new2BC4bass

I keep covers on all my reels when not in hand. Learned the hard way after messing up a pristine Chronarch 101A. Only takes a few seconds. Time well spent in my book.

Thanks A-Jay. Didn't know he was on YT. Is the shame on me or on him?

Not too old of a thread, so I'll pass on one of my scares. I'm in left lane of 6-lane highway (I78 in NJ). Full size pickup ahead of me. Me in Camry. Can't see ahead of truck. 70-75 MPH on slight right hand curve. Truck changes to middle lane. Whoa! State Trooper's car stopped in center of left lane. Another car also in center of left lane stopped ahead of the police car. Jerk steering wheel to right. Pass stopped cars while sliding sideways in center lane. Watched a white van pass me in the right lane. Tires caught and I'm suddenly in the right lane. No cars crashed. Didn't stay in Motel 6 that night.

Haven't seen a post of his in a long time. I know he had a serious health problem. Super nice guy. Helped me a lot years ago.

I haven't used any of the new rods. However, I've always felt I got good value for my money with Fenwick rods. AFAIC the Smallmouth series were exceptional value. Wish they hadn't stopped production of them. Probably were losing money on that series. Thus the reason for only one year (afaik) of production.

Thanks. My s-i-l has been after me to join a gym. I was hoping exercise would help rather than aggravate the condition. Sorry to hear of your troubles. Way worse than mine. Get better. In my 3rd post I mentioned the doctor (my family doctor) sent me for x-rays. It is arthritis. Have a little in my spine and both elbows, but they don't bother me very often.

Woody: Seems Voltaren contains diclofenac sodium (NSAID). I'm on a blood thinner, so no Aspirin allowed. Deephaven & VolFan: Absolutely need to join a gym. No massages with my oversize belly. I'd also be interested in a yoga class for oldies. Need stretching and improved balance. Shoulder has been X-rayed. Doctor said arthritis in two places. One spot is in the joint. Other spot is in the vee on the front of the shoulder. slonezp: Already have munchies. Don't need a worse case of them. I'm assuming the arthritis in the front om my shoulder is the problem. Lay on left side. Move arm away from body. Gravity causes shoulder to start hurting almost immediately.

Pills....prescription or over the counter. If you know of a herb in liquid form, I'd be willing to try that. For example, I can control my high blood pressure with hawthorn liquid extract. No side affects....unlike drugs.

Looking to ease shoulder pain without using pharmaceutical drugs. Right shoulder is the biggest offender. Any suggestions? BTW, it's not constant pain. Fall asleep while leaning back in the easy chair with my right arm across my stomach or sleeping in bed on my left side is the biggest problem. Especially if right hand isn't tucked next to my body. Pain can be so severe that I can barely move my arm. Luckily once I get up it doesn't take long for the pain to go away.

I'd agree with the slightly under filled group....for freshly spooled. Line size, type and stiffness would be the determining factor for any other type of line.

I'm not going to multi quote. My largest smallmouth (approximately 3 pounds) was caught on a 6' Lightning spinning rod. If I remember correctly, lure rating is 1/8-3/8 oz. making it a ML power rod. I forgot to bring a casting reel with braid on the next to last vacation trip I took to Florida . Used on old HMG Elite Tech Jig and Worm 7' MF spinning rod with 30# braid to fish the lily pads. All fish on this trip were caught on that rod. I have more MH than any other power rod. I try to cast weights that are somewhere in the middle of a rod's rating. (That should give you an idea of my most used weights.) However, if I were going to cast a true 1/4 oz. lure, I would much rather use a Medium power rod rated 1/4-5/8 oz. than a MH rated 1/4-1 oz. Personally feel this would give me a better chance to get some distance with that weight. Also I am not the type that likes to turn bass into skiers.

Old thread. I have a bit more experience under my belt. Any pamphlet I've seen that came with a reel and mentioned how much line to spool has always said 1/16 or 1/8 below the spool lip. I always spool to the bevel. Reel Gen1 STXL listed at 135/12# Rod 7' MHF Jupiter (Walmart rod made by Daiwa) Line 40# Sufix Performance Braid (12# equivalent) Lure 3/4 oz. spoon tied direct Distance over half the spool Since one revolution measures less at the arbor than at the lip, I'm certain I was casting more than half the number of yards spooled. So at least 70 yards. Maybe 75 yards. Definitely wasn't hitting a 2 foot circle.

I started fishing 20 years before graphite rods came out. My dad had one of the strongest hook sets I've ever seen. I don't think those are necessary with today's rods. Especially when using braid. My right arm is a bit stronger than my left, but I've never used maximum strength to set a hook so I don't think it matters which hand is holding the rod. I use both hand reels. Not sure about retrieve but I think hand doesn't matter for most of my fishing. Where it does matter is accuracy. I'm better with my dominant right hand. However, I think practice could get me much closer. Just like with basketball. I had a period where I'd practiced so much more left-handed that I was more consistent with it than the right hand.

I don't have the Steez A2 but do have the Zillion SV TW 1000L. I have to say my older Steez reels are a lot better looking....at least to my eyes. I'd have to agree with those suggesting you go with the Steez first. Yes, the Zillion might be a better value, but you know you (and the Bait Monkey) want a Steez. My Alphas reels are older models (I do have an SV105) and like them a lot. So many reels....so little time.

I liked the Helios 7' MF well enough to purchase a second one. Should have gotten a MHF as well. I like the Quantum Smoke Inshore 7' MF except for one thing. I would have preferred a longer handle on it. Handle is even shorter than most Fenwick Smallmouth rods. Smallmouth rods are also light, but I haven't weighed any yet.

Agree with the above posters. Light is great, but I don't mind heavier if balance is decent. I have a 7'7" crankbait rod that is a pain (literally) to fish with for any length of time. Way tip heavy.

I adhere to the pull line by hand method. Never found it necessary to measure with a scale. Probably drag is lighter than if set with a scale. Obviously 4# and 12# lines don't get set with the same feel.

Don't know anything about the GCX or JM Sig., and have very little experience with St. Croix. Gather from your post that you are willing to spend at least $150. A MHF does make for a good all around rod. You are absolutely correct. There's a ton of options available to you. I always like researching before buying, but this can be daunting with all the options for casting rods under $150. Much more so than researching something like $350-$700 classical guitars. Try not to

Don't use my spinning reels enough to spread the lube around. Have way too many BC reels. Don't fish a lot. Rotate combos. So none see excessive use. However, I was given 2 TD-X reels that look like they had already been through WWIII. He went through the internals. Smooth as can be. Cast great.

This is a fallacy according to TT tests. Some fluorocarbons stretch more than some monos. I don't remember the brand of fluorocarbon that I first tried. It stretched like a rubber brand. Had to cut a fair amount off before retying. Looked just like the picture in the link below. See here. There are several links to fluorocarbon articles. https://activeanglingnz.com/2016/01/04/the-fluorocarbon-myth/ EDIT: I do know it was one of the cheaper fluorocarbon lines.

I must have gotten a bad spool. First time out it was breaking easy (10#, I think). For those looking for a limp line, I can suggest Sufix Elite and Sunline Super Natural from personal experience. I'm sure there are others. I've had good luck with AN40, but have only used it on baitcast reels.

I bought co-polymer lines (and some mono lines) simply because I wanted to try different lines. I really can't tell much (if any) difference. As already stated most lines are under-rated. I think I one time saw that 12# Yo-Zuri broke at 19#. If I wanted 19# line, I would buy 19# line. That's why it is important to check line diameter before buying.

If a rod isn't in my hand, then the reel has a cover on it. Learned that the hard way with a pristine Chronarch 101A. When I go to pick up another rod, the one in my hand has a reel cover put on before I set it down. The few seconds it takes is well worth it to me. I try to keep my gear in as good shape as when I bought it whether purchased new or used with some marks.

I fish from shore. I don't feel a 70 size reel holds enough line. I personally am not capable of emptying the spool on a 70 size with most lures I use (unless I was using heavy mono/fluoro...12# or larger). However, long casts won't leave much line. IPR will be reduced much more than on a 'normal' size reel. I really like my Exsence DC, but feel a DC reel isn't necessary. I don't feel a JDM reel is a risky investment. They are definitely worth it. I don't worry if I need to send a reel out for work, so not having a warranty isn't on my radar. I lean more towards Daiwa, but acknowledge an MGL spool makes for a very capable reel. I'm going by comments made here as my MGL reels haven't been used yet. I feel Daiwa reels are extremely easy to dial in. An SV spool will cut down on distance a little. Not sure about the SV Boost spool. Only had mine out once, and distance was virtually the same (going by eye on the lake casting from the same spot) as the Hakai (which TT review says is a long caster). I also feel distance with an SV spool will only come into play when reaching for the maximum distance possible.

The only thing I'll do to my reels is change spools. Leave cleaning and upgrading to the professionals. It's possible that your reel is packed with grease. A good cleaning with proper lubrication should help. Alternatively...use the heck out of it. Should loosen up with usage as long as there isn't a mechanical problem.