 on the same site would give you a great combo. Well....a great rod. The reel I only know about from reading reviews. Alternatively a Tatula or Tatula CT and Fenwick HMG would just make the cut. Or the Fury fishnkamp suggests for a few dollars more.

Try McCoy Mean Green, Silver Thread AN40 or Excalibur, Izorline XXX, Maxima Ultragreen or Yo-Zuri. If looking for better abrasion resistance...and don't mind more memory (use a line conditioner liberally), then try P-Line CXX or Izorline Platinum. Big Game is another line some have said has good abrasion resistance. I don't normally fish were I need to worry about that.

Glad to see someone with a lot of experience sets their centrifugal brakes like I do. All this time I thought everyone else used 0 or 1 brake. I can do 2, but 3 makes it worry free. My Patriarch XT has one centrifugal brake on and 3 on the magnetic dial. Probably the least amount of brakes I use on any reel as a standard setting.

Not when fishing, but have accidentally done it with new-2-me reels a couple times when practicing. Not pretty. The only reels I have done it on purpose with...and with good results...are the Diawa reels with MagForce 3D braking. My thumb will never be as good as 90% of the people on here.

Seems I've read an occasional post about the RG. All good. I'll know a bit more abut them at the end of March. OP, I'm going to assume you are looking for spinning reels at that price. I've no experience with Okuma spinning reels, but Okuma seems to be putting out a good product for the price. Love the baitcast rod and reel I have. If you don't want to (or can't) spend the $60 apiece for the President, then look at the Trion. Lew's has several reels under $50. My only experience with Lew's is their casting reels which are very nice. Take a look at the Abu Garcia Pro Max. Comments on TW about the Daiwa REVROS are all good. Let us know what you wind up getting.