new2BC4bass

Thanks Glenn.

Whoa!! I can't believe what I am reading. What happened to the "Buy once, cry once" mentality that is seen a lot around here and many other forums? As someone that started at the bottom and worked upwards (almost to the mid-tier), I say if you can afford it, then go for it. I'd have a lot less gear if I'd gone that way. The OP does need more specifics in order to get some good recommendations. Nor do I believe that all high end rods and reels are more technique specific. The OP said $400-$450 at the most. That's really not over the top considering it is for both the rod and reel. And a total of $200-$250 is in his budget if that is the kind of gear you want to recommend. Are you saying a Daiwa Exist or Shimano Stella are technique specific reels? After all both are way over the OP's budget. I consider my Diablo Spec R and my Zolo Dream to be quite versatile. I agree spinning is easier to learn on, but maybe the OP wants to start with a baitcast combo. Spinning can also be cheaper. A $200 baitcast reel and a $200 rod for it is not what many enthusiasts would consider anywhere near 'high end'. The Tatula LT is a $200 spinning reel. Team it with something like the 7' MF Tatula ($150) and I think the OP would have a very versatile rig, and one he probably wouldn't feel the need to upgrade at a later date. Sure a Berkley Cherrywood with a Shakespeare spinning reel gets the job done, but how long before the OP would want to upgrade it if he continues in the sport?

Beat me to it.

Unfortunately I can't be of much help with new reels. Although far from being the largest my hands are also far from being small. I have no problem with any reel I've purchased. Plus I don't seem to notice the little details like some. I feel my Pixy, Curado 51E and Alphas are small reels. Although I don't normally notice such things, I was amazed the first time I mounted an original Concept A on a rod. Seemed to disappear in my hand. But I do wear a size Large glove so that's not going to be much help to you. As bulldog1935 said, the Lew's SLP reels are supposed to be small.

Depends on the rods. My first 'good' rod was an Airrus Ultra XL. A $159.95 rod (an Editor's Choice Award on TT) that I got used for $100. AFAIC it is a dead rod. My $60 Field & Stream Tech Spec is more sensitive.

I don't 'Smallmouth' fish. I'm grateful for any fish caught in this area. I have caught the occasional one so I guess any of my outfits could be considered Smallmouth rods and reels. TBH I'm not sure which rods I'd use if heading out strictly for Smallmouth. Spinning: maybe an older Fuego 6'10" M-EF with an old Daiwa-S 1500CU. Tip is softer than you might think. Baitcast: A conundrum. A problem of excess. Smallmouth 6'10" MF/Curado 51E or OG Tatula 7' MLR/Purple Alphas or OG Falcon Expert 7' MF/Purple Alphas. EDIT: Or a new Echo Carbon XL 5wt/Sword 5/6 with SC Frequency Boost WF-5-F.

As you would see if you looked at the post that was hidden, it contained several links. So I will try to remember that from now on. Maybe try to find a way to point to them without actually giving the link. Or suggest what to search for. They are links to very low cost fly rods. Two on Amazon and one on Piscifun. They may have helped the OP as he got one of the rods I linked to and bought a reel for it I suggested in a later post. EDIT: A reel I bought after diligent research. I actually bought more than one.

Has happened at least 3 times, but I don't know why. I do know I hate the track pad on my laptop because I often have weird crap happen from hovering over it while typing.

Some companies sell 3/4, some 4/5. I am just getting into fly fishing even though I had a couple older rods laying around. One is a 7'6" 3wt. I recently purchased a 5wt Echo Carbon XL. Mistakenly ordered a 3/4 reel instead of the 5/6. Was my fault for not paying close enough attention. Being a relative of the Bait Monkey, instead of exchanging the reel for the proper one, I ordered a 4wt XL and the proper 5/6 reel. Anyhoo...I went with Piscifun Sword reels. Got the first 3/4 (the mistakenly ordered reel) for $40 in Gunmetal w/green trim from Amazon and ordered a pink 3/4 for $30 from Piscifun website. Guess I bought at the right time because the best price I can find now is $45 from Amazon. Well....74 cents cheaper from aliexpress, but I'd go Amazon as I have Prime so I get 2nd day free shipping. Haven't used them yet, but reviews are quite good. They don't hold much backing. $23 for spare spools. Shouldn't have done it, but I purchased a Sage ZXL. Wanted a better reel for it, but couldn't find the reel I wanted at a good price, so I bought the Echo Bravo LT instead. $20 off what everyone else was asking....$100 instead of $120...from reelflyrod. It holds a lot more backing and comes in a 4/5 instead of 3/4. So new that the only reviews I could find on it were from fly shops, but it appears to be good value for the money. If $45 is more than you want to spend, here is one for $20. https://www.amazon.com/Croch-Fishing-CNC-machined-Aluminum-Alloy/dp/B01M1LFHRU/ref=asc_df_B01LWPOVCM/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=311998322334&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4977750179664565474&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9006935&hvtargid=pla-572254796783&ref=&adgrpid=62421706072&th=1&psc=1 Search 'cheap fly reels' and you can find some for less than $10. But would they hold up for more than a month? Much better to look at an Echo Base (4/5) for $35 from here. https://uglybugflyshop.crazyrainbow.net/echo-base-reel.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkbuKBhDRARIsAALysV6SPzR_HmYvJvgIdyNb_7gr25GC3Y8wd6FPNa9CPt6l-Kx10kzLRtAaAoZ8EALw_wcB

Here you go. https://www.amazon.com/Fishing-Sections-Carbon-Blanks-Medium-Fast/dp/B07SBRD7DS/ref=asc_df_B07SBRD7DS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532595494462&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9826174794070496332&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9006935&hvtargid=pla-1429606100615&psc=1 https://www.piscifun.com/products/piscifun-sword-4-pcs-fly-rod?currency=USD&variant=40282779664&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw7rWKBhAtEiwAJ3CWLCkmkvvVAZ0EMbSLn5smvuo_3Nj_DUBI79o86B2IDjdagp49QREJkxoCLQoQAvD_BwE https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Featherlight-Weight-Yellow/dp/B00019NAOS/ref=asc_df_B00019NAOS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312142476371&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10918672985138169041&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9006935&hvtargid=pla-435491025515&psc=1

Yeah it gets expensive sending them out, but I don't like to tinker so...... Did you take pictures as you disassembled the reel? As FishTank stated, it is my understanding that some washers only go in one way.

I say give the 6'10" MHF Tatula a try. Mine hasn't had a reel on it yet, but using the tip to the floor test, I'd say it has some serious power for a MHF.

Hammer rods are like Falcon and Dobyns. They fish a bit light. They also flex a lot like a Falcon (rod not the bird or the Ford). At least mine seem to.

Could have been a catfish. My PB is 35 pounds. A carp.

1) 8# should be fine. I wouldn't be afraid to go less on a finesse set-up in open water. 2) If the Alberto Knot is going through the guides on long casts, then you have too much backing spooled on. 3) Fluoro is expensive. I use backing for it just like I do for braid. Heck, on reels that hold a fair amount of line I will lay down some backing before spooling on lighter mono. I see no need to waste 250 yards of line when 100 yards is plenty. I'll spool on cheap backing for half or so of the spool before going to my 8# mono. Never got to the splice yet. Waste not, want not. I'm not cheap. Just frugal.

Nice! One of the things my friend mentioned was the sensitivity. quote "without a doubt the most sensitive rod in its price range that I ever used" unquote. Definitely a keeper.

Very nice find! Congratulations. Well worth the price. A fellow member (smalljaw67) told me he didn't know why Fenwick wasn't selling them for $200. Later Dan said he talked to a Fenwick representative, and was told Fenwick deliberately under-priced them to get people talking about their brand. What the guy said may or may not be true, but I personally agree with Dan. They were worth more than the $130 MSRP. The 6' 10" MF casting rod is a favorite rod of mine. I don't know if this quote is from a post by Dan or from a communication with me. This is for the 6'9" M-EF casting rod you have. "I've thrown 3/16oz jigs with a little chunk trailer that probably came to 1/4oz total and I could cast that just fine but if you aren't good with a casting reel 3/8oz is easier to throw as the rod has more load with that weight but 1/4oz is well within the range."

The itch is horrible. Recently purchased a 5wt fly rod and ordered the reel for it. Reel that came was for a 3/4 wt rod. I check, and yup my fault for not paying close enough attention when I ordered the reel. Did I exchange it for a 5/6 reel? Nope. Ordered a 4 wt rod and then the 5/6 reel. So now my one new rod is two new rods. There are a ton of good rods at many price ranges. Reading about how good they all are just makes a person want to one try. Most of the time you don't need it. Not sure it can all be blamed on the Bait Monkey.

I like my Black Max 1600C and Daiwa Smallmouth VIP. Or are you asking about new?

I primarily use mono and co-polymers. All stretch. Anyone who says fluorocarbon doesn't or has very little has never had to break fluorocarbon when snagged. Some stretch more than others...just like mono or co-polymer lines. And fluorocarbon ain't pretty when it breaks. You have to cut off quite a bit more line. Something I've never had to do with mono or co-polymer lines.

Falcon Lowrider, Daiwa Tatula, iRod Genesis III, St. Croix Mojo Bass

I second Darren.

Good to know, but.... Years ago I bought a used Daiwa Light & Tough casting rod off a fishing forum. Arrived broken. Seller said he was also a Daiwa dealer and would take care of it for me. Rod still sits in my basement. I never did get a replacement or a refund. Never heard from him again. I actually have 3 broken rods in my basement that I never got a replacement for or a refund. Luckily none were expensive and were spread out over several years so I ate the loss each time.

Like T-Billy I haven't used mine in awhile. Primarily because I kept buying new and new-2-me reels that had to be taken out and used. I have 3 Black Max 1600C and 2 of the Morrum Mag SX...one in 1600C and one in 1601C. I especially like the Black Max for some of the lighter lures I use although I bought a couple aftermarket spools for my Daiwa reels to try the really light stuff. (Light for me = < 3/16 oz.)

When I fish with my B-I-L in FL I usually carry 4 rods. Each set up with a different type lure. Last time I went I carried 5 because I had shipped down a dedicated frog rod, but that is really too much on the little boat we use. Redundant at home. I don't get out often and would rather grab another rod than to re-tie. I fish from shore so I don't go too far from the car so I can switch rods easily. Honestly I probably could re-tie quicker most of the time, but how could I justify all my rods then.