bigfruits

not for $40

3/8 - 1/2 oz Jig MB FMJ 7'1" 3/8 - 1/2 oz Spinnerbaits old G Loomis GLX 783c 6'6"

JDM Metanium MGL or Aldebaran for around $300 shipped. I believe an Aldebaran MGL is coming out soon. https://www.digitaka.com/list.php?category=14&series=CASTING REEL&item=METANIUM+MGL https://www.digitaka.com/list.php?category=14&series=CASTING REEL&item=ALDEBARAN

4 Danny Carey is incredible.

Daemos would be a great choice. a bit faster than the XX DSR. not a great long distance caster but very well balanced, sensitive and crisp. perfect for t-rig when a MH rod is in order. i also use it for heavier weightless plastics (5" senko, fat ika), rage rig, 1/4-3/8oz jigs and single hook moving baits around 1/2oz.

i color all of my hi viz yellow line with black sharpie. im sure there is more contrast with black but it looks more natural so gives me confidence. also makes it easy to gauge depth in shallow water.

i think a lot of the problem is that many rods are poorly balanced so the longer it is, the more fatiguing it is. a well balanced rod can feel way lighter than an unbalanced one even if it is considerably heavier. even after several hours of continuous use. a well balanced longer rod can be a game changer. that being said, i like 7-7'3" for most apps. i am 5'10"

im right handed and a righty reel used to work for me. i tried a lefty reel one day, sold all of my right hand BC reels and havent looked back. they both work, one will be better for you. i think there is more to it than dominant hand. i like to work the bait and cast the rod with my dominant hand. my left hand has never felt weak on the reel. i fish jerk baits and walking topwaters a lot more since i made the change. ive seen right handed people skateboard/snowboard in goofy stance and i have seen right handed people shoot rifles with the right hand on the foregrip and vice versa. try both and then decide.

im willing to bet its the balance. i have some 7'3" rods that feel more dextrous than some rods ive fished under 7'. go to a good store and handle some rods, even those that you dont plan on buying because of price. dont be shy, bring a reel and strap it on.

d**n. im one inch from being a short guy. 7' is not a long rod IMO. for pitching i like 6'8"-7'. for casting moving baits i like it a little longer. have you tried a 7' rod or do you just think it will be too long? give it a shot if you havent. get something light and well balanced. sensitive (or one that has low sensitivity dampening - thats for WRB) because its for jigs!

you can use spinning for anything. i myself prefer spinning for small jigs and plastics. for moving baits, especially those with a bit of resistance, ill take a baitcaster. just another tool/toy to choose from - enhances the hobby. try a good left handed (assuming you reel with your left hand) baitcaster some time!

MB FMJ

from what ive read, the 895 would be way too heavy to be versatile. I dont think its gets more sensitive than the NRX line. a problem with the heavier powered ones are that they are not well balanced. The 843 is OK and the 873 (sits between 893 and 894 in power) starts to suck. I find the reel seats to be uncomfortable on the NRXs- but that may not be the case for you. I'd handle one (with reel) if you can. The reel seat and balance made me trade my 873c for a MB FMJ and i am glad i did. I still have the 842c and 843c and I like them with smaller reels... I'd look into the 893c. Very well liked rod. I hear the balance is OK. Many say its perfect for 3/8oz jigs and some say its just a bit underpowered for those. I can vouch for the 852s. My favorite spinning rod. I hear the 872s is great too but i wouldnt use either for 3/8oz jigs.

yamamoto double tail grub on an arky or football jig. also a big fan of baby rage craw, rage grub and RI beaver.

i backed over a 15 pack of beer a few weeks ago before a fishing trip. 5 survived. doesnt come close to losing what your friend did. i feel for him!

what reel is it? what is the IPT? 6.3:1 for shallow cranks and spinnerbaits should be fine. if the 6.3:1 you use now is fine for burning spinnerbaits i see no need for a faster reel. i dont like buzzbaits on a 6.3:1 but you did not mention that bait. its boils down to preference really.

i cannot fish aluminum reels for fresh water bass any more. youre missing the point.

the most sensitive rods (or the ones that dampen the feel the least ) ive fished are NRX, MB Destroyer USA and GLX. I'd love to try a Kistler.

at least 6:1. id go with 7:1 with most of them except for some of the larger chatterbaits. its easy to slow down, the question to me would be - do i need the extra power?

NRX 852s is my favorite spinning rod by far

telling someone they are doing something wrong because they don't want to fish with crappy gear (yes, it does catch fish) is a bit offensive IMO. and on social media you will get bashed for less than that. I don't think you are doing it wrong by fishing with $15 dollar combos but youre definitely missing out!

I can eat $2 fast food burgers every night and survive. I choose not to because I enjoy food. if I said anyone who spends more than $15 on food and does not get 3 meals is doing it wrong, what would you say to me?

for a dedicated plastics rod id do XF, no doubt. i like Med for senkos if not in cover. MH/XF for an all around plastics rod would be my choice. sensitive and well balanced. with loomis you have the expeditor service so buy what you can afford and treat it like a $100 rod. GLX and NRX are great for bottom contact and slack line presentations.

you might be. just lie and you wont come of as one though.

gear is too personal to pick for someone. tackle warehouse gift card is the win. competitive prices and they have almost everything. he will say "how the fk did you know?"