LuckyHandsINC.

That's what I do too. It avoids the annoying knot under my thumb.

I have always used what I have around. This year I ran out of left overs so I bought some zebco omniflex from wal mart. 700 yards for $2.88 don't get much cheaper than that.

I would use for spinnerbaits as well, but I suppose it would be good for any close quarters target casting.

The bait monkey is most certainly not a myth. If I'm home on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with nothing to do there is a good chance I go to dicks or gander mountain just to buy some stuff I KNOW I don't need. When it comes to rods and reels I know my next four to five purchases before I even have money for the first one.

I like the Rage Tail Space Monkey.

Where I'm fishing usually dictates which combos are coming with me, but what's really important is ADRIAN PETERSON MVP... YEAHHHHH BOYYYYYYY Piscicidal AP is my favorite player too. Vikings are my favorite team.

I would like to see Dobyn's use a split reel seat,maybe EVA grips. I prefer split EVA grips and split reel seat, but since the change to the cumaras and the discontinuation of the cumulus I have no options. When I look on TW there is really only two brands that have anything to offer me Loomis which gives me split grip and reel seat but I have to settle for cork and cost $500 + or dobyns which is a better price but have to settle on the reel seat and cork.

NRX 893 no doubt the most unbelievable rod I've ever fished. Got it for well under retail as a rep.sample from The Hook Up Tackle.

•Rage Shellcracker •Sunline Shooter •Sunline Super Natural •Revo Premier gen3 •Dobyns DX743,DX744

I think I agree with you. Even though I've seen plenty of stories the reels I own and opened have proved otherwise. The last reels I opened 3 patriarch xt's,revo mgx, gen 1 premier, gen 3 premier and team lews all very clean and properly lubed. I'm sure it does happen from time to time but I think a lot of it is blown out of proportion.

My five most expensive pieces of equipment are NRX 893 Shimano Cumulus 7'1 MH Revo MGX DX 744 DX745 Looks like rods win.

BINGO. You can learn all day about brakes and spool tension but IMO none of this matters. All my reels stay set up the same way 100% of the time. Spool tension just tight enough to take out side to side movement of the spool,brakes obviously differ to each reel but stay the same respectively.Like okiboji said smooth out the cast. Don't try to whip it out there. Let the rod loud up and cast the lure smoothly and easily. If your new to casting reels it may be a good idea to set the reel up as others have said but to me the mechanics of the cast are more important than how the reel is set up.

I agree with this post 100%. Spend as much as you can on the rod and look at the revo s or something else in that price range. Maybe wait for a sale if you have to. If your going to be fishing bottom contact baits you'll be happy you did.

I'm surprised to see no one mention Hooked Up Baits Turbo Tails. They are a small company but they have a decent following among the people I fish with. They were recommended to me by the best the tube fisherman I know and they have not dissapointed. What makes them different is the shorter body and longer tail. I mostly use road kill camo color because that is also what he uses exclusively and he always catches fish.

TW has them. Each size is listed as a separate bait. So don't choose the craw and look for size options,just click the picture of the baby craw.

I was reading the Berkley nanofil thread and a couple people mentioned I had better feel on slack line. Everyone also mentioned that it broke and frayed very easily so I won't be trying it. I thought nanofil and 832 had a similar concept so I was wondering if 832 also has better slack line feel than ordinary braid. I haven't heard much about 832 breaking problems but maybe you guys could enlighten me on that as well. Thank you guys in advance.

Maybe inconsistent wasn't the right word, or maybe I am the one who is inconsistent. I'm pretty well experienced with casting reels but we all throw a lazy cast now and then. With the centrifugal brakes I can usually catch it before it becomes a giant mess. With the zillion these lazy cast were a mess. Sometimes I feel like I do everything th same and still get a little mess. I will say it does allow for some pretty effortless and impressive casts but I feel better with other braking systems.

Although I thought the drag was ok on the zillion you say you would have upgraded it to carbontex. Korean reels come with carbon washers. Shouldn't have to upgrade the drag on a $320 reel. Also my zillion was in 100% working order.

I had a zillion. Gave it to my friend for free after it sat at home for 3 seasons. I'm not a shimano guy but I would much prefer a core and even a chronarch for that matter. I do not understand the love for this reel. The weight which has been mentioned is just rediculous. It cast light lure very poorly. The brakes are inconsistent and though the gears are smooth the lack of bearings in the knobs is noticeable. How they charge what they do and can't even give you bearings in the knobs is crazy. I would take any $200 and up reel from the Korean factory Pflueger, lews Abu I over it any day and have multiple times. Let me finish by saying DO NOT pay full price NOT worth it at all.

I like the keitech swing impact the best on a swim jig.

Abu totally copied the chronarch. I could see if maybe they were trying to match their best selling rod that was also black and white but this is not the case..... Oh wait...yeah

I have a Team Lews. It's a smooth and effortless caster, and is maybe my smoothest reel on the retrieve. The only problem I have is the profile of the reel does not fit me great. Overall it's comfortable but the way I palm my reels I think is the problem. I do a full palm with my pointer finger under the level wind and my thumb on top. The lews have sort of a snub nose design( don't really know what we to call it) and the distance between my thumb and pointer finger is too much. Makes it uncomfortable for me. Don't know if that made any sense but those are my thoughts on the lews.

Very strong and abrasion resistant but its like trying to cast a slinky through your guides. It would make a great leader but I pretty much hate it as a main line.

I like to use a little oil on the drum. I've never seen any negative effects. It keeps it smooth and prevents the brakes from having too much of an effect. I will continue to do it because I like it and I trust DVT's opinion, but based i the answers I guess it's sort of a preference thing.

I also like the mh. I use a 6'8 mh/fast cumara. Like it a lot. Mostly use 3/8 and 1/2 oz spinnerbaits.