new2BC4bass

Any J-Dream I've seen for sale is a bit above my price range. Would love to have one, tho.

Braid has also been a specialty line for me. When I decided to dedicate my Tatula 7'4" HF for frogs, I went with 60#. Had read some felt 60#-80# was about right for frogs. I feel 60# hinders casting distance. My other braid filled reels (that I spooled) carry 40# on MHF rods. I always used these reels for fishing in the lily pads when visiting Florida. Purchased a used baitcast reel and spinning reel that came with 30# spooled. No problem fishing in the pads with them either. Have some 45# Fins that I plan on using on a second frog rod.

Nice collection. I'm also a fan of the TD-Z reels. TD-Z 103ML, 3 TD-Z 105H, TD-Z 103HL Type R, TD-Z US Trail, TD-Z ito 103M, Zillion PE 100H. Zillion 50th Anniversary, Zillion 100SHLA, and 3 TD Fuegos. Also have 5 TD-X reels. I have a cell phone and older DSLR, but no pictures stored on my laptop. Sorry.

According to an article I read the 704CB weighed 4.8 oz. while the 704CB Glass weighed 4.6 oz. Not what a person would normally 'assume'.

Have spent very little time on the water the past two years. Fish catching expectations were very low where I fished in PA. Mostly used a spinnerbait as I don't like losing lures when I know the chance to catch a fish is extremely low. Various Medium (with mostly 8# mono or co-polymer) and MH (with mostly 12# mono or co-polymer) rods with a variety of reels. When visiting Florida I use an unweighted 10 inch ribbontail in Junebug and occasionally black probably 90 percent of the time. MHF rod. 40# 832 braid mostly on a version 1 STX-L or older Patriarch XT. Like using spinnerbaits and my largest two bass over the years visiting Florida were caught on a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait. Also the largest crappie I've ever seen. Either an F-11 Rapala or 3/8 oz. squarebill were the most used after the worm and spinnerbait. For these I liked the 7' ML Redbone.....before my drug addict brother-in-law stole all the rods I kept in Florida. Normally with a purple Alphas or Primmus HS Xi mounted on it.

A lot. Bought mine (also a lefty) in mint condition quite a few years ago. Sent it to Ian to go through and do a couple minor upgrades. A favorite reel of mine. Won't ever sell it. Dwight, GLWTS. Personally like the looks of these reels. Met a guy at a local boat ramp that seldom used his baitcast reel because he would backlash it after 3-4 casts. Let him use my combo with this reel. About 15 minutes later he came back and asked me how to backlash my reel.

I don't think you need a MH baitcast rod. Many Medium power spinning rods can handle to 3/4 oz. weights. That's a MH casting rod weight. Even in cover braid in the 20#-30# range should be fine. On one of my trips to Florida I forgot to bring a baitcast reel with braid. My only spinning reel had 30# braid on it. I used it to fish in the lily pads the entire trip with no problem.

Got snagged with the first fluoro I used. Had to break the line. Mucho stretch. Frayed ends. Not a pretty sight.

Almost every MH rod I own that doesn't use braid (not many use braid) has 12# on it. I wouldn't be using a Medium power rod if I only had one rod to fish from shore. Having moved to Florida last year, I might consider upping that to 15#. Also because of moving to Florida, I will be using more braid now.

Don't record mine, but I've had a few doozies. Been awhile, tho.

Glad the Bait Monkey moved from my place to yours!

Love some of the deals that can be found. My best was a used Patriarch XT in excellent condition for $65. Already had two, but couldn't pass up that deal.

My short range spinnerbait rod is an older 6' MH Lightning that cost me $17 plus tax. Tiring to fish a 1/2 oz. with Colorado blade. Not only does the rod shake, but my hand as well. Reel is a Procaster 100HN that was $30 on closeout. OP, I'm Like AJ. Most of my combos are middle of the rod price for both rod and reel. I have one oddball. My most expensive reel is a PXL Type R on closeout paired with a 6'6" MLM Aetos on closeout. Love that combo! So $300 reel with a $75 rod (my cost).

I've read this a few times. Would have to disagree with my limited experience. A review of the original Zillion said it was best at 3/8 oz. and above. I don't know if there are aftermarket spools that could turn this model into a BFS reel. I use mine on MH or more powerful rods. For me anything below 1/4 oz. requires the correct rod and reel. I know there are those that can use a MH rod for 1/8 oz. lures. I ain't one of them. No idea what my best BFS combo would be. I've gathered a few options over the years. Last year I purchased an aftermarket spool for a Pixy and a Steez. Unfortunately life got in the way. Possible rods that might work: OG Falcon Expert 6'9" Light BPS Crankin' Stick 7' ML Smallmouth 6'10"MF (1/8-5/8 oz.) HMG 7' MLF Envy Black 6'10" ML-EF Recon2 7' MLF Custom 7' LF Ace Hawk Double 6' UL/L Possible reels: Black Max 1600C Scorpion 1001 4x4 SVS Lew's SuperDuty G (per bulldog1935) SV105HSL Airy Red Pixy with above spool PX68L with above spool Steez SV103H with above spool Additional spools might turn a few more of my reels into the BFS arena. I've read a T3 does quite well with a BFS spool. I've got a couple Alphas reels that aftermarket spools might turn them into BFS reels.

No experience with new reels under $100. I can suggest looking for a used reel in good to excellent condition. I've purchased a few in that range that I was satisfied with. Once in awhile you can find a super deal. I've purchased a $250 reel for $75 that was in excellent condition. (My best ever find. I now have 3 of these reels.) Just bought a $170 reel for $80+$7 for shipping off this site.

The OP never did respond to this older thread. My lowest cost combo is an older $17 Berkley Lightning on sale with a $30 (closeout price) Daiwa Procaster 100HN. Today I would be seriously looking at a Daiwa Aird (casting and spinning) and a Daiwa Fuego CT and a Daiwa Revros LT. Or for a little more the Daiwa Regal LT. I admit to being slightly bias towards Daiwa. I've really enjoyed my Okuma baitcast reels. No experience with their spinning reels, but I wouldn't be afraid to get an Avenger LE spinning reel.

I use a lot of AN40 and Siege. Braid I like Fins and Sufix 832. Have a few other lines in mono/co-polymer, but haven't used them enough to decide if I want to replace the first two lines mentioned. Although Big Game works fine, I can't seem to get thrilled with it. Too common maybe? I have a tendency to like trying new-2-me things.

I like both company's reels, but definitely lean more towards Daiwa. Fleaby has a LH Tatula Elite for $149.99 plus $11.99 shipping. $249.99 seems to be the normal price. Buy it before I do. 😄 Another LH is the Tatula SV TW 103 for $142.79 from Walmart. Free pickup at your local store. Or $136.59 with free shipping from fleabay.

I found the Shimano new braking system to require more time dialing in. Maybe because I've only dialed in one reel. And due to personal circumstances fished it 2 or 3 times. I'd go JDM route. Everyone praises the new Zillion. I'd love one even though I don't need (and can't justify) another reel. I haven't seen one for sale on the used markets, so guess that says something. Wouldn't turn my nose up at a Tatula Elite Long Casting either.

You read about reels coming from the factory either over lubed or bone dry. Seems there are quite a few people that like to clean and re-lube their reels before use. I'd bet most of those people already have some experience messing with reels by the time they reach this point. I don't like to tinker. I follow your suggestion. I use my reels until there is a problem. Only a couple times have I sent a new reel out before using. I would love to send every reel out for cleaning (and an occasional upgrade) before using, but who can afford that? Not me! Wish I could because I like the idea that each reel is at its peak potential and I am the limiting factor. I cringe whenever I read about a newbie tearing into a new reel. Seems the OP isn't a newbie, but.....

I want to eventually wind up like this. Right now I have a PXL Type R on a 6'6" MLM Aetos that I haven't separated since the reel was mounted. Love that combo. Purchased a used combo for jigs (TDX-103H on Lamiglas custom) that I probably will keep as is. Same for a TD-Z 105H on a 7' MLF HMG. Got to try it again to be sure, but an OG Concept C with a 7' MHF Rainshadow RX7 felt great. Long ways to go.

But once dialed in, it doesn't bother me to go from one style braking to another. I'm sure there are times when my best casting is after making a few casts, but I don't backlash when changing brake type. Daiwa has at least 5 different brake styles plus the SV spools. ABU has several different types.

I've read that the T3 does quite well although I don't remember what its low limit is. I'd need a spool for one of mine. I have an OG 6'9" Expert Light rated 1/16 on low end. A custom rod rated for the same low end. An Ace Hawk Double C602UL/U. Have aftermarket spool for a Pixy and one for a Steez to try. Three Black Max 1601C to play with. Have a tuned and upgraded Airy Red, but think it may need an aftermarket spool. I think that even with the proper rod/reel combo I will need to improve my casting technique. I do well at 3/16 oz. Not so good lower. This is with standard gear.

Older thread, but I was able to login today for the first time in months thanks to the help of a couple members. I buy. Don't sell. Used to rotate reels, but 1) have too many now 2) have a few favorites that I prefer to use, and 3) seldom get out as I can't leave my wife alone thanks to severe Alzheimer's and dementia with Lewy bodies. Although I have a few reels that haven't been used yet, I only have one that so far has been treated as a collectable. A red Limited Edition Tatula. Beautiful looking reel that I hesitate to put line on.

Unless I am using a Beetlespin, I don't go below a 3/16 oz. spinnerbait. Remember stated weight will never be the total weight. Therefore I seldom use less than a MH rod. Line is mostly 12# with a couple rods having 15#. 17# on my HF rod for 3/4 oz. That's not to say that I haven't used a MF for 3/16 and 1/4 oz. occasionally.