bassum1

For the money the 7 ft. Denali Jadewood rod light and the right action for what you want to throw and only $99 with life time warranty.

Could sell you on older model shimano. What they have now not as good as they use to be. Don't get me wrong but I think there are other companies that make a better reel for this money. I think shimano spinning reels are the best made but baitcasters are not what they use to be in the $200 range. The last good Shimano reels I owned was the Chronarch Batman 100.I had 30 of them . When I looked to up grade to newer reels Shimano I could not buy, not what they use to be. I bough 1 Lew's Tournament Pro fell in love with it now only use Lew's. You can get one new with free shipping on eBay for around $150.I now own 25 of them. I did not want to leave Shimano but for me they are not the reel they use to be.

I can not speak of other rods because I only use Denali rods .I know some people will think of course he uses them and endorses Denali because he is on their pro staff. Before I signed a contract I researched the rods and the company .I would not endorse something I did not believe in. .I'm a local Pro with 50 plus years experience. There are other things to think about when buying a rod. Customer service and the integrity and honesty of the company. There customer servicer at Denali is fantastic, The Owner Scott Estes will answer the phone and answer all your questions you may have and take his time and not rush you(how many large corporations do that). The National sales manger Mike Helton is the same way ,All of this means allot to me and I'm sure you as well. These big corporations who buy up all the good small companies are trying to cash in on the these companies reputation! What happens they, make the rod cheaper in construction get a big name pro to endorse them and it is all down hill from there. Look what happened to Allstar rods after Pure Ffishing bough them. Now you can not find a new Allstar rod. The same thing happened when Browning bough Lew's reels. If you are old enough to remember Denali makes a great rod that will last you a long time and have people who will stand by them and they also have a life time warranty , There Jadewood rod For $99 is a great buy and compares to many rods that are higher in price.. I have been on my soap box a long time so I will get to the point. The 6'10" Kovert rod I assume you mean the crankbait rod is a great rod for Sq bills small to medium crankbaits, traps but I think is to stiff for a top water unless it's a buzz bait. The Michael Murphy rod is the best for TW and jerrkbaits and small to medium CB's in open water .If you are going to use allot of SQ' bills, small and med CB's in heavy cover stick with the 6'10" Kovert. You could use the Kovert for TW but you need to careful and play the fish as this is a stiff rod for top water .You could use mono with allot of stretch which be would helpful with using this rod for top water. It all depends on what you would use it for. If you could afford both that's what I would do . Then you got it all covered .You need to think of rods like golf clubs. You would not use a putter for driving or vice versa. Hope this helps and does not confuse you.

I have to agree that for what you are doing &ft.MH is good.If you were not throwing deep divers I would say Med.

I have some orignal Lew's BB1N's that still work fine from 1980.When they came back out I tried the Tournament Pro and fell in love with it and now own 24 of the new Lews reels. By the way the $300 Lews is not the Tp but the Team Tp.Tournament Pro and BB1 and all the Lews that I have are alu frames but they have graphite side plates.Tp is their best selling reel you get more for your money.The team Tp for 2014 is now 6.1ozs.Tp is only 6.7 and you can get these on ebay for around $150 and free shipping.I bought mine on ebay from Sportsmans Outfiters for this price.Great people to deal with.They retail for $199.Lews is great to work with.When you call them a person answeres the phone not a computer. In my area Lew's is out selling all the other brands of reels.

I like the Lew's BB! 5.1:1.Designed by the best deep water cranking pro ever.Davod Fritz.They retail for $159 but you can buy them on ebay for $119 I just bought two and it had free shipping.These reels are made to last any you can throw a crankbait a mile!!!!!!! Watch video from Icast 2013 shows David Fritz goes otside and shows tou how the reel will throw father than others.I know you have to be careful because will say what ever it takes for you to buy their sponcers products but I have fished with David Fritz and he is very honest.

Soeey though you said rods my mistake.Getting old can't see

I like Denali Jadewood rods.The range from $99 to $119.They are very durable and the custemorr service is great.If you need to call them you can speak to the owne.The rods have life time warrenty.They have a speical line guide made for them.The insert will not come out like most rods do sooner or later.I have used my rods for over two years and not one line guide trouble.Read reviewsa on tackle warehouse of people who have bough Denali rods.You will be amazed.I have used every rod just about and now use only Denali.Sold all the other brands.If you want to pay a little more they have a new line that sells for $129

Thanks for the info fellows you were allot of help

I'm facing a serious neck operation that will limit my ability to turn my head .I want some way so I can see behind me and maybe some to the left and right .I have a Ranger Z520c bass boat .Some of my thoughts are mirrors I know some ski boats have these ,Another solution is a camera and screen that I can see behind my boat . Can you get a water proof monitor. I know the lens part they make water proof. Anything I mount I want to look nice and not tacky. Anyone have any ideas .I fish tournaments and at the landing seeing all around you is a real safety issue as well as driving during take off for that matter at all times. Do not just want to give up. Thanks for any input

This is the secret bait pros never talk about or you will not see tied on at the dock .I have fished with pros and they use the snap but change hooks .This is more important. When they talk to each other about this bait they use a code name that I was asked to revel. The pros won't always tell you the truth about what they really use. They have an obligation to there sponsors not to endorse anything they do not use. You can understand this they will not lie but will leave things out. This bait is a real fish catcher

I fish only Lews and called them and asked why TP 5.4:1 is gone the answer was they made room for the new models.The new Pro BB! is just about as light as the TP.They are the same price and the Pro BB1 has mag cast control now.The BB!Pro holds more line than Tournament Pro.Lews felt like the BB 1 Pro is very similair to the TP and they are the same price so they went with one in the lower gear ratiol.The lower gearing is for deep diving crankbaits to make the fatiuge less.Also the BB1 and BB!pro will out cast the tp in distance by the way it is designed.I have both and this is true.

David Frittz helpd to design this reel.I have fished with him and he taugh me alott about crankbait fishing.Its just a little play and it does keep from fish pulling loose but the movement will let you feel the fish hit the lure by the movement.It was designed for deep diving crankbaits and David Fritz is the master.You would not be disappointed in the reel.

Have run hydraulic jack plates on all my boats. They do not replace the trim on your motor. They have many uses. First you can get up on plan in shallow water. You can run your boat in skinnier water .I fish tidal waters allot and you can run shallow flats to get to deeper water. Also you can a just the height on the motor to compensate for the load you are carrying. Sometime you may have more tackle or someone who weighs more or less than your normal load. Also you can a just it for the water conditions like if the water is rough you can get a better ride and more speed. If I'm running a long distance I will watch my gps speed and can a just the jack plate for maximum speed and you will need to a just it on the fly because you maybe in a creek or part of the lake that is calm then run into rough water so you need to a just. This will give you the best ride and speed and gas consumption for the conditions. I hope this helps. For safety reasons I suggest pro trim for hydraulic plats so you do not have to take your hands of the steering wheel.

Not knocking other rods only going by observation not from hear say or rod abuse by my friends but first hand knowledge of seeing these rods brake. Carbonlites rods are ok but for the money not for me .As far as anything else go's read tackle warehouse customer reviews about Denali rods. .these are from people who have bough and used these rods not some pro trying to make a buck This will tell the whole story on Denali rods .I appreciate and respect your opinion. I have over 57 years of fishing experience at all levels and have used just about every rod and reel on the market. We all can agree to disagree this is not a place to bash each other .Also not ever rod is a match for every person. .Good luck with your fishing

There are allot of things you need to consider. Weight of rod is not always the key factor. A well balanced rod that is heavier than a unbalanced rod light rod will feel lighter in a day of fishing. I have been fishing for over 50 years have used and been around just about any rod made. You must consider customer service as well. I have friends who have had carbonlites and allot of them have broken. Also you will find the lighter the rods are the easier they break. The Abu rods my friends have had in the $100 range were junk and customer service is awful, you are dealing with a large company that is to busy to care. You can not go by what pros say because they must say the rods the use are the best or they will loose there deal and free rods. All this said the best rods I have found for around $100 dollars is the Denali Jadewood rods . They are very well made durable and very well balanced right up to the 7'11" rods, lifetime warranty and when you call them you can speak to the owner. I have 15 of them and love ever one of them. Go to tackle warehouse and read customer reviews. Not a bad review and many people have switched from other brands they like them so much. The owner Scott Estes is a great guy and you can talk to him anytime. If you talk to him he will give you good advice about what rods you would need. Tell him Erick told you to call.

I only use Lew's. Pay the extra money get the new BB1 pro lighter and more cast control features. I have two bb 1s 5.1:1 it is a great smooth reel it is also great but heavier and no mag cast control but if you are good with a bait caster its fine. Go on line can get these reels much cheaper I bough BB1 on eBay for $119.This reel is far better than the mg. But you said bb1z this is not the 5.1:1.If you want faster reel go with the Tournament pro .Also on line much cheaper. Tp is the best selling of all the lew's but they did away with the 5.4:1 you can still find one on line in 2013 model . If you are throwing large deep divers you want 5.1:1 Pro BB1 or the plain BB1.If throwing smaller crankbaits like sq. bills get tournament Pro in a 6,4:1