new2BC4bass

I enjoy watching some of the Chinese TV series. I worked in the same machine shop for about 37.5 years before retiring. The owner eventually bought a machine shop and foundry in China. Even with the cost of shipping the parts back to the US, the savings was unbelievable. They even sent a girl to New Jersey so I could show her how I modified the seating tools I used for swinging a .007 or .008 radius into holes as small as .046 diameter. BTW, her English was probably better than mine.

Nope, but it sure looks like a neat tool. I might even be able to tie an FG Knot with it.

Welcome to the forum. Nice choice of rods. I can't help with the newer reels. I do read good things about the Alphas. I'm a fan of the older (non-BFS) Alphas reels. There are aftermarket spools to turn mine into BFS reels. However, there are quite a few on here that are familiar with those reels, so you should be getting an answer soon.

What braid are you using? Some are worse than others making noise when going through the guides.

I have 3 Shimano reels with MGL spools, but haven't tried one yet. From what I've read, they get excellent distance. A fellow member said he had something like 12 of the Curado 150 MGL reels and planned on getting more. I like all my reels, but am slightly biased towards Daiwa reels. SV spools hurt distance. However, I don't know if the ones with Boost eliminated that. I get good distance with my SV spools, but when wanting maximum casting distance, I will use a different reel. Two of my favorite reels for distance are no longer made.

Welcome to the forum. Can't help with the rod. You can help me, tho. Many of us old geezers have bad eyes (personally was born with bad eyes). A paragraph now and then would sure be appreciated. Not many use short rods like that these days. Best of luck finding what you are looking for. I quit for 23 years. Got back into fishing in 2009. Was strictly a spinning guy previously. Tried a baitcast reel when I got back into fishing and never looked back. A word of warning. Beware of the Bait Monkey! his butt.

That's an impossible question for me to answer. What rod(s) are you looking at buying? My previous post was to point out that crankbait rods have different actions listed, yet fish crankbaits just fine because that is what the rods were designed for. Yes, a Moderate Fast will work, but so will a Fast action rod as long as it was designed for crankbaits. My Lew's Custom Pro Speed Stick is a 7'6" MF graphite rod rated 1/4-5/8 oz. It is the Ledge/Small Crankbait rod I mentioned previously. My Phenix X10 is a composite 7' Moderate Fast rod rated 1/4-1 oz. Quote from TW, "the Phenix Crankbait Series is constructed with high modulus graphite and carbon fibers, flowing seamlessly into a fiberglass tip." Go to TackleWarehouse website and search for 'crankbait casting rods'. There will be 3 pages of just casting crankbait rods. At least that is what showed up when I searched. A couple are on sale. See which ones interest you. Check Google for reviews on the rods. TW normally has user reviews as well.

I've been made fun of, but I don't let it bother me. My tackle is far from being as expensive as some on here have, but it's nicer than the few people I've fished with...except for the two bassresource members I've fished with. I don't catch near the numbers I did 60 plus years ago, but that has little to nothing to do with my rods/reels. I enjoy fishing with my $30 Procaster, but my $300 PXL Type R always brings a smile to my face. As MediumMouthBass pointed out, it isn't strangers that give me a hard time, it's relatives.

You have to take actions listed with a grain of salt. I have a composite crankbait rod and a Ledge/Small Crankbait (says so right on the rod) graphite rod that both say Fast on them. I have Moderate, Medium and Mod/Fast crankbait rods. Do you think a Fast action crankbait rod has the same action as a Fast action jig/worm rod? I wouldn't fish a jig on my MF crankbait rod, but would on my MR (Regular) OG Tatula rod if it was the only option I had with me.

No. Will work fine.

Aaaah. I see and agree.

Darn cold here, too. Going down to 39 degrees tonight. Expensive rods. You probably could have gotten a custom rod built for less. Wouldn't personally know as the 3 custom rods I have were all purchased used.

They do look nice. Can't help with the brittle question. I bought a 2-piece 6'9" MH to carry in the trunk of my car just in case I went somewhere that I could fish at, but didn't realize it ahead of time. It's the Veloce RV. Took it out once after purchasing it (used). That was years ago. Have yet stopped at a place where I could fish without knowing ahead of time, so it's never been used since. I admit that I am prejudiced when it comes to MH rods. I prefer 7' or longer. I mounted the blue/gold Zillion PE with braid on it. Need to try that reel again, because for some reason I couldn't like it nearly as well as the other 2 Zillions I had at that time. Good luck finding a review of their rods. Only review I could find was on the 8'6" Argento RV model. Reviewer loved the rod. There is also a Thai thread on the rods. About everyone mentioned how light they are. One guy broke a rod. Several were leery of it at first, but after using the rod for a while, they started slinging the lures with no problem.

Beautiful reel. Congratulations. I only got baits for Christmas this year. Splurged and bought a few Megabass Vision 110s and 110 +1 Jrs, a few plastics, and X9 braid in 3 different sizes. I did purchase 2 new reels earlier this year. The Salamandura is close to that color as is my old Scorpion 1001 4x4 SVS. I prefer red over silver any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Mostly I upgraded my DSLR camera body and kit lenses.

I don't know anything about the JM Carbonlites, but if it is as good as my old gold colored Carbonlites, then I think you will enjoy the reel. I bought 2 used ones as a package deal. Very glad I did. I used these 2 reels and a TD-Z 105H when learning to cast #5 Shad Raps.

How light? What do you consider 'a long ways'? I learned to cast #5 Shad Raps (3/16 oz.) on 3 rods with 2 different reels. Two ML and one Light. Two Carbonlites and a TD-Z 105H. I got what I consider good distance, but wouldn't consider it a long ways. Can that weight be cast a long ways? I didn't try them on a spinning rod, but plan to. ML rods were a Crankin' Stick and an old HMG (both 7'). Light was an OG Expert 6'9". It's been a while, but I'm thinking I was getting around 30 yards. Definitely would want a long rod for distance. Never looked into it, but are there any 8' rods for these weights? bulldog1935 should know that answer.

The vast majority of my MH rods have 12# mono or co-polymer on them. Mostly Big Game, AN40 or Siege. Although 12# would also work on most of my Medium power rods, I settled on 8# for that power. Also use 8# on my ML rods. Having retired to Florida, I am going to be using more braid than when I lived up North. Although braid may be the most difficult to cast, FC is the worst to learn on. Kink the line and there is a good chance it will break at that spot. I don't know if braid is the hardest to learn on because I was already decent with a baitcast reel by the time I first tried braid. I think for me it is easier to pick a backlash out of braid.

I agree that practice is a must to learn. Once you reach a certain point, it is up to the individual if they want to remain at the same place or improve in (very) small increments. I like nice gear and am anal about keeping it looking nice. The OP has some nice rods. If you plan on sticking with the sport, and can afford it, then I would also prefer a few very nice rods compared to a quantity of lower cost rods. Notice I didn't say cheap or poor performing. I'm very satisfied with my OG Tatula rods that I got new for less than $100 each. However, it is more satisfying to fish with my sole Megabass rod or the few higher end rods I purchased used for about half their new cost.

I believe I have 7 reels with SV spools. Do you need new? If you want a thumb free (Daiwa) reel, buy a used T3 variant.

Zero experience with the Expride line. The Diablo Spec R might be more versatile.

Can't offer an opinion on the 4 reels you mentioned, but wanted to welcome you to the forum. Lots of great reading from many knowledgeable people. Enjoy. Many have their preference, so that will be their recommendation. Up to you to do the needed research before deciding on 'your' preference. I'm something of a reel fanatic so it's hard for me to find a reel I don't like. I'm a guy that doesn't notice the little things. I have an original Concept A. First time I mounted it on a rod I was amazed at how well it felt. A first for me. It did take more time than usual to dial in. No experience with the A2. I'd skip the SV reel if looking for maximum distance. That's all the help I can offer.

Don't know about the 6065, but the 6061 comes in many flavors. And, nope, I don't understand the differences.

I dedicate a rod for frogs. Obviously it could do a lot more. I have a Light power spinning rod that hasn't been used down here, but if I still lived in NY, it would be seeing a lot of use for bluegills, sunnies, perch, crappies, and rock bass. I have a rod dedicated for jigs, but also obviously capable of much more. Have a couple crankbait rods that don't get used for anything else. Need to find a dedicated jerkbait rod. Otherwise my rods are multiple purpose.

Kind of. Swore I wasn't going to buy any more reels as I already had more than the number of rods. Wound up buying 2 more last year. Done buying them as well. 🤣

I was having the same problem with an Alphas...8# co-polymer...casting 3/8 oz. cranks and squares. Not the first time I used it, but the first time from a canoe. Only had the problem from the boat. Figured it had to be my fault, but was too busy fishing to pay attention to anything else.