Eric 26

I can vouch for the Carbonlite, I bought mine and used it last year and it’s super smooth.

I’m in agreement with MN Fisher, be patient and shop around before you jump on the Daiwa because of price. Although I’ve never handled the rod the Okuma Cerros lineup looks like it might fit the bill for your jig rod. Again I don’t own one but the Dobyns fury line gets a ton of respect on this site, well built at least the ones I’ve handled in store. I do own 2 Okuma rods and feel they are built above their price point especially when on sale during Black Friday sales.

Wish I could help ☹️ I don’t fish any bodies of water even similar to what you’re describing. Best of luck and looking forward to hearing your results.

I’m not really going to suggest line sizes/lb test, but I will suggest suffix advance monofilament for your needs. I’m using 10 lb on my bait cast setups and I’m very pleased.

I’ll give you 4 rods I own although I only use 1 for chatterbaits. Lews TP1 7’-3”med hvy moderate action 1/2 to 1-3/8 oz weight range light weight and very comfortable. Okuma evx b 7’2” med hvy fast action 1/4-3/4 oz weight range marketed as spinnerbait/chatterbait rod also very light & comfortable, Okuma tcs-a 7’-3” hvy fast action 1/4-2 oz weight range soft tip with a solid backbone marketed as frog/swim bait rod and the one I’m currently using for chatter baits a BPS “crankin stick” 7’-3” hvy fast action 3/8-2 oz weight range, it’s a composite rod which makes it a little heavier but still very comfortable to me. I have the 2020 version with split grip but I held the new ones and the blank and guides are still the same. The Lews and BPS rods retail for $99.00 the EVX retails for $122.99 and the TCS-A for I believe $144.99 although I did not pay retail for any of these rods and both Okuma rods came from tackle warehouse’s Black Friday sale which will keep you on budget or under(more money for chatter baits) ?. I’m planning on trying the tcs for chatter baits next season. Lastly in your price range (Black Friday sales) although I don’t own one St. Croix has plenty of options in the mojo lineup 7’ - 7’-1” moderate fast to fast action along with the aforementioned bass x line.

How much are they asking for them?

After seeing pics of @A-Jay favorite jig I stopped and grabbed a small sample of jigs to try. Going to see how they look in the water and how they fish before I stop and grab the rest of the colors and various sizes.

Just swung by my local shop (Anglers Outlet) in Tinley Park on my home after seeing @A -Jay posted a picture of his favorite jigs. I’ll post a photo in the “latest tackle purchase” thread. Seeing these responses is definitely making me appreciate this shop even more. I didn’t realize just how lucky I am as I have a different local shop (Fishing Connection) In Orland Park also on my way home from work, just a different route home.

I’m in the same position currently fishing mainly small retention ponds. I’ve been very happy using my 7’-0” med. powered/fast action bps Carbonlite 2.0 combo. I feel it strikes a good balance with a soft enough tip to cast and provide enough cushion with treble hooked baits (small square bills) but enough backbone to set a single hook bait(spinnerbaits/1/4oz swim jigs) with a trailer. My second favorite would be my 6’-10” med. powered fast action Lews Hank Parker rod, also available in 7’-0” med. hvy. power. The Lews are available at Wal-Mart for $40.00 apiece but I’ve seen them elsewhere. One more rod to recommend, although I’ve not personally used it Okuma makes a 7’-0” med.plus in the TCS A series, I have a 7’-3” in the same series and feel it also has a softish tip section with a strong backbone I’m keeping my eyes on it to replace a current 7’ med. rod. Again I haven’t used this particular model but Okuma makes a 6’-8” rod in the EVX series, I have a 7’-2” in this series but it’s very fast in the tip. Both of the Okuma rods have really good reviews on this site and are recommended by many respected members on this site also.

Correct me if I’m wrong but if Shimano were to send a new brake can’t op just replace it himself? I know my Piscifun came with extra brakes. Maybe someone with more knowledge can weigh in.

I completely agree but as I said I purchased one and couldn’t be happier. I’m pretty skeptical myself and don’t normally purchase online but I couldn’t resist when I saw the price. As per another post of mine I plan on supporting my local shop with at least one or two reel purchases for next season but I understand your hesitation. I’m certainly not trying to steer anyone down the wrong path.

If it were me I would call Shimano. You paid for a perfect reel I’m assuming not a factory blemished model, regardless of it affecting performance.

Just saw this on E-bay I bought one from them and I’m very pleased.

Just ran through my Wal Mart last night, going to keep my eyes open for this.

As read a post this week about “Dicks sporting goods “it got me thinking about a tackle shop I like to stop & shop at. I’m fortunate that I have all 3 major “sporting goods” stores within a 45 min. to 1 hour drive from my house, and my bps is across from an IKEA store that my wife likes going to. I know Black Friday sales are coming and I took advantage last year from site sponsor “Tackle Warehouse” and I’ve discussed taking advantage of the spring sale at “BPS” but I recently took advantage of the fact that a local to me shop also buys used fishing gear. The other thing that separates them from the chain stores is the local knowledge the employees have and willingly share from the sandwich board out front with the local fishing report on it to the vast selection of gear they carry inside. I hope this post doesn’t offend or come across as me telling anyone where to spend their hard earned dollars I just wanted to acknowledge the shop and what they offer.

That ZPI Alcance is such a good looking reel, looking forward to seeing the rod when you get it.

My favorite casting outfit is a shimano slx mounted on a 7’ med powered Wright & McGill rod I bought at my local Wal Mart. My favorite spinning combo is either a bps panfish elite rod with a Piscifun Carbon X 1000 size reel (replacing with a Legalis LT) or a Cortland CTR 6’-3” light powered x-fast rod which I haven’t quite found a reel for yet, although I’m leaning towards a Shimano nasci fc?. Although I have better options these combos are fantastic for the local pond that I’ve been hitting this year and they make me quite happy.

Looking forward to reading the results of your trip.

Best of luck?? Those are definitely nice looking reels.

You might want to try messaging “bulldog 1935”, he knows quite a bit about what you’re after and where to find the parts.

We need a drooling Emoji?

I agree with soflabasser on the two goals, but I think J Francho said it best. I know you’re referring to catching bass but when I target panfish it’s always with an ultralight spinning combo with bass as a welcome bonus catch but when targeting bass I enjoy bait casting combos a wee bit more. I say this because there are many people on this forum who enjoy catching bass, trout and I’ve seen pictures of crappie, on bfs gear ( bulldog1935) comes to mind. I have a bfs spool but never spooled it with line and after reading all the advice on here never did get around to purchasing a bfs appropriate rod.

I forgot to mention in my original post, I didn’t use line conditioner when spooling reels or at all for that matter, I think I’ll pick up a bottle of KVD conditioner based on the many recommendations on this site.

I like it enough that I bought the super size spool? I use it for pretty much everything but my frog setup.

Very good review?? And really enjoyed the video.