new2BC4bass

You can also find some good deals on used reels if you keep an eye on the classifieds. All but one of my spinning reels were purchased off fishing forums' classifieds.

Nope. I never hit them either. Of course the DSG store near me seldom has those kind of deals. Plus they don't carry a lot of fishing gear other stores do. They did have some Curado reels at a good price a couple years ago, but tomustang didn't leave any for me.

Pixy? 50 size Shimano? Alphas SV 105 is also pretty small.

I couldn't care less which lines others use. We all have our own ideas of what works best for us. Would be a pretty boring world if we all thought alike. I have to laugh every time I read how fluorocarbon line has no stretch. When TT gives an opinion of a rod or reel, then it is just that.....their opinion and I may or may not agree with it. However, when they test lines for stretch and breaking strength, how can it be just their opinion? Quote from the first fluorcarbon test. Surprisingly, a biproduct of our tensile test was our ability to watch the stretch in each of our line samples before they broke. We stopped short of collecting data on this observation due to a number of questionable variables, but the one thing we can clearly state is, all the fluorocarbon lines we tested have either the same, or in some cases, more stretch than our baseline Trilene XL. My own results were the same. The fluoro stretched like a rubber band. When it broke, the end split just like in the picture in the test, and I wound up cutting several feet off. This is fact....not my opinion. Does it keep me from using fluoro? No. However, my use of fluoro is very limited. I feel mono and co-polymers work just as good for me in most cases and does it at a lot better price. Some people use braid for everything including trebles. Some people use fluoro for just about everything. Do I care? No. Use what works for you.....but I will still give my opinion occasionally....and it is just that....my opinion.

Tyler, does it have to be one of those 2 reels? An Okuma Helios Air holds 12/130yds (.33mm), and it impressed me from the very first cast. 7.3:1 and 5.7 oz. The Pinnacle Primmus Xi HS holds 10/140 (mm not given). 6.3:1 and 5.9 oz. I love this reel. Also own Chronarchs, Curados (including 51Es), TD-Zs, Zillions, Alphas, PXL to name a few....but no Aldebaran, Metanium or Core so I can't comment on those reels. I can understand wanting to go light even though fishing my "heavy" Zillions doesn't bother me. Both the Air and Primmus casting distance is excellent. The Primmus is super smooth out of the box.

Most fluorocarbons have plenty of stretch. Check out tackletour's tests. I've only used 2 brands of fluorocarbon, and only had to break one. Plenty of stretch. When mono breaks, you check for nicks and retie. When fluoro breaks you cut several feet off before retying. At least that was my experience.

One reason why I seldom use a leader. For those of you that think braid will not get line twist on a baitcast reel, try throwing a spoon tied direct for several hours.

Whoa! Man am I ever old. Mine was bought back in early '54. Maybe that is why I like the mechanical sound of ceramic bearings or the tripping the shutter on my old 35mm camera.

I started with a Mitchell 300, but there were 3 of us boys so we each got one....and one only. Wish I still had it.

Apologize. Didn't notice the IKOS.

Thread. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/149753-alx-rods/

I use 12# for backing all the time. I'd use backing even though the reel was designed for braid because of it's cost. Can top off at least 2 reels with one spool of braid. Use an Albright or Alberto knot for the connection.

Both quality products, but the Bait Monkey has to have his due occasionally. Don't know your budget, but look at the Pinnacle Primmus at slightly less than $160 with a bit of searching. The Okuma Helios Air can be found around $200. Both reels weigh less than 6 oz. I realize these 2 brands don't have the popularity of Daiwa, Shimano, Abu, Lews or even Pflueger, but I have been very impressed with mine. My reels consist of all 7 of those brands plus BPS. The Tatula is an excellent reel that can often be found for less than $100. I personally prefer the looks of the Tatula Type R (around $130), but am not good enough to notice a difference in their performance. Don't forget the classifieds. Some very good deals occur. Right now seems to be a buyers market. Only wish I had the means to take advantage of it. The Fenwick Aetos is not only a very nice looking rod, but quite sensitive as well. I'm also rather fond of my HMG rods. I also like my Tatula rods. I've been reading good things about the Hammer line. Thinking one may be in my future before next season. While in Florida last year I picked up a Hurricane Redbone that stays there for future visits. Very nice looking rod, and I thoroughly enjoyed using it the 2 weeks I was there. It is another brand that you won't see mentioned here. Was recommended to me by a bassresource member who fishes about 365 days a year. Man, I love spending someone else's money. EDIT: Primmus currently $148.80. May have to add a second one to my arsenal.

Welcome to the forum. Given you want to throw heavier lures, I would go with a MHF rod. These are very versatile rods. I am also a fan of Fenwick rods. $59 for an HMG is a good deel. Gave one to my son-in-law year ago last Christmas. He is very happy with it....but it is also the best rod he has ever owned. I've got a new model and an older model HMG. Both are nice rods. Welcome to another newbie to the forum. Rod: I prefer 7' or a bit longer although I have a few rods as short as 6'8" that I like a lot. A Medium or MH Fast is a good all-around rod. Reel: Something easy to use. A Steez 103 would not be my first choice for a beginner. As far as brand and model is concerned, there are a ton of reels both old and new that would work. I've got a 1600C Black Max round reel that would be the cat's meow for a beginner. Cheap, throws light lures and handles wind well, simple to use...cast control only for adjustments. One of the Daiwa MagForce 3D reels would make an excellent reel for a beginner. From what I've read I'd say one of the DC reels by Shimano would also make an excellent reel for a beginner. All 3 of these reels are hard to backlash. Other possible selections would make for a very long list. The trick is to use a weight in the middle or above for the rod...but not at the upper limit. Don't try to cast far. Be smooth. Realize that it is going to take time to become accurate after using spinning reels your whole life. Be aware of your thumb.

I understood your first post, but this one confuses me because the only Steez I am familiar with belongs to the Daiwa brand. OP, Because of my experience with a couple Villains, I am loathe to buy more Abu rods. I do like the spinning model I have even though it doesn't handle the lighter weights I had hoped it would.

My 2 Abu rods are heavier than rated. Most are from what I've read. That being the case...and using braid....be sure not to use too much drag with treble hook lures. Don't know what that rod is rated for....probably in the 1/4 to 1 oz. range, but if it is anything like my Abu rods I'd keep lure weight up around 3/8 oz.

The line you've selected should work fine. However, for someone else to make any meaningful suggests would require more information. For example: lures being used and type of cover.

I personally prefer 7' or longer casting rods.....as a general rule. However, I have 6'8", 6'9" and 6'10" rods that I enjoy. Don't know why that extra 2-4 inches make such a difference to me, but it does. With spinning rods I prefer the 6'6" to 6'9" lengths. Maybe because 5'6" to 6' were the normal lengths for spinning rods 50-60 years ago while the 7' or longer casting rods were in vogue when I got into baitcast reels. I do have an old Berkley Lightning that is 6' and still a favorite of mine....whenever I do carry a spinning rod with me.

I think this is a bit over-simplified and totally disagree. We aren't talking flyfishing for panfish. A reel on a flyrod is mostly for storing line unless fishing for something like snook or tarpon. I have to agree with Tom. The reel does much more than just hold line.

Congrats. I am sure you will enjoy it. Also a warm welcome to the forum.

No pictures, and I am not the photographer Goose is. Besides if you've seen one stock Black Max or Morrum 1600, you've seen them all. I don't think even Goose could make them look nearly as interesting as the picture he posted.

This was my first thought since the low rating is 1/8 oz. Yet it is a medium power rod. Many Mediums start at 1/4 oz. Normally a rod performs best with lures somewhere in the middle. Personally I would prefer a Medium to a ML for bass under most circumstances. Still, a Medium with a low end of 1/4 oz. may work very well. Depends on the rod. I've got a rod marked 3/8 oz. for the low end that I won't use less than 1/2 oz. on, and much prefer heavier than that on this particular rod. I have no problem with 1/4 oz. on my Medium Falcons which are rated 1/4-1/2 oz. Also have a Hurricane Redbone rated for 3/8-3/4 oz. that will handle less than its rating quite well. Only way to know for sure is to try the rod you want....or get advice from people that use the rod you are interested in. Which is why a forum such as this is a great place to ask questions. EDIT: BTW, this rod is one of my favorite Mediums even tho I would prefer a slightly longer handle. An excellent rod for its price, or even more.

First welcome to the forum. A rod 6'6" to 7' MF or MHF is a very good place to start for an all-around rod. I am a fan of Fenwick rods. The HMG 7' MF is actually in the weight range for quite a few of my MHF rods at 1/4-3/4 oz. It retails for $99.99. I have never used an H2O rod, but they get good reviews. I've read good things about the $79.99 Berkley E-Motions. They have a 6'9" MF and 7' MHF that should work fine. For less money, the Berkley Lightning and Lightning Shock are excellent rods for the moolah. Personally prefer the Lightning over the Shock. I have no idea where these rods are made. Going to be a little hard to find an American made rod for less than $100...I think. No idea where the Falcon Originals are made, but they are another decent possibility. My personal best largemouth was caught on a 7' MH Original.

Don't think you have to limit yourself to a couple techniques with each rod.....unless you want to. Rather limit the lures to the correct weight range for the rod....and somewhat to its action. The 6'10" MH should make a decent all-around rod. Is it a Fast action? I fish shallow crankbaits (normally to 8 feet). Therefore I don't fish crankbaits on a MH as a general rule unless it is a larger squarebill or lipless. Everything else is pretty much fair game.

Gee. Wonder what that brand could be.