mrpao

This^^^^^

Pretty much what is stated above. If you can afford it go with the exprides. They are lighter, more sensitive and personally I think better looking.

I don't think a sealed reel is must. I've got some old shimano spinning reels that usually end up getting dunked in the river while wading and they have never had an issue. Bottom line is just take care of your stuff and it will serve you for a long time.

Get the 7'2" med hvy. It's a very versatile rod. You will like it. It does good with bottom contact baits. The 6'10" med is not a good t-rig/ jig rod. It's too soft. It's better for jerkbaits or topwaters

Looks like a male texas chiclid to me.

When I use to fish pay ponds for trout, sometimes I would do pretty good with small crankbaits and jerkbaits. I would just cast out and reel back really slow. Small rattling baits and jigs worked well too on certain days. Just trial and error until you find something they wanted.

I agree the handles felt like cheap plastic

Sweet conquest family

It would be no different than fishing a spinnerbait or chatterbait on a fast action rod. I do it all the time. Helps to pull fish away from cover.

The two shimano bantams are not worth much. The Lews may be worth a little more depending on condition and if you have the box and papers. You can do a quick search on Ebay to see what others in like condition have sold for. The normal going price is usually $20 to $50 depending on condition. I would just keep them as memorabilia.

I've also thought that too Height shouldn't have anything to do with rod length. Like mentioned above usually shorter lengths are more sensitive as long as is the same series of rods. And they will balance better too. Which will add to the sensitivity.

Shouldn't matter at all. Its probably just something they did to be different from the rest of the crowd. Personally I wouldn't like it because I dont like the feel of EVA but everyone is different. Some rods have cork or wood under the reel seat. Just a design difference to add appeal.

Sweet. Old reels are just cool. Took my old shimano bantams on the boat the other day. Brings back memories.

If I stopped buying tackle today, I would still have enough stuff to probably last me two lifetimes. For some reason, I don't feel like I'm alone in this.

Sweet combo. Next, you'll be wanting another one. Then another. Then another.?

Pretty much what you said- newer. The tournament mg was based off the original tournament pro frame. It was smooth and cast great but a little heavy. Great reel for heavier applications. The tournament mb is off the LFS frame. Smaller and lighter. I wouldn't call it a finese reel but rather a all purpose reel. Both are great reels and priced almost the same around $140 for the mb and $150 for the older mg.

That abu is a beauty. Has that clean vintage look to it. You should definitely keep it.

Go with a dark green color braid. It will look more natural in the clear water that you fish. Bright color braids will look like an anchor rope in that clear water. Also I like a 8 strand braid for spinning reels. It will be much more smooth on the cast and retreive. Its usually much more limp than the 4 strand braid. Lastly, I would probably go at least 15lbs if not 20lbs on the line weight. Braid is pretty thin so you can get away with heavier line. And braid frays fairly easily so the thicker line will be extra insurance in case of any abrasion.

Since its a daiwa reel pair it up with a daiwa rod. Check out the Daiwa Procyon castings rods. Around $80. 24 ton graphite rating. They seem pretty light and sensitive for the price.

Check out Cats and Carp on YouTube. Luke will give you all the info you are looking for.

Never had an issue with any of my shimano cast control knobs becoming loose. Or any reel for that fact. There's usually a rubber O ring on the threads that hold it in place.

I use mine for jigs. I dont see why it wouldn't work for frogs, unless you like a slightly slower tip. The tip on the FMJ is fairly fast. My primary frog rod is a 7'2" Jackson Supertrickster and it has a pretty fast tip but works well for me. I like a fast tip to help move the fish out of cover.

If the reel is still in good shape a tuneup or rebuild is probably not necessary

Yes. They are daiwa OG corks. I prefer them over the tiny stock flat shimano knobs. Funny. So far my reels haven't blown up yet. I have daiwa knobs on most of my shimanos.

I have my 7'2" med light expride paired up with a Aldebaran HG. Its a great combo. The expride fishes more like a medium than a med light. I use mine for 3/16 to 1/4 T-rigs with 12 lbs P-line tactical. This rod and my GLX 852c fish about the same. The expride tip might be slightly more stiff but not by much.