Darren.

I just happened to go that way when I bought my Shimano Stradics and Compre rods to match, but before that, I was mix/match. I have other spinning setups that are not Shimano/Shimano, but I don't use them, my kids do. And before I bought my first Compre, I went in to BPS to buy an Avid. But the BPS dudes convinced me after a lot of back-n-forth to go with Shimano. The primary reason was the over-the-counter warranty. All that said, I'd like to go St. Croix (Premier or Avid, depends on available $$) for my new Daiwa Lexa 100. Currently mounted on a Field & Stream IM 7 rod. I know exactly what I'm getting when I pick up my Stradic combos. And likewise, since I have no Compre casting rods, I know what I'm missing when I pick up my baitcasters. Conversely, if I had Avid or Crucial casting rods, I'd probably say the reverse is true.

There's a lot of brand loyalty when it comes to line, reels, rods, lures, etc. I personally do not like the *feel* (very subjective) of the many Pflueger reels I've tested (including the President, and yes, some mounted on rods, some not). Same goes with BPS, Quantum, even Daiwa reels I've tried/used. The President does, indeed, get great reviews. So obviously worthy of your attention. For me, Shimano reels felt the best, but not all of them. And of the many I have tried, the Stradics are my favorites. But I like the Symetre and Sahara as well. And don't forget Okuma reels! Not dissing the other brands as they all have their adherents. This is my personal taste. You should get your hands on several different brands at local sporting goods stores and determine which feels best in your hands. Definitely check the reviews, as I think you have, beforehand so you go in with some educated guesses. The President may become your choice. I'm not trying to sway you to Shimano... Heck, I just bought a Daiwa Lexa 100 baitcaster that is winning me over with every cast, so I'm not married to one brand.

Welcome aboard!

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

In a quick search I did not see an answer to this specific question, so here goes: Do you always use a trailer when you fish a jig?

I actually had the most success on Zoom watermelon gold flake lizards (5+") rigging them wacky! A wacky rigged lizzie is not something often seen and I caught a 6+ and one I estimated between 7&8 (jumped and spit hook just out of reach of net) within 30 minutes of each other. Rigged 'em that way on a whim one day when I said "why not wacky?!" Let me clarify, I had the most success with this method in PRE-spawn and during the spawn.

My Lexa 100HS arrived on Saturday, spooled it up today with 10lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid green and threw a 1/4 oz plug in the yard for a while. Casts like a dream, has splendid feel, smooth. Light years better than my Accurists. Next I tied on a 2/0 BPS round bend worm hook and put a 5" lizard on it to see how it would cast with a light setup. Backlashed the first time, but zero kinks in the line, line was uncrossed anywhere and easily unnested. So I set the spool tension and futzed with the mag v cast control until I could cast between 20 and 30 yards with the weightless lizard (a Zoom liz). Not sure the weight of the hook + lizard, but am so far quite impressed. Hopefully will get out on the water this week to put 'er thru the paces.

Welcome to the site!

That screen name is awesome! :-)

Yup.

I'd have to agree with the Boga. Even though I don't have one YET. I would think you could set your drag on one, perhaps a strong hook around the clasp? On my current, el cheapo Boga knock off I have done line breakage tests, so can't see why you couldn't.

I'm just curious here, do you guys insure with USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc., the product you send? If so, doesn't that cover losses, failed delivery, etc.? Sorry if that's an ignorant question, I am honestly curious on this topic.

21farms, have you had a chance to fish the Lexa yet? I'm expecting mine (hopefully) tomorrow. Can't wait to try it out.

For weightless senkos w/baitcaster I use a MF rod. If I were to buy a new one today I'd buy a M XF similar to my two Shimano Compre spinning rods which I use for weightless soft plastics all the time. I prefer the XF tip with a M backbone. Best way to avoid [actually not avoid, it is inevitable :-)] bird nesting is something I learned watching Bill Dance on TV. Cast a plug as far as you can, then place a piece of electrical tape across the spool. Now if you nest, it'll only spoil to the tape, not the entire spool...

Beautiful small mouth. Beautiful...

I think a MH rod/reel combo is an all-around combo in many eyes. But for me, I'll agree with BassHunter that a M will fit the bill just fine. And if you go with a St. Croix, you'll find that a M/Fast rod is more a MH. At under $300 you should be able to find a really good rod/reel combo that fits you to at "T". If you can get to a Bass Pro, or other outfitter, ask to try out particular reels on rods you fancy. That way you'll get the feel of the combo and can rule out stuff you thought might be good, but ended up too heavy, light, etc.

Wide spool is better if you are spooling up straight mono, copoly, or fluoro. But is not necessary if you go with braid mainline + leader.

This would be my choice, braid + FC (actually, FC would not be my 1st choice, that'd be P-Line Floroclear or Yo-Zuri Hybrid). Lots of good braid out there, but for me, Power Pro has become my go-to over other brands. I use 10lb test on my spinning rigs, got one baitcaster spooled with 20, and will spool my new Lexa with 15 or 20 yellow PP. Unless you get a nasty birds nest, it will last a LONG time, and so should your spool of FC since you'll only use it as leader material. Braid will make an Ugly Stik more sensitive.

As an owner of two Stradic 1000FI models, it's a fantastic multi-species reel. Heck, I use mine for bass fishing 98% of the time and have hauled in some beasts with no worries other than if my leader would hold. So there's absolutely no reason you can't use one for smaller species. None. Now I don't know about the Stradic FJ other than reviews and chatting with folks. I know Shimano did replace some metal parts with plastic, but also have been told Shimano would stand by the product should any of the plastic fail. Line management is not a problem if you use braid + leader. I've got a 500 size Sahara and it is fine as well. Daiwa makes a 1500 and 2000 size reel which are somewhat in between...

Haven't used either rod you mention, but if I had the money, it'd be on the St. Croix. Name synonymous with quality, reputation is stellar... Everyone I know who owns one among other rod brands absolutely loves it.

Ditto on the prayers for our friends to the North... Good fishing post-storm. Haven't been able to get out yet myself, but sure have the itch.

That's good info to know. Especially since...well...perhaps I shouldn't have, but I have purchased a Lexa 100 in 7.1:1 ratio. Picked it up for $115 + free shipping on ebay, new. I'll apologize to my wife when she inevitably will find out. Soon. Maybe a dozen roses will help ease her stress over the rash, irrational purchases by her husband. Since I've only known Quantum baitcasters, I suspect I won't know the difference with regard to centrifugal vs. mag brakes. My Shimano experience is with spinning gear, which is top notch, so baitcasting will see a different trek. I'll let the group know what I think when I get her out on the water. Likely to spool with 15 or 20 lb yellow Power Pro + leader.

Welcome to the forums, WDinarte! Great to have your experience added to the group.

Indeed, they will hit just about anything. I've caught several big pick here in VA recently on wacky and TX rigged worms. And also true, at least in my experience, cooler waters = more pickerel.

Only thing I'd think would make a difference is with "bright" lines. I see a lot of crappie, bluegill fisherfolk using neon/bright lines. But I use the same setup I mentioned above regardless of what I'm targeting. 10lb PP Yellow + a leader. The leader is where it comes in handy for me, I can tie on anything from 2lb to whatever, the mainline stays the same, and lasts a long time.