Fubijar03

I have and the Fuego (actually 4 of them) felt so much worse that I thought the first one (and then the second etc) might be defective. I would have bet my life it was the cheaper reel had I not known better. It felt by far the least smooth and the most restrictive of all of the reels I handled, which included most of the Shimano options in my size category (2000-2500) as well as the Daiwa LT line. Maybe they had a batch of defective ones, or I’m not as discerning as I will be one day.

Thanks for the input, I guess I’m just curious about the “why.” Can I expect an objective difference in reliability or longevity? Both are extremely smooth, both are very light, and both have drag that is far more powerful than I need.

So, I've been searching for a satisfactory answer to this question and striking out, aside from a thread asking a similar question without being provided with a good answer. The Fuego LT retails for nearly double the price of the Regal LT, while having a very similar description and very little weight savings... as well as fewer bearings (still new to this world, so maybe not as important as I have been lead to believe). I see that their website mentions the "digigear" and "magseal" as well as having read elsewhere that the Fuego has the "airbail" but are these the reasons for the additional price, and what benefit, if any, do these innovations provide? I'm a curious guy and was hoping to just get some good info, and I'm sorry if I should have been able to find this information elsewhere. I prefer discussion, and am tired of fruitless googling. Thanks!

Thanks man. This has always been my approach because I really prioritize a minimal approach and tackle so that my time can be spent on smoking cigars, casting, and tying on. I think you have answered my question from a person with more experience than myself, but I’m interested to see what else gets posted. Thanks again!

I plan to get a new rod in the 6’ range for soft plastics (flukes, senkos, etc) and lightweight topwater lures (Jitterbugs, Rapalas, poppers, etc) that will be used almost exclusively in ponds. I have never really paid attention to actions or anything and have currently settled on a M/F, but am curious if I should maybe lean MH/F instead. I know what the things mean, but I can’t quite figure out which would be best for my application. Thanks!

So, I ended up buying a Daiwa Regal LT. Handled a bunch of the reels available locally and this was just my favorite by a lot. Colors are a little obnoxious, but I couldn’t be happier. I was also able to get the 2000 and still come in lighter than almost all the other options that they had available in smaller sizes which gives me some options going forward. 6.7 oz, super smooth, and checked almost all of my other boxes. Didn’t quite get the lightest available, but I think this is going to be a really good little reel for a long time. Thanks again!

Definitely a trade off. I’m a long and lanky guy, so I rarely have issues reaching out as far I would like. That’s a good point though. There is something that is difficult to explain about my preference for shorter poles. I just don’t like the feel of long poles, and never have. I may get one to try, but this 6’ will actually match the longest pole I have ever owned already and I have never really felt myself wanting for more. I actually (very often) fish with a little 3’ Dock Runner, so a 6’er feels enormous already, lol.

Yeah the Arid was actually the rod I was originally going to order until I realized it was a 1 piece. Being my first little “for me” kit I really hate to make any hard compromises. Would you happen to have an opinion on the Procyon? I am having trouble finding any opinions but there is a match for my guidelines in that model.

Really looking to stay with 6’ because I end up in some pretty tight spots a lot of the time, but thanks for the reply. Also edited to add that I need a 2 piece thanks to my vehicle.

Hello everyone. I fish ponds a lot and until recently I have always had off the shelf combos (and usually cheap ones) but this summer I decided to build myself a rod a reel combination to use. I wanted to be very light and middle of the road value wise. I decided on the Daiwa Regal LT for the reel and am now just struggling to pick a rod. The sheer amount of options are dizzying and I can’t really seem to figure out where the sweet spot is in value. So: 6’ M/F rod, 2 piece, paired with a Daiwa Regal LT (2000) aiming for bass, crappie, and panfish. Suggestions? thanks!

Currently between this and the Ceymar c-10. Will probably come down to the best deal I can find. Still hearing opinions though, and please chime in if you have other ideas

And that’s why I came here: I knew I had to be missing one. Thanks. Please keep the replies coming though! Thanks everyone. They have a used one through amazon a warehouse for $32 and that’s been tempting

Hello everyone. I lurk a lot but post rarely, and only after exhausting my searching abilities. Heres my issue: I recently bought a little “Dock Runner” combo, with a nice little ugly stick 3’ rod and a (in my experience/hands) very not great Shakespeare reel. I creek/pond fish a lot, and have always been fascinated by very small items that are still capable, so wanted to build myself a great tiny trunk setup because I work a lot and my time is limited. The reel must go, and I am looking for the absolute lightest available spinning reel that is good quality for under about $50. I only target smaller panfish, Pickerel, and bass with this rod and already landed a 2# bass with this guy with the current reel, which represents the likely largest fish it will encounter. Guide me, and thanks in advance! -Weary

Thanks so much for all of the replies. So surprising that there is so much variation in hook size, but maybe I’ll just grab a few and see what works for me. Was hoping for more of a consensus, ha!

I’ve worn out my search engines trying to find a consensus, so I figured I would start a new conversation. This summer has been dedicated to learning to use the lures that everyone Uses but I never have. So, what hook/setup does everyone use for the Super Fluke and Super Fluke Jr? I’m intending on going weightless, but totally open to options. Again: I have read through the previous posts that I could find, but it seemed like there was never a clear answer. Sorry if this is redundant! Thanks in advance!