Eric 26

🤐I’m staying quiet until the fat lad sings either way.

🤯

I’m wondering if they’re replacing the Lews Carbon Fire exclusive rods with these?

@Crankin4Bass I’m not sure if you’re opposed to ordering from overseas but our fellow member @bulldog1935 has shared some terrific finds in quite the broad price range on both here and in pm’s with me and I know he can definitely help you find what you’re looking for.

@MN Fisher I know you haven’t used the Kastking reels yet but I sure hope you share what you think about them when you do. I have a few Piscifun spinning reels along with 1 casting reel I like along with a Kastking Royal Legend 2 casting reel that although is a cheaper reel it’s still useable.

I’m going to suggest 3 rods for starters that all can be found at BPS/Cabelas. The first is an Abu Garcia Vendetta but I will say I find them a bit stiff for my liking, the second is a Daiwa Ardito travel rod 3 piece and the 3rd is a St Croix Triumph travel rod. The Abu is below your budget and both the Daiwa and St Croix are above your budget but BPS is getting ready for the spring classic sale and if you’re not opposed to trading in one of your current rods the Daiwa would be within budget. The only caveat is the Daiwa is shipped from Daiwa which could be a problem, I have had BPS order me 2 different rods during the spring sale but I also checked with the fishing department manager not store manager first to make sure that I would be able to use my trade in and pre pay so I received said trade in value. I will also add I haven’t used any of the above rods so no opinion at all but @Crankin4Bass mentioned using the Daiwa on this site.

Although this is not meant as argumentative I don’t agree with this statement at all. I have a Abu Garcia Revo Al-F that I bought when Tackle Warehouse was clearing them out, it might not have the latest digital cut gears or the dual supported shaft or anything else that is the latest and greatest but for what I paid I’ll definitely say it’s as nice as any of my Daiwa’s which aren’t the Zillion or Steez versions but also didn’t cost me nearly as much. I also purchased a Dream Tackle reel which is a version of the Okuma Hakai reel for around $150.00 on Amazon that I enjoyed so much that I sought out and purchased a second one for a tick over $100.00 that definitely holds its own against my Curado MGL or any of my Daiwa’s in throwing light weight lures. My point is I like trying different things and to make a blanket statement such as above is close minded in my personal experience and opinion.

I’m totally on board with your line of thinking and I currently have 10 different brands of reels in both spinning and casting. I also like yourself try to buy my gear when it’s on sale or discounted as I really don’t “need” anything else currently but that doesn’t stop me from “wanting” another reel. I’ve said it before on here but one of my favorite reels is a Favorite Soleus I picked up for $50.00 on a Black Friday sale a couple years back, it’s not just the price that makes me enjoy it either. Looking forward to hearing what you think about the Kastking reels @MN Fisher.

@FryDog62 Rooting for both of you to kick some 🫏

@Koz I know it doesn’t mean much but I’m rooting for you 👍🏻

Although I have yet to check them out the St Croix black bass has a ton of options.

My favorite rods currently are med/fast 7’-0” casting rods that I use at my local retention ponds and my 2 favorite lures are a bladed jig mini max in 1/4 ounce and a 1/4 ounce Strike King bitsy bug. Those 2 lures are always my go to starter lures.

@Blue Raider Bob Sadly I remember you posting about that earlier in this thread ☹️ It’s unfortunate that animals can be so fascinating to watch and enjoy but so destructive to your efforts at the same time.

Im in total agreement with @AlabamaSpothunter on this thread in not only are the photos and videos my absolute dream but the comments such as the one I quoted above will help me get through my work day tomorrow 😃 Please let’s keep this thread going as I need to know what happens 😬

It was driving me nuts as I remembered them also😬

@Swamp Girl Oh I’m well aware that Bob is a master carpenter and all around craftsman. Now he just needs to work on his marksmanship or humane trapping skills😉

Regardless of how it got posted thank you both for sharing your slice of what I would call paradise.

@AlabamaSpothunter I just got done watching your video and I started shaking when you held her up. Congratulations for sure my friend.

@AlabamaSpothunterAlthough I can’t watch it right now I’m really looking forward to seeing the video later and congratulations on being able to recover the most important part of the video. By the way she is beautiful 👍🏻

@FishTank Although nowhere near as bad as your Daiwa/Shimano combo would have been I have a 2 Daiwa/Lews combos and an Abu Garcia/Lews combo. How’s that for mind blowing 🤣😆😂🤯 And yes I’m a rebel 😉

Although I’m not going to recommend a specific reel as there are a ton of great ones already mentioned. I am going to offer up since you said you’re going to purchase at BPS wait until they have their annual spring classic sale which usually includes a trade in program and trade in either one of your lower end reels or your ugly stick. I will add BPS usually puts their house brands on sale with a slightly better deal and if I’m not mistaken their bait casters are made by Doyo with the same frame as the Lews LFS. I had a Carbonlite 2.0 combo that I ultimately sold off not due to the performance of either the rod or reel but rather the reel just doesn’t fit my hand the way I like. Although it might be a bit more than your looking to spend if you do take advantage of the trade in the new Daiwa Tatula 100 in a 6 speed would be my recommendation but I will admit I’m a bit of a Daiwa fanboy. Oh and also I know I lied when I said I wouldn’t give a recommendation.

I just called to request a copy and was told they don’t have an option for that yet and only certain people received the 2025 copies.