iamham3

I just put together a swimbait setup of 8' Daiwa DX801 Medium Heavy/Fast. It is rated for 1-6 oz lures. The reel is a Daiwa Tatula 200H 6.3:1 gear ratio, spooled with 50lb braid. I got the combo at what I thought was a great price even though the only swimbaits I throw are Keitech Swing Impacts and Yum Money Minnows. I just figured I already would have it when I began purchasing and learning bigger swimbaits. After seeing the price range of some of these swimbaits it might be a while. In the meantime if I'm using a 1oz sinker is this combo suited for Carolina rigs? Should I just buy another rod strictly for C-rigs and use this reel? Buy a whole other setup? Change line to fluoro? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I most definitely want to begin work on learning the C-rig.

I noticed neither of you guys mentioned flipping or pitching jigs, punching grass mats, or throwing frogs. Are these reels not recommended for those applications, or do they just not excel at them? If not, is it due to the gear ratio, or the size? And if it is due to size can I assume that none of the 50 sized Shimanos would work well with the aforementioned applications either? I've read that the Scorpion 1000 XT is good at finesse applications. From what I can figure finesse applications just means the downsizing of baits. Are there any finesse applications that involve flipping or pitching? I think punching would be out of the question since the weight would be around an oz or bigger. Please advise.

I asked a question in my previous post, but I think I should have also asked what is/are the difference(s) between the Scorpion 1000 XT and the Scorpion 200?

I want something a lot different from what I currently have, which is why I'm looking hard at the Scorpion. As far as low profile baitcasters I use Pro Qualifiers and the Daiwa Tatula. Is the Scorpion 200 close in size to what I'm currently using? If so, I'm definitely going with the 1000 XT.

I'm very interested in the Scorpion 1000 XT. Can anyone give me some insight as to the applications that this reel excels?

Thanks a million for the insight! This is the kind of info I'm looking for. I'm definitely going to take my time and do plenty research before I pull the trigger.

Would paying $5k-$10k more for fiberglass to keep from being pushed around by the wind be justified? Was this only on very windy days, or was it even when it was just breezy as well? I was told it would be less expensive to learn on an aluminum boat than fiberglass because timber would only dent aluminum, whereas fiberglass would end up with holes.

Why do you suggest the 4 stroke?

I'm looking into buying an aluminum bass boat in the not too distant future, and was looking for some guidance. I'll mainly be bass fishing small to large bodies of freshwater in Texas and Louisiana, occasionally hitting up some shallow bays. This will be my first boat, and my first real experience boating. I've been in friends' boats a few times, but not often. My requirements so far are at least a length of 17', rod storage of at least 7'6", and a recessed area for the foot control. I've narrowed my choices to the Ranger RT178, Crestliner VT17, and the G3 Eagle Talon 17. Any advice on other requirements I may want to consider, or advice/info on these boats would be greatly appreciated.

After having these reels for almost 2 months now do you still feel the same? I was originally looking at buying the XT1000 for use with small to medium crankbaits, but am now looking at it for other uses (nothing heavy duty). Do you think it would be adequate as a reel that can cover a broad range of applications? Do you suggest the XT1500 for more versatility?

I have a Tatula that I think is a great reel in its price range, and I have 3 PQ's that i think are great in their range as well. At my BPS the PQ's are $70 today, so check your local store. That's a tough deal to beat.

All of this is much needed, greatly appreciated advice. Being advised that the Lew's are built on the same platform as my PQ's I can wait a little while before experimenting with one of those and go with a Shimano right now. I'm leaning towards the Scorpion XT1000, but have only received 2 responses favoring the Scorpion compared with many others suggesting Curados and Chronarchs. Are there any advantages in opting for the Japanese reel besides having something that's not as common? Any disadvantages? Just trying to get a little more knowledge from more knowledgeable anglers than me before I pull the trigger. Fishing purchases in 2014 will be fewer and further between.

Are there any issues with getting JDM reels worked on here if need be?

I missed out on the $99 Curado G's at BPS last month but I still want a Shimano reel. I want a reel to fill the shallow to medium diving crankbait gap in my arsenal. I borrowed my brother's Curado BSF, and liked it ok. He's a diehard Shimano fan and suggested I look at the Chronarch 50MG, Curado'S D & BSF and some other Chronarchs I can't remember the model numbers for. After looking at Shimanos I got interested in the Scorpion's (to have something different--if they're good reels). I've been wanting a Lew's reel, and am leaning towards the BB1, BB1 Pro, or TP. I will eventually get a Shimano and a Lew's but can only afford 1 right now with $200 being my "limit". Any advice on which ones would suit my "needs" best? I have 3 PQ's (that I have no problems with, one of the best deals in fishing at $69) and a Daiwa Tatula that I like a lot. Just want some other brands.

BPS PQ 7.1:1 with 14lb mono 6'8" Castaway Carolina Honey Rig Med/Mod (why they made a Carolina Rig medium/moderate and only 6'8" I don't understand); same rod has had name changed to Weedless Worm BPS XPS jerkbait

I've been loaned a Shimano Bantam Curado SF to use for a short time to see if I might like Shimano baitcasters. Would this reel be considered a typical Shimano product? Does anyone know what the gear ratio might be on this reel (it's not written anywhere I can see)? Anyone have any experience with this particular model?

Tackle Warehouse was the first place I looked when I initially read your suggestion on Friday, which I sincerely appreciate, and I still don't see a Powell Max 735C on there today. Maybe I'm blind. However, I do see a Powell Max 735MHEF. I'm assuming that's the one you're speaking of. I'll try to get my hands on one and try it out. Thanks again.

I got to my local BPS at 8:59 and there were already about 100 people in line. They sold out of all right-handed Curados in 13 minutes, about 300 reels. I was one of the unfortunate not to get one.

Besides frogging have you ever used it for flipping/pitching? I've looked everywhere but don't see a Powell Max 735C. The 7'4" Daiwa says Heavy Frogging, do you think that will be decent for flipping and pitching as well?

I've decided to use my Daiwa Tatula reel for this application, so I'm looking at Tatula rods now. I see they have a 7'2" H, a 7'4" Heavy Frogging, and a 7'6" Heavy Flipping. Any suggestions on which one would work best for flipping/pitching/frogging? I'm still considering the Dobyns 735c Savvy.

I'm trying to put together combos based on the 6 rig set-up that is normally suggested by experienced bass anglers to cover most applications, but I have a question about the flipping/pitching/punching/frogging rig. I've read that you can use a 7'6"+ heavy/fast rod for all of those techniques, but is there a rod that satisfies the demands of the flipping/pitching/punching and frogging equally well? Most of the frogs I throw are fairly light compared to the weights used for flipping/pitching/punching. With the little knowledge I've gained about rods, and what makes them technique-specific I don't see how one rod flips and frogs well. I'm trying to stay within a budget, so if there is a rod that does both well I want to know about it. I'm really trying to maximize my chances frogging, but I can't spend more than $175 on any one rod. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I now have a good foundation to begin. I should have made more sense for #6. The spinning setup is for tubes, grubs, shakey heads, drop shots. So no leader is needed with braid for the flipping/pitching rig?

Using the following guide for my 6 combo arsenal what size line should I use for each? Please keep in mind that I'm in the adolescent stage as far as bass fishing knowledge and I'm working on a budget. I pretty much have the combos mapped out--I think, I just need some advice for the finishing touches. 1. Flipping, pitching, punching, frogging and swimbaits 2. Topwaters and jerkbaits 3. Crankbaits 4. Texas rigs and jigs 5. Spinnerbaits and swimming jigs 6. Power spinning

I'm looking for the same information Brady is. I've read good things about the Powell Max rods, does anyone have any experience with them?

From what I've read in other posts I think I will invest the most money on rods I'll use for bottom contact, and the rods I'm looking at in the $100 range will be more for multi-purpose use. I had a couple Carbonlites but got rid of them because I thought the Mojos/Premiers would be better values. And like a lot of people I just like getting new toys. I will probably go back to Carbonlites, and eventually buy a St. Croix to satisfy my curiousity. I now know to start with the Avid lineup. I've only been fishing regularly for a little less than a year, so I can't yet justify spending top dollar for equipment. I appreciate the feedback.