new2BC4bass

From his post on the Daiwa Aird, I would say the OP is asking about the casting reel, not the spinning reel. OP, see my post in your other thread.

Two members here....ChiCityBasser and Catchnm...both said it handled light lures. CCB said down to 1/4 oz. while catchnm didn't specify a weight. Search for reviews of the Exceler on Google and the thread I am referring to should show up. I have better luck searching on Google than on a forum. Include the forum's name in the search and you may be surprised at the results. I'm sure fishnkamp can also give you an answer to that question.

Wow! Any time a question is asked about reels, I automatically think of baitcast reels. In this case my only thought was about their spinning reels. A first for me. Probably because I own a spinning reel, but no baitcast reel in this model.

At this price who cares if it isn't quite as good as the other reels you (OP) mentioned? I don't have a Zillion TWS although I do have Zillions and TWS reels. Did you read TT's review of the Zillion TWS? I have a Pixy, several Alphas reels, Curado 51Es, a Scorpion 1001 4x4 SVS, but no 70 series of any model. I think I can safely say that the Zillion will not handle light baits like the other reels you mentioned. But then it doesn't need to since you already have plenty of reels that will. Buy it. Stick in on a MH rod and enjoy. I didn't mean to imply that the Zillion TWS isn't as nice as the others. Zero experience with it, but if it is as nice as my older Zillions. then it will be a fine reel. My 50th Anniversary Zillion is one of my favorite reels. I prefer it to my Curado 51Es even though it isn't capable of lighter lures the 51E can handle. EDIT: The Zillion TWS measured 18 lbs. of drag. I know most of the reels you mentioned have less. Kind of doubt any come close.

Yup, and when you do have to pay shipping on a rod, it runs about $15. At least it was for me. I've purchase a $75 rod with free shipping. My last rod order required paying shipping, but you don't mind a $15 shipping fee when you get about $360 worth of rods (retail) for a bit less than $135. It is a good thing (for me) their selection has been very low the past couple months.

Identical to my Black Max 1600C except for its crappy finish and more bearings. Very capable of throwing light weights even in some pretty high winds. Line capacity is a little low, but plenty enough for bass fishing as long has line diameter isn't too big. I need to change the gears in mine to the 6.3....if they are still available. I bet with 12# line you can about spool it with a lipless crank. Mine came with light braid. I use 8# mono on my 1600 Morrums. Fun reels.

Michael.....I think you need a second reel. One of these would be a great choice. Another excellent choice (new) for a 2nd reel would be the Tatula and Tatula CT...$95 on ebay. However, once you start using that LFS I think you will not only want another baitcast reel, but will be willing to spend a bit more. As already suggested, the Lew's Tournament MB would be a fine choice as would a Tatula Type R. The MB can be found for under $110....the Type R around $130. The Flea Market on this forum and the Reels 4 Sale on that bass boat forum are excellent places to look for used. So are state bass forums such as the Texas and New York forums. Very good deals can be found on all of them. Best of luck with your new reel. If you are like me, it won't be long before all you want to use are baitcast reels. Then the fun begins.

Yup....and my maroon colored one is nice looking too. Like its color much better than the new ones. I think maroon is also more attractive to the fish.

This shouldn't be news to you, but you came to the wrong place for help with that ledge...........unless you want to be pushed off. Kids can do that to you.

Yup. A heavier weight helps. I purchased a used Trion that came spooled with a light braid. Figured it would work well with the unweighted worms I fish with when visiting Florida since the spool spun so freely when the cluctch was disengaged. Have a Medium Compre I keep there so I used that rod with the Trion. Was a backlashing machine. Sent it to Mike for a cleaning. He was able to cast some fairly light lures with it after the cleaning, but suggested I go with heavier line and lures. Spooled on 17# mono, mounted it on a 6'10" HF Tour Edition, and haven't backlashed it once since then.

You aren't trying hard enough.

The reel will be compatible for a wide range of rods. I wouldn't use if for 3/16 oz. and less baits, nor would I use if for swimbaits that require heavy line, but it will work great for anything in between. I use a Gen1 STX. Very nice reel. Mine is spooled with 40# braid, and goes to Florida with me almost every trip for use in the lily pads. Absolutely no problem throwing an unweighted 10" ribbontail worm on a 3/0 thru 5/0 hook a fair distance.

If you buy a $200 reel and a $290 rod and they aren't extremely good, then many of us poorer Joe's are in big trouble.

H2O Mettle at Sport's Academy also gets very good reviews. Has aluminum frame. One of the Moderator's uses several. Also look at the Daiwa Exceler. Fishnkamp says it is an excellent reel. On sale at TW for $59.99. Think I'd rather have the Exceler than the Aird.

How are you holding the bread on the hook? I fished worms (the bigger nightwalkers) a lot in my youth. You aren't going to want a MHF rod if you just run the hook through the worm a couple times. Too easy to whip it off on the cast. You will need a very soft tip. I eventually picked up a 9' Fenwick glass Night Crawler Secret rod for nightwalkers. Says made by Vanguard on it. That was like 50 years ago, so don't look for one now.

My hero. You are just getting started, my friend. A guy on TT downsized by selling off something like 130 combos (separated the rods and reels)....and none were cheap. Actually I couldn't afford his cheaper rods and reels. Most of his reels cost more than my more expensive combos.

I've spent a fair amount of money chasing after baitcast reels for casting light weights. It didn't help that I couldn't afford a true finesse reel. I did finally break down and buy a PXL Type R when TW was closing them out with a $200 savings. Have since picked up a Pixy Airy Red that required repairing. By the time you add the cost of the reel, repairs, upgrades and tuning, I have more in it than the new PXL. I much prefer a casting reel to a spinning reel, but am coming to realize that anything under 3/16 oz. is so much easier with a spinning rod....for me. 3/16 oz. is no problem. I am still going to practice with 1/8 oz., but anything lighter will be seeing a spinning rod. OP, I think it best you stick with a spinning rod for the weights you want to use unless...1) You absolutely love casting reels, 2) have some natural skill, and 3) are willing to put in a lot of time practicing. I would also suggest spending a decent chunk of change getting a finesse reel capable of handling 1/16-1/8 oz. Guys that have been at it a long time...such as Raul...can manage it with reels that most of us would never consider using for such light weights. The rest of us need dedicated gear.

Which models can you get for $40? There are some 2-piece models in the Premier line that are rated down to 1/16 oz. The 5'6", 6' and 6'6" Light-Fast are all 2-piece and rated for 1/16-5/16 oz. There are also several 2-piece ML-F rods rated 1/8-1/2 oz. Pick your poison.

Based on your reel budget I am going to guess an Avid X is going to be over budget unless you have one heckofa St. Croix connection. The Bass X 6'10" ML-XF looks like the St. Croix spinning rod you want. I'm going by rod specs as I have never used a St. Croix rod. Opinions are that they tend to fish a bit heavier than rated, but I have to assume you are already aware of that. If you are willing to look an other rods, then take a gander at the Fenwick HMG. I have a few in spinning and casting and think they are well worth the money. The Pflueger Trion is said to be very nice for its price. The Daiwa REVROS and RG are within your budget. A few on here have commented that they are pretty good reels. I have several Diawas, but they are all older models so I can't comment from experience on those two models.

I don't know about the Helios MH, but I have the Medium and love the rod. I keep 5 casting rods in Florida for when visiting. Two are MH, one Medium, one ML but it is a saltwater rod with a MH rating for bass (3/8-3/4 oz.) and a crankbait rod. One MH is rated 1/4-3/4 and the other 1/4-1 oz. My largest bass to date was caught on the MH Falcon Original which is the lower rated MH rod. We throw into the lily pads and weeds a lot, but are fishing out of a little 14' dinghy so we can go get a snagged lure. I agree with fishnkamp. I'd get a MHF next.

Mono lasts a long time if not left in the heat. I'd hate to admit how long I have left line on spinning reels and yet had no problems with breakage.

I believe the Alphas Air holds about 55 yards of 8# mono. Is this is enough line for you? The Alphas SV105 holds 90 yards of 12# mono and will handle that lure weight very well. EDIT: Just noticed you will be using 3# equivalent, so the Air will hold plenty of line for you provided it will work on a casting reel. Never heard of anyone going that small of a diameter on a casting reel. Let us know how it works out for you.

The buying public? What is "top tier" to us (people reading and posting on forums) may not necessarily be the product that sells the most.....rods, reels, boats, etc. Zebco seldom gets mentioned on a fishing forum, but there are plenty of their reels being used. You seldom see Ugly Sticks mentioned here either...in a serious manner...but I've read they are the number one selling rod for saltwater use in Florida. Walk into a Walmart and tell me how many "top tier" rods and reels you see compared to what we consider to be a waste of money, yet Walmart has no problem selling thousands of them. Those of us fishing what we consider to be "top tier" are probably a minority although I think the Internet is bringing awareness to more and more people.

I used a MF for crankbaits for years before getting a dedicated crankbait rod.

2-15/16 Rod tip broke off at first guide down from tip-top due to poor packing on shipper's part. Tube in perfect condition.