new2BC4bass

Never seen more than a picture of one, but I read that the SV103 is a fantastic reel.

As you can see, there are lots of favorites. I would prefer to use 2 different lines because I prefer a soft line on spinning reels and a little harder line (meaning tougher and more memory) on baitcast reels. For soft I like Sufix Elite and even have it on one of my favorite casting reels. XL and Super Natural are a couple more soft lines I use. I grew up using XL while a friend I got into fishing went with Stren. Many of my baitcasters have Siege on them. I especially like the Neon Tangerine as I can see it much easier. A couple years ago smalljaw67 suggested AN40. I bought a couple 3000 yd. spools of 8# and 12#. It is on several of my reels, and so far I have no complaints. I have the same weights in 1/4 lb. spools of Big Game, but I only use it on baitcast reels. There are plenty of good lines, but so little time to try them all. I'm hoping to move to Florida this year at which time I figure I will be getting out a lot more and will have the opportunity to test several lines currently sitting on the self.

Second this. You've gotten good advice, but those weights shouldn't be a problem getting good distance with that combo unless you are one of those guys expecting 80-100 yard casts to be the norm. Generally I figure 45 yards is a good cast for me with 35-40 yards being the norm. The right lure/reel/rod can increase that distance. I figure it is the rod and lure that play the biggest part. I've made longer casts with several rod and reel combos. One being a 7'2" MH-XF with a Chronarch 100B and 12# Siege. The Endurance 723C is one XF casting rod that delivers long casts. I run centrifugal brakes with 3 on. It gives me more worry-free casting than 2 on. My thumb probably never will be able to handle zero brakes. Still.....I seldom complain about lack of distance, and I figure most of these guys can cast rings around me.

User manual? We don't need no stinkin' user manual. There is a lever on the edge towards the operator (when mounted on rod) on the side opposite the handle. Says "Open" and "Close" Push with thumb nail towards "Open". Cover pops up. It is attached on the other end so don't worry you will drop the cover the first time you open it. About peed my pants the first time I opened it. Thought the side cover was going to land in the next room it popped up so fast.

Like a couple have already mentioned..................DO NOT learn using fluorocarbon. It will break easy where it gets kinked from a backlash........and you will backlash while learning.

But it is worth it. So much fun. I fished with spinning until I was 61 years old. Now I hardly ever use spinning although I have better spinning gear than I ever did before.

A Daiwa with the MagForce 3D braking has to be one of the easiest to keep from backlashing. Lot of people don't care for their looks. No idea if they would make a good frog reel. I use mine on MH rods. Another reel that has been extremely good for me has been the Pinnacle Primmus Xi HS. Set cast control, 3 brakes on and haven't touched it since. Also gives some pretty good distance.

Never mind.

Give us a review once you've spent some time with it. I like to give my fishing buddy in Florida (who also happens to be a brother-in-law) a spinning reel for his birthday once in awhile. First one was a used 1600SS that he doesn't use because of a problem with the drag. I planned on getting it fixed for him when I was down there last year, but forgot. Am having a new RG2500H-AB sent to him. Hopefully he will have made good use of it by the time I get there in a couple months. I had considered an Okuma RTX-25S as another possibility. Maybe next time. Or a BG depending on your review.

Nice information, Jeff. Now I need to remember to try both back-to-back once the weather warms up. Love my Fuegos. Doesn't hurt that they are a very nice looking reel. Probably why I like them better than a Sol.

Farmer, you are absolutely right. My Berkley Lightning rods are the originals. Can't get past the color of the Shocks. I've read before that the Shocks have a softer action to accommodate the use of braid. I just recently added three crankbait rods to my stable. All carry a nylon line. I don't read of someone suggesting braid for a cranking rod very often. My brother-in-law uses 40# PP on all his rods. I've seen them under the load of fish and have to say they all are slow action rods. He has no problems landing bass on a #11 Floating Rapala....a favorite lure of his. I have to change my opinion based on your post. However, I don't think I will ever fish a Shock. Have all the rods I need for retirement. Normally I don't let appearances sway me very much on purchases, but if I ever do buy another rod I doubt it will be a Shock no matter how good it works. Still can't get over their ugly colors. Nor do I think I will ever use braid on my cranking rods. I'm more of a mono/co-polymer guy. I like braid for when I throw back into the lily pads.

The 1300 I have here is stacked pretty straight. If I remember correctly, the 1600 I keep in Florida looks kind of like that. Don't use it much, but no problems casting with it when I do.

What reels have you handled? Shimano 50 size, Daiwa Alphas or PX, Lew's?

How light? TT's review of the original Tatula and Tatula Type R included seeing how light a weight they would cast. Both were capable of 1/8 oz. on the right rod. I assume the CT models will also handle the same weight. Personally I need a reel designed for that weight (and under) in order to cast 1/8 oz. on a casting rod. Long time users seem to have no problem with that weight on many standard reels......which I feel the Tatulas are. You should be fine with anything from 1/4 oz. (total weight) up. Excellent value reels. Now if you are looking to throw the really light stuff with a casting rod, then take a look at used Pixys. Prices have come way down on them. A used reel that would have cost you in the neighborhood of $200-$250 a few years ago can now be had for around $150. Bad for the seller....good for us.

Hi Dan. That was my understanding, too. I'm not much of a braid user, and never on a rod I plan on dedicating to treble hook fishing. And I prefer a rod with a slower than Fast action....although I've often fished a MF with trebles and nylon lines. I realize some use braid for trebles including my brother-in-law on cheap spinning rods with lots of give. He does fine with that setup. The OP wants a rod for treble hooks. If he wanted a rod for single hook techniques then I would definitely consider braid on a Shock because of its slower action. For trebles, I'd want something else. That is just me. Others have their own opinion and it may (probably?) won't match mine.

A Shock with anything but braid although it would work with the right drag setting. Wouldn't be my preference, tho.

Best line cutter. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-ST2200T-Butane-Micro-Torch-330194/100564678

Which is why I have jigs that have never been wet.

Personally I would be pairing a Tatula CT 7.3:1 with a Fenwick HMG 7' MHF since you have spinning rods for the lighter stuff. Reel off ebay with the rod would put you just under the $200 if you get free shipping with the rod or find one on sale. Rod $79.99 with free shipping from Glen's Army Navy. Reel $89.95 with free shipping on fleabay. $169.94 total.

Never hurts to ask. No experience with Castaway so I can't help you there. I'm sure there will be one or two on here that can give you an opinion based on experience.

As others have state, no brand loyalty but I do have preferences. Majority of reels are Daiwa although I have a lot more variation in baitcast reels because I own a lot more of them than spinning. I'd probably be a bit more polar if I fished several times a week because then longevity and familiarity would play a bigger role. I would have more Primmus reels if they made them in LH and more than one ratio. Been a fantastic reel for me so far. Love the Helios Air as well. Rods are all over the place...on the lower end. I'd have higher end rods if I could afford them. A fellow member gave me a great deal on a Diablo Spec R and 704CB Glass. Sweet rods. my friend. As for rods I do have, I like the original Tatula, Elite Tech Smallmouth, Expert, Aetos, Endurance, Rainshadow and believe it or not my Redbone and Quantum Tour Edition and Superlite. Most of my lures come from Dick's when on sale so a lot are Rapala and Strike King. I got a few of the Yo-Zuri 3DB lures and so far they have been good to me. No favorites in plastics.

Nice catch. This isn't the first old post that got brought to the top. Must be a slow time for fishing. I know I prefer to sit home and peruse the Internet in this kind of weather. I also am one who would like to know what he finally purchased and his thoughts after using the reel for awhile.

My hat is off to you for learning different knots. I have read of several that I'd like to try, but I seem to stick with the same knot all the time. The Uni holds well for me on any type of line I use. The Snell and San Diego Jam are two (of several) I'd like to try.

If I remember correctly, the SX Gen 2 reels have a pretty good reputation. I read that many are put off by Abus Gen 3 reels. My STX Gen 1 is a fine reel. However, based on what I've read, I'll stay away from the newest models. My experience with Pflueger reels has all been positive.....but I have older models...Trion and Patriarch XT. Smalljaw67 tells me the new Supreme XT is very good. Good enough that he got a second one. You've already read Bluebasser86 opinions on them. My only Okuma is the Helios Air. Love that reel. First cast with it impressed the heck out of me. Another reel that is on the top of my favorite list is the Pinnacle Primmus. First one was around $150, I think, but the other two were just under $105. Can't find that price anymore, but it is one sweet reel. Very forgiving. When I take my reels to Florida on my visits, I always have to make minor adjustments to the reels due to the fact I have to change my casting stroke from what I use at home. All except for the Primmus. Even the vaunted Curado 201E7 required some adjusting. Haven't touched the Primmus since setting it up when I pulled it out of the box. Unfortunately you won't find either at Academy Sports. If you have been reading this forum for at least a day, then you know how well Shimano, Diawa and Lew's are thought of. Limiting price to $200 and reels carried by Academy, I'd suggest looking at the Curado 200i, Tatula, Patriarch and several of the Lew's. My only Lew's that they carry is the Tournament MB and my experience with it is very limited having gotten it just before the cold weather set in, but so far I like the reel. It is one I often recommend based on my experience, and the good opinions others on this forum have expressed.

You beat me posting the weight. Crusty you will like the light weight of this rod. I have a couple 7' Mediums. Naturally I had to put a Helios Air on the first one. Love how light the combo is. Don't know whether I should put another Helios Air on the second or go with a Primmus Xi HS at .2 oz. heavier. I don't mind fishing heavier rods and reels, but have to admit these feather light combos sure bring a smile.