new2BC4bass

Tom, Mick and scbassin all have me beat. 66 years here. Had a 23 year hiatus. Only because of how bad the fishing was in the area I moved to...and still live in. Wish I had some pics to share.

I fell face first into a rock pile. Broke 2 pieces off the end of my Expert (original model and my favorite rod at the time). Called Falcon and explained what happened. Had to sent them $80 and the section of the rod with the ratings, and they sent me a comparable new Cara. Not free, but AFAIC they didn't owe me anything. I felt that was more than fair of them. A $200 rod for $80 is nothing to sneeze at. Especially since it was 100% my fault.

Thanks. Have upgraded bearings for one and new drags for all, but haven't replaced anything yet.

I like! I am thinking about putting one of my 1600s on a ML.

I have a 6' ML Berkley Lightning that is over 40 years old. Rated 1/16-3/8 oz. List price is $40, but you should be able to find one for less. Dick's has the 6' ML Moderate 2-piece for $30. Fishusa has a wide selection of Lightnings for $35. You could also check house brands at a few Online stores such as Academy and Cabela's, but I don't know anything about those rods. I'd tell you to check ffo, but they haven't had much of anything for a couple years now.

This is what I do. Braid is too strong to break by hand. Also I wouldn't want to put that kind of pressure on my reel. I assume you were pulling without using the rod.

I don't see a rod capable of casting 1/8-3/16 oz. as also being capable of pulling bass out of heavy cover. Of course I am not the caster some are. No way can I cast those weights on a MH rod. Some can.

If you've used Falcon rods, then you have a good idea of the parabolic bend of Hammer rods.

I didn't like Floroclear. 10# broke way too easy. Some others on here have also mentioned having problems with it. I can highly recommend AN40.

I have quite a few setups that run $250 or less. One tip is to buy closeouts and big sales. My first Curado 51E (new) cost me $98 shipped. All of my Tatula rods (original...and new) were $100 or under. Not too long ago Pflueger ran a sale on some of their reels. $60 for $150 reel, $80 for $200 reel and $100 for $250 reel. One of my nicest looking spinning combos is an original Cielo with a Daiwa Advantage 2000. My cost less than $200. The list on the rod was $300 or a bit more. A Fantasista Regista ($500 rod) for $169. Etc. Etc. Etc. Sometimes when a new series comes out they are offered at a good price. The Fenwick Smallmouth rods were deliberately under priced at MSRP. I paid less than $90 (new) for each of mine. TW runs closeouts occasionally. Sometimes deals can be had at places you wouldn't think even carried fishing gear. I've purchased a couple rods from Optics Planet at a really good savings. Ebay is a good place to look...as always. Walmart Online runs some really excellent deals at times. However, you should check them daily to get the best buy as the price often varies day to day. Shipping to a local store is free, but you have to pay taxes. EDIT: Have to add that I've purchased several reels off "For Sale" sites on fishing forums with some being excellent deals. Try $65 for an older blue colored Patriarch XT (ran $250 new) and is in very good condition.

Yup. My first thought. Think the OP made a mistake and grabbed a spool of baling twine instead of braid.

I have Original PRT, Windtamer and 40G to try after reading Tom's recommendation awhile ago. They are offered in several colors. Which is nice for us sight challenge people. I've used and liked Sufix 832 and Performance. Original PowerPro is noisier thru the guides than Fins or Sufix. Nothing wrong with it otherwise. A brother-in-law uses 40# Original PP on all his spinning reels...the only type of reel he uses.

Thanks for the feedback. If you are like me, not having decided which reel to use on a rod isn't because you need another reel, but because you have several extra reels to choose from.

Did you buy a new rod yet? The Villain 2.0 has been getting excellent reviews and can on occasion be found near your price. A couple on here have mentioned they feel it is the best $200 rod you can buy. TT gave the spinning model they tested an Editor's Choice Award and the baitcast model a Best Value Award.

TBH I don't know where you can find a 6' casting rod. Plenty of 6'6" rods. The trend as been to longer rods. I have an older 6' MH Lightning that I inherited. Bought it for my oldest grandson, but he has no desire to try a baitcast reel so it is now my dedicated short range spinnerbait rod. Berkley still makes a few 6' casting rods, but finding one elsewhere is going to be tough.

Do you think the 3-4 inch shorter rods are going to be that much more accurate? There is a 6'10" MHF Tatula on ebay for $100.98 with free shipping. A 6'10" HF Quantum Superlite on ebay for $50 + $25 shipping. Used once and a steal at that price. I don't need a second one as I also have that rod in the Tour Edition line. I prefer 7' and longer casting rods, but have a few under that length I also enjoy. The Quantums are two. Of the rods you've listed I have only used the Toadface. And that was once last year. Haven't been out locally at all this year. From what I read it is not only an excellent frog rod, but quite versatile as well. But all the rods you listed should be versatile. I am curious as to why you don't like the Dobyns 735. I read that it makes an excellent frog rod.

Never heard of LowDown. A quick search has me agreeing with you....if I were into swimbait fishing.

Spinning or Baitcast? Budget? Preferred techniques? Shore or boat? Most used lure weights? Are bass your primary target? Not knowing any of these makes it a crap shoot as to which rod to recommend. Others have given excellent options in power and action for general bass fishing. I assume this is your primary goal since this is a 'bass' forum. I'd jump at the chance to do some Calico Bass fishing, but my all around rod choice for Crappies wouldn't be anywhere near my all around choice for Largemouth bass.

Have to admit to making more than one impulse buy. Haven't regretted them, but have wound up with more rods/reels than 3 people need. OP. Consider yourself lucky to have made only one impulse buy..................................so far.

Agree with Russ. Don't know about 'grinding', but the clicking is probably because the spool has excessive side-to-side play. I'd do as he suggested. Hope that is all it is for you. Bad reels can get out the door from any company. I'm sure Daiwa will take care of you if it is in fact a reel defect. My Tatulas have all been great.

TW is the first place I often check when looking up specific rods. However, as you noted, they don't always carry every model in a line of rods. The rod company's website is the next place I hit.

First...technique specifics on a rod aren't the only techniques the rod can be good for. Second...I don't understand the need for short rods on a kayak. Never fished from one, but I fish from a 14' canoe when I visit Florida. I'm sure some kayaks are more unstable. Just like I'm sure some fishing specific kayaks are more stable. Up until 2 years ago my seat was about even with the water. (My brother-in-law made a little something that sits me higher now.) My frog rod I keep there is a 7'4" original Tatula. I don't have a problem using it in the canoe. Obviously there is no rod short enough for me to use a down stroke when fishing top water lures. You learn to adapt and work within the existing parameters.

I have several spools of this line to try...based on recommendations of WRB (Tom)....but haven't used it enough to form an opinion. They offer several lines of braid. The Original PRT is on sale for $11.80. Fins. https://www.finsfishing.com/FINS-Original-PRT-p/fnsprt.htm I've only tried 10# FloroClear. It broke way too easy for me and I switched out the reel the very first day I used it. There a lot of good mono/co-polymer lines at reasonable prices. Some I like are Sufix Siege, McCoy Mean Green, Silver Thread AN40, Trilene Big Game and Izorline XXX. TW has 1500 yards of 10# XXX for $16.99. Walmart has 3000 yard spool of 10# AN40 on sale for $29.99. You will have to pay tax, but it is free shipping to a store near you. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Silver-Thread-AN40-Green-10-lb-Copolymer-Fishing-Line/51543059?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227040952420&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=99523611977&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-244705521857&wl5=9006935&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=51543059&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgNSln4Cg4gIVyVmGCh0YYAAAEAQYBCABEgJEVfD_BwE I have 3000 yd. spools of 8# and 12# AN40 sitting in my basement.

Gotcha. I took it the other way. I knew you would be in trouble with the Shimano guys if you meant that Daiwa and Lew's were better reels than Shimano. If I'm not careful, I will be starting a war.

I'd have to agree with this. My 7' or longer rods definitely cast further than my 6'6" rods. At least in my hands. As far as hooksets are concerned, I try not to have much slack line when I go to set a hook. I prefer to remove all slack if at all possible.