new2BC4bass

OP. Personally I would have to use that rod with a 3/8 oz. jig plus trailer before I could recommend it. Some rods can handle above (sometimes a fair amount above) their rating just fine. Others may not fish the listed upper limit very well...much less over it. However..............it is called a spin jig rod which to me means that it should handle a 3/8 oz. jig plus trailer. Otherwise a 1/8-3/8 oz. (total) rod is a ML in my book.

I can only tell you what I've read. Many like the Carbonlites. Pretty sure it is the Signature series that dodgeguy thinks out fish similar priced rods. But you will have to wait for him to confirm that as my memory ain't what it used to be.

dodgeguy can give you the skinny on those rods.

Casting: Fuego CT, Helios SX or TCS, Lew's Tournament MG or MP, Supreme XT. Tatula CT if you don't mind the T-Wing. SX normally sells for $229.99, but I bought mine (new) for a lot less. Just found a LH 7.3:1 for $146.53. Spinning: BG, Fuego or for less Revros LT. Brother-in-law has been using an older Revros for at least 3 years without a problem. He lives in Florida and fishes a lot more than I do. Casting : Ark Tharp or Invoker Pro, Tatula, Genesis II, Fury or Sierra, HMG. For less Lightning, Aird X, Ark Viper. Spinning: Same You can find some really good deals on quality rods and reels if you don't mind buying used. Also keep an eye open for closeouts. Good luck Let us know what you decide on.

Maybe ww2farmer will be along to offer some advice. He has owned several of the Aird X rods. If I remember correctly, he has mentioned that many in the line fish a little light...but I don't remeber which ones. He is one of several members on here whose opinion I value.

I am a fan of AN40. Also use a lot of Siege. 12# is my standard for MH rods. Comes down to personal preference. Lots of good lines. I am trying XXX and Mean Green. Like both so far.

I have the same BPS rod. It is one of the three I used to learn how to cast #5 Shad Raps. Haven't caught a fish on it. No surprise there given where I live. It is whippy, but that allows it to load up nicely with light lures.

Same here. I spread my money around. Picking out one or two favorite brands would be too hard. I do think the Fenwick Smallmouth and Daiwa OG Tatula rods are a lot of rod for the money. I own a lot of different brands, but some brands are represented by only one rod. Ex. Witch Doctor, Dobyns, St. Croix, Kistler, Megabass, Lew's, Shimano, etc. It isn't that I didn't like the rod I got, but that I found used ones at a good price. New...many are too expensive for me. Would love to add an Expride or two to my arsenal. Can't find one I can afford. I've been collecting for 11 years. As 9 said...lots of good companies out there.

I am partial to Daiwa. Love my BG. If I were spending that much, I'd probably go with the 2000 Procyon LT. Or for more, the same size Tatula LT. I am not normally a fan of orange, but got to say I would love to have a Supreme XT 30. I think Pflueger has some nice looking reels. Older Presidents have an excellent reputation. I've read the newer models aren't as nice. If it weren't for the finish problem I've read about, I wouldn't mind trying an Okuma Helios SX. Never used an Okuma spinning reel, but have enjoyed using Okuma baitcast reels. They are a lot of reel for the money.

Not many if we are talking how many I carry on an outing. Imagine I don't carry more than 4 because I will have Mediums and Medium Lights along and occasionally a Heavy. Now if we are talking total number, then you've got a long way to go if all you have is 3 MHFs. Like I said earlier...I am starting to become a collector. Now if I can ever afford to retire to Florida, my rods will start seeing a lot more use.

Nothing wrong with having a half dozen MHF rods already set up with different lures.

X1000 Seriously, tho, there is a point where I think you become something of a collector. I know that from personal experience as a fisherman who doesn't get out often. I always used to rotate combos...taking different ones each time. That would take a few months of fishing at this point in time. Only because I don't get out much these days. Plus you come to prefer some rods and reels over others. I am afraid when it comes to fishing gear I am a hoarder. I would love to get down to 20 combos, but because I am a hoarder I don't see that happening. I picked up 5 new-2-me rods this winter. The rods I picked up last winter were only used once or twice last season. They would have been used more often if fishing in this area was as good as where I was born and raised. BUT if fishing were good here, I wouldn't be buying...I'd be out fishing.

Yeah. And the pretty girl at the doctor's office tonight said I was in pretty good shape for a guy my age. Might make another 300.

I saved a bit over $94 on purchase from Japan. Then a paypal fee got charged to me. Still saved over $86 from the $349.99 asking price at TW and other places. Anxiously awaiting warm weather.

Spinning or casting? If I am using a spinning rod, it will usually be 4-8 lb. mono or co-polymer. Any heavier and I will be using a casting rod. Actually use 8# on several Medium power rods. I used 8# on 3 different rods and reels (casting) to learn how to cast #5 Shad Raps.

Never used (or held) a Series One. No idea if they fish true to lure range or if they fish light or heavy. I know from experience that if I want to fish 1/4 oz. with an Abu rod , I will not be using a rod rated from 1/4 oz. up. My experience is that a 1/4 oz. lure won't be going very far on that rod. Go to a longer rod if at all possible. That is the easiest way to gain more distance. Naturally the rod will need to load properly with 1/4 oz.

Me either. Must have been before my time.

Blasphemy. Just. Plain. Blasphemy.

A few more. Had to remove reels. Casting Rods Abu Villain 2.0 6’10” ML-EF 122.09g = 4.31 oz. Berkley Lightning 6’ MHF 139.63g = 4.82 oz. ALX Zolo Toadface 7.2” MH+F 120.6g = 4.25 oz. ALX Zolo Deputy 7’1” MHF 121.71g = 4.29 oz. Falcon OG Expert 7’ MF 123.56g = 4.36 oz. Falcon Cara 7’ MF 134.23g = 4.73 oz. Quantum Smoke Inshore 7’ MF 101.32g = 3.57 oz. Shimano Cumara (black) 7’2” MHF 120.54g = 4.25 oz. BPS Crankin’ Stick 7’ MLF 148.71g = 5.25 oz. Daiwa OG Tataula 7’ MLR 112.6g = 3.97 oz. Daiwa OG Tatula 6’10” MHF 103.04g = 3.63 oz. Hammer Elite Micro Ladies 7’3” MHF 109.84g = 3.87 oz. Envy Black 6’10” ML-EF 107.88g = 3.81 oz. Fenwick Techna AV 7’ MF 119.34g = 4.21 oz. Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6’3” M_MF 104.46g = 3.68 oz. Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6’10” MH-MF 114.4g = 4.04 oz. St. Croix Mojo Bass 7’1” MF 107.22g = 3.78 oz. Okuma Helios 7’ M 94.76g = 3.34 oz. Custom Lamiglas Infinity 864 7’2” MHF 129.44g = 4.57 oz. Custom 7’ LF on HM-SJ841-MHX blank 100.87g = 3.56 oz. Spinning Rods Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6’9” M-EF 114.09g = 4.02 oz. Daiwa OG Fuego 6’10” MF (more like Moderate) 118.12g = 4.17 oz. EDIT: It is good to see the weights of different rods. Even though weight is not a determining factor for me in purchasing a rod. But....who doesn't enjoy lighter combos?

X2

Measured on a ProScale XC 500g x .01g CASTING RODS Lew’s Custom Pro Speed Stick Mark Rose Ledge (Small Crankbait) 7’6” MF 133g = 4.69 oz. Fenwick Techna AV 7’ MHF with paper & plastic on handle 152.55g = Kistler Helium 3 7’1” MH-XF 114.87g = 4.05 oz. Witch Doctor Shaman 7’1” H-XF 145.15g = 5.12 oz. ALX Zolo Dream 7’ MF 115.44g = 4.07 oz. iRod Genesis II 703C 7’ MHF All Purpose 114.01 = 4.02 oz. iRod Genesis II 703CC 7’ MHF Gabe’s Rip Rap Special 121.96g = 4.3 oz. OG Falcon Expert 6’9” LF 102g = 3.6 oz. OG Daiwa Tatula 7’ MR 110.88 = 3.91 oz. OG Daiwa Tatula 6’10” M-XF 105.95g = 3.74 oz. Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6’10” MF 101.88g = 3.59 oz. OG Powell Endurance 723C 7’2” MH-EF 156.53g = 5.52 OG Fenwick Aetos 7’ MHF 121.04g = 4.27 oz. Custom RX8 7’ MHF 120.1g = 4.24 oz. Cabela’s Prodigy 704 116.7g = 4.12 oz. Cabela’s Prodigy 706 138.16g = 4.87 oz. OG Omen Black 7’ MF (cap off end) 135.52g = 4.78 oz. Quantum Superlite 6’10” HF 128.13g = 4.52 oz. Abu Villain 2.0 7’ MHF 132.06g = 4.66 oz. Phenix Recon2 C713 7’1” MLF 121.66g = 4.29 oz. SPINNING RODS Fenwick Aetos 7’ MF 116.68g = 4.12 oz. Abu Fantasist Regista 6’10” MLF 105.4g = 3.72 oz.

You guys obviously aren't the great caster I am if you can remove all your backlashes. Been a few times I've had to cut my line out and re-spool.

I only use braid on a few reels. Normally only the ones I know are going to be used in heavy vegetation. Like when I visit Florida. Fished for many years with mono before I ever hear of braid. Still prefer a mono of co-polymer.

Yup. Picture shows right hand, but you can't always believe a picture because I think they just use a stock picture, not a picture of the actual reel. Got my Patriarch when Pflueger had them for $80.