new2BC4bass

I doubt I could save like you, but breaking a rod or reel makes me feel very bad. Hate it. I don't care how much it cost me. So far only broke a rod when I fell face first into a pile of rocks. About cried. My favorite rod at the time...an OG Falcon Expert MH. Then I didn't put the cover on a mint Chronarch 101A when moving from one lake to another (just a short distance) and it got a nice boat rash. A used $50 reel got none.

The later. I back with a cheap mono. Don't measure how much, but about half the spool is braid...so a little over 60 yds. since most of my reels hold in the 125-135 yard range and I fill to the spool lip. Plus it is the larger diameter part of the spool getting the braid.

Can say that again. Love my TD-Z 105Hs. Can't forget the TD-Z 103ML. Try a Daiwa TD-X 100HSDF plus a few of the other TD-X models. Recently picked up a TDX-103H Airmetal. Got to have a few Pixy reels. One needs to be an Airy Red. TD-Z ito 103M is a must. Alphas reels are great. You need at least one of the Purple Alphas models. I have never been the tinkering kind of guy. However, I have no problem buying reels from guys that are. I have a file where I saved comments and links about Daiwa spools. PM me if you would like a copy of that file.

I've used Sufix Performance and 832, regular PowerPro, Daiwa Samurai and Berkley Fireline. Original PowerPro is quite noisy through the guides. May quiet with some use, but haven't used it much yet. Fireline flaked off like crazy when spooling it. New it is a harder line. Don't know how much it will soften with use. It is on a MH spinning rod which has seen very little use since I prefer a baitcast reel for any lure it can handle. The Daiwa and Sufix are soft lines. Performance loses color fast, but that doesn't affect performance. My Florida fishing buddy uses nothing but original PowerPro 40# on his spinning reels. I don't hear it when he is retrieving and I am about 10' from him in the boat. I've recently put some Fins on a spinning reel and a couple casting reels. So far I like it. Quiet. Soft. Several colors are available. I have 5# yellow Windtamer on a spinning reel (for Ned Rigs, but will go heavier when re-spooled). Yellow 60# Original PRT on the reel for my frog rod and blue 45# 40G on another casting reel. I really like Neon Tangerine Siege so when I found a spool of 10# Sufix Performance Fuse in Fluorescent Neon Fire at Ollie's I had to get it. Only been out with it once so no opinion yet about it. It is on a Pixy.

I would pair them in the order you have them listed. 7'2" Medium/ Curado DC and 7'6" H/Bantam. You might be able to also use the 7'6" Heavy rod for frogs. Of course, if you are like many of us you would rather have a separate rod for frogs. Any excuse for more gear. I think most would also suggest buying more rods in the sequence you have listed. Being something of a baitcast fanatic I would get the crankbait rod before the spinning rod. Plus I like casting a crankbait. No experience with the Exprides, but I have read they are good for moving baits. Going by the gear you already have I'd have to say your budget is a lot better than mine, and as such I can't offer much help. I like the couple ALX Zolo rods I bought (at a sale price I haven't seen since then), and would suggest the Toadface as a frog rod that is also very versatile. For less money Fred's Magic Stick is said to be an excellent frog rod that is also versatile enough for other techniques. For years I used a MF for crankbaits (liked the Falcon Cara). An Online friend basically gave me a Dobyns 704CB Glass. I like it a lot. I recently picked up a used Phenix X10 that I haven't used yet. The Phenix 'X' rods have an excellent reputation for crankbaits. I haven't used a spinning rod in years with the exception of last year when I visited Florida and the only reel I had with me that had braid on it (other than the reel for my frog rod) was the lone spinning reel I took down. You are in a great budget range. You have many, many good options. Good luck choosing.

No help here, but congratulations on the new rods! Above my budget...by a lot...but would love to have the 6'11" +. Great rod from what I read. A review of both would be appreciated by many.

Don't skip (no boat), but I have done a fair amount of research on it lately. I'd say you need to up the rod power. Last video I watched the guy was using a 7' HF and (I believe) 20# fluorocarbon. He felt this kind of set-up was best for abrasion resistance and to haul fish over cables, limbs, etc. Liked the video. He was very accurate with his skipping.

I use the same scientific method. Lighter lines (and rods)...set the drag lighter. Heavier rods and line...heavier drag pressure. Clueless guy, hey?

Next time I visit Florida I am going to also take my Gen1 STX with 40# braid. Give it a try on the rod as well. Last year was the first time I used the rod, and I used a Curado 201E7.

60# on my frog rod. #40 is the heaviest on other reels that carry braid. Use 30# and 40# fishing lily pads. 8# mono/co-polymer on most Medium rods and 12# of same on MH rods.

CXX definitely has more memory than Siege. I spooled my daughter's baitcast reel with 12# CXX because she fishes a Senko all the time. (Doesn't get out much.) She complained about casting problems due to memory. I re-spooled the reel with 12# Siege. Hasn't complained since. I'm like michaelb. Lots of good lines...not enough time (or money) to test them all. I also use 12# Big Game. Little more memory than Siege. Works well after getting wet. First few casts I can get fluff on the spool if not careful. Siege, no. However, the first few casts with Siege has the line in front of the reel looking like a slinky. Doesn't fluff on the spool, tho.

I've got to look into that Shimano Batman. I'll bet that thing flies. Can't help much with Daiwa aftermarket parts even though I own more Daiwas than any other brand. I don't work on my reels. I have the drag upgraded to Carbontex when I send one in for cleaning. If getting one supertuned, I always get the bearings upgraded...whether they need it or not. I like me to be the limiting factor. Just starting to change spools. This is one place where you can change the personality of the reel. I have bought a few that the previous owner tricked out, tuned, upgraded bearings, changed handles, changed spools, etc. Usually not all those changes to the same reel. Have had the worm gear changed, faster gear set installed, inductor tuned.

Only bought one rod locally...well three if you can call a 50 minute drive one way local. I read reviews. Check out the opinions given on posts here and other fishing forums. Then I buy. I've really only been disappointed once, and I hadn't researched that particular rod. When I find a rod that I feel fishes above its price point...such as the OG Tatula and Elite Tech Smallmouth...I tend to buy several in that line (I have 6 of each).

Check out the TT review of Sufix Elite. Dry 12# broke at an average 20.22 lbs. Wet it broke at an average of 19.94 lbs. Diameter measured as specified on the package. Line is limp and as such has a bit more stretch than a harder line. Knot strength was great. It works well on spinning reels because it lays so well without trying to spring off the spool (according to the TT review). I've only used in to a baitcast reel. I put 12# Elite on my Zillion 50th Anniversary reel when I got it. Still resides there. Abrasion resistance shouldn't be as good as harder lines. I don't have to worry about that where I fish.

Paragraphs make it easier to read a post. BTW, to the forum. Enjoy your stay here.

Too much brain power will do that to you.

Some use 60-65 for bass fishing with frogs.

Too big for him. I can wear it (and break it in for him) until he grows into it.

I WANT THAT HAT!!!!!

Zolo Skipper? I like the couple Zolo rods I have. The little I've read about the new Experts has been quite positive.

BTW, ML is a power designation, not action. I feel you should look at a Medium power rod in most instances. Check lure and line ratings. Consider the weights you are using. The cover you usually fish. There can be large differences from company to company for the same power rating. Take the above HMG 7' MF. I would consider it a MH in a casting rod. The 7' MLF HMG rated for 1/8-5/8 oz. lures falls more in line with a Medium power casting rod for me. My medium Falcons (casting) are all rated 1/4-1/2 oz. while the MH ones are rated 1/4-3/4 oz. Same rating as the HMG 7' MF spinning rod. Some of my Medium casting rods run 1/4-5/8 while some MHs run 1/4-1 oz. The iRod Fiber 7' M-EF finesse spinning rod is rated 1/8-3/8 oz. The same rating as the Tatula XT 7' MLF. The Procyon 7' M-EF has a 1/4-3/4 oz. rating. Check out the Nanoace and Fury ratings. Weights are all over the place. Some companies are known to fish light. Some to fish heavy. Some are true to their ratings. All this needs to be taken into consideration. I used an old Fenwick Elite Tech 7' MF Worm & Jig spinning rod last year on my visit to Florida. All my fish were caught on this rod with 30# braid throwing into lily pads. Worked fine. Don't remember its ratings.

Know anything about Shimano reels?

Sorry. Can't help with the rod. Lots of "how to" articles and some gear reviews. Enjoy. The Intenza must be fairly new. Haven't read anything on them yet.

Better yet...a Poison Adrena.

I gather from your reply that turning the latch doesn't get easier with use. Our weather would let me get out for a few more weeks....if I could.