new2BC4bass

Haven't had a chance to use mine yet, but to the above rod list you could add the Ark Tharp 7'3" MHF Money Maker. I've read that it fishes more towards a Heavy. I'd also add Falcon Lowrider and iRod Genesis III to the list. The reviews I've read on the Lowrider say it fishes above its price. Normally Falcons fish a little light. I'm a big fan of the original Tatula rods. You could consider a Fuego CT reel and add a bit more to the rod cost. Tackletour gave the new Phenix M1 an Editor's Choice Award.

Spinning or casting?

This is just personal preference, but when it comes to baitcast rods I prefer one in the 7'-7'4" range. I have no experience with either rod (above my pay grade), but from the many reviews...and member comments...my first choice would be either a Shimano Expride or GLoomis MBR. I could live with a little tip heaviness given the reputation of the MBR rods...should that be my choice. If someone makes a bad $250-$400 rod, then shame on them. No doubt some are more versatile than others, tho.

My thought exactly. I have various models of Daiwa, Shimano, Abu, Lew's, Okuma, Quantum, and Pfluegers plus Pinnacle Primmus, Concept A, and BPS Carbonlite. I enjoy them all. I don't see a problem going from one brand to another. All reels are already dialed in. Occasionally a minor adjustment is needed on one, but it isn't rocket science. As PhishLI said, not all reels of the same brand react the same. My Daiwa reels have several styles of braking systems. I believe I have Shimano reels with 3 different style brakes. Lew's and Abu also have different style brakes. My memory ain't what it used to be, but I can go from one style to a different style and remember how to adjust brakes and/or spool tension. But, OP, as others have said, it is ultimately your decision. Do you feel one brand would be beneficial? If sameness is critical to you than I would stick with the same style braking in whichever brand you choose. Even better would be to have only one model. Just be aware that even then they might not all handle the same. I have 2 Zillions from the same era. One is basically a set and forget while the other often needs minor adjustments throughout the day.

My bad for not being clear enough. I have experience with round Black Max reels, but not the low profile Black Max reels. The Black Max and Morrums are my only round reels other than an old 5001C. Ambassadeur. I did know you were talking about low profile reels. My only experience with reels that have 'Pinnacle' on the box is the Primmus Xi HS. Liked them well enough to have 3 of them. Very nice reels. The older Trion isn't the lightest reel nor is it the prettiest, but mine really performs on the 6'10" HF I have it mounted on.

No experience with the Black Max (low profile reel), but the older aluminum framed Trion is a pretty good reel and you should be able to find one for $50 or less.

Wow! I doubt I will ever have that many rods dedicated to one technique. I will tie a spinnerbait on most of my rods, but they aren't designated spinnerbait rods.

According to advertising which is why I bought some 20# for learning how to skip under docks. Another line that is supposed to have less stretch is Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate Monofilament. According to advertising. I don't think any company has ever stretched the truth in their advertising. I've got some of the Spiderwire (10#) spooled, but haven't used it yet.

I bought a 2-piece 9' rod (glass) in my teens. We fished from shore at least 95% of the time. Open spots naturally. A 'Nightcrawlers' rod (live ones). I never thought of it as cumbersome.

Fins makes 4# test. https://www.finsfishing.com/FINS-Windtamer-p/fnswtb-.htm

Curious as to how you know you never missed a bite? I might talk myself into spending $475 on a fly rod, but never on a spinning rod...or casting rod. However, at my age that is very unlikely. My grandsons don't fish so no one to pass it down to.

First time I've ever heard of 'Wordle'. Not sure if I should thank you or cuss you.

Falcon Lowrider ($130) or Expert ($200). Falcons tend to fish a bit light so you might want to consider a Heavy power. iRod Genesis 7' MHF rated 3/16-3/8 oz., but I emailed iRod and was assured the rod fished as a true MH. I'm assuming the rating is for the lead only and does not include weight of the hook, blades, trailers, etc. Fishes a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait just fine. I was also going to suggest the Phenix Feather. Reviews all say they fish light so go one power heavier than normal.

When I got back into fishing all my rods were purchased with versatility in mind. It wasn't until I bought my first crankbait rod that I had a technique specific rod. I keep an OG Tatula 7'4" HF in Florida for frogs. I purchased a 6' MH Berkley Lightning a few years ago for my oldest grandson to learn how to use a baitcast reel. He had zero interest. It is now my dedicated short range spinnerbait rod. I have a custom 7’2” Custom Lamiglas Infinity 864 that the seller said was as sensitive as a GLX so I use it for jigs....which means it doesn't see a lot of action as I don't fish a jig very often. My bad! I also own too many rods. Finding which technique would work best for each rod would be a chore. Guess I'll continue to fish whatever on each one.

Unfortunately it is a small fortune for me in today's dollars. I've broken one rod. My fault. Fell.

I prefer mono/co-poymer. Braid I use for slop. I see no need for a leader in that situation. However, I have very light braid on one of my spinning reels. Will be using a leader on that reel...not because I think straight brad would scare the fish...but because abrasion resistance is nil on that light of a braid. Maybe I'd have a different opinion about leaders if I fished gin clear water.

I think you will have a hard time finding a casting rod in Medium power that will handle that weight range. Will most likely have to go to a MH. You stand a better chance finding a Medium power spinning rod that will handle 1/4-3/4 oz. The Fenwick HMG Inshore 7' MF is rated 1/8-1 oz. MOST of the time I don't like fishing on either end of a rod's rating. However, I keep a rod in Florida rated 3/8-3/4 oz. that bombs 3/8 oz. crankbaits. Don't know how it would handle a 3/4 oz. lure as I keep a 3/8 lure on it all the time.

Late last fall I decided I wanted to get into fly fishing. One of the rods I really wanted to get was the Sage Foundation, but I figured I'd wait until sometime this year to buy one. Two places were selling at MSRP while everyone else was asking an extra $50 more. About a month later I decided the heck with it. I wasn't going to wait. I wanted the rod NOW. Didn't happen. When I went Online to order MSRP had gone from $325 to $425. I could see a $50 increase, but a $100 increase is a bit much. Sage lost a customer. For the best, tho, as I don't really need the rod, and now I have several hundred more in my bank account than I would have had because you need more than just the rod. Fly lines aren't cheap. Another reel would have needed to be purchased. Now that I think about it, I should write Sage a thank you letter.

Master? Lucky if I can call myself average. Never tried skipping although I'd like to learn. Using it from shore is probably moot. I did practice pitching in my back yard, but have never used the technique on the water. Took me longer than it should have. Sent my reels to be cleaned (and a couple tuned) at the end of my first year using a baitcaster (about 7 months). Seems my spool tension was way too tight. Backing off to just have a bit of side-to-side play required me to learn all over again. I own 10 brands of reels with many styles of brakes. I can now go from one to another without backlashing. I do try to stay out of situations that tend to cause backlashes....such as limiting my casting stroke due to trees and shrubs. That has a tendency to make my casting stroke jerky until I've had time to acclimate to it. Which I have to do every time I head south to fish from a canoe with a B-I-L.

Counting casting, spinning and fly rods: ALX, Abu, Airrus, Ark, Berkley, BPS, Cabela's, Daiwa, Hurricane, Fenwick, Falcon, Kistler, Witch Doctor, Shimano, Olympic GraphiteLeader, Fishing 13, Hammer, iRod, Lew's, Okuma, Phenix, Powell, Quantum, Ace Hawk, MajorCraft, GLoomis, Echo Carbon XL, Redington Trout Classic, Sage, Dobyns, Field & Stream, Megabass, and St. Croix. Custom: MHX HM, Rainshadow RX7, Baston RX8, and Lamiglas Infinity. Several brands are represented by only one rod. Yup. Need to downsize, but only about 4 rods that I wouldn't cry over selling.

Can you compare it against the Pro Z once you have used the Custom Pro? Thanks.

Post a thread with AJay in the title asking about his spinning rods. Maybe he will answer and post pics of a few huge Smallmouth bass. Yes. Spinning rod. The Tatula Elite will cast 1/4 oz. with good distance on the right rod. Check out reviews on it. Plenty on here have mentioned the reel.

Reels..........always a shorter list.

Agree. Really enjoy my older Patriarch XTs. And how many fish with a Pinnacle Primmus? Absolutely love mine.

I've no experience with new models, but I'm sure there are some decent ones for less than a century. The Academy H2O Xpress and Black Max both get good reviews. Never used a Piscifun of any generation. I did purchase some of their Sword fly reels to try. I agree with WRB....keep an eye on the used market. You can get some great deals Same for closeouts. The only problem right now is availability. You aren't going to get deals like you could a few years ago. I've purchased several new reels at 50% or more off regular price that were on closeout. I picked up a used reel in VG condition for 74% off MSRP. Sorry to hear bout your health issue Jmilburn76. Wishing you the best.