new2BC4bass

That wouldn't be bad. However, the OP said feet, not meters.

From what I could find the rating for that rod is 1/8-1/2 oz. I know nothing about hair jigs, but if total weight is less than 1/8 oz., then you are going to have problems with that lure. St. Croix rods normally fish heavier than listed. The rod has to load properly for any kind of distance. Abu rods are also know to be heavier than their rating.. My ML Villain with the same low end rating won't throw a 1/16 ounce lure any further than I can spit.....and I can't spit worth a darn. That is why I now have a Fenwick River Runner.

Berkley Lightning Shock. My understanding is the Shock's have a moderate action because they are made for braid. Berkley Amp Saltwater has a 7' Moderate for less than $30. Other possibilities, but may have to be on sale to get below $50. Shakespeare Ugly Stik, Cabela's Tourney Trail, H2O Express Ethos. You are severely limiting yourself with the $50 limit. See if there are any fiberglass spinning rods still being made today. Automatic Moderate action.

X2. I liked my original except for the small diameter handle. Looks like the 2 took care of that problem. Exceptional rod at that price. FFO has a 6'9" MHF Elite Tech Smallmouth ($74.88) and a 7'3" MHF HMG ($58.88). Fenwick's fish true to their rating....best I can tell. The Smallmouth sold for $130, but was probably worth closer to $200. All that being said it is more important that you like the rod and have confidence in it. What we think doesn't really matter. My Abu rod experience is limited to a couple Villains. I like the spinning rod, detest the casting rod. Both fish heavier than their rating. Glad I got the ML spinning rod instead of a heavier one.

You can buy a Fenwick Aetos for the price of the Loomis...or a bit less. I think you would be happy with an Aetos. As a bonus they are very nice looking as well....especially in the sunlight. A Powell Max 3D is also less and from what I've read, very nice rods. I like the couple HMG b/c rods I have, but neither are bottom contact rods. If the Fenwick Elite Tech Bass is as good as the Smallmouth series, then I'd add them to your short list. The Lew's Tournament MB can be found for about $110 on fleabay. Dual braking system. Some claim such systems fail at being good with either. I really like the dual brake reels I have. Of course that isn't saying much since I really like reels with only centrifugal or magnetic brakes, too. My Patriarch XT has one centrifugal brake on and 3 on the magnetic dial which is the least amount of brakes I can use on any reel other than a MagForce 3D reel.

Can get a used PX Type R for $250 in very good condition. I'd go that way. Save money and time upgrading the Pixie. Almost bought an Airy Red, but see no need now that I have a PX. I don't fish light enough baits often enough to have more than one PX / Pixie. Besides I have a few other reels that get down to 3/16 oz. with no problem, and that is a light lure for me to be using for bass.

Doesn't matter. Your concern is that the braid doesn't dig into itself. Should be enough braid on the reel that it won't get into the backing on your longest cast. I have some cheap 12# mono so that is what I use for backing.

When I asked what pound braid to put on my MH spinning rod, the consensus was 30#. It is a Daiwa Advantage 2000.

I'm using my 7' ML Crankin' Stick to cast 3/16 oz. Shad Raps with an older gold colored Carbonlite. Does a fine job casting this weight. No doubt a Pixie will have no problem casting even lighter.

???????????? I'm clueless. Palm all my reels. Course I never fish just one for hours at a time.

Which is enough weight for my Zillion to sling it. No need for a finesse reel...or rod.

X2. Currently the lowest priced spinning rod on FFO.is the Abu Garcia IKESP601M Spinning Rod for $8.50. You do have to keep an eye on the site as items change.

Yup. A guideline only. I have a 3/8 to 1-1/4 oz. MH that barely casts 1/2 oz. a halfway decent fishing distance. I have a ML saltwater rod rated 3/8-3/4 oz. that I can cast a 3/16 oz. crankbait on. I do have to be very aware of my thumb, tho.

Agree. Love my Curado 201E7, but wouldn't spend what I've seen some priced at. Passed on a couple at $140 a year or so ago, and wish I hadn't. However, I have picked up a few reels since then that i feel are as good, and paid less for a new reel than what some are now asking for used Es.

My sentiments exactly. Great first post by billjaco. I am one of those guys with a basement full. I honestly think it wouldn't have been so bad if the fishing was decent in my area. I'd be fishing instead of buying. Buying new gear and testing it is what keeps me going out. I might as well enjoy new gear cause I know I won't be catching many...if any...fish. OP, I say buy a new rod only if you want to add another combo to your arsenal. I fished with one rod for a good many years without realizing what I was missing.

In my limited fluorocarbon line experience...yes. I think most will agree to that. It has been stated mono will absorb water. I can believe that. Mono can coil after sitting awhile. Make a few casts and after it gets wet memory becomes less. Don't take my word. Spool up some Big Game and try it for yourself. Also the better the abrasion resistance, the harder the line. The harder the line, the more memory....whether it is fluorocarbon, monofilament, co-polymer or a hybrid. Don't think so? Spool up 12# Big Game on one rod and 12# Suffix Elite on another. Spool up 12# Izorline Platinum on one rod and 12# AN40 on another. Hit the water and let me know your results. I already know mine. Not only did a bassresource member test 20 lines on his own, but TackleTour also did a test on the stretch of fluorocarbon lines. I have to chuckle when I read that fluoro lines have no...or very little stretch. I've only had to test the breaking strength of fluoro one time. It stretched like a rubber band. It also resulted in my having to cut off another few feet of line because of how it frayed. I don't have to do that with mono. TackleTour also tested the knot strength of fluoro against mono. Fluoro doesn't quite match up to the knot strength of other lines. It also needs to be kept good and wet when tying a knot. Of course you should keep any line wet that isn't a braid. It just seems that fluoro requires it more than other lines for best knot strength.

Okay. Passed through Oklahoma once....in the '70s, but was working not fishing. No idea what kind of waters you fish. I still like the 12# mono on the Medium casting rod as a good all-around line. If you want to try something other than mono, I have been using 12# AN40 on a few rods since last year and like it a lot. Yo-Zuri is a favorite of many on this site. I would drop down to 10# if using it as Yo-Zuri is quite a bit stronger than its rating. Still think 40# braid is a better choice than 65# braid. What kind of cover are you primarily fishing? Helps in determining line choice. I use braid when fishing in heavy weeds and lily pads. Otherwise the majority of my MH casting rods have 12# mono or co-polymer on them. Sufix Siege is a favorite. For the Medium power spinning rod my choice is still 8# mono. An ex-tournament fisherman friend tells me Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Mono is the best mono he has every used. I've got some 10# on a new-2-me b/c rod, but only have had a chance to use it maybe twice so can't comment on how good it may be. However, if you like braid, then my first choice on a Medium power spinning rod is 15# braid. Sufix Performance is a good reasonably priced braid. It is an older line. I have been using it for several years on one of my b/c rods. It was the first braid I ever bought. The 832 is newer and what I am using on one of my spinning rods (10# on a Light rod). My other spinning rod with braid is a MH Jig and Worm rod and has a 30# braid on it. The brand on it is not a favorite of mine. Will be dropping down to 20# 832 or similar line when it needs changing.

Personally I don't think there is any "one" line that I would use on all three rods. I prefer an 8# mono or co-polymer on my spinning rods. I do have braid on a couple, but still prefer the 8# lines. I think you have the other two rods covered pretty good. Personally I prefer 40# braid. Can pull a stump out of the water with that. Have a hard time imagining a use for 65#. I mostly use 8# on my Medium power b/c rods as well, but then I am not restricted to just 3 rods. I feel your selection of 12# mono is a better all-around line if only using 3 rods. Just noticed this is your first post. Welcome to the forum. Lots of excellent information here. Never be afraid to ask a question. Most are willing to answer no matter how many times it has been asked. Only a few get uptight about that. Ignore them.

Four words for you...........Roof rack...Ski rack. I could carry about 10 rods in the ski rack with my Porta-Bote on the other side of the roof rack. All my rods are shorter than the 12.5 foot boat.

What are you driving? I could fit a 7'7" in my LaSabre. Haven't taken anything longer than a 7'2" in my Camry, but pretty sure longer will fit. Sounds to me like you need a bigger car. Got to get your priorities straight.

Prices have gone up lately on the Cruado 200E series. I see on another forum where 2 different ads were asking $180 for reels in excellent condition. One guy had 5 and now has only one left and the price has dropped to $150. To me that is a more realistic price. I paid $140 about a year/year-and-a-half ago for one in excellent condition. Love that reel, but I am not willing to pay $180 for another....much less $195. Too many other excellent reel options out there for less money. Paid about $104 for my last 2 Primmus reels. They cast as far as my 201E7 and I feel they are a bit smoother on the retrieve. If I were looking at a $195 201E7, I rather get another Helios Air. Last one cost less than that, and is another reel that casts as far as the E7 and is at least as smooth on the retrieve. I'd definitely return that reel and look at getting something else.

Nah. A bigger pontoon boat should work. Most I can take in the car when I go by myself is about 1/6 of them.

I've got two more rods off the used market coming. I need a larger basement.

Welcome to the forum. This is pinned at the top and should be a big help to you if you haven't already read it. People will want to know if you fish from shore or boat. What kind of cover you fish. How much are you willing to spend? One of the best places to buy a rod or reel is from this forum's Flea Market and the For Sale forums on other sites. State bass forums are also good places to look for used gear. Since you fish a lot of plastic baits, I am going to suggest a 7' or longer MHF or MHXF casting rod if not fishing from restricted areas....meaning bushes, trees, etc. close by. This is the area where people are willing to spend more to get as much sensitivity as they can for their money. Check out St. Croix Bargain Room and Cabela's Bargain Cave. Watch for closeouts. Sports Academy has Rod Riot and Reel Riot sales where you can save a lot.

I also have a problem passing up good deals. The result is that I have way too many rods and reels....yet hate the thought of selling even one. I am trying to resist buying just because it is a good deal. So far I haven't succeeded 100%. I put it off, and am sometimes saved by someone else buying the item before I cave.