tholmes

Another vote for the Shimano in both cases. A 4000 size reel might be overkill for bass fishing. I'm with JustJames, a 2500 Sahara would be enough. I'd also recommend looking at a Pflueger President spinning reel. Tom

I use Excel also. Clear blue flourescent 4 lb. on ultralights, 6 or 8 lb. on 2500 size reels. I don't really use any spinning gear larger than that. Tom

Another thumbs-up for Big Game. Also check out BPS Excel mono. 1 lb. spools for $26.99 (5000 yards of 10 lb.). I've been using it recently and I'm pleased with the results. Tom

I just picked up a Pflueger President ultra-light reel with a BPS gift card that I got for my birthday. What a sweet little reel! Tom

I've used Rem oil and it works just fine. Any good quality light synthetic oil will work for bearings and levelwind worm gears. Mobil 1 5W-30 is a cheaper alternative that also works just fine. Regular maintenance is much more important than what specific brand of oil that you use. I oil the bearings at least twice each season, and the worm gear gets a little oil more often. For gears, I use Yamaha blue marine grease thinned to the desired consistency with light oil or Tri-Flow. Drag washers get a very light coat of Cal's at the beginning of every season. Tom

I've been using an Abu Vendetta 7' M for several years and I like it a lot. Tom

Yes, it has the shallow wiffle spool. It casts like a dream. I've never tried to cast anything under 1/4 oz., but it casts small squarebills and 1/4 oz. lipless cranks with ease. Good luck finding a Record 40. They show up on ebay occasionally, but they've been out of production for several years now. Why ABU discontinued them I'll never know.?‍♂️ Tom

I have 4 of the Vengeance rods, 2 7' MH, a 6'6" MH and a 6'6"M. IMO, they're the best $50 rod out there, and at 70% discount, you can't go wrong. Tom

It sounds to me like your AR bearing is slipping. Try cleaning it thoroughly, and then lube it, using a cotton swab with one drop of oil, wiping lightly once around the inside. NO MORE OIL. Too much oil in this bearing can cause the problem that you have described. Hope this helps! Tom

It's tough to pick one favorite, they all have their place. If I had to, I'd pick my Abu Record 40 (modified with 2BB levelwind and 2BB cog wheel). Tom

Get the brass, they're generally cheaper and the paint will adhere just fine (better than with plating, in my experience) if you rough them up a little. Tom

It's been ~ 60 years ago, so I really don't remember. Probably a worm under a bobber with a cane pole. I do remember the first one I caught on an artificial lure. About 2 lbs., on a black Jitterbug. Tom

This, or BPS Excel, 17# in clear blue Flourescent. Tom

Abu Vengeance, Berkeley Lightning Rod are both good rods for your price range. Tom

Trilene Big Game 15 lb. or BPS Excel 14 lb. Tom

2006? That isn't even broken in good yet. My newest reel is 4 years old, the oldest (still in regular use) is ~ 50 years old. Most of my gear is at least 10 years old. Regular cleaning and lube keeps them going. I did buy a new baitcasting rod last year to replace a broken one, but the rest of my rods are getting pretty old too. If it still works, I see no reason to replace it. Tom

I can't stand sandals, flip-flops, Crocs, etc. Warm weather shoes are New Balance sneakers, cold weather - Ariat insulated boots. Tom

Can't go wrong with either Pflueger or Shimano. Tom

I still have two of them, a B-100 Mag and a BTX-100 Mag. I don't use them anymore, but they still work just fine. Tom

I was in the same situation last fall. Several years ago, I used to catch a lot of bass on the Slug-go but stopped using them for some unknown reason. I found a couple of bags of them buried deep in my shed. I rigged one up on my next outing and caught two chunky four pounders in less than 1/2 hour. Slug-gos are back in the rotation for next season, for sure! Tom

For bait casters, I use a 10" pole barn nail clamped in my bench vise, for spinning reels, I set the bulk spool on the floor so that the line comes off in the proper direction and wind it on under a little tension. Tom

Barlow's, Jann's Netcraft, and Lure Parts Online all carry them. Tom

Full brim with neck shield. Skin cancer is NOT fun. Tom

I use a MH/F rod for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, deep crankbaits, and some topwaters. I don't fish spinnerbaits enough to have a rod dedicated exclusively to them. Tom

This is what I use for jigs, t-rigs, etc. I'm not too worried about the fish seeing it, I'm more worried about me seeing it. Tom