FishTank

I usually take four rods..... 1. senkos weightless 2. weighted t-rigged plastic 3. crank baits 4. jerk baits

Do you guys have a recommendation for a multi-tool that can be used for fishing? I don't think these will replace my regular fishing pliers but I find my self needing a few various tools from time to time and thought it would be nice have a handy all in one tool that I can keep on my belt or in my pocket. I have looked several from Leatherman, Gerber and Sog. The more I look the more confused I get. Thanks for any advice.

I used a spool of 12lb for almost 3 years for jigs and soft plastic around rocks, trees, stumps, and grass. I never had to re-spool. The line just finally wore out. I did use a little mono backing so I could spool up two reels with with it. I would say this is the best line I have ever used. As far sensitivity goes, it is pretty amazing.

Having owned a 201B and a 201 BSF, it will be weird to go to some of the new reels on the market. I would probably guess that even a new Curado will feel strange in hand. I was lucky over the summer to test out a Tatula SV TWS (a little different but similar to the 100) for two months and I can say it is a fine reel with a few oddities. It does cast well and is pretty smooth. It will feel more machined than the old Curados and will have a lot less (if any) back play in the handle. The things that bothered me were and only a little> 1. The handles - they're just different. 2. Breaking - too many adjustments, I was always fine tuning the cast. Once I thought I got it set, the wind would change or I would want to do a shorter cast and I was adjusting it again. But after a day of it, I got use to it and it was not such a big deal. But if you are use to setting the breaks and forgetting it with your Curados, this will definitely be different. 3. It took me awhile to get use to palming it. The design of the T-Wing, which is actually genius, would cause me to put my fingers on top of it. This really was just me getting use to it. I will say this about the reel.. I own the Steeze SV TWS and this reel made me question my purchase because it's just that good. The awesome SV spool and the drag on this reel make it a no brainer at $200. I hated to give it back to it's owner, who had several of them. And with all that said.... I would, in the end, pick the Curado K over the Tatula just because I liked fishing over the course of the day better, just a personal preference. Both great reels though.

Many moons ago, some of the reels I tried in that price range didn't last too long. Maybe a year or two (some not even a season). It all depends on how you fish, how often, under what conditions, how you maintain your reel, and even what kind of line you use. You can also debate the life span difference between a spinning reel and a casting reel too. I think ultimately the real durability begins with the $100 price range. This seems to be the price point where all of the manufactures are competing.

I have the HG and love it so far. It's built like a tank and you get the sense that it will last forever. Just a solid reel.

I have been using a St. Croix Avid 7' MH Fast with an older Shimano Curado G for spinner baits but I tend to use the 1/2oz and above spinners baits. If I went smaller, I would use the same rod in a Medium but I have not purchased one yet. On a side note, this rod can be used for just about anything except small crankbaits. It's my go to general purpose rod.

Awesome catch. That had to be fun to bring in.

For me, the DC casts further than the Bantam but it does cast further than the K. As far as braid goes, I have not been a fan unless I use it for topwater (especially frogs). I think the Bantam would be a great frog reel though. I currently have my Bantam spooled with 15lb CXX and mounted to a St. Croix Legend Elite 7' MH Fast. I use it for heavier Texas Rigged plastic and jigs.

The DC to me casts slightly better than the Bantam but the Bantam is the better overall reel. The solid frame makes the reel sort of sensitive in hand. Also, the Bantam is fun to fish. The noise of the DC takes some getting use to but if you are casting into the wind like I was yesterday, it's a life saver. I think if I had to choose one reel to add to an arsenal, the Bantam is the clear choice. If I was choosing a group of reels to tournament fish, it would be Curado K's and DC's.

I have the Bantam HG and love it so far. It is heavy but it's smooth as silk. Think of a 200 size Calcutta in a low profile reel. I also have a K and a DC. Both reels are awesome. I do however like the DC better than the K. I would think they would be similar in feel but after a season of use I can definitely feel there is a difference between the two besides casting.

No to the rods and as far as reels go, it would depend on which one it is. If it is something that I know I could get parts for, then I would consider it. I also don't consider the outside condition a big deal, if the inside is well taken care of. Another thing to consider is if you look for sales of older models when they get discontinued, I often find great deals that are better than what I can find used ebay >for instance I got a new Revo Toro Beast for $200 back in April.

I have been using a 7'2'' M Mod. St. Croix Legend Glass since the beginning of this year and so far it has been the best cranking rod I have ever used. I have paired it with a Curado DC. I can bomb a 3/8oz crankbait a mile with this thing. It loads perfectly. It also has the correct balance of softness and backbone you want in a crankbait rod and a little bit, but not too much, of that just right sensitivity. I can't recommend this set up enough.

I actually think this is a win, win for both Lew's and KVD.

I would agree. Braid is just another tool. I use it for top water and in thick coverage. I use some mono but 12lb FC is my go to line.

I have the 783C GLX, 844C GLX and the 844C IMX. The 783C GLX is one the most versatile rods I have. There's pretty much nothing it can't handle. I have used it for soft plastic, jigs, spinner baits, and jerk baits.

For me, it's just personal preference. I would fish with what you are comfortable with. There are so many choices....Each company out there makes at least one or two good reels and a few duds. My personal favorites in are (in order) Shimano, Daiwa and Abu Garcia.

I have tried several different FC's over the years and so far Tatsu has been the best. The high cost has made it hard to purchase on a consistent basis. I have been using Invizx instead with zero issues. I also like Sunline Sniper and Shooter but have had a spool or two give me issues. Another I like for spinning gear is Trilene XL 100% FC.

I am going rod first on this one..... The rod to me does what matters most, communicate. It tells me what's going under the water, it detects the bite, it sets the hook, and controls the fish. The reel only has two functions that it needs to do> cast and retrieve. If a reel can do those two things well, cost/quality is not that important, especially with today's offerings. A $100 (or less) reel today is far better than what was out years ago. Of course, like Tom said, we need to know the OP's budget before making a true assessment.

I think this rod was designed to be a general purpose rod. I would check on the price though. I have seen these for around $100 on Amazon.

I use to do this when I was kid and from what I can remember I never had an issue with it. Back then the fancier knots were what the fly fisherman tied.

As of right now.....12lb CXX for me but as stated above Big Game is pretty awesome for topwater. Overall it's cheap and tough.

Same as above.... If it floats or I want to rip it out some heavy cabbage..... I use braid but this is not a 100% thing for me. I am not a huge fan of braid but it does have it's purpose. My over all general use line is 12lb Seaguar Invizx. For Mono I like Sunline Natural or I will use P-Line CXX (co-poly). I have been using the Seaguar Invizx on my Curado K and DC with no issues.

I have been using both...... Sniper I like but not for spinning gear. Overall for FC, I like Invizx better for bait casters and Trilene 100% FC for spinning gear. If you want to go all out, IMHO, Tatsu is the best I have ever fished. Stuff last forever. Sunline Super Natural has also been great line for me. I have been using it in 8lb and 10lb. It last as long as most mono but I would buy one line weight heavier than what the box says (if want 8lb get 10lb instead).

Definitely. I was at Monroe two weeks ago and there is a spot I always love that is off shore where there is a 8-12 foot hump. Its pretty much awesome most of the year. In spring it's filled with fish but right now with the water low the weeds are impossible to cast through and even worse to get a boat in to that spot.