FishTank

Is this for a baitcaster? If so, 30lb is about the thinnest line you want to use.....Spinning gear, different story. I would look at the diameter of the line and try to come close to that for your leader. So 30lb braid would be equivalent to about 15lb leader. My favorite is Sunline Xplasma with a Seaguar Gold Label leader.

Are you wanting to put a FC leader on with the Basix? The other knot will just create another weak point if the original is line is bad. I would try out a different bait first and for knots, I like the San Diego Jam Knot for FC. Once you gain some confidence in the line and the knot, switch over to your Megabass lure. If the line doesn't suit your needs, take it off and go to 12lb Invizx and repeat the process.

What.. No Stella? ? Awesome set up.... Enjoy.

This is my new Megabass Valkyrie 7'1'' H. It is just as weird as it is beautiful. It has acid wrapped guides and an adjustable rear grip. Can't wait to pull in a big one with this guy. Using it for frogs, a rigs and the Magdraft.

Sorry I didn't read your post correctly..... Yes you can get the Megabass P5's in the US with a US warranty but they run about $500. I can get one sent from Japan for $365 but no warranty.

I doubt it. For the price I paid, I thought it was worth the risk. Megabass has, in the past to me, been pretty tight lipped when it comes to their warranty. But on the other hand, they did recently warranty two old Vision 110's that had the internal balls stuck in the front of them.

I just made an order for a Megabass Valkyrie. I am kind of nervous about a rod being shipped from Japan. I have ordered several reels but this will be my first rod. We will see how it goes. I also found a good deal on a Megabass P5 Destroyer X-Bites. If the one I just ordered arrives in one piece, this one will be the next.

Sounds normal to me. They are other reels and brands for that matter that make the same noise. Stick some line on it and go fish it. If it makes the same noise after fishing it a few times and still bothers you or effects the performance of the reel, I would return it and go a different direction.

I think bearings can have an effect on the quality of the reel but the quality of the bearings is primary. So for an extreme comparison.... a Shimano Antares with 11 bearings compared to a "Brand X" reel with same amount of bearings that costs around $120 or less, the 11 bearings won't make the Brand X reel as smooth, it won't make it cast as far and it will not make fighting the fish any better or easier. The components of the reel need to be machined and made well too. For another comparison (I am going to do a background story on this reel later), I lost a Shimano Core 101MG over the side of the boat when we hit a large wake, this is its replacement and it's unique in and of itself. It will cast as far as any reel I have, it's super smooth, and can bring in some big fish with only five bearings. It also has been fished for 15 years in Texas up until I got it off EBay.

G. Loomis 783C GLX. I have had it for 15+ years and it's still as good as the day I got it.

Megabass Magdraft. When fish hit this thing they destroy it and so far all of the fish I have caught have been keepers.

The NRS Chinook has been my go to. Fits well, has pockets and after getting tipped over, I know it works.

I use one for 3-6 foot diving square bills and chatterbaits. Depending on the rod you might be able to use it for jerkbaits.

That will be a good combo. You can't go wrong with the 844C. Great rod. I love all of my G.Loomis rods but have a different suggestion for your next rod. The Megabass P5 Super Destroyer. It's sort of the Swiss army knife of rods. It can do anything from crankbaits to soft plastic. It can throw stuff from a 1/4 oz to 1 1/4 oz and it's pretty cool looking.

The only store brand item from BPS I like are their worm hooks and maybe their trebles. They have been sharp and held up well for me but lures have been a goose egg. Soft plastic, I have caught a few but the originals have always produced better. In the end, BPS's knockoffs are just that....knockoffs.

For the Rapala DTs, the Med would be fine. Not sure how what I typed above got posted twice.?

I have the 7'2'' Med and it can throw a 5xd with no issues but a 6xd maybe pushing it. The 7'4'' MH might be a better choice for anything bigger than the 5xd. Also do yourself a favor and change the hooks on those baits. They are just, in my opinion, bad. The bait on the other hand, is great.

St. Croix Legend Glass. It's a few bucks more but worth it. I have more expensive cranking rods but this one is my favorite. It's built perfectly for the job.

If you upgrading I would go with the Elite. As stated above, the JDM version would be a cheaper way to go but if you want to branch out, the JDM Shimano Metanium is the best bang for the buck. It can be found for $260, JDM version. I have the 8.X:1 and it is outstanding. It would put just as good as the Daiwa Steez A in almost every category.

I haven't fished one but I can say the new version is a way better rod than the old. It feels like a nicer quality rod all around. The old version felt every other $100 rod out there.

I like braid for certain applications but not crankbaits. It's sort of a vinegar and water thing for me.

Several retailers have this reel in the 6.x:1 speed in stock. If you are paying full retail at $250, I would return it and get the speed reel you are most comfortable with. I would't not use a 8.x:1 for cranks. When I fish a jerkbait, its about a getting a comfortable rhythm. I like a 7.x:1 reel for them and a different rod than I do for cranks.

Last weekend at the Lake Freeman tournament, it was 28 degrees at the start and stayed cold. I didn't fish this one but I keep hearing about how crazy the guys were to go out and fish in it. They had 27 boats total. My usual tournament was cancelled. I went kayak fishing instead. It was 32 at the start but calm and got up to 60 with 30mph winds. I had to be towed back to the boat ramp. One of the more stranger outings I have been out on. I was lucky to find someone to get me back safely.

I put backing on all my reels. I either use what ever is left over from a spool or I buy the cheapest big spool of 8 or 10lb line I can.

I can stay steady at around 3mph in my PA 14. If I go really hard and have perfect conditions, I've gotten it up to 6mph but there is no way I can stay at that pace. It's like a sprint and every push pull has to be perfect.