new2BC4bass

Mine sits in the basement while I use a baitcaster for those weights. Also happens to be the nicest looking rod I have. Had I paid full price it would also be my most expensive rod.

Thanks. Sorry to be taking work from you Mike.

Wow. Thanks for the quick reply. I'll check with Mike later if he doesn't reply to this thread.

You posted in a thread on replacing the tiptop. I couldn't find the thread. Most people mentioned hot glue. I have to replace a tiptop, but don't want it to be a permanent fixture in case it ever needs replacing again. No super glue! What is it that you suggested for attaching a new tiptop? Thanks.

Thanks for the info. I don't do spinning so didn't realize there was an old and a new Fuego spinning reel. Do know about the baitcasters, tho.

Yup. That is exactly what they are talking about.

Caught my first fish of the year at the place I go to practice....not fish. What a wonderful surprise! Hit a ½ oz. spinnerbait close to shore. Clobbered that thing like a 500 pound black bear at a Texas barbecue that had just awakened from his Big Sleep. Was touch and go there for a bit. Didn't know if he was going to snap my 12# mono or the rod first. Helluva fight. My new reel ( an “A”) sure got its first workout. Eventually my MH rod overpowered the fish, and won the day. Fish missed the lure and got foul hooked adding to the stress on my rod. Had my phone with me, but didn't think to take a picture. Too excited. Yeah, I know. No picture...it didn't happen. Next time.......maybe. Yup. What a monster. Must have taken all of 5......seconds.....to land a gargantuan rock bass that was at least 6-7 inches long.

Did it damage the rod? I'm an old guy with bad eyes. Missed 3rd guide from end. 15 minutes of casting 12# mono left a groove in the finish.

There is at least one thread on TackleTour about the longest casting reel. Many reels suggested are out of my price range. I also do a lot of fishing from shore. I cannot spool a reel....can't even do 100 yards. Nor can I tell you which of mine is the longest casting. I have made some pretty long casts (long for me) with several. Two can still be purchased new...a Primmus and Helios Air. I think the rod has at least as much to do with long distance as the reel....maybe more. Of course a more compact bait is going to bring out the best. I've got a used Trion that DVT cleaned for me that is no slouch with a 1/2 oz. jig plus trailer on a 6'10" HF Tour Edition. The right 7'6" rod would probably put that lure in orbit. Everyone wants light. The lighter the better. However, a heavier spool may be a bit better if looking for maximum distance. I think that is one reason the Trion does so well. One of my longer casts was with a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait using a Zillion 50th on a 7'6" Zillion HF. Not a reel most would consider having a light spool.

OP, we can recommend all day, but in the end it has to be what you like. If it floats your boat, get it. If it eventually winds up not being as good as you thought, at least you know from first hand experience, and won't be regretting somewhere down the road that you didn't get the reel you wanted. Although I have 7 brands of reels, I have never handled an Ardent or Quantum. Ardent seldom gets mentioned here. Please do a review after spending some time with it. I have never handled a reel before buying. I rely on the input from fellow members. Pinnacle is another company that rarely gets mentioned. However, there are a few reviews here in the Fishing Tackle Forum on their rods and reels and all were good. Based on that I bought a Primmus. I've got a few reels that either cost me $100 or list for $100. Technically the Primmus just misses that line as my last two cost $104.10 (lists for $250). I consider them the best $100 reels I own. Better than my Curado 51Es and Tatulas. If manventureoutpost ever gets more in...and keeps the $104.10 price...I highly recommend you get one. Heck, I got my first one for around $155 and don't regret for a second paying that much. Seriously doubt you would regret it.

Specs for that reel call for 320/12. 30# braid is thinner than 12# mono. Personally I'd be putting some cheap mono backing on first.

You are correct, sir. Saw the feet at the end, and didn't look any further.

Unfortunately it won't be today. I sprained my ankle yesterday when I helped move a dead tree that fell across the road going to my local boat ramp. Very painful using stairs. I drive a 6-speed. Using a clutch also causes pain. Better I stay off the road. Suxs. Finally nice weather on a weekend, and I have to stay home.

Goose, thanks for the information. I didn't know there was a "Special" and a "Finesse". I do know I would like to have one of the Finesse models....given what you posted. I hope the OP's reel is one of the better Special reels. Always nice to find an unexpected bargain. My Carbonlites weren't the bargain the OP got, but I feel they are worth more than I paid.

No input, but I will pay you $10 plus shipping. Double your money. I've got a couple of the older gold colored Carbonlites. They handle 3/16 oz. Shad Raps really well. The Prolite will handle lower lure weights as it is the finesse reel. You are one lucky dog. Congratulations on a super find. I should be so lucky.

Not I. Am considering one of the Shimano JDM reels....specifically the Stile 101XG, but may go with the Alphas Air. I'd like to let the air clear from all the hype before considering a 71. EDIT: Check out the "Curado 70XG first...and second impressions" thread on TackleTour for a little more insight into this reel.

No fishing yet. Had them out a couple days ago for a little casting practice. Rods seem fairly light. Nothing fancy that I noticed in the build. It has been mentioned they have a nice parabolic bend. Have to agree. Action is a lot like my Falcons. The 7' MH will be going with me tomorrow. Hope to catch a fish or two, but ain't going to hold my breath til I do. Bought 2 used rods. Noticed the 7'3" MH had the insert missing out of the tip top guide while stringing on line. Made a few casts anyway. Emailed Hammer. They are sending me a few tips....as in plural although I did give them the model number. No cost, no questions. I like my Falcon rods so imagine I'll like these as well. Am interested in what others have to say about Hammer. The few comments I've read about the rods have all been positive.

Just this one. It is my latest Daiwa.

At least you aren't telling me it is operator error. I feel I am somewhat familiar with Diawa reels considering I have about 28 of them and do not have this problem with any of the others.

Yup. Watched that video a couple times on the "SV" Concept. Actually that is how I set up all my reels when I first get one. I add tension only when necessary. They suggested brakes at 4-6 if I remember correctly. I'm currently on 6.

In that case you might want to look at Falcon or Hammer rods. My only experience with an Orochi XX is the Diablo Spec R. It might also fit the bill.

This is what I was told to do by a guy who started on baitcast reels at a very young age and had been using them for 20 years. This is after I sent some reels to him for cleaning and upgrades. Told me he couldn't cast a 1/4 oz. weight with the reels the way I had them set up. It required me to basically learn all over again how to cast because my thumb was still in kindergarten. Except I didn't have to go through the stage where my lures were landing 30-45 degrees to the left of where I wanted them to go on a side arm cast. Just had plenty of problems with overruns and a few more backlashes than I liked. Occasionally I have to add spool tension and/or more brakes. Doesn't upset me or make me feel less macho. I prefer to be fishing rather than picking out an overrun or backlash so I do what I need to to keep fishing. That is now how I prefer to set my reels up...at least when I first start using them. Some reels require more tension than others. I've got 3 or 4 that I can't run spool tension that low. At least I couldn't. I feel this year that I am finally getting better with my right thumb. I've always had good feathering with my left thumb, but am right handed and cast on that side the majority of the time. Before now my right thumb had a tendency to be like a light switch...either On or Off. That is what I read. It wasn't my experience. First day out with my SV105 saw more overruns and backlashes than any reel I've ever purchased. Even my C-o-n-c-e-p-t A that gave me a 100 yard backlash on the first cast didn't cause as much trouble as the SV.

I have a mini Daiwa Spincast combo purchased over 30 years ago...or more. The rod has a similar taper. Only rod I can remember with that kind of taper. OP, a St. Croix Legend at $5 should have you running back to the pawn shop offering them at least another $100 just to ease your conscious.

All of the above. Normally my spool tension is already set at it lowest point...for me...which is only enough tension to remove side-to-side play. Lowering brakes can aide a bit in distance, but unless you are using a lot of braking, lowering them won't gain you much distance. I just throw harder as lowering my brakes from where already set often results in an unwanted backlash. If I need maximum distance...but am not concerned with accuracy...I make an exaggerated roll cast getting my arms involved more in the cast (I cast 2-handed) by swinging them in a large arc.

I've got 2 rods sitting in my basement that arrived broken. The first time was from a guy who said he was a Daiwa representative. I asked what I had to do to get the rod replaced or equivalent money from the shipping company because I had never received a broken rod before and didn't know what to do. Seller told me he would take care of it on his end. Never happened. Second broken rod arrived in a PVC tube but an end cap was missing. So was several inches off the rod tip. Nothing had been wrapped around the rod to protect it. This seller offered to take it back and refund my money, but the cost of shipping and insurance wasn't worth it to me as it wasn't an expensive rod. Was basically new. Not even a sweat mark on the nice looking cork handle. It was one I had been wanting to try. I hate the idea of putting a tip top on the rods. Kind of changes the action. Had another rod arrive with no cap on one end. Imagine my surprise to find the rod in one piece, and I am still using it today. I've also had about 3 tubes bent in the middle...one was parting like a Pillsbury biscuit tube, but all rods were in good shape.....luckily. Yup. Being able to buy locally is easier on the heart. Unfortunately money constraints (and being a bit frugal) has me buying Online. Even some companies ship their rods in packaging I wouldn't send a pair of pants in much less something fragile like a rod.