Cgrinder

Sounds like 3/8 oz and under primarily? Alphas SV (SV105). $202 from Digitaka at time of posting. Excellent reel. Everyone should have an Alphas platform at some point. Want to keep it 'merican? Get the Tatula SV during one of the tax day sales later this month. I hate, hate, hate the stupid T-wing and I'm going to probably end up with one anyway. It looks like a lot of reel for $200.

Blades are killing them so far. I'm getting shown up by silver buddies every time I go out!

Megabass Orochi XX Flat Side Special is what I use. Very versatile rod. $285 well spent.

Conroe is fairly stained if I'm not mistaken? Also no pike in Texas.

Oh, yeah. Fluoroclear is something else entirely. Very stretchy and not very strong.

I'm at 8 bass and 3 pike. Someone tell the pike that the season is closed!

I wouldn't mind either since I'm just going off feels. I have been wrong before.

Yo Zuri Hybrid is stretchy and not very sensitive. However it handles well and knots crazy good. If you're looking for a copolymer main line, CXX in a low lb test ( shop by diameter ) is the bee's knees. 600 yd spools on Amazon for a good price. Don't put it on a spinning reel and do use Line and Lure conditioner.

River2sea S-waver 168. Inexpensive and gets bit. Currently throwing it on 14 lb (.38 mm) Siege mono without issues.

I think the retail price is just a bit high. Maybe 8-10%?

Pick your favorite $200 reel and $300 rod. I don't have a dog in the production reel fight. For rods at $300 you get a lot of versatility and value from the Orochi XX line up.

Red Label is good for the price and makes a nice leader if you end up not liking it for main line. It won't blow any socks off but it does the job. Invizx is indeed more manageable but a lot stretchier below 15 lb.

Loomis 843.

Daiwa SV 103

Has your wife declared that no additional NRX rods may be purchased?

Yeah. Literally sold every one of my recent model Shimanos. For whatever reason, I could not for the life of me make 4-pin SVS Infinity work consistently. Sucks too. I love me some Conquests.

Unseasonably mild here this week. The bass seem confused but the hammer-handles and snot rockets are hitting everything.

Yeah I start burning out in August and normally hit it again in late September/October. A grind you enjoy is still a grind.

Maybe move on from the Carbon Fire as the other two reels are "better". But if you like 6.x gear rations and need/use three rods then no harm in keeping them.

The comparison should really be between the Alphas SV (SV105) and the Curado 70. Comparing the Curado 70 to a reel from the mid-2000's isn't exactly fair. To the question at hand, unless you feel like tinkering, tuning, and modding, go with the Curado.

I've used it. It's really, really stretchy. Higher pound tests are better but really why waste expensive mainline as a braid leader?

Good gravy that's a big reel. You might need a lot of backing.

The '14/'15 Conquest is definitely sick and sweet looking but I let mine go and don't really regret it. The four pin SVS in that reel and I never got along. Before I had surgery in January I had my girlfriend change the Paypal password and cut up my debit card. It was wise.

Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier on sale. $100 7' MH rod on sale for %15 off on Labor Day. Boom, done.

This time of year, I'm throwing unweighted Senkos and Fat Ikas into pockets and around thick grass. If I'm throwing a weighted plastic, the weight is light (1/16 oz or so) so the rig sits on the grass and doesn't get stuck down in it. The exception is a speed worm, which involves a texas rigged worm with a tail that creates a lot of movement or disturbance. Peg the weight (1/8 - 1/4 oz or so, depending how deep you want the worm swimming) and swim your bait slowly over and through the grass. Also, this weather sucks.