LesterKTM

I have been working my way up the rod and reel price ladder. Fished cheap walmart stuff most of my life. Been getting more serious last few years. Bought a few Lews $80 rods and $100 speed spool baitcasters. Nice step up for sure but then I bought a few Dobyns Fury rods $110. Very Nice rods. I was most surprised by the weight. So light and sensitive. Then I got a Okuma EVX B rod for a great price and it really surprised me. IMO on par with the Dobyns maybe even lighter. I followed that up with a couple Okuma Scott Martin TCS rods and another step up in rod quality. Unbelievably light. Add a couple BB1 reels and I am loving these. Maybe a few more years and I might end up with a Loomis or Dobyns Champion... We will see. Until then I am thoroughly impressed with the Dobyns and Okuma rods. A big step up from the under $150 combos.

Anybody?

Thanks for all the responses. Making the decision to be more proactive on reel maintenance.

What does everyone recommend for reel maintenance lubes?

The Pflueger is a great reel. For $49 the Lews Speed Spin is also an excellent choice. I have 2 a 100 and a 300, both smooth and enjoying them more than the Tem Lews Gold Spin I have. Cant beat them for $50. As for a baitcaster setup. The Lews Speed Spool LFS is $100 and a great buy. Love mine. Also been happy with the Abu Garcia Black Max for about $55-$60 but my lews has been bulletproof. And start with a MH/F rod from a reputable company in the $80 range. Shimano Abu Lews all make great rods in that price range.

Looking for my first technique specific rod for crankbaits. That is what I like fishing with the most. 1.0-2.5 KVD squarebills, Rapala clakin crank, and I am also trying to get better with med to deep baits as well. Currently my equipment is as follows. Casting: Lews SS1H Speed Spool 6.4:1 - Shimano CVC-66MA Convergance 6'6" M/F (First baitcaster setup and love it still after 4 years) Lews MH2SH Mach II Speed Spool 7.1:1(Combo) - Lews MH2SH70MH Mach II Speed Stick 7"0" MH/F (new and still getting used to) Lews SSI1H Inshore Speed Spool 6.8:1 - ???? Looking for new rod. Spinning: Lews SGH300 Speed Spin - Okuma Rx-S-661M 6'6" ML/? (Love this reel best $50 reel ever.) Lews TL2000H Team Lews Gold Spin - Lews MHFSR 6'9" ML/F Finnese Rod (new this year) Lews SGH100 Speed Spin - Browning BAS66ULS-2 6'6" UL/F (Love this reel and especially this rod, I spend alot of time fishing ultralight) Catfish Setup: Abu Garcia AMBSXT-6600 ambassadeur 6600STX - Berkley RFC902MH 9'0" MH (I have not used this on much yet but I will...) Obviously I like the Lews equipment. I also tried a Lews David Fritts Perfect Crankbait 7'0" M/M for about a half a day before it broke when it shouldn't have. Currently at the top of my list ($100 range) Dobyns Fury FR-705CB MH/M Okuma EVX-CB-701MHb MH/MF Then maybe a Lews TP1 Crank or a Shimano Exage Not sure Thanks for any help.

Hi LesterKTM here. In Knoxville TN loving fishing. Mountain stream for trout. Rivers for anything with fins. Lakes as well. Gotta Love! East TN for the excellent selection of water to enjoy. Thanks for giving us such a cool site.

Too bad no crankbaits. I love shallow running cranks. Xraps - KVD 1.0s and 1.5s squarebills. And ultralight cranks. Rapala UL Minnows and Strike King bitsy minnows.