Darren.

Agreed. And welcome aboard, Tom!

Good gravy! Beast of a fish.

In-store only sales right now. If you can find a BPS near you, maybe they'll have stock, maybe not. Either way, after the in-store Spring Classic, it will probably go online, and you might find deals then. Maybe, not for certain at this point. EDIT: Price depends on length and whether or not micro. I bought my 6'6" ML for $63 and change (tax included).

Hey David, welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Matt!

Chronarch 50e for me. But "best" is quite subjective. I like smaller, lighter reels. 50e fits the bill perfectly for me. But there are plenty of excellent options in that price range, though. Get your hands on 'em at your local BPS, Cabelas, or local shop and feel how they palm in your hand, the smoothness, etc. Got big hands, small hands? Does reel weight bother you? Prefer larger, smaller reels, etc.? I own Shimano, Daiwa, Quantum. 50e reels are the most expensive I own, and about all I use now.

Whichever you choose, I think you'll be best served with a fast or extra fast tip for wacky rig, soft plastics fishing. Just my opinion. St. Croix will tend to be a tad stiffer than the rating, at least in my experience. I'd think the Triumph X would be fine for your purpose, or the Fenwick fast tip. Really, if you can get your hands on all these rods prior to purchase, the better. Even better is getting your new Lexa 2500 on all the rods to compare how it feels in your hands.

On Sunday I got to fish side-by-side with the black Carbonlite and the white model - both with Shimano 1000-size reels. The white was - by far - more tip-light than the black, and the black was a ML 6'6" I had just bought the day before for 40% off. I took it back that evening to Bass Pro and exchanged it for a white 6'6" M rod. I have three other black Carbonlites, a 6'6" M spinning rod that is very close to the 6'6" white in lightness, but is still heavier in the tip. The black casting rods I have are lighter than the spinning rods, and balance perfectly with my Chronarch 50e reels. Either rod will serve your needs well. The odd thing to me was that the ML black was heavier than my M black. Not sure why, if it was a fluke. But it was a no brainer to return it for a white model. Bottom line for me, thus far, I'm pleased with where the white rods are going. I wasn't early on, but now that I've fished one, my mind has changed.

Yeah, it really is a "what fits you" or "what you like" type of thing. I just happen to like smaller reels. Kind of fits with my baitcasting, too, as I prefer my Chronarch 50e reels over any other baitcasters I have. I am not a big guy, don't have big hands, and smaller lighter gear is less strenuous on my elbows.

It is fine to learn baitcasting, but only if you really want to. It is not necessary to use one for bass fishing, as *plenty* on this forum can attest to. For me, I can say I chose to learn baitcasting because I wanted to, but I could do everything with spinning if that's all I had to use. Up to you, man.

I have two 1000FI Stradics and they're used for bass fishing. I have caught dozens of bass over 5 pounds with these on M powered rods. I personally prefer that size over 2500 and such. And don't think it is a necessity to have a larger reel for bass fishing. Nothing I've encountered thus far has given me pause (including 4lb pickerel, catfish, etc.). 10lb Power Pro spooled on gives me plenty of line for playing a larger fish if I need to. Just my .02.

Welcome aboard!

So I was in Richmond, VA for a soccer tourney for one of my boys. During the downtime I went to the BPS there as I knew they had old Carbonlites (called first). I wanted a 6'6" M, settled for a ML as the only 6'6" models were 2 piece, not what I wanted. Anyhow, today my buddy and I walked a local pond and fished. Me with my ML Carbonlite + a Stradic 1000FI, him with his new white Carbonlite (M 6'6") + a new Sahara 1000. I tried it out. The white was WAY more tip-light than my ML. SOOoooo, I went to the Hampton BPS tonight, exchanged the ML for a new white M. Anyhow, not sure why the ML was so different in tip-heaviness. My black M is only a tad more tip-heavy than the white M, but less so than the ML. Curious.

A legend, who coached future legends. RIP, coach.

Have a happy!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

I've used Eagle Claws in the past. My primary hooks are Gamakatsu. I like Split Shot/Dropshot hooks in 1/0 on which I tie my own weedless guards. Also like the Wide Gap Finesse hooks. Gammy O'Shaugnessy hooks for TX rigging. Also use/used Owner, VMC, Daichii, others. Gammy has my attention for quality, availability, sharpness, and general durability.

Made a huge difference for me with lighter lures. I can throw weightless, wacky rigged Zoom Tiny Flukes on my 50e/6'6"ML Carbonlite combo. Not very far, granted, but I can cast 'em. I can pinpoint Zoom Finesse worms 30+ feet. So I am *very* happy with the bearing upgrades.

The Hampton, VA BPS sent all their rods to corporate. Fortunately for me, I was in Richmond today for a soccer tourney and was able to hit their BPS during downtime between games. Picked up a 6'6" ML spinning Carbonlite for $60. I'd say there were maybe 25 CLs there, a few black Johnny Morris Sigs, some Rage, and other rods. Wanted a 6'6" M Carbonlite, but settled for the ML. Good to go now with my four main rigs having Carbonlites, Cronarch 50e's and Stradic 1000FI's.

Nice reel, impressive spool time. Got ABEC 7's from HawgTech on my two Chronarch 50e reels. Love 'em!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Was a tad disappointed in this years' sale. I wanted to see a broader sale on terminal tackle as in years past (at least to my recall). Wish local BPS kept the old black Carbonlites in stock rather than sending their stock back to corporate. But, I bought 1 bag of Zoom Finesse worms in Sprayed Grass (to try out), and a 50 count bag of Junebug Stik-o's. On that, I wish BPS offered more variety of Stik-Os in the 50 count. Would like to have seen some 4" versions in Watermelon Magic, heck, any in that color. But hey, was a good deal, and I'm determined to have success with Junebug, so there ya have it!