new2BC4bass

That is quite a few Heavy power rods for the total you have. Do you fish a lot of jigs? Or a lot of heavy cover? What techniques do you use them for? I have that many Heavy rods plus an older MH that is rated for a heavier weight than any of my Heavy rods. I seldom use them unless planning on throwing a frog. I do like the rods so I'm thinking I will start using them where I have been using a MH. Forgot to congratulate you on the new boat and gear. Congratulations. Exciting, huh.

I've done that before........................but not on purpose. I prefer scissors.

I think a lot of it is what you are used to. Love the looks of my Scorpion 71, but the SVS Infinity Braking system wasn't as easy to set up as my older Shimanos. Majority of my reels are Daiwas. Learned on an original Fuego. I like Magforce Z brakes. Most of the time the only adjustment I have to make is to add or subtract a little braking. Seldom touch the cast control. My 50th Anniversary Zillion is pretty much a set and forget reel. With my Shimanos I leave the brakes at 3 and make cast control adjustments if needed. Kind of like '6 of one and a half dozen of the other.' I've tried 2 brakes on, but have to be more careful with my casting. If I would just leave 2 brakes on and keep at it, I'd probably get use to it enough to leave them there. My Curado 201E7 and Chronarch 100B are also pretty much set and forget reels. I wish that I was more cognizant of things. I use reels having several different types of brakes. I am not aware if I make changes in my casting. I will say that I'd rather grab a Pixy or TD-Z 105H for light lures than one of my Curado 51Es. If I were more aware of the little things, then maybe I could use the 51Es for light lures and not feel I was giving up anything. Again...I think it is what you are used to. Others might prefer the 51E. I also like my gold colored Carbonlites for 3/16 oz. Shad Raps. It is a dual brake reel. I feel the 6.2 is still a good all around ratio. Many are gravitating to 7s. Got my Scorpion 4 x 4 from a guy going to all 7 or better ratio reels. His loss...my gain. I think after 20 years you more than deserve a few new reels. Why not try something different while you are at it? If trying to keep it on the down low, then buy an SLX and Fuego CT and let us know what you think of the two.

Yeah. Today if a reel weighs more than 6 oz., then it is one heavy mother Love my Curado E, but then my OG Zillion (50th Anniversary) is one of my favorite reels. At my age I don't know how much longer I will be able to carry either...much less fish them.

Couple of nice looking guys. The fish aren't bad either.

I've purchased a lot of used rods and reels over the years. No used rods from ebay, but a couple used reels from places like Japan Tackle. Have gotten some great deals on new...discontinued...rods off ebay. I have about reached the point where I will only purchase new rods Online. Much easier to get a replacement on a rod broken in shipment. I have 3 broken rods in my basement that I ate the price of. Luckily none were expensive (all less than $100). I've only received one reel that needed repair before I could use it. Also the original spool didn't come with it (and wasn't mentioned in the ad). This from a reputable seller. He may have made it right, but I sent it out for repair and upgrading/tuning. Great reel now, but probably the most $$ I have invested in a reel. One reel had a plastic piece on the thumb bar broken upon arrival. Piece was in the box. $5 to replace. This is out of about 55 used reels purchased over the last 10 years.

Yup. My practice area is often at a ramp on the Lehigh River. During the fall it is a blast to try to hit leaves and other objects floating down stream. I almost always am trying for targets out near the end of my casting ability. I know my chance of catching a fish here is very low. It is just good to get out once in awhile and bomb away.

When I'm testing a new rod or reel I always wind up seeing what kind of distance I can get. Whether it is a 3/16 oz. Shad Rap on a ML or a 1/2 oz. jig plus trailer on a H or MH rod. Distance is important to me fishing from shore in highly pressured areas. Even when just out practicing with older gear I am almost always making long casts unless a nearer target floats by with none at a greater distance. I will agree with Dodgeguy that I don't usually gain a lot of distance with a bomb. Especially since I am a two hand caster 99.9% of the time. I often use a roll cast. I've found an enlarged swing gives me the most distance, but usually not the best accuracy. I don't notice the need for more thumb, but that may be because 1) I am often looking for distance, or 2) I do it without thinking about it anymore.

I'm sure you could use it with the proper precautions. Personally I feel it is a bit heavy...for me. I'm using 40# on a couple of my MH rods. I use more co-polymer and mono than braid. Currently using 60# on my HF frog rod. I have 30# on one reel that has been used on both M and MH rods. Came on the reel when I bought it. Has worked fine. Testing 45# on a Toadface.

I've only snapped off one lure on a cast. 1/2 oz. jig, 30# braid, MH spinning rod. Yes it was user error. Line wrapped around tip and I didn't notice it. I use braid on a few reels, but much prefer a Co-Polymer or mono. EDIT: I'm 71 and started fishing at 5. However, I haven't been fishing for 66 years. I quit for 23 years after moving to this area because fishing is so bad here. Only been out twice so far this year. I would probably quit for another 23 years (or until I can retire to another area) if I didn't have several thousand dollars worth of fishing gear. Criminal not to use it occasionally.

No. It is for a straight fall. Baitcast reel will cast a 5" Senko with no problem, but it is harder to get the straight fall. Pull line out, but watch out you don't give yourself an overrun if you want to use a baitcast reel.

I am like quite a few on here. Rods and reels from too many brands to list. Lots of good rods and reels today...and from yesteryear...that make it impossible to own all. BUT I did try for awhile. No top tier tho except for a couple used Daiwa and Shimano reels and a mid-priced Megabass.

Sorry to hear that. However, bad reels do slip through from every brand. I received a Daiwa that the cast control didn't work. I've purchased several Diawas since then and had no problems with any of them. You can find posts with someone complaining about receiving a bad reel from any brand you care to look at....including Lew's and Shimano.

Nope. That's normal when the Bait Monkey loves you.

I think you will like the SX. Large handle and paddles, but not heavy. I just went and tried it on three rods: OG Tatula 7' MR, Recon2 7'1" ML and Villain 7' MH. Balance on the Tat about 3/4 inch in front of the cap. Closer with the other two. No line on the reel. Been sitting on the shelf (other than to look at a couple times) since I got it. It and a few other reels. If fishing were halfway decent in this area, I would have gotten out a little more regardless of work and other obligations. Put unused rods and reels to use. I've got a couple Helios Airs and a Helios (the one with the green trim). First cast with the Air amazed me. Really good distance. Easy to dial in. Overruns are rare. The Helios took a bit more time to dial in, but also gets good distance. I fish from shore so I like distance. I have high expectations for the SX. I think Okuma gives you good value for your money. Be sure to give us your thoughts on the reel.

The OP isn't asking for any recommendations on which rod or reel to buy. Only which he should spend more money on. Since he doesn't have a lot to spend, I am going to assume he isn't asking about specific technique gear. I am sure everyone would prefer a $100 reel on a $300 rod then the reverse for bottom contact. If I only had $100 to spend on a combo, I would prefer a $60 President on a $40 Lightning or a Fuego CT on a Lightning for a few dollars more. As stated, casting is going to be more expensive than spinning.

I have to agree with dodgeguy. I can fish with about any rod, but a reel that sucks is no fun. You can always upgrade the rod later, and give the old one away if you don't want it. I caught tons of fish on a K-Mart rod in my youth with a Mitchell 300 spinning reel.

Never used an Aird X rod, but from everything I've read on here I would say you made a good choice. It can be found for just under $40 elsewhere, but I imagine shipping isn't free...but probably isn't at TW either. I've never used either of those reels, but have other models from both companies. My personal preference is Daiwa. I'd also suggest stepping up to a better reel like the Fuego CT. Do you use RH or LH reels? I was able to find Fuegos for $72 and slightly under. Personally I think you would be much happier and still using this reel years down the road. You will enjoy fishing so much more with that rod. I am not surprised you aren't having much success with spinnerbaits and jigs with your current rod. It lacks the backbone for setting single hooks of any size. Fun to fight fish on tho. Of course not the best tool if planning on releasing fish of any size. EDIT: Any problem buying a used reel? Some great deals can be found. One of my best purchases was an older blue Patriarch XT ($250 new) for $65 and it is in very good condition. Was an OG Fuego L that sold not long ago for $70. A $230 reel that is still underrated by many. Good looking along with being a great reel. These days I try to maintain better self control when perusing the 'for sale' forums.

Wow. Found a 7' M-MF for $88.80. I've read these rods a very good for the money. I need another rod like a hole in the head, but this is kind of hard to pass up. I couldn't find a good deal on the 7' MH-MF. I like its lure range....provided it is accurate....better than the M-MF rod. I only have one M-MF rod and that is a 7'2" HMG. The TCS should be a better rod. Looking like I need another M-MF rod. Thanks a lot for the post...........not.

X2...except not sure I am having fun anymore.

Wow. You are almost as old as I am. I've started using XL in the 50s. However, I haven't used it the past few years.

I've got 3000 yd. spools of AN40 in 8# and 12#. I like it. I only have Super Natural on one reel, and haven't used it enough to form an opinion. It does handle well on a baitcast reel. Quite a few good lines these days. I used to only use XL. Started trying different lines when I got back into fishing just to try something different.

I worked in sheet metal for about 9 years. We used tape measures (and combination squares) so 64ths and multiples of it were used. Been a programmer 33 plus years in a machine shop. If fractions are used on a drawing they are again in 64ths or multiples of it. Soooooooooooooooo.....................I had to dig a calculator out to find out what weights you were talking about, and I use math daily (except weekends). I'd be willing to bet that just about everyone else will have to as well. And, yes, I realize your figures are closer than using 64th multiples. Now that I have the nitpicking out of the way, thanks for the review. I've tried to lower the weights I can cast on a baitcast combo. I can't go as pricey as an Aldebaran. A cheap option for me would be a used ProLite. Other possible options are used Abu small round reels. Both in the $30-$65 range. However, I don't think there is a baitcast reel made....regardless of price....that would allow me to cast .0705 of an ounce. Forget about .0176 ounce. You are much better with a baitcast reel than I am. So far about 1/8 oz. is the best I can do, and casts aren't very accurate or very far. An honest 3/16 oz. is very doable with both decent distance and good accuracy.

If I could only afford a rod rack. All my money goes into rods.

Now that is what I call an upgrade. Very nice. Enjoy.