new2BC4bass

Original Tatula rod with original Tatula reel. Just under $205. New of course. Used the field opens up a bit. Never used a Duckett rod so I don't know how good they are. The Lew's Tournament MB is pretty darn nice though.

Well....you still haven't given any specifics on the Mojo rod. Now you mention having a spinning rod, but gave no information on that either. You will be given better options if people know what you already have. That way they can suggest something to compliment those outfits. I've been visiting Florida the past few years where we fish smaller lakes. I keep one spinning rod and 4 (5 as of this year) baitcast rods down there. I didn't get to use the rod I bought this year before returning home. It is a cranking rod. Normally I use a MF for that chore. Works good, but I figured a rod designed for cranking would work better. The other three baitcast rods are all MHF....a very versatile power/action. Sorry, but a different rod isn't going to help much with a spinnerbait. Most people cry about a reel weighing over 6 oz. I'm 68 and don't mind using a 9 oz baitcast reel. What does tire me out is doing a lot of casting with one of my favorite lures....a spinnerbait. A shorter rod should help because all that drag will be closer to your body....easing a bit of strain on your wrist and forearm. My dedicated spinnerbait rod is a 6' MHF. Unfortunately it isn't in Florida. However, I'll throw a spinnerbait on about any rod. My spinning rod is a MHF. I much prefer baitcast reels...especially for lures in that weight range,...so it seldom gets used. A MF spinning rod would be a much better option....for me....and probably for you too. Even when in a boat, people tend to fish cover rather than open water. You are often forced to fish cover when fishing from shore. I don't think you could go wrong with another MHF or a MH-XF rod. Unless you want to throw frogs. A MH would work, but a Heavy would work better. A Heavy would also work well with heavier jigs. Fishnkamp gave you a lot of good general recommendations. I'm sure he...and others....would be glad to give more specific recommendations once they know what you want to use the rod for. And what weight lures.

Yup.

Fenwick makes some 2-piece rods. I have several Fenwick rods and have always felt they were a good value. My first choice would be the HMG 6'9" ML-F. This rod is rated 1/8-5/8 oz. I've never handled this rod, but the weight range is within the rating of many Medium power rods. There is also a 6'6" MF rated 1/4-3/4 oz. I use mostly baitcast rods, and this rating is a solid MH rating for many baitcast rods and not what I would use for any finesse presentations. Finesse being the same as "light" to me. However, others consider heavier lures to also be finesse as it is consider by some to be a technique rather than a weight. Two fields of view. Neither wrong. If $99 is too much, Fenwick offers 4 rods in the $60 Eagle series with ratings from 1/8- 5/8 or 1/8-3/4 oz. Two-piece rods are not all that popular around here. There was a thread on travel rods not long ago. The Daiwa Ardito got mentioned as a very nice 3-piece rod. The lightest I could find was the 7'MF rated 1/4-3/4 oz. I would think it is a bit more than you are looking for....both in power and cost.

Well..........what do you want to spend? Any particular brand you prefer? What weight range are you looking for? There is no industry wide parameters for labeling rod powers. I know what I consider ML, M and MH for bass, but companies don't always agree with me. One Medium might be 1/4-1/2 oz. (Falcon) while another might be 1/16-1/2 oz. (Okuma EVX) or 1/8-5/8 oz, (Aetos) or a whole slew of other options.

Although I like smaller reels, I feel the next size up would be best in your situation. I only use the smallest reels with 4# test mono or very light braid. Some use larger reels than I would because the larger diameter arbors help with line twist.

OP: I am willing to take fishnkamp's word on the Fury. I like the review I read on them. I prefer longer than 6'8" for a MH, but can attest to how nice the Aetos rods are. The 6'6" ML is getting me to like shorter rods again. That price is a steal. If you can spring for $110, then I'd add the Tatula to your short list. Check Sportsman's Outfitters for that price. If $100 is all you can do, then I'll add my name to the list suggesting the Fenwick HMG. I've also had good luck with the Falcon Original. Actually caught my personal best on a 7' MH Original.

Seems most want to talk you into fixing your spinning reel or suggesting a rod other than from your list. I have no experience with Lews rods, but I like your choice of reel to pair with it. Don't have that particular model, but have one on each side of its price. I think you would be thrilled with the Team Lite. Reads like the rod should be pretty good. Your company of choice in the middle is banned from this site. I might get in trouble if I talked about them here, so I won't. My Shimano reels ...and single Shimano rod....are all older models so I can't help there. From what I have read, I believe you would be satisfied with that combo. Were I to suggest a different rod or reel I'd have to add that I have 3 of the Aetos casting rods and am very pleased with them. I don't have a Phenix M1, but they get excellent reviews and the 7'2" ML Fast falls within what I consider to be Medium power range...1/4-5/8 oz. I personally feel a ML should be able to handle 1/8 oz. like my Recon2 and older HMG. Another rod I can recommend is the Hammer although personally I would go with the MH unless you plan on never using over 1/2 oz. The MH is listed for 3/16 oz. I've not tried below 3/8 oz. yet on mine, but have a feeling it might handle that low. The Hammer Medium is rated like my ML rods...1/8-1/2 oz. An Alphas reel matches up well with a Medium power rod. The new SV105 gets raves. I wasn't pleased with mine until I got it cleaned and tuned. Fine reel now. My other two new reel suggestions are ones not likely to be given here. I absolutely love my Pinnacle Primmus Xi HS reels. First cast with my Helios Air had me saying, "Wow! This thing can cast." Best price I can find for the Air is $220, but I paid a lot less for mine. Primmus is a $225 reel. Found one for $198 on Amazon, but you will have to pay shipping unless you are a Prime member. Got my last two for less than 50% of the normal price. I fish from shore and almost always am standing. Whenever I visit Florida I am sitting in the front of a 14 foot Dinghy. My reels always require some dialing in when I get there because my back cast is restricted so I don't land my brother-in-law. All except for the Primmus. Even the vaunted Curado 201E7 required a little change in settings, but the Primmus didn't give me a single problem. It cast a 3/8 oz. popper on a rod rated for 3/8-3/4 oz. the proverbial country mile. 5.9 oz., nice looking and just a fantastic reel. Now if you don't mind used, the TD-Z 105H is one fine reel. I love the older Alphas reels, and the gears can be upgraded to 6.8:1. Have that gear set in my Type F.

One for sale on another forum (unmentionable here) for $110 shipped or $100 local pick up. Just serviced and cleaned. I am not affiliated with the seller in any way.

If you had asked this question 5-7 years ago...or so, you would have been castrated and hung up to dry. There would have only been one correct answer. I have one from each company...a 723C Endurance and a Champion 704CB Glass. I'd have more from each company if I were well off. I like both rods a lot. Powell has a reputation for making quality rods at an affordable price. Dobyns are especially well known for balancing well. Because they balance well some have thought they were lighter than other makes of rods. Not necessarily true.

A $130 reel currently priced at $95.11 at Walmart Online. Ardent seldom gets mentioned on any of the fishing forums I frequent, and when it does the comments usually aren't that good. I read the reviews on TW. Impressive if anywhere near true. I'm not afraid to try the unusual, and would give one a shot if I didn't already own a boatload of reels. How about a review of your own?

Sure you can use a MF for crankin', but why not buy a rod designed for cranking....unless you want it to be more of an all-around rod. I wouldn't think rod action has much to do with sensitivity outside of the fact that stiffer may transfer changes in lure action a bit better. I tried the rod I suggested last night with a Rapala CNC-53 Clackin' Crank....weight 5/16 oz. Rod is rated for 1/4-5/8 oz. You can see the rod tip working (and feel it) from the beginning of the retrieve. Some rods need the lure to be closer before you feel anything with it. No problem getting about 35-40 yard casts. I like that the handle is a little longer. Love my Smallmouth rods, but their handles are a bit shorter than I prefer. I had no problem telling when the lure stopped working properly due to picking up a leaf or weed. The upside...and it is a good one...is that you are getting a $180 for $89 plus taxes and shipping. Shipping was a little over $15 for me.

Tatula 7'1" MH-XF. $110 at Sportsmam's Outfitters.

I have never heard of counterfeit reels. You can get a new Tatula (original model) for $95 all day long. I can believe $70 if a store is closing them out. My first Curado 51E was purchased on close out. A $199 reel for $98. I've bought a new Helios Air for slightly over $120 off, two Pinnacle Primmus for $123 off regular price. My Daiwa Procaster 100HN was a $79 reel purchased for an even $30 on closeout. So yeah, I think that is a legitimate price on a legitimate reel. I'd grab 2 or 3 if I were you. EDIT: I sold a like new Tatula for less than that to a young college student wanting to get into baitcast reels.

My first decent rod was a MH composite. Feeling lure action sucked. If you want a new rod that should give you good feedback, try the 7' MM. I bought two of these rods, and plan on stopping on the way home tonight for a few minutes practice. I can let you know about sensitivity then. However, I have the 6'6" ML Aetos casting rod and have no problem feeling the lure work so I expect the same results with these rods.

What models would they be? I have Chronarch A and B, Curado Es and a Scorpion 4 x 4 SVS . All have centrifugal brakes only .

Manventureoutpost has some very good deals occasionally . $279 Helios Air for $156, Pinnacle Primmus $101.40 for a $225 reel. Both are excellent reels . Buying used can be a great way. I've bought quite a few nice ones that way over the past few years.

My condolences. You should have bought a Pinnacle Primmus.

Welcome! Original Tatulas can be gotten for around $95. The newer Tatula CT models usually cost a little more, but I think I saw them on sale for around $100 recently. Add a few more dollars for the Type R versions....which I prefer mostly for their looks although the original Tatula doesn't have the 8.1:1 gear ratio that is available in the Type R. The Lews Tournament MB is a fine reel at slightly under $110 off the big auction site. The Daiwas are magnetic brakes. The MB has dual brakes. Now if you don't mind spending a little more, I can highly recommend a Pinnacle Primmus. These reels seldom get mentioned, but are a great option. Especially if you can find them on sale as I did. A $225 reel for less than $105. Reels are factory tuned, very light at 5.9 oz., nice looking and fantastic casting. Centrifugal brakes only. I sat mine with 3 on (of 6), set spool tension very loose, and haven't had to adjust it since. Liked my first one well enough to buy 2 more. It is a better set-and-forget reel than some of my Shimanos.

True. Have put the same reel on two different rods using the same lure. Casting distance was nowhere near equal. My Diablo Spec-R has a 50th Anniversary Zillion on it. I think you will enjoy your new combo. Congratulations According to Megabass advertising, that is the most versatile rod in that line. Unfortunately this has been a very bad year for me being able to get out fishing, so I don't have much time with the rod yet. A little review from you would be nice once you have spent some time with the combo.

Of the rods mentioned, I have only used the original Tatula. Very nice rods for the money. On sale for $110 at Sportsman's Outfitters.

You should be okay with 6#. I've landed heavier fish than my biggest ever bass using 4# mono. However, the trick I've got a few hobbies the wife doesn't appreciate. Photography. Air guns. Playing guitar. All can cost as much as you want to spend. Decent acoustic guitars...in particular...can run pretty high...for my pocket book.

I have a reel like that. It was even mentioned in a review not to fill it to the bevel because it then rubbed on the frame. You beat me to it. That is a big difference to many people. How much on the water I couldn't say. I will say I am coming to like faster ratios for most of my fishing even if it is mostly all in my head.

After using my baitcast reels for the first season, I sent them to an Online friend for cleaning and a few upgrades on a couple of them. All but one were Daiwas. He told me I had too much spool tension on all of the reels. He couldn't cast a 1/4 oz. weight as I had them set up. He informed me that much tension could damage the plastic under the cast control knob on my Daiwas. Also told me I was under-filled. For best casting distance and best IPT I should fill to the bevel on the spool, and decrease spool tension to where there was just enough to remove side-to-side play. I did as suggested, and had to learn to cast my reels all over again. It was backlash city for awhile. This guy also told me the drag would be better with the spools filled, but I don't understand how that could affect drag. Anyway I feel it was worth learning to cast with the reels filled that way.

But can be found on ebay for less than $110. Great value. OP: If you can't stand blue, then another rod I can recommend is the original Tatula...the 7' MLR....for about $110 at Sportsman's Outfitters. Wow !!!!! FFO is offering buy one, get one 50% off on the Aetos casting rods. Get over your dislike of blue quick. If I were you I'd buy two of the 7'MM rods, slap on your favorite reels, and have twice as much fun. There is a shipping charge, oversize charge and tax. I just ordered two of those 7' MM rods several of us have been suggesting to you. Total price is just under $161 for two rods that cost $359.90 at full price.