Eric 26

I can honestly say I love my defy black spinning rod. I can also say I love my gen 4 Revo X also. As was mentioned previously the Daiwa and Revo could very well have been manufactured side by side. I’m partial to the Daiwa brand as it seems their quality control is a tad better in my opinion from my research. As far as bass pro combos I wouldn’t drop below the pro qualifier combo purely based on other’s opinions but I only have the carbonlite 2.0 combo which is more than you’re looking to spend.

For me it’s a reel I recommend often and in fact just tonight I recommended it again. The Daiwa CA80, aluminum frame graphite side plates and it casts as smooth as my other Daiwas. Love this reel and as a bonus I found mine for around $70.00 bucks.

Just a heads up, Cabelas/Bass Pro does not carry the CA80. They carry quite a few Daiwa reels but not that particular model, at least not the ones around me.

Although I’ve never had any issues using Tackle Warehouse they did have some security issues in the past that some people aren’t happy with. Although I’ve never purchased from either place @MN Fisher recommended I know he wouldn’t steer you wrong. One last thing to mention is your preference on handle side (left or right) as unlike a spinning reel you aren’t changing sides. I like many others on here am right handed but prefer reeling all my reels spinning and casting with my left hand, so for that reason if you have a store to at least stop into that carries them you may want to go that route.

I don’t own the rod but I’ve held/contemplated it enough to say excellent choice.

I’m not sure if it will be held this year but Tinley Park High School used to host a fishing show that was actually well done with good attendance and just generally fun. Covid had canceled it the past few years and it’s my understanding the main gentleman Rich Komar who was instrumental in setting the show up is no longer involved in getting the show together. Waiting to hear if it will take place this year.

I believe you said you are looking for another reel also. Not sure if you’re interested in a spinning or bait casting setup but I would recommend checking out Bass Pro Shops combos, good bang for the buck in my opinion. And yes I have a Carbonlite combo. Also as @MN Fisher pointed out don’t go for a super cheap bait cast reel and yes I speak from experience owning 2 currently, they are definitely more finicky to setup and fall out of adjustment rather easily. If you do purchase a casting rod and reel separately I’d recommend either a Daiwa CA80 or Daiwa Fuego casting reel. If you’re patient you can find some good prices on either. If you go spinning the Daiwa Regal at $59.99 gets good reviews and at $79.99 the Carbonlite spinning reel is a great reel in my opinion.

I would split the difference and get the 7’-4” version. I say this based on having a 7’ crankin stick and a 7’-3” med hvy moderate rod, I can throw a 1-1/2” square bill and then tie on a 3-1/2” crank bait and the 7’-3” rod handles both no problems.

I’ll give you 2 possibly 3 options, 2 are Lews. First is a rod called “Carbon Fire” available only at Dicks sporting goods. The second is a “Hank Parker Speed Stick” available at Wal Mart. The first has Wynn grips the second has Eva grips, otherwise they’re the same stick. Another option maybe still available at Wal Mart is a Wright & McGill “pro insight advantage”rod. I have all 3 and enjoy them very much and feel like these are worth the money.

Seen it myself this weekend also. The young man doing it did catch a few in his defense.

Went to my favorite retention pond yesterday afternoon. Fished for an hour and a half with 3 different rods, first was a light powered spinning rod second was a med powered casting rod and finally a ultralight. I caught fish on all 3 and hooked into what would have been my pb on the dang ultralight. The rod and reel worked flawlessly but in the end I don’t think I had enough penetration with the tiny treble hooks. Now that I know moby dick is swimming around I’m going to be stopping there a little more.

I’ve never consciously thought about this? d**n now I’m going to have to figure this out for myself.

Here’s my two options, the store bought sets are field & stream which they no longer make ? and are absolutely perfect. I tried finding the upper holders online but cannot find them. The pvc version I made from scrap 1-1/2” pvc picked from a dumpster, the 1 x 6 came from some scrap door jambs I had laying around. My only cost was the machine screws holding the pvc to the boards.

The refurbishment of this reel is right up @bulldog1935 ‘s alley.

Not sure if this helps but I have and use a Lews 7’-3” TP1 med hvy moderate, and I feel the 7’-4” version would serve you well but I was looking at the 7’-0” version for the same scenario as you are but decided I can get away with other rods I own. With that said I’ll probably wind up with the 7’-0” version you’re contemplating at some point for that price.

I ordered a 7’-2” one piece rod a few years ago. At the time at least mine came well packed in a hard round tube. Not packaged as nice as the rods I received from @FrnkNsteen but certainly not as bad as other places.

I can only comment on the feel of the rod in store. I looked at the 7’-0” in store but decided not to purchase, I don’t throw enough crank baits to justify one but as mentioned by @bulldog1935 I use and very much enjoy my ml spinning rod. I know there are more expensive options but imho for the price it’s a great bang for your buck.

Welcome from New Lenox ?

I’m going to cheat as I have 2 favorites for different reasons. First is a old (30+) year Daiwa spinning reel, it was given to me by my older brother 30 + years ago when I got back into fishing. This reel in my possession has been on a minimum of a 1/2 dozen spinning rods from a 5’-0” Berkeley ultralight to a 6’-6” bps med hvy. It’s currently mounted on a 6’-6” st croix premiere light powered rod. I’ve caught everything from panfish, bass and catfish from retention ponds to lake perch out of Navy Pier on Lake Michigan. I remember it made its debut in the beautiful state of Minnesota outside of a little town by the name of Melrude catching everything from panfish to pike. On second thought I lied this is without a doubt my favorite reel ever. Although I fondly remember my Zebco 33, definitely not the one I would call my favorite.

Not trying to start trouble, but am I missing part of this thread? Who suggested 5’-0” panfish combos? And may I suggest not scaring off a new member with petty arguments.

I will start by saying the 2 combos you mentioned should cover everything pretty well with monofilament line, my choice would be 6-8 pound on the spinning setups and 10-12 pound on the bait cast reels. If it were me I would try to find a local tackle shop and buy from them. Bass Pro has fantastic salesmen and an even better return policy in my area but doesn’t even come close to my local shops. The knowledge and advice along with surprisingly competitive pricing makes it worthwhile in my opinion along with a generally speaking broader range of brands to choose from that they are able to offer, for instance my local shop may not have in stock a “Daiwa Coastal 80” but he can get it whereas the Bass Pro by me will say can’t get that for you but…let me sell you this Daiwa Tatula CT. With that said if you’re willing/looking to buy a dedicated panfish rod along with your other 2 combos the Bass Pro Panfish elite series at $80.00 is phenomenal in my opinion, pair them with a 1000 size Daiwa Legalis LT and you’ll be set.

My favorite and most productive way of catching many and the largest panfish is a roadrunner. More specifically a 1/16th ounce bare roadrunner pro head and using a Berkeley Gulp Alive minnow in either 1” if short striking or 3” which is my favorite as it targets the larger gills in my area. The bonus of using the 3” is when they tear it up which they will I cut it down just past the tear and rethread it back onto the hook. I’ve also had good luck on the Creme mini ratl traps available at Wal Mart. The bass were caught on road runner heads with tube jigs to make up the body instead of gulp alive.

I’m sure I’m not going to be the only one to say this, but start with a cheaper monofilament until you become comfortable/proficient with the reel. Trilene big game or Trilene XL can be purchased relatively cheap. If you’re more of an internet/Amazon shopper I’m really happy with Kastking monofilament which can also be purchased cheaply.

Not going to lie I’m a sucker for color matching combos so the new rod/reel version is awesome ? With that said I know nothing about the “Clarus” rods but wow I like the reel seat on the older rod/reel version. Very nice and thank you for taking the time to show them off. Can’t wait to see/hear reports on your future catches on these combos.

I personally wouldn’t “clean it up” myself. Unless you’re mechanically competent there are far too many pieces that can go flying (springs) or forgotten even with following a schematic drawing. You’re better off imho sending it to site sponsor “DVT” or a local shop that has good reviews for such a thing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using lower end equipment as long as you temper your expectations of how long it will last and how well it will cast. In my experience lower end equipment which I do own is harder to tune/setup properly and falls out of adjustment quite frequently.