new2BC4bass

Wow! Resurrected again. Not sure I'd want someone to breathe life into me after I'd been dead for a few years.

I have a Pflueger Trion from back when they had an aluminum frame. Purchased used. Spool spun so well when the clutch was disengaged that I thought it would be good for light lures. Nope. Not for me. Backlashed like crazy. Mike of DVT suggested heavier line and lures for it when he cleaned it for me. Went to 17# mono and mounted it on a 6'10' HF. It's a casting machine now with zero backlashes so far. Centrifugal brakes. Have older blue colored Patriarch XTs. Dual brakes. Can use with brakes set lower than any other reel of mine...with the exception of Daiwa Magforce 3D reels. A couple years ago when Abu ran a 50% off (or more) sale on their baitcast reels, I purchased a Patriarch and 2 Supreme XTs. Think I tried one XT once, but others haven't been spooled with line yet so I can't comment on how well they work as I don't remember how the Supreme XT handled. However, I've always felt I got good value for my money with Pflueger reels. No complaints from me. The older Patriarch XT is a pleasure to use. Light, casts well and nice looking as well.

Totally agree. I was one of the slower learners because I hadn't seen any of the videos on properly setting up a MagforceZ reel. My spool tension was way too tight. Now I've got reels from various brands that have in the neighborhood of 10 different braking systems. I can set one type down, pick up another type and have no problems casting. I don't think I would have been able to do that 12 years ago. Of course they are all set up for how I cast. If I picked up someone else's reel in the same model as mine, that might not be true.

Don't know CAD prices, but the Tatula SV is a good reel for beginners. I started at 61 with a OG Fuego. Any of the Daiwas with Magforce Z would make a decent option. I personally had a little more trouble getting the new Shimano braking system dialed in. Older models were easy. Also a dual brake Lew's would make good choice. Not familiar with their newer reels, but like my older models.

I just assumed Rick was talking about the discontinued Daiwa SV103. You know what they say about assuming.

It's not that I don't like Shimano reels. Love my Chronarch 100B and Curado 201E7. Last time I visited Florida (almost 3 years ago) I took an older Exsence DC with me. (Was/is a new-2-me reel.) We only managed to get out 3 times, but I really enjoyed the reel. Was impossible to backlash as long as I didn't go to the numbered brake setting and go below the highest setting. Lower settings required me to pay attention. Especially since spool tension is set very loose on it. I like my Curado 51E's, but would rather grab an Alphas. Shimano makes some fine reels. I'm just a little more partial to Daiwas. Personal preference.

Agree. Congratulations on the bonus. I'm sure you deserved it. I think you should take up fly fishing for bass. From what I've read the GLoomis Asquith fly rod (measly $1200 rod) is great. You can buy a decent quality fly reel for less than $600. Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bass Bug Fly Line is a mere $129.95. So for less than $2000...not counting leaders and flies...you've got a very nice starter kit. Of course it will quickly go over that amount should you decide to tie your own flies. Kidding aside, I've read the new Zodias is quite good. I know it's blasphemy, but I'd probably opt for a Daiwa reel. Probably a Tatula Elite although I wouldn't turn my nose up at a Zillion or Steez. If I had the money, I'd like to try an Expride. Seems to get a lot of votes as the best rod you can get at that price. I've spent over $200 on a reel, but never that much on a rod. Maybe time to break the mold?

Couldn't find weights on the SLX rods, but I'd be willing to bet they weigh 4 oz. or more.

While I've no experience with either rod, I feel quite sure that I can say the Feather is lighter. The 7'1" MH-EF Feather weighs 3.3 oz. per TT's review. That's light! Personally I wouldn't use the same rod for small cranks and T-rigs unless I absolutely had to. Every post or review I've read on Phenix rods suggests they fish light. Something to keep in mind. BTW, it's Phenix. You can't always depend on spellcheck to give you the correct spellings.

I'll have to try comparing my Expert Amistad to my Toadface. Probably wouldn't have thought to try the Falcon for frogs if you hadn't mentioned it. OP. Not the length you mentioned, but you could try the Tatula 6'10" MHF just for grins since you aren't looking to bomb the lure.

I've got several combos that handle #5 Shad Raps (3/16 oz.) fine without an aftermarket spool. Tried an 1/8 oz. spinnerbait (true weight unknown) and it didn't work as well for me as the Shad Raps. Could cast it, but accuracy suffered a lot. Couldn't get the distance I get with the Shad Raps either. But this was before I got my Pixy reels. I learned to cast the Shad Raps on a TD-Z 105H mounted on an old 7' MLF HMG and with 2 older gold colored Carbonlites. One on a 7' ML Crankin' Stick and the other a 6'9" LF Falcon Expert...the OG model.

Okay. I'll play. Casting: Deputy, Toadface, Diablo Spec R, Smallmouth 6'10" MF, Techna AV 7' MF, Aetos 6'6" MLM, Rainshadow RX7 7' MHF, Custom Lamiglas Infinity 7' MHF, Witch Doctor 7' MHF, Tour Edition 7' MF and 6'10" HF, OG Tatula 7' MR, Redbone 7' MLF and Dobyns 704CB Glass. Spinning: Smallmouth 6'9" M-EF, Major Craft 6'7" Benkei, Regista 6'10" MLF, Berkley Lightning 6' MLF Oh.....Wait. Too many. Darn. Still can't do 5 rods.

Yup. Dobyns 704CB Glass Lew's Custom Pro Ledge/Crankbait Phenix X10 Aetos 6'6" MLM Aetos 7' MM Gab's Rip Rap Special B-Hittay HMG CB 7'2" HMG 7'2" M-MF BPS Crankin Stick Smallmouth 6'10" MH-MF Ballistic MR 7'7" and I guess the Regular action Tatulas would also work...so 3 of them. And if I ever need to fish deep, an 7' MH Airrus Ultra XL multi-modulus graphite. I also have an older Hurricane Redbone 7' MLF that I often use crankbaits on.

I only have one Dobyns rod and it's a crankbait model so that's my favorite Dobyns crankbait rod. 704CB Glass http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdobyns704cbglass.html

Shouldn't. I've never used a Veritas, but have a couple other Abu rods. I'd agree they fish heavy. For the MH Veritas to feel like a Medium power, I'd have to guess you are comparing it to a broomstick.

I only have OG Tatula casting rods, but by the time you add plastic, the weight should be enough to load the spinning rod. No experience with a Feather rod, but want one. Everyone that has used one mentions they fish light. Something to keep in mind. I like my older Fenwick HMG rods. I have both casting and spinning in that model. There is a 6'6" MLF rated for 1/8-5/8 oz. I don't have this particular model so can't be any help with it. Sorry.

I want to move down by my wife's family where I can also fish year round. Deland, FL area. One of my B-I-L's loves bass fishing and needs a partner for safety reasons. We both are old farts.

bulldog; I don't get peeved, but I admit I don't understand it. If it's the only way he can crank RH, then why doesn't he crank LH? Okay. Reread your post. I'm guessing Lou and Susie crank with different hands? It seems to me that cranking as shown in Mr. Franco's picture would result in less cranking power. Of course that could just be me.

We laugh, but I have seen this many times.

Why? Use both hands. Keep them all. Have twice as many reels.

Me too. More MH rods than other powers for the same reason. I like to throw things in the 3/8-1/2 oz. range (plus trailers where appropriate).

No, but I started using right handed after using left handed.

OG Tatula 7'4" HF with Curado 201E7 and 60# Fins Original PRT. Probably drop down to 50# braid next time line needs changing. This rod stays in Florida for visits. Bought an ALX Toadface for local fishing. Not sure yet what reel to use on it. But I imagine nothing slower than 7.0:1.

No experience with it, but ALX has the Zolo Skipper 6'9" MH+ $250.

Wow! When I was 14 I couldn't afford a $6.50 setup. The money I made working on a farm went towards school clothes to help my parents. Pretty nice that you can afford those kind of setups. Cheaper in the long run, tho, as you won't be upgrading nearly as often as I did. Congratulations!