Cabelas Trip . . . Purchases Made!!!

[greatone1210]

My folks offered to buy me a late graduation gift and I am now taking them up on it with a trip to Cabelas tomorrow for a new rod/reel. I mentioned in an old thread that I bought a lower tier BC and while I really like it, I am extremely accurate and just overall more comfortable with my AG spinning combo to throw 1/8 to 1/2 soft plastics and lures.

I am looking for a spinning setup that can throw 1/4 to 3/4 lures including cranks and spinnerbaits. I fish mostly from the shore of rivers and lakes. Mild to moderate vegetation. Good line recommendation is welcome as well.

[BASSclary]

Since it will be mostly cranks and spinnerbaits, i would look for a 7' M/F rod, and whatever spinning reel you like in the appropriate size and price range. As fat as line goes, I would look for a good mono. Sensitivity is not as important for moving baits, and the added stretch will be helpful with cranks and spinners.

I would get 8# Sufix Elite. It handles very VERY good, good strength, and the knots are exceptional. Its also relatively cheap at something like 8$ for 330 yards.

[new2BC4bass]

X2 on the Elite. A Medium power rod may not be enough rod depending on maker. All my Falcon rods in Medium top out at 1/2 oz. Some Mediums top out at 5/8 oz., some at 3/4 oz. A MH might be a better option. Pick one rated for 1/4-1 oz. Not all rods are accurately rated. Throwing a 3/4 oz lure on a rod rated for a maximum of 3/4 oz. may or may not work out well. Some rods are capable of handling heavier than rated. Others aren't so versatile.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Cranks and spinnerbaits fall right in the wheelhouse for casting gear. My advice would be to give it a little more of a shot and get a high quality spinning setup for wheightless plastics. A 7'Med/F St Croix Avid paired with a Pflueger Patriarch or Stardic Ci4 w/20# hi-vis Power Pro. If you insist on spinning tackle for heavy, high resistance moving baits get the highest quality reel your budget can handle.

[greatone1210]

So my trip was a success, though plans did change a bit. My purchase today was . . .

Lew's Speed Spool Left Hand Retrieve for $99

St. Croix Mojo 7' Medium Heavy Moderate Action for $100

Spooled with P-Line CXX 12 lb

Lures included Rapala X-Raps, Skippy Fish Flukes, GYCB Shads, and some In-line Spinners for my trip down the river tomorrow.

Any thoughts on how I did??

[BASSclary]

Not too shabby. I hope you have some line conditioner for that CXX though, its strong as hell but it has a lot of memory

[bassh8er]

I had 3 Mojos before I switched over to the Veritas, and they worked fine for me. I personally wouldn't have gone with the moderate action unless you were looking to use it for cranking, but I think you'll like the rod.

I've heard a lot of great things about the reel too, good luck.

[greatone1210]

I had 3 Mojos before I switched over to the Veritas, and they worked fine for me. I personally wouldn't have gone with the moderate action unless you were looking to use it for cranking, but I think you'll like the rod.

I've heard a lot of great things about the reel too, good luck.

Not too shabby. I hope you have some line conditioner for that CXX though, its strong as hell but it has a lot of memory

I got the MH/Mod because I do have a lot of treble lures, cranks, and spinnerbaits. It throws a 3/8 War Eagle spinnerbait a decent distance but not as far as say a 1/2 squarebill crank. But I also know I need to work on adjusting the reel and getting overall more comfortable with the set up.

I didn't buy any conditioner but am seeing the need to. I had probably four or five nasty backlashes that come from either the line or not being used to the real. My last BC I could throw a country mile compared to this one. Of course I was only throwing a 3/8 spinner on the Lews. Will see what happens with more tweaking and practice.

[jerzeeD]

Just move down to the P-line cx or flouroclear. I use that on a 6'6" St croix premier MH/F paired with a Pflueger Supreme for my crankbait rod and both those lines will perform better on spinning rigs.

[new2BC4bass]

Having used 3 of the most common braking systems on reels currently in use, I usually recommend a centrifugal or dual brake system for someone who is not very versed in using B/C reels. In my opinion they will have less trouble with backlashes. As far as the Lews model you bought, everything I have read about Lews new line of reels has been for the good. My Lews is the Tourament Pro which has dual braking. The vast majority of my reels are magnetic brake only. They took some time to learn (and I still have a l-o-n-g way to go), but once you get use to them, the number of backlashes will be drastically reduced.

I have no experience with CXX. The previous remark about its stiffness is not the first time I've read such a comment I have used 8# CX. It was okay, but of the monos I have used so far I prefer the Sufix brand...both the Elite and Seige. I tried some 15# Izorline because of how tough it is suppose to be. Put it on my daughter's Chronarch. She pretty much fishes nothing but Senkos. Had to take it off. Spooled some 14# Sufix Seige in Neon Tangerine. Flows off the reel much better and she is happier with it.

Can't comment on the Mojo. Don't own any St. Croix rods. My local DSG store carries the Triumph, Mojo, Premier and Avids. I prefer the Premier over the Mojo and Triumph, but that is my personal opinion, and not necessarily the correct one although Capt Bob has the same opinion.

The important thing is that you made the choices based on your likes. Whether or not someone else likes the same rod and reel is of little consequence. All that matters is that you enjoy using them....so get out there and catch a few big ones.