Darren.

Welcome aboard! 🤙 New gear is always fun, but not always necessary.

Welcome aboard! 🤙

Welcome aboard, Leon! 🤙

I have no experience with any of the reels you specify; however, I have a majority of Shimano spinning reels, the best being Stradics. That said, the pricing scheme has changed a bit, naming, too, and I haven't bought anything new in years. All that being what it is, I am also a fan of Daiwa and would have no problem picking one up. The JM, as stated above are probably fine, tho maybe not fully equivalent to current Daiwa models. Though I have no proof of that. I would be fine trying a JM out. The warranty seems pretty good. Held them this past weekend at the local BPS, they were very smooth and the bail felt great.

I agree with Hank. I'm all for technology, but FFS does not feel to me like it belongs in the tournaments. Hank's take and comparison to MLB and golf with the added rubber compounds changing the balls is spot on. The past two weekend Bassmaster tourneys have felt...odd to me. The big bag hauls in the first day are extraordinary. Multiple 8 pounders on Lake Fork? It's unnatural, I tell ya! 😁 The whole watching the FFS sonar while the dude plays FFS video game and BANG, there's the bite! It just feels like a cheat code.

Welcome aboard! 🤙

Welcome aboard, Grant! 🤙

Welcome aboard, Kisu! 🤙🏻

Couple years back I had a very mild case of Shingles across my left chest under peck to the back. Yeah. Even a mild case was bad enough. I was fortunate to catch it early and had two bouts of the pill that limited its reach, and was helped immensely by Gabapentin which took the edge off of the electrical fire-like itching. Good luck and recovery quickly, @Ski!

I've been happy with a 6'6" ML Carbonlite from BPS. Not a newer one, but paired with a Chronarch 50, I use for all finesse stuff. Spinning is my go-to, tho.

Welcome aboard! 🤙🏻

Heh. Welcome back!

Welcome aboard, Leeboy!

Welcome aboard! I do not use a swivel between braid and leader. I always use a knot. I would think a swivel would interfere with going through the guides and cause damage to the guides, and in turn to your line. Not worth losing a fish over, IMO.

Welcome aboard, Ben!

Welcome aboard!

Hey Joe, welcome aboard!

Hi, Josh, welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Jim!

Welcome aboard, Steve!

Welcome aboard, Ryan!

Some great box styles mentioned. My Kast Kings arrived today, pretty nice, impressive latching mech. Thicker plastic mean slightly less space than my BPS boxes (3600s). I would say for my Ned baits and term gear, one less "square". Terminal tackle - I almost feel the need to move to a 3700 size, but not gonna pull the trigger just yet. Want to see how these perform for my style out on the H20. Edit- Pic added, lighting not great. Open area not yet filled. Also, wondering how the Elastec plastic will behave with the more rigid plastic of the Kast King. The softer BPS kit did warp, tho I would say that was from sun and such as opposed to the Elastec plastics in the kit.

Funny you should post this an hour ago. Earlier today I purchased a 2 box set of the 3600 size off Amazon. Should be here tomorrow. Plan on making one my terminal box, the other my Ned rig box...or cranks. Changing over from the BPS boxes you get on sale often. Those are warping now. Was considering the Plano Edge, but the $$ made me balk, then the search showed the Kast King and I watched some reviews and decided to pull the trigger. $22 for 2.

Really good vid, @Glenn!

Those quotes got me, too. Save the juicy stuff for the end of the article so as not to prejudice us against him.