Arv

I can't tell a difference. I think you get more from the action of the trailer and skirt and kicking up dirt on the bottom. Just my observations.

Centrifugal

x2

What doesn't come in a left handed model? The Pro Qualifier definitely does. Both of mine are.

Rage Craw Reaction Innovation Beavers Strike King Rodent Color- Brown, Green, Black/Blue

Sorry, the reel is not on sale anymore. I just checked BPS. That still doesn't change my opinion though.

I would agree for the most part. I'll give you my 2 cents though. I would pick the Pro Qualifier over the other reels at the 100 dollar mark. Not only is it a nice size and has a 1 piece aluminum frame, it also has dual brakes - centrifugal and magnetic, which, in my opinion, puts it above the other reels in its price range. I have 2 and I'll be honest, I don't think there's that much of a difference between my PQ and my Lew's Tournament Speed Spool, which is 160 dollars, full price. I like the Lew's TSS more, but its not a head over heels sort of thing. Especially with the PQ on sale for 80 bucks, it would be a no brainer for me. But again, that's my 2 cents.

Yes, we do. Everyone has a different opinion and you will hear a lot of them. If I was you I'd look at other tackle reviews, on the retailer's websites (BPS, Cabelas, etc.) and/or independent organizations. Tack tour and *** do a lot of reviews that may be helpful. Eventually its going to be you that makes the final call since you'll be the one using it.

yup

I'd go with the Advantage or SS. The Caenen doesn't have a 1 peice aluminum frame like the other 2. If it was me I'd get that Advantage from the flea market but the SS is a good reel too. You might consider the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier. I believe its on sale for 80 at BPS.

You might be able to call and ask for the discount.

At 80 bucks the pro qualifier is a steal. That gets my vote. But the Revo S is also a good reel.

Usually Shimano, Daiwa, G. Loomis and some others don't go on sale. Sometimes companies will have special "deals so good they can't advertise" that you have to call in to hear and its the companies that they aren't advertising on the website.At least thats what I remember from this past Christmas.

I'd spool up with mono first. You may catch a nasty backlash you need to cut out. Hopefully it doesn't happen, but if it does, it won't hurt as bad cutting out expensive fluoro or something like that.

Jigs, texas rigs, buzzbaits, swim jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, carolina rigs, lighter swimbaits, possibly frogs. You can use that set up for a lot. Line will determine the uses some, but it will cover a broad spectrum

M-MH power and a Moderate action rod is ideal for treble hooks. I use a 6'9 MH/M rod for lipless cranks, squarebills, walking top water baits (spooks, etc.) and hard jerkbaits. I don't know your budget but you may want to check out bass tackle depot or the fish ranger. btd has their memorial day sale going on now for 25% off most things and tfr has a great deal on powell rods. I just picked up another Powell Endurance for 109 the other day. The Veritas is a good rod, I have one myself, but I think there are other options out there depending what you have to spend. If not, nothing wrong with your current selection.

I'm in the party with the spinning rod. I find myself, at least lately, using finesse set ups more often. You should be able to cover the majority of moving lures (spinners, swim jigs, chatterbaits, light swimbaits, etc.), as well as your bottom contact presentations, with your current set up until you get another rig for another purpose. For this reason, I would not get a designated cranking set up since I feel like that rod/reel is a little less versatile. I would opt for a M-ML power rod with a F-XF tip. Like I mentioned, this will let you throw finesse lures - light jigs, weightless worms, shakey heads, etc. and possibly lipless cranks, depending on the rod. I throw a 1/2oz red eye shad on my Dobyns 702 comfortably and have not problem fighting a fish with it. However, that's my opinion. If you know you really like cranking and don't want to mess with slow and light finesse presentations, that's totally your call.

I use one rod for my cranking. Its the Powell Endurance 695. Medium Heavy with a Moderate action. I use it for squarebills and lipless cranks. I like it because it has plenty of backbone to rip cranks through/off weeds and has a nice tip that doesn't let me rip the trebles out of a fishes mouth. I don't really throw any deep diving cranks on this rod. I don't think they make this version any more but there are definitely still Endurance cranking rods. If they are in your budget I'd suggest checking them out. I am very happy with mine. As far as line goes, I don't use braid on my cranking set up. I use copolymer. If you are going to use braid though, I would strongly suggest finding a moderate action to absorb hook sets.

Any of the Shimano 50/51's. I have a Curado 51e and I love it for finesse fishing.

Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier. Best reel for $100 by far. At least I think so.

Can't really go wrong with a texas rigged worm. Thats what I learned to fish on (and squarebills).

You can actually buy that PQ/Carbonlite combo for about 160. I'd recommend that. As far as tackle goes, I feel like a 3/0-4/0 offset or EWG hook will let you rig most plastics. I would get some 1/4-1/2oz bullet weights, preferably tungsten if you ask me. Then some combination of stick worms (can't go wrong with GY Senkos but I also like Yum Dingers and BPS Stick-O's), trick worms, ribbon tail worms, creature baits (brush hawg, lizard, etc.), flukes and/or super flukes and some craw style lures (I like Rage Tail Craws and Reaction Innovation Sweet Beavers). Then some spinner baits and some jigs and swim jigs (1/4 - 1/2oz depening on which rod you get). That should give you a good start.

Has anyone used one of the spinning rods? I hear a lot of great stuff about the casting rods, just wondered if anyone has experience with the spinning version, specifically the lighter models. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum! Glad to hear you're getting the fishing bug. As far as rods go, of the two you mentioned, I would definitely consider the Veritas over the Sellus. Two other rods I will recommend looking at though are the Shimano Compre and the ***. I have a Compre and like it a lot. I would personally choose the Compre over all the other $100 rods I've used. With that said, I have not handled one of the new Omens but I have nothing but great reviews about it. They might be worth checking out.

BPS PQ, Shimano Citica, Abu Revo S, Daiwa Lexa, Lews Tournament. Or if you can find anything higher up used/on sale or whatever, that seems like a no brainer.