New baitcaster to replace spinning setup

[chucked]

Hi all, first post here!

Looking for new bait cast setup to replace my current spinning setup. My reel is a bit under powered and I tend to have trouble landing anything over 3.5lbs (due to drag). I also bank fish and its a bit awkward to carry along with one, sometimes two bait casters. Its also heavier which isn't a huge deal, but it does add up when walking a mile or more. I also get "wind knots" (using braid) randomly which I can normally get out, but are annoying. I only use it for senko type baits and occasionally a shaky head with zoom trick worms. I'd rather just get a nice bait cast setup instead of upgrading the reel.
I've narrowed it down to three setups, all in the $350-$400 range.

Lews Speed stick Lite 7' Medium/Fast with a Team Lite Speed Spool 7.5:1 $400
*** *** Black 6'10" Medium/ Fast with a *** 8.1:1    $370
Shimano Zodias 6'10" Medium/Mod Fast with  a Curado 70 8.2:1    $390

I already have a MH /Moderate bait cast that I use for pretty much everything else - swim baits, spinners, and a whopper plopper. I plan on getting another Heavy rod for frogging and heavier jigs.

I prefer to use braid with a 3'leader as that's the easiest for me to see and what I've gotten comfortable with.
Any recommendation or opinions on the above combos? What pound braid would you recommend for these for use with senko style baits?

[roadwarrior]

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

What is your spinning setup that is underpowered??

I use Shimano Stradic 1000 size for bass fishing and
have landed a ton of bass between 4 and 6+ pounds
with no problems at all. 10 and 15# braid plus a leader
anywhere from 4-15# (mostly use 6 & 8 tho).

Also have a Chronarch 50e, my last one as I actually
have gone back to spinning gear this past year. I don't
find casting gear a necessary requirement for pulling in
big bass. But I'm not putting casting gear down! I think
it is a great tool in the angler toolbox.

[chucked]

Its a Pflueger President, either 6925 or 6930. Its the drag that is too weak. I have it maxed out or maxed out and backed off 1 click. Anything 2LB or larger and the drag will slip on hook sets. Anything over 3lbs and the drag is constantly slipping and very hard to land fish. Caught a 4.8lb this week and it probably took a good 3-4 minutes to get in, from only 15' so off the bank. Anytime I'd get it close the bank, it would run and pull drag. I ended having to hold the line against the rod to get it out of the water. I typically don't have this problem with either of my bait cast reels, a regular LFS and a Tournament MB.

 

[Bass Turd]

Do you have mono backing under the braid on your spinning reel?

[chucked]

No backing, just electric tape on the spool and straight braid with a Fluoro leader. I don't think its slipping since I can hear the spool being pulled backwards/drag slipping when I set the hook or have a larger fish.

[MBB Nate]

I fish a president 6925 on a ML/XF and I haven't had issues with the drag.  I keep the drag lose enough I can strip it from the reel without a lot of effort too.

I'm using 6# fluoro so maybe it's something with your braid?

[Darren.]

52 minutes ago, chucked said:

Its a Pflueger President, either 6925 or 6930. Its the drag that is too weak. I have it maxed out or maxed out and backed off 1 click. Anything 2LB or larger and the drag will slip on hook sets. Anything over 3lbs and the drag is constantly slipping and very hard to land fish. Caught a 4.8lb this week and it probably took a good 3-4 minutes to get in, from only 15' so off the bank. Anytime I'd get it close the bank, it would run and pull drag. I ended having to hold the line against the rod to get it out of the water. I typically don't have this problem with either of my bait cast reels, a regular LFS and a Tournament MB.

Maybe one of our reel experts will chime in, something doesn't
sound right with your reel. You should have no problem bringing
in fish as you describe. @J Francho@Delaware Valley Tackle

My Stradics have a max of 7# drag, but that's never been an issue
for me. Any time (tip) you need extra drag on your spinning reel, 
simply use the palm of your "free" hand (not the reeling hand) and
cup the spool with some pressure to increase drag.

[J Francho]

40 minutes ago, chucked said:

No backing, just electric tape on the spool and straight braid with a Fluoro leader. I don't think its slipping since I can hear the spool being pulled backwards/drag slipping when I set the hook or have a larger fish.

So you're hearing the "clicking" of the drag indicator when it's slipping?  If so, there's something not right.  You should be able to get to almost lock-down on that.

[JigMaster4]

For $400 I would go with the Fenwick World Class 7' to 7'4" mh/xf(i think its still on sale at TW for $200, but if not go aetos) and then either a shimano curado 200i or daiwa tatula ct type r.

[chucked]

25 minutes ago, J Francho said:

So you're hearing the "clicking" of the drag indicator when it's slipping?  If so, there's something not right.  You should be able to get to almost lock-down on that.

Yes, I can definitely hear the clicking sound or however you would describe it. I cannot pull the line out comfortably with my hand using braid unless I turn the drag way down....at which point it makes the same sound. Not sure if the rod creates leverage on the reel cause 3+ lb'rs have no issue pulling drag at times.

[fishnkamp]

Well I think I would send that reel out to someone like DVT and have it professionally cleaned and checked. My wife and I fish Pflueger Presidents in 6925,30,35,and one 6940. She regularly fishes with her 25s, 30. and 35. She has no trouble bringing in bass up to her personal best 6.5 pound smallie. This spring she caught an almost 8.5 pound catfish on the same rig. Maybe you have damaged the drag washers by tightening it down to max and leaving it that way.  You could just replace the drag components and see, but I would invest in the cleaning, inspection and repair by a professional. I would do it regardless of getting the new rod. There are techniques that work really well on spinning and baitcasters just do not do as well.

If I were looking for a baitcasting rig to throw light weight baits like Sencos,tx riggs, floating worms even small hollow bodied swimbaits like a Skinny Dipper, I would look at a Daiwa Tatula CT 6.3-1 or 7.3-1 and a Dobyns Fury FR 703C, or perhaps a Dobyns Sierra SA682C or SA683C depending on your preference.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Not being able to strip line by hand yet slipping on a mild hook set don't jive with one another. I'll have a look at it if you want. Or you can call or email to troubleshoot in more detail 

[BrianSnat]

On 11/3/2016 at 2:54 PM, chucked said:

Yes, I can definitely hear the clicking sound or however you would describe it. I cannot pull the line out comfortably with my hand using braid unless I turn the drag way down....at which point it makes the same sound. Not sure if the rod creates leverage on the reel cause 3+ lb'rs have no issue pulling drag at times.

There is something wrong with that reel. I can pretty much lock down the drag on all of my spinning reels  (Shimanos and Presidents of a variety of  sizes).  I landed a 6 lb hybrid striper with my President 6930 and those stripers are strong.

[new2BC4bass]

Seems most want to talk you into fixing your spinning reel or suggesting a rod other than from your list.  I have no experience with Lews rods, but I like your choice of reel to pair with it.  Don't have that particular model, but have one on each side of its price.  I think you would be thrilled with the Team Lite.    Reads like the rod should be pretty good.

Your company of choice in the middle is banned from this site.  I might get in trouble if I talked about them here, so I won't.

My Shimano reels ...and single Shimano rod....are all older models so I can't help there.  From what I have read, I believe you would be satisfied with that combo.

Were I to suggest a different rod or reel I'd have to add that I have 3 of the Aetos casting rods and am very pleased with them.  I don't have a Phenix M1, but they get excellent reviews and the 7'2" ML Fast falls within what I consider to be Medium power range...1/4-5/8 oz.  I personally feel a ML should be able to handle 1/8 oz. like my Recon2 and older HMG.  Another rod I can recommend is the Hammer although personally I would go with the MH unless you plan on never using over 1/2 oz.  The MH is listed for 3/16 oz.  I've not tried below 3/8 oz. yet on mine, but have a feeling it might handle that low.  The Hammer Medium is rated like my ML rods...1/8-1/2 oz.

An Alphas reel matches up well with a Medium power rod.  The new SV105 gets raves.  I wasn't pleased with mine until I got it cleaned and tuned.  Fine reel now.  My other two new reel suggestions are ones not likely to be given here.  I absolutely love my Pinnacle Primmus Xi HS reels.  First cast with my Helios Air had me saying, "Wow! This thing can cast."  Best price I can find for the Air is $220, but I paid a lot less for mine.  Primmus is a $225 reel.  Found one for $198 on Amazon, but you will have to pay shipping unless you are a Prime member.  Got my last two for less than 50% of the normal price.

I fish from shore and almost always am standing.  Whenever I visit Florida I am sitting in the front of a 14 foot Dinghy.  My reels always require some dialing in when I get there because my back cast is restricted so I don't land my brother-in-law.    All except for the Primmus.  Even the vaunted Curado 201E7 required a little change in settings, but the Primmus didn't give me a single problem.  It cast a 3/8 oz. popper on a rod rated for 3/8-3/4 oz. the proverbial country mile.  5.9 oz., nice looking and just a fantastic reel.

Now if you don't mind used, the TD-Z 105H is one fine reel.  I love the older Alphas reels, and the gears can be upgraded to 6.8:1.  Have that gear set in my Type F.