new2BC4bass

Great reel. Great buy. Congratulations.

Yup. Took it to Walmart. Tried dealing with Post Office once. Still have the broken rod in my basement with no satisfaction from them. Of course I didn't pursue it as hard as I should have because 1) the seller said he would take care of it (but didn't) 2) Not an expensive rod (Sill more money than I can afford to throw away) and 3) I held off waiting for the seller so it slipped my mind for awhile. Postman that delivered it said to see his supervisor. When I finally did see the supervisor he said I had to take care of it Online. I finally just let it go.

As an example of actions affecting casting....I learned on a 9' 8wt GL3 many years ago. Has a fast action. Wanted a rod for panfish. Bought a 3wt off TFF from a guy known to build decent rods. Slow action. Very slow. Have weight forward line on the 8wt. Went double taper on the 3wt. Big problem. Going from a fast action 8wt with weight forward line to a slow action 3wt with double taper line was a disaster. Waaaay too much difference in how they cast. Needless to say my timing sucks on the 3wt. I can spit further than I can cast the 3wt....and I can't spit for squat. A weight forward line is in the future, but I know it is going to take some serious practice to get my timing down on the 3wt. Plus I have to keep in mind that casting distance isn't going to be anywhere near that of the 8wt.

We've got some knowledgeable fly fishermen on here. I am not one of them. I do know that it is the fly that determines line weight. Line weight has to be heavy enough to turn the fly over. So fly size should be your determining factor along with the size of the fish you will be catching. It isn't a good thing to play a fish for too long. Fun for you, not so healthy for the fish if you plan on releasing it. A quote from "Fly fishing for Bass" You can use a 5-weight trout rod for bass fishing, but it’s not the best tool. Because bass flies tend to be large and wind-resistant, heavier 6- and 7-weight rods with a medium action are best for bass. The rod should load deeply into the mid and butt section to launch bushy bass poppers in and around thick cover. Personally given the species you will be going after, I'd lean towards the 8wt. To borrow an expression from hunters....I'd rather be over gunned than under gunned. Can't help with brands. Been a while since I've done any reading on fly fishing. As I remember...Redington was noted for quality rods at a decent price. Here is an article on trout rods, but their bass rods should mirror the trout rods. http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/eight-quality-fly-rods-that-won-t-break-the-bank/

Rocks and braid don't go together quite as well as peanut butter and jelly. A leader would be a must. I like braid for some things, but admit to being biased towards mono or co-polymer for everything else. I've no experience with Yo-Zuri, but it is a popular line with many on this forum. I like 12# for an all-around line size. A friend prefers 15#. Different strokes for different folks. Some other excellent lines would include Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Mono, Izorline XXX, Silver Thread AN40 or Excalibur, McCoy Mean Green, Trilene Big Game and P-Line CXX. I use a lot of Sufix Siege. Fond of Neon Tangerine. However, if I had to chose only one line, I think it would be one of the others I mentioned. Couldn't tell you which one without further testing. I have to add Izorline Platinum as a line with excellent abrasion resistance as tested by at least one of our members who came to the conclusion it is the very best after using quite a few other lines, but also have to mention you should keep it treated with a line conditioner because that abrasion resistance comes at a price.....memory. I originally spooled my daughter's reel with Platinum as she fishes almost exclusively with Senkos. However, I changed it out for some Siege after she complained of backlashes. Hasn't complained since.

The reel collection I could do.............but I'd have to remove about 45 reels from their rods if I were to include spinning reels in the picture. Then restring. Not something I'd look forward to. Maybe I'll get around and do it anyway.......eventually. Add in the ones sitting on the shelf and it is a picture I wouldn't mind seeing myself.

Sorry to disappoint you. I've had a photobucket account for many years. Haven't used it in several years and haven't downloaded one picture to my computer since switching to a Linux OS a couple years ago. Not that Linux won't handle pictures, just that I haven't had any interest in doing so. Actually my Digital SLR hardly ever gets used anymore. My first cell phone (from Dec, '08) recently had to be replaced as it had been dropped one too many times on concrete and pavement. So I got my first smart phone. Now I need instructions on how to use it. Hopefully you will see an occasional picture from me now. Only problem is I don't carry it with me when fishing so it is rather hard to take a fishing picture. It will be in the car if fishing alone...so accessible...but when visiting relation in Florida, it stays in the house. Florida happens to be where I not only catch my biggest fish, but the most as fishing locally ain't all that good. One thing you won't see is a picture of me. I know you've seen the username "oldandugly", but you've never seen it in living color.

Picture test from my phone. EDIT: Daughter uploaded pictures for me. I only have 2 of the tube and rod, but neither are of the two together. Don't know how she combined both pictures into one on the first one she uploaded.

Understand that. I'm in the same boat. Already spent more than I should have this year. I bought 2 more used rods from *** yesterday. One I've been wanting for a couple years. The two cost what one would have cost me if purchased new. Suppose to be in great condition.

I'd like to order two more of the Aetos casting rods that I don't have. However, the wife was in a snit when she saw this rod arrive. I'm about ready to her anyway. Maybe wait bit and order them and say to .... with her.

I'm in deep doo-doo if that is the case. I fill all my baitcast reels to the bevel on the spool. I believe the only reel I had to leave a little below that is the unmentionable company reel. Line rubbed on the frame when filled that much. Yes, I know standard instructions call for 1/16-1/8 inch less. I filled to the spool bevel on the Tatula I had without a problem. However, I have fluoro on maybe two reels. Most have mono or a co-polymer line. Only if it is so low you can't spool the line on snug. Otherwise the tension knob is used to help control the spool while casting. Agree. Disengaging the spool with no tension on the line is asking for trouble.

Tube had been broken completely into about two feet from one end. I pulled the foam stopper out of one end, and removed the rod handle with about 10 inches of rod above the reel nut. Needless to say I was...and still am...a bit upset. How can the Post Office destroy a shipping tube, break the inside item into pieces, tape the shipping tube back together, drop the package off and disappear without a word? No wonder the Post Office is on a downhill slide. Bunch of morons without a care in the world. I'd like to meet up with the deliverer with a pair of steel-toed shoes on and put my foot where it would do the most good. Ordered from Walmart Online. Third rod I've bought from them. Tube was not very heavy. Reordered and having the rod delivered to a local Walmart store this time. Save me some aggravation should the next rod arrive in the same condition. Took a picture of the tube and rod handle, but currently don't have a way to download on my computer so I can post the pictures. If my daughter knows a way to get them from my phone onto here, then I will post the pictures.

Have you gotten hold of St. Croix yet? I've heard they have very good customer service. I broke two 4" pieces off a Falcon Expert. Totally my fault (fell face first into a pile of rocks) and I told Falcon how it happened. They sent me an equivalent length/action Cara....a $200 rod....for $80. Somehow missed a guide and in about 15 minutes of casting with 12# mono managed to put a spiral groove in the finish of my new-2-me 6'9" MHF Fenwick Smallmouth. I am worried about the rod's integrity now. Told Fenwick what happened and they offered me any rod in their line ups for 45% off. As far as I am concerned both companies went above and beyond what they had to as in no way was it their fault what happened to my rods.

Very nice suggestions so far. I've read good things about all the rods mention, but only have experience with the older Tatula rods. I really like mine a lot. Enough so that I just bought a used 7'4" rod. An Okuma Helios in MF is suppose to be here next week so I can't give a hand's on opinion, but TT gave that rod a "Great" rating...if I remember correctly. Powells often get mentioned as giving you a lot for your money. I only have an Endurance, but have to agree with that assessment. Right now Fenwick is selling the Aetos 7' MHF, 7'1" MH-XF and 7'2" MH-XF for $125.97. This is a $54 savings on some very nice rods. Light. Nice looking. Ask Dan (smalljaw67) his opinion of these rods. http://www.fenwickfishing.com/fenwick-freshwater-rods-fenwick-aetos/fenwick-aetos-casting/1365054.html

Store brands are a good option at that price and the Mettle reel and H20 rods get good reviews. Sports Academy also runs sales. Not being in a hurry can save you a chunk of change. I haven't checked to see what they offer in a 2-piece rod in the H2O Express lineup. If your car has split seats in the front, then you should have no problem with a one piece rod of at least 6'6" unless you have a Smart Car as Senko lover mentioned. Provided no youngster in the back seat is going to grab a rod tip to play with.

Absolutely unless you enjoy stringing rods. If you have a happy wife, please let me know what I need to do to get the same results.

I think a lot like Iceman. Mono or co-polymers are on the vast majority of my reels. Braid will cause less line twist on a spinning reel. You can get 10# braid with an equivalent 2# mono diameter. Others are 4# equivalent. I still prefer mono, tho. Give 12# Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Mono or Silver Thread AN40 a shot on the baitcast reel.

I'm still a few rods short.

Yes. I've got two with that action and like the rods a lot.

I've ordered a few Online. Usually they are shipped decently packed. I did get one that came in a flimsy triangle cardboard tube. Tube was bent a little, but no damage to the rod. I have also bought several rods from individuals. Two rods arrived with tips broken off. Both tubes were in excellent shape. One in a PVC tube had no end cap on one end....and nothing around the rod to keep it in place. Other in a heavy cardboard tube looked perfect until I opened the tube. The rod hadn't been protected at all. It had been allowed to slide back and forth inside the tube. Seller said he had shipped 8 rods that way with no problem so I guess you can figure out the kind of luck I always have. Sooooooooooooooooooo although Online has shipped in the flimsiest packaging, poor packing by individuals has cost me two rods....Online none.

I never have liked it when a site says to "see price at checkout". I know you don't have to follow through, but I don't understand the reason for making me add an item to my cart before I can find out the price. Here is the same one I have except it is RH and $2 less than I paid.....and price is up front. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/191929146261?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

Thanks. Broke down and ordered one. Been putting it off long enough.

Personally I'd go for the MB with dual braking. Got mine for $109 from ebay. Although the majority of my reels have Magnetic braking, none of my Lew's reels do....so I can't compare casting differences between the two reels you are looking at.

Never handled a Teramar. My only saltwater "bass" rod is a 7' ML Redbone. I like it. Have used it for worms and crankbaits (and jerkbaits). Rated 3/8-3/4 oz. but will cast lighter. Haven't used over 1/2 oz. spnninerbait on it yet. If the Teramar is heavy and bulky, then it isn't a rod I'd want.

Same here. Although I have some CXX, it hasn't been spooled yet. I use the Uni on mono, co-polymer, fluorocarbon and braid. Never a problem. I've straightened out jig hooks with the Uni and 30# braid.