new2BC4bass

Tons of reels especially if willing to go used. I just got a new Bantam MGL for less. You can find used Steez in excellent condition for less. I love the looks of the Pro Ti, but the price is now $10 more than it was a few weeks ago. New: Tatula Elite. Lew's has several contenders. I've read some really good things about the Tournament Pro LFS. Amazon has the Okuma Helios SX for $156.15 and the Helios TCS for $142.95. I've an SX that hasn't been used yet, but I just know I am going to like it. Nice looking reel. I've never heard of Vandam Warehouse before, but they have a LH Patriarch 7.1:1 for $119.99. I really like the Pflueger and Okuma reels I have used. I know neither brand is popular around here, but I enjoy the ones I have.

I wouldn't go below 40# to learn. It is what I used, and I never had a problem with dig ins. Have mentioned this a few times before. Purchased a used reel that came with 30# braid. Spent the first 15-20 minutes casting and removing tight spots. Haven't had a problem since. Keep the line spooled tight. The thinner the braid the more important that is. Makes it harder for the braid to dig in. Been snagged on lily pads a few times with that 30# braid and haven't had it dig in yet.

Another resurrected from the dead. I picked up a 7' ML Redbone a few years ago. Rod is rated 3/8-3/4 oz. Pretty sure it will sling less as it will bomb a 3/8 oz. squarebill. Don't think they make this model anymore. There was a second rod at the store (a mom-and-pop), but it was gone when I went back to buy that one as well. I really like the rod. It stays in Florida since we visit every year. SirSnookalot is the gentleman that recommended it to me. Personally feel it is worth a lot more than the $75 I paid for it. Kick myself for not doing what I wanted to do when I bought it....which was to buy both right then. I assume SirSnookalot is no longer with us since I haven't seen a post of his in several years. A shame. Very nice guy.

I was going to tell you 'Daiwa', but I see that isn't the 'reel selection opinions' you are looking for. I don't like suggesting combos....especially when I obsess over my own combos. I figure the Curado K is a beefier reel than the SLX so I would agree about using it on the frog rod. My dedicated frog rod kept in Florida had a Curado 201E7 on it last year. Unfortunately we didn't get out only 3 days and weather wasn't very good for frogs (February) where I was. My first year fishing frogs so what do I know?

Resurrected from the dead. Mike, you were way better off than we were. We got one black & white channel. TV wasn't usually turned on until after dark. I can say the same thing about my brothers and I.

Dinosaur here. No electronics. Porta-Bote but currently no way to get it to a lake so I'm shorebound.

No expert here with a leader either. Seldom use one. But why worry about memory in a leader? Personally if using a leader, I am worried about abrasion resistance. From my reading it appears Big Game, CXX and Platinum are excellent in this category. Also from my reading regular leader material purchased in those small spools ...round 25 yards...is supposed to be even better for use as a leader. Hope so as I took the word of a fellow member and purchased some P-Line Shinsei for my Ned Rig. I quickly learned fine diameter braid is worthless when it comes to abrasion resistance. Hopefully this solves the problem. EDIT: Better work as I could buy a 330 yard of my favorite line for about what I paid or the leader material spool.

Budget? We could recommend rods from $40 to $700. EDIT: Well....shucks. Didn't notice the 150. EDIT2: Maybe a Genesis II Gabe's Rip Rap Special or a Regular or Moderate-Fast Ark Invoker Pro? Not everything has to be Shimano, Daiwa or Dobyns.

I'll look for your review. Think I missed it.

I use 8# for #5 Shad Raps. Have used 12# while in Florida with F-11 Rapala...also 3/16 oz. & a floater. Plus longer than the Shad Rap. The F-11 ain't fun to cast. At least not with 12# on a Compre 7' MF.

What's wrong with the colors?

Maybe a Witch Doctor Shaman. TT said the 7'6" Extra Heavy Fast tested was light and well balanced. Sensitivity on par with similar priced rods. Picked up a used MH in excellent condition at a super price, but no chance to use it for another 2-3 months. No idea how sensitive the ALX Enox is, but am liking the Zolos I have. Reviewers of the Enox all seem to love this rod. TT's review said the Ark Reinforcer has very good sensitivity. The Expride reviews often mention it being the best rod in its price range...or even higher. As mentioned the Helium 3 also is said to be very sensitive. TT called its sensitivity 'superb'. Received a used 7'1" MH-EF Friday, but...again...will be 2-3 month before I use it.

Looks like all plastic. Is it?

I doubt Magforce Z or SVS Infinity braking is any different on a $500 reel than it is on a $100 reel. Spools are probably different. Tolerances should be different. Bearings might also be different.

I don't feel I have twigs for arms, but my rod arm sure tired out after a period of pulling a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait with Colorado blades (sometimes thru the top of grass/weeds) even though I was only catching bass. I was in my mid 60s and hadn't exercised in years. But I can still lift with one arm what has a few of my younger coworkers grunting while using two arms. I was glad I had both right and left hand reels with me. I have no problem generating a circular movement with either wrist. I don't see what side a handle is on having anything to do with which hand a person casts with. If accuracy is paramount I will always cast right handed. Can't seem to overcome the umpteen years of casting right handed with spinning.

Sounds like you are saying the DC reels don't have tight tolerances and aren't high end reels. I would think any reel costing north of $500 would fit in both categories. So some DC reels should fit both. Not qualified to answer. I've got 2 older Exsence DC reels. One never used by me yet and the other for only the 3 days I was able to get out last year on my trip to Florida. I was impressed with the reel. Never needed a thumb unless I went below Max. However, I am not adverse to using my thumb. Also I don't think we had any windy days while fishing. Don't recall if casting distance suffered...which is important to me. I like the DC sound. Also like the sound of ceramic bearings. Personally I haven't found Shimano's SVS Infinity braking system to be as easy to dial in as the older system on my Curado and Chronarch reels (A, B & E). I have Daiwas with 5 different braking systems. Have no problems casting any. I'm reasonably certain 99% of us would prefer high end reels if we had unlimited disposable income. I know high end gear gives me more pleasure to use even if it doesn't catch more fish. I fish for personal enjoyment. A Steez gives me more pleasure than a Trion. However, that Trion is a very good caster with the rod I use it on (and the lure weights used). Haven't backlashed it since going to heavier line and mounting it on a 6'10" HF. My cheapest reel cost $30 on closeout. My most expensive 10 times that on closeout. I enjoy both, but the more expensive is smaller and lighter....partly because it is a finesse reel while the other is an all purpose reel. But any new reel is smaller and lighter than that $30 reel. Thankfully my hands have no problem with either size. I think I may be a bit of an anomaly. I am not a fanboy of any particular brand (although I am very fond of many Daiwas). Reel size doesn't bother me. Brake type either. I use (and like) 9 brands of baitcast reels. Nope. I am not qualified to answer.

I have a Porta-Bote sitting in the garage, but no longer have a vehicle to transport it to a lake.

"Need" doesn't have much to do with it. I currently "need" 6 more rods to match reel number....I think. The Bait Monkey told me you absolutely need that Tatula. That fool animal thinks I need a Tatula Elite. Guess he hasn't looked at my bank balance lately.

Although I have rods below 7', I prefer that length or longer....especially in MH/H. I really don't understand why you want a 6'7" unless 1) for use in tight spots, or 2) you simply like that length (to which I can relate).

I wondered why you said the 'spinning' reel never backlashed.

Reel was waiting for me when I got home tonight. So 5 days from time I ordered. Way short of the possible 2 weeks.

Yeah. Took me a long time to work up to $140 which is one reason I own a lot of used reels.

I'm with you......but there are a few (very few) on here that like to fish with $50 rods and $60 reels and whip our butts. To each his own.

Bantam MGL? I've got one on the way. Check ebay daily. Got mine for a bit over $100 off regular price. Pflueger Patriarch (or older Patriarch XT), Lew's Tournament MP, Tournament Pro LFS or other higher priced ones. Okuma Helios TCS or SX or add the Tatula 100 and 150 to your list. Quite a few good reels that should work fine for what you are looking to do. A reel with an SV spool or a DC reel would be a big help to me for skipping, but shouldn't matter to you.