Updating Gear after 10-12 Years...

[AmmoGuy]

Looking for suggestions on gear updates. I've searched and read a good bit and have narrowed it down...

 

I have been out of the fishing world for 10-12 years because of other hobbies. I fished a lot when I was in college, Largemouth in MS, and smallmouth in MO rivers. Back then, I couldn't spend a lot of $ on gear, but I have a collection of upgraded ABU rounds, on many different rods (Berkley Bionixs, and Lightening, and several others). 

 

While my old stuff can obviously still catch fish, I want to add a couple of new rods and reels. 

I was set on a couple of Tatula rods (I like the sound of the 6'10 MH/F) and Tatula CT reels, but then I ran across this Carbonlite 2.0/Revo combo that BP currently has.  For the price, I don't know that I can go wrong with it? 

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/rod-reel-combos/casting-combos/pc/104793480/c/104762880/sc/104822280/johnny-morris-baitcast-combo-revosx-carbonlite/3460225.uts?slotId=0

 

Would grabbing one of these in 7' M and one in MH be a safe choice? To be honest, I don't love white rods, but the Carbonlite 2.0 seems to be a favorite? 

Most of my current rods are 6'6", but 7' seems to be a good choice for a "utility" rod. 

 

Also can consider a couple of Fury's, or was even looking at the less expensive Lews Laser SG1? 

 

ETA: I throw a lot of TX rigs, Baby 1-, and smaller spinners lately. 

Edited May 5, 2020 by AmmoGuy

[J Francho]

I think you'd be good to try those two models - they aren't far off what we've been using for decades anyway, just a little lighter.  I wouldn't dismiss all your gear so quickly.  You might find they work just fine, and suit your fishing style.  I have rods and reels over 20 years old that are still my favorites.

[AmmoGuy]

21 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I think you'd be good to try those two models - they aren't far off what we've been using for decades anyway, just a little lighter.  I wouldn't dismiss all your gear so quickly.  You might find they work just fine, and suit your fishing style.  I have rods and reels over 20 years old that are still my favorites.

Thanks. 

Oh I'm not dismissing my old gear at all. It will still be used. 

I just want to add a couple of updated low profile reels, and new rods to the list. 

 

Heck, I actually still really like the Berkley Bionix rods I have.  They were cheap walmart rods, but they are IM7, full cork handles with decent guides. They fish just fine. 

 

 

[J Francho]

I had a few Bionix and Series One from Berkley that were really nice.

[AmmoGuy]

So I guess the question boiled down is... 

 

Is there any reason to consider anything other than the Carbonlite 2.0/ Revo SX combo in my situation? 

Would a Tatula or similar rod and Daiwa Tatula reel offer any reel benefit? 

 

I love the full cork handle on the Tatula, but the BP combo is such a great value. 

[Catt]

24 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

Would a Tatula or similar rod and Daiwa Tatula reel offer any reel benefit? 

 

Compared to your old school Abu Garcia...comfort ?

[Maxximus Redneckus]

What catt said ....it boils down to comfort low pros really do it for me.more so since i had a stroke and it messed up my round reel game .i can still cast with round reels but the weight is a glitch now.i bought 4 new abu low profiles and put them on my pistol grips and can cast all day and more accurate also.

[mcipinkie]

Those are certainly good choices.

 

In that price range, there are a hundred more equally as good if you want to keep on shopping.

 

Unfortunately, there is no short cut to seeing what YOU like.

 

I'd get the BPS stuff and try it.

[AmmoGuy]

5 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Compared to your old school Abu Garcia...comfort ?

 

Ha.. .for sure. 

 

I meant over the Carbonlite 2.0/ Revo SX combo. 

2 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Revo SX 4 has linear magnetic brakes.  Not a fan of those myself.  I much prefer the Magforce Z of the Daiwa Tatula/Fuego CT or Shimano SVS Centrifugal.

 

You could probably do a Tatula CT or Fuego CT on some $100 rod and have a better combo.  If you want to be cheap about it try a Feugo CT on a regular non-shock  Lightning rod.

 

 

 

Noted. 

The Tatula CT on a Tatula or Fury is my other consideration.  It would be over $100 more than the BPS combo, so I wasn't sure if it would be worth that performance wise. 

4 minutes ago, mcipinkie said:

Those are certainly good choices.

 

In that price range, there are a hundred more equally as good if you want to keep on shopping.

 

Unfortunately, there is no short cut to seeing what YOU like.

 

I'd get the BPS stuff and try it.

 

It has really blown my mind how many decent choices there are in that price range these days. 

I tried to sift through posts here and those are just some options I've run across more than others. 

 

If you know of anything else off the cuff that I should consider, I'm all ears. 

[Catt]

4 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

 

Ha.. .for sure. 

 

I meant over the Carbonlite 2.0/ Revo SX combo. 

 

Others will tell you a better sense of feel but since you're a Texas Rig fisherman you understand sense of feel depends on whose holding the rod & whose brain is interpreting what's being felt.

[AmmoGuy]

5 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Others will tell you a better sense of feel but since you're a Texas Rig fisherman you understand sense of feel depends on whose holding the rod & whose brain is interpreting what's being felt.

 

Agreed. 

But when it comes to sensitivity, the nod goes to the Tatula over the Carbonlite generally? 

[Catt]

34 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

 

Agreed. 

But when it comes to sensitivity, the nod goes to the Tatula over the Carbonlite generally? 

 

My jig rod is a Tatula, I like a full cork grip ?

[AmmoGuy]

Why does there have to be so many options??! lol. 

 

I think I may order a M and MH BP combo. I don't have a BP or Cabelas near, or I'd go check them out in person. I guess I can always return them if they don't seem right... but that combo just seems like a great value. 

25 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

My jig rod is a Tatula, I like a full cork grip ?

I've read the Tatula MH's fish more like a Heavy. Have you found that to be the case? 

 

And I hear ya on the grip. If the Carbonlite 2.0' combos were full cork I'd have probably already ordered them. ?

[Catt]

56 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

I've read the Tatula MH's fish more like a Heavy. Have you found that to be the case? 

 

I have the 7' 1" MH X-tra Fast, it's a jig rod it's supposed to be a little on the heavy side. I would probably list it as a Magnum Jig rod.

[basser27]

I would get a Dobyns fury 734 and a Daiwa fuego ct. this will run you around $200 depending on where you buy from. This rod is the most versatile casting rod IMO and if you like it there are many others rods in the fury lineup. Good luck!

[AmmoGuy]

45 minutes ago, basser27 said:

I would get a Dobyns fury 734 and a Daiwa fuego ct. this will run you around $200 depending on where you buy from. This rod is the most versatile casting rod IMO and if you like it there are many others rods in the fury lineup. Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestion. One of my original pairings I considered was the Fury 703 and a Tatula CT. 
 

Why would you suggest the Fuego over the Tatula?  Just cost? 
 

On paper the Revo SX sure seems like more reel than the Fuego? But I realize “specs” don’t tell the whole tale. 
 

is a Fury and a Fuego really a “better” rig than the Carbonlite and Revo? (I realize how subjective that is). 
 

[basser27]

4 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

Thanks for the suggestion. One of my original pairings I considered was the Fury 703 and a Tatula CT. 
 

Why would you suggest the Fuego over the Tatula?  Just cost? 
 

On paper the Revo SX sure seems like more reel than the Fuego? But I realize “specs” don’t tell the whole tale. 
 

is a Fury and a Fuego really a “better” rig than the Carbonlite and Revo? (I realize how subjective that is). 
 

I suggested the fuego because it is a proven reel and doesn’t break the bank.

abu vs Daiwa vs Dobyns vs carbon lite is all personal preference. I’ve had bad experiences with Abu and I feel Daiwa makes a better reel.

 

the fuego ct is basically the same reel as the tatula ct minus the t-wing line guide. 

[Shimano_1]

I personally think the Fuego is an easier reel to use. Better...thats opinion.  I have that carbonlite revo combo and I've been satisfied with it. Love the rod...like the reel. For the money you're not going to beat it for a new combo. The fury and fuego would serve you well also but be a little more money probably. 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, basser27 said:

the fuego ct is basically the same reel as the tatula ct minus the t-wing line guide. 

Other than the T-Wing system and the Tat having bearings in the handle-knobs - the Tatula CT and the Fuego CT are the same reel. Same frame, same main gears, same spool...etc-etc-etc.

[AmmoGuy]

2 minutes ago, basser27 said:

I suggested the fuego because it is a proven reel and doesn’t break the bank.

abu vs Daiwa vs Dobyns vs carbon lite is all personal preference. I’ve had bad experiences with Abu and I feel Daiwa makes a better reel.

 

the fuego ct is basically the same reel as the tatula ct minus the t-wing line guide. 

Gotcha. 
I had not contrasted the Tatula and Fuego very closely. 

3 minutes ago, Shimano_1 said:

I personally think the Fuego is an easier reel to use. Better...thats opinion.  I have that carbonlite revo combo and I've been satisfied with it. Love the rod...like the reel. For the money you're not going to beat it for a new combo. The fury and fuego would serve you well also but be a little more money probably. 

Good to know. I wish I was closer to a BP so I could handle them side by side. 
 

Do you have the M or the MH? I throw a lot of 3/16-1/4 T rigs, so I’m leaning toward the M. 
 

Remember, I’m coming off mainly Abu rounds, and not much serious fishing in the last 10 years... so anything being discussed is going to be a serious improvement, ha. 

[AmmoGuy]

$60 more than the BP combo.... decisions decisions. 
 

[Derek1]

19 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

Gotcha. 
I had not contrasted the Tatula and Fuego very closely. 

Good to know. I wish I was closer to a BP so I could handle them side by side. 
 

Do you have the M or the MH? I throw a lot of 3/16-1/4 T rigs, so I’m leaning toward the M. 
 

Remember, I’m coming off mainly Abu rounds, and not much serious fishing in the last 10 years... so anything being discussed is going to be a serious improvement, ha. 

I have a carbonlite mh and m. I really like them. I throw 3/16 on the m. The m is my new favorite rod, it’s light and plenty sensitive. The mh was my only casting rod for a while and I never felt like was missing anything. 

[AmmoGuy]

31 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

I have a carbonlite mh and m. I really like them. I throw 3/16 on the m. The m is my new favorite rod, it’s light and plenty sensitive. The mh was my only casting rod for a while and I never felt like was missing anything. 

Good info. 
Thanks. 

[PhishLI]

3 hours ago, AmmoGuy said:

$60 more than the BP combo.... decisions decisions. 
 

You can get a Fuego CT for $30+ less on many sites. ALF is a legit seller.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2017-Daiwa-Fuego-CT-6-3-1-Casting-Reel-FGCT100H/272610084088?epid=24034860489&hash=item3f78d3c4f8:g:KrUAAOSwrlddUkkp

 

I've bought multiple reels from Alpha2omega. Great.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Daiwa-Fuego-CT-7-3-1-Right-Hand-Baitcast-Fishing-Reel-FGCT100HS/303295495808?epid=566108388&hash=item469dd1fe80:g:LtIAAOSwiBFdilN3

 

[kayaking_kev]

Fuego CT can usually be had at Walmart for $75 and I'm not sure how the Tatula compares to the Tatula XT, but the XT is/was on sale at Sportsman Outfitters for $70.