Advice on a pole and some line for my new reel

[finatic]

Today I'm getting a Daiwa revros 3000h spinning reel. I'm trying to decide if I want to put 15 pound or 20lb powerpro on it. I also need to get a pole for this reel. Fishing mainly bass but I do run into some toothy Critters. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

My main bass rig is a Field and Stream Tech Spec 6' 6" pole matched with a Pflueger President XT. It's a nice set-up but it struggles to reel in those big KVD spinnerbaits. I'm hoping this one won't struggle as much.

 

Thanks!

[new2BC4bass]

Be sure to use a lot of mono backing regardless of which line you use.  15# braid = 4# mono, 20# braid = 6# mono.  That reel holds 240 yds. of 8# mono.  Personally I'd be looking at the 2000H model...135 yds. of 6# mono equivalent.  Reel is also almost 3 oz. lighter.

 

You might want to consider a MHF.  I've read a few good things about the Daiwa Aird X and Fuego lines.  Both handle 1/4-1 oz.  Both should be good all around rods suitable for a lot of different lures.  The MF in those lines are rated 1/4-3/4 oz.  How big of a spinnerbait do you normally use?

 

I assume you are looking to keep the cost in the neighborhood of the Spec Tec.  The Aird X is $55 and Fuego $70 at TW.  Probably can find them cheaper elsewhere although TW is an excellent company to do business with.  At $100 I like my Fenwick HMGs.  The Fenwick Silverhawk gets good reviews as well.

 

There are some store brands that get good reviews, but I am not familar with any other than the Cabela's Prodigy. 

[finatic]

2BC, thanks for the reply. Those are some nice rods you mentioned. However tonight after work I picked up a 7' Berkely Lightning Rod. I took a couple pics after getting the combo rigged up (I used 20lb Power Pro). This is a very handsome looking reel and it looks great on the new rod. I'll have to take it to the water in the morning and test it out.

[finatic]

I hit the water this morning with the new rig and this boy casts and reels beautifully. First time I've had a 7ft rod and it's awesome! The thing casts halfway across the river, lol. It's definitely going to be able to handle those bigger spinnerbaits and lures with no problem.

[new2BC4bass]

Excellent pictures, and you are correct....the combo does match pretty good.  The Lightning Shock has the reputation of being an excellent value.  At least one of our members prefers it for certain techniques over rods costing several times as much.  I have a 6' regular Lightning spinning rod that is over 40 years old.  Guess you could say I've gotten my money's worth out of it. 

 

From the research I have done, I feel that Daiwa is making some very good reels that the Average Joe can afford.  I bought a couple over the winter.  Was out for the first time with one last Sunday.  Seems pretty darn good to me.  Have a rod coming for the other reel.  Was  suppose to arrive tomorrow, but latest update says Tuesday.  Waiting is hard. 

[finatic]

3 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Excellent pictures, and you are correct....the combo does match pretty good.  The Lightning Shock has the reputation of being an excellent value.  At least one of our members prefers it for certain techniques over rods costing several times as much.  I have a 6' regular Lightning spinning rod that is over 40 years old.  Guess you could say I've gotten my money's worth out of it. 

 

From the research I have done, I feel that Daiwa is making some very good reels that the Average Joe can afford.  I bought a couple over the winter.  Was out for the first time with one last Sunday.  Seems pretty darn good to me.  Have a rod coming for the other reel.  Was  suppose to arrive tomorrow, but latest update says Tuesday.  Waiting is hard. 

 

Hey thanks for the feedback man. It's a beautiful set up I'm very happy with it. Taking it out tomorrow and hopefully I can tie into a couple nice ones to see how it handles.

 

Yes waiting can be torture

[finatic]

Got my AFW Surflon wire leader and some yellow Hi-Vis Power Pro. Hi-Vis is for my bass/worm/flippin rod and the Surflon is for my new rig with the Revros. Taking some of your advice here and from articles/videos I've seen I tied an extra long Seaguar leader on the Hi-Vis and tied up the Surflon leader to my braid on the other rod. The Surflon is pretty amazing stuff (I got 13lb) and it was extremely easy to tie; I used back to back Uni knots to the mainline and a single Uni knot to worm rig/snap.

 

I had been worried that perhaps the yellow line might interfere with strikes, but that was laid to rest when I caught this 13" bass. Also initiated the new rig today by catching this beautiful 12" crappie.

 

 

[finatic]

The new Surflon wire leader is great. Been catching a lot of pike (most of them swallowing my Rippin' Rap) and the stuff holds up strong. Only issue is when I tie the leader onto the clip (I'm using a Uni-knot) there's a small portion right above the finished knot that's all kinked. This has happened every time I tie a new section to the clip. Bit odd, but it hasn't effected the strength of the leader in that area.

 

Definitely great stuff for the toothy critters, which I have a lot of in this area. It's light enough and small enough that it doesn't add any extra bulk like regular pre-made wire leaders. Have to try the 20lb next.

[Boomstick]

I have a similar sized reel with a M/F rod that I occasionally fish soft plastics with and use 20lb braid with that and it lets me add a 8lb fluorocarbon leader. I usually use this rod with weightless soft plastics, crankbaits and topwater and my girlfriend uses it a lot as she can't cast a baitcaster.

 

If I had a MH/F rod paired with it, I would be using 30lb or 40lb braid instead, depending what I planned on using it for.

 

The Revros should be a solid reel for you. Might not be quite as smooth as the BG or as light as the Tatula LT but I bet you'll have it for several years.

[finatic]

Unfortunately the reel is defective and now I have to return it (big sad face). For some reason the drag started slipping and now it doesn't reel in the line. I'm sick and tired of returning defective merchandise, so I'm considering the Stradic Ci4+. Just have to decide what size I want - 3000 or 4000. Amazon has the C3000 HG FB, but it says "compact" and I'm unclear what that means.