Silas

After reading this thread I thought I needed another finesse type reel so I had my finger on the trigger dor the Revo LT Japan model for $180. Pretty good reviews and I should find out what Revos are like. But-----I couldn't do it. Japan Anglers had the Scorpion for $149.12! Darn! Could not pass that up. I already have a tuned old model 1000 that is a fantastic caster. So I wanted this one before they become hard to find. And, I have to try to keep up with my friend New2BC4bass, with fishing reels!LOL!

I have the X4 Aaron. Marten with a twin power on it. Fantastic for 1/8 oz Shakyhead. Also for casting the Cumulus paired with a Purple Pixy, stock. Excellent sensitivity.

I'm sitting here laughing! Some of you make it sound like that's the way you should cast. Back in the day, ALL of us cast with one hand! All casting rods had short handles. Now 2 handed seems the norm. I don't like long handles just because they get in the way while I'm casting. Sort of reminds me of the 2 handed backhand in tennis. I think a lot of fishermen have not mastered the "flip of the wrist" or the " educated thumb." I don't need DC controlled reels. My thumb has a Masters Degree and I like to be in total control. While I'm on a roll, I don't throw "A Rigs" either. Just as well do it the Japanese way and do the "long Lines" of thousands of hooks and "rape" an area. Hell, just put a Seine out and drag a canal. Obviously I'm "out of touch" with today's fisherman. To each his own.

I have the Champion 704CB and a Team Lews. (In garage now and I think it is a 6'6 M/M. I have used the Champion for cranks and LC Pointer 78s and 100s with a Daiwa TD-Z and love it. It launches a. Medium crank effortlessly and also can fling a Pointer or Vision. Haven't used the TEAM Lews much yet but I am so far not impressed with it. For the $79 I paid for it, I'm satisfied. If I had paid $150 I would be very unhappy. As I see it, I will let my brother, the Destroyer, use it when we fish. I have a Daiwa CV-Z 105 on it and it tosses 1/4-3/8 spinnerbaits well. It just does not have the "it" factor. Another possibility that's better is the Tatula rod in m/l for $114 from Amazon (shipped). Very nice looking rod . But I like the Champion best of those.

Great info on this rod! Exactly what I was looking for to put either a TD Luna 103 or 2015 Conquest 100 with 7 lb Sniper on to fish small cranks, small pointer78s, griffon cranks, and either unweigted Keitech Fat impact or with a 1/16 oz swim bait weighted hook. I DO like a full grip. As Ghoti says they are getting ridiculous with longer and longer split grips. Hell, I cast most of my life with pistol grips and never needed a 2 hand cast. I don't do too much "wanging" on casts. I just flip my wrist and it flies. However I don't fish large lakes, only swampy bayous. To put icing on the cake I found the M/L on Amazon today for $112 shipped so one will be incoming. I'm sure I have something that will do nicely on it. I'm giving round reels a go now so a Calcutta 100TE GT or a 50, or a Luna should be perfect. Sounds like it should be a fun rod!

Just ordered the M/L from Amazon. $112.00 shipped. I've never seen or held a Tatula but this rod should be great for an incoming Daiwa Luna 103. Should do well for wacky worms unweighted Some compare it to the TD Zillion for far less cash. We'll see!

Snagless Sally!! Pretty good fishing heavy timber. Bet you never see basses with one tied on!

My first love was the Ambassedeur 5000. I loved that reel. Then upgraded to the 5000C black one. I was in heaven. Of course I was just a kid. Then got the Daiwa Procaster and thought that the Bee's Knees. Then the magnificent Lews Sppe Spool. BB1 and BB1N. Still have and use 2 or 3 of these. They just flat out sing! Moved then to Curado 50 and was stunned. But the TDZ was/is my favorite of all. Moved to lighter stuff and the Steez is the champ. Kind of a progression. I decided to go retrograde this year and get the 2015 Conquest 100HG. Reminds me of the old Amassadeur ( on Speed!)

Hags Tornado and Kickerfish are great floaters on shaky heads. My favorite is Jeff Kreits Squirrel Tail worm. Tail floats high and I've caught fish with them when nothing else works. He also has a special shaky head for the Squirrel Tail.

D&M piranha Chatterbait! Found a stash of this discontinued lure. Could replace my spinnerbaits.

Heddon Lucky 13

MegaBass Griffon Small and bass never have never seen it. Oh, and it definitely catches bass.

Skinny Dipper on weightless hook fished in lily pads Also Ribbits.

I don't want even the slightest possibility of ruining my other gear. Too many restrictions. I've had thes melt and destroy a bunch of my lures. I'm not interested in how long it lasts.

Absolutely true!!

Powells are Kleenex for me. Use, abuse, and throw away. Had a Deisel and 703. Didn't care for either of them and designated to my brother in law when he fished with me since he tends to destroy tackle. Nothing special about them. I bought into the hype. Good "Starter" rod. I know this is a minority opinion and sounds harsh. If you love yours, great. I also bought into the *** 13. Not bad for the money. Cork part of handle grip too short. Another good starter rod.

Bulk rolls of YOZURI HYBRID. In 10 or 12. I actually try out my new finesse reels with 6 pound to get used to casting them. I leave it permanently on my Curado 50 E. That way I can re spool often.

I agree with a couple of Lucky Craft Pointers to start with. That's how I started! Caught bunches of fish on the 100 Sexy Shad. Then bought the 78. Both worked but one size always better than the other.

Every Spring I buy NEW GEAR! rod, reels, lines , lots of baits and a new soft bag for new stuff. Then I can play and adjust and learn all season. This season I got ALL JDM stuff: 2 new Megabass rods and one reel. Lots of baits I've never tried before. Most stuff from Japanese Tackle ships. In my case the docs say I'm only going to be here for a little while more so I'm getting everything I want. What the hell!!

You still got ice up. There? Decided to fish again after playing with the BMW for a year. Ordered a bunch on JDM stuff. Black Elseil, Egly Go Go (Megabass 5'5") Finally the Conquest 100. Gonna go get em in a week or so after flooding goes down. Mitch

Have pre ordered a 2015 Conquest 100HG from them. Great price, great transaction and excellent follow up communication. Have ordered from them before. Good people.

One 60 minute massage every week. Sure you can afford it. $40 each if you go each week. All those pain killers are doing a number on your liver.

Im with you! Being an old timer, we used the "Ned Rig" in False River in New Roads, Louisiana cast under docks about 50 years ago. What is old is new again. Phenomenon in the Midwest indeed! You guys have found our secret lure after 50 years. Hmmmm?

I have the Daiwa Zillion, 3 TDZ's, Purple Alpha, Sol, Yellow Pixy, Red Pixy, and 2 Steez. The Zillion is my "Beater." I loan it to my brother when we fish. He loves it. The Sol is a great small crankbait reel. Very smooth and best bangs for the buck. The Purple Alpha is wonderful ( I traded the Ito for it because I didn't want to be careful with the plastic type sideplate, although it cast better than the Purple) The Yellow and Red Pixies are my go to for wacky worm light fishing. But.....the 2 Steez are presently my "must have" reels. They are the smoothest, cast the lightest, and all around......with minimum adjustment. And I bought BOTH of them off forum members, slightly used for about $280 each. I DO feel, after experimenting with differerent RODS for each, that MUCH depends on the choice of rod as to how much you enjoy the reel. I've finally found that the Dobyns Extreme models and the old Shimano Cumulus, and the Megabass Rattle Viper are at their very best with these reels. (Also Loomis IMX)