Just picked up new rod for swimbait fishing and could use some recommendations

[Wetwater]

20 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Probably, but the rod will tell you. Understand that you cannot generate max energy from a seated position. Think of swinging a bat sitting in a chair. With your legs and hips removed from the equation you simply cannot generate even close to the energy as a standing cast. With that, the rod will more than likely be fine with that weight.

 

If you're going to purchase a new reel, skip the Tranx 201. Get a Tatula 200 which holds quite a bit more line and is way less touchy to dial in, or a Curado 300 which is very nice, or a Tatula 300 which is top of the food chain. No reason to go with a Tranx if you're not fishing in salt, IMO.

 

20 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Probably, but the rod will tell you. Understand that you cannot generate max energy from a seated position. Think of swinging a bat sitting in a chair. With your legs and hips removed from the equation you simply cannot generate even close to the energy as a standing cast. With that, the rod will more than likely be fine with that weight.

 

If you're going to purchase a new reel, skip the Tranx 201. Get a Tatula 200 which holds quite a bit more line and is way less touchy to dial in, or a Curado 300 which is very nice, or a Tatula 300 which is top of the food chain. No reason to go with a Tranx if you're not fishing in 

That is a good point.  I don't plan on ever doing any salt water fishing so that being the case would the curado 300k have everything I would need? Also, this is only my 3rd season of taking bass fishing seriously so I might have a silly question or two and its just because I'm not familiar with it all yet.  Definitely still a novice.  When you refer to the curado 300 are you referring to actually the curado 300 k? Thanks

[PhishLI]

On 12/22/2023 at 2:42 PM, Wetwater said:

When you refer to the curado 300 are you referring to actually the curado 300 k?

Yup.

Shimano Curado 300 K Casting Reels | Tackle Warehouse

[Wetwater]

On 12/19/2023 at 5:49 PM, webertime said:

1-3ish oz a Tatula 200 in 6.3 ratio is the ticket on that rod (had one).  DC reels don't generally have the line capacity you want unless you're using braid.

Would you recommend the 200 over the 300? What lures worked well for you when you used that combo? I was leaning towards a shimano 300 but after reading some more, it sounds like the tatula is easier to dial in with the breaking. Did you find this to be the case as well? Also, do you think I can throw a 8inch magdraft with that combo that you had or would I need something beefier? Thanks

[webertime]

Tat 200 tops out at 3ish oz.  It's probably mental but that's my limit for it.  Tons of dudes on the Underground go large on the 200.  An 8" magdraft is 3 and some change ounces?  That would be as big as I'd go for sure.  

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, Wetwater said:

I was leaning towards a shimano 300 but after reading some more, it sounds like the tatula is easier to dial in with the breaking.

The reason I recommended the K 300 is that it uses the older set-and-forget VBS brakes, just like the good old days, and just like the Tranx 300 and 400. Very predictable. Very nice. The Tranx 200 uses SVS Infinity brakes which can be touchy, IMO, especially with heavier plastic main line. We sent ours packing. Stick with the K 300 if you lean towards Shimano. Ours aren't going packing. The Tat 200 is an easy recommendation especially if you're going with heavy mono or fluoro mainline, which is a good idea, IMO. We have several. Heavy plastic lines flow nicely through the T-wing, and Magforce braking is a breeze and well suited for heavy baits. You'll be good with whichever you choose between the two.

[Wetwater]

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

The reason I recommended the K 300 is that it uses the older set-and-forget VBS brakes, just like the good old days, and just like the Tranx 300 and 400. Very predictable. Very nice. The Tranx 200 uses SVS Infinity brakes which can be touchy, IMO, especially with heavier plastic main line. We sent ours packing. Stick with the K 300 if you lean towards Shimano. Ours aren't going packing. The Tat 200 is an easy recommendation especially if you're going with heavy mono or fluoro mainline, which is a good idea, IMO. We have several. Heavy plastic lines flow nicely through the T-wing, and Magforce braking is a breeze and well suited for heavy baits. You'll be good with whichever you choose between the two.

This is great! Thank you so much.  I'm taking your recommendation and buying the tatula 200. I was going to ask you about the line that you like to use. I love using braid whenever I can and was wondering what you thought about using straight braid with this setup and what you would recommend for lb of braid and brand. I also started using straight fluorocarbon on my dedicated jerkbait combo which I like too, and i am becoming a little more familiar with it. Is it a bad idea to use straight braid? I'm not super confident in my braid to fc leader knots yet but im working on it. I guess I'd prefer to go straight braid or straight FC to start with but I'm open to any suggestions and recommendations.  

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, Wetwater said:

I was going to ask you about the line that you like to use. I love using braid whenever I can and was wondering what you thought about using straight braid with this setup and what you would recommend for lb of braid and brand.

With your particular HF I'd definitely start with quality mono, especially because you've mentioned treble baits. You'll want the stretch. Straight braid is tricky using heavy baits. They catch wind, and if you throw up a loop of braid on the spool it'll instantly lock it up and kiss your bait goodbye. Even 65lb braid can snap at the knot with a few ounces tied on. I have yet to see this happen with mono, copoly, or flouro. Where the braid will lock up on a simple overrun, plastic lines tend to fluff and recover, and if you happen to nest the elasticity of the line saves you from losing the bait. Keep it simple to start off and spool up with 20lb Berkeley Big Game. It's stronger than you can imagine and it's super affordable.  After you get a feel for bigger baits, then begin trying copoly or fluoro if you think you'd like to or need to.

[Wetwater]

22 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

With your particular HF I'd definitely start with quality mono, especially because you've mentioned treble baits. You'll want the stretch. Straight braid is tricky using heavy baits. They catch wind, and if you throw up a loop of braid on the spool it'll instantly lock it up and kiss your bait goodbye. Even 65lb braid can snap at the knot with a few ounces tied on. I have yet to see this happen with mono, copoly, or flouro. Where the braid will lock up on a simple overrun, plastic lines tend to fluff and recover, and if you happen to nest the elasticity of the line saves you from losing the bait. Keep it simple to start off and spool up with 20lb Berkeley Big Game. It's stronger than you can imagine and it's super affordable.  After you get a feel for bigger baits, then begin trying copoly or fluoro if you think you'd like to or need to.

I'm glad I asked.  That all makes a lot of sense. I really appreciate you and everyone else taking the time.  This site is awesome!!