Smallmouth Hunter

Lews reels are really finicky, especially the magnetic only ones (mg and ss). I'd sell the one you have and buy the new speed spool which has centri and mag brakes.

H20 crazy is a great crank.

medium power*

$1350!!!!!??? I don't understand

thats only one of the ways to cast. It can also be cast with a fixed spool like spinning reel.

What kind of line are you going to be using? I'd go with a shimano 51e if you are using braid, or if you're using mono/fluoro 17 lb test or less.

Pretty cool, but obviously not refined or smooth.

How is the fenwick ETS 6'9" ml power, fast action? Does it have a soft tip? How fast is it compared to St. croix's fast? Would you say that the blank is rated correctly, or is it overrated or underrated? What about the lure rating - is it accurate? How sensitive is it? Thanks for any help.

I'd go with a graphite cranking rod like the Abu veritas winch or something similar.

Not to hijack the thread, but are the fast action Kovert rods as fast as the *** fast actions? The omens seem to have faster fast actions.

X2It's fun to collect rods and reels. I'm not into collecting baits/lures as I stick with what works for the most part, but rods/reels are a different story.

You could probably get it anodized, but it would wear off after use so it wouldn't be your best option. I would go for the jdm TWS part and put it in your reel. It is also Ti coated which is a bonus

So you haven't used any but you're basically recommending one? That's a bit irresponsible.

Wet your knot before you tighten it down. If you don't, it will harm your line that is under the loops in the Alberto knot, which will lower your knot strength.

Flush the bearings, train your thumb, don't whip the heck out of the rod when you cast

The skeet Reese rods aren't too bad, but I would much rather take a veritas. The veritas is a really nice for the price. It can be bought for 70-80 just about anywhere. I would rather take a *** or tatula if there is a sale, but if I can't wait that long the veritas is my 1st choice.

Yes of course it will be able to set the hook on a shakey head. Shakey heads typically have thinner diameter wire hooks, so less effort will be needed. Too much backbone will straighten out these hooks on a solid hookset, so the 7'1 tatula will be too much for most shakey heads. If you feel like you can't set the hook on some hookset a with the rod, reel more before you set the hook so so you get as much line pickup as possible so that your hookset pulls directly on the hook, and not on any slack line. Good luck.

My parents bought me a curado 200b (bantam) when I was about 12. Great reel, but the heavy spool makes it quite hard to use for lighter baits. If you want to treat him, get him a curado 51e. One of the best reels I've ever used. Should cost about 120 or so for a good condition used one. I got mine for $85 after looking around for a while. The chronarch looks better than the curado IMO, but the curado is the same reel basically. If you want to spend a little less, grab one of those new lews speed spools. Retail for 99, and have dual brakes and an aluminum frame. I wouldn't pay $100 for one, but if you catch a sale and get one for 75-85, that's a good deal!

I agree but I was going by the OP's topic question.

I'd say no. I personally don't mind the plastic star drag. I don't see much of advantage with the 1.5 gram lighter spool of the type R. I would much rather spend the extra $50 elsewhere. You could buy upgraded bearings, and bearings for the knobs and level wind.

Check out the 6'9" ml xf avid. I used one about a year ago on one trip and it was one sweet stick! That is coming from someone who doesnt like xf action rods for the most part too. I believe the same rod is in the LTB line too.

Yo-Zuri is alright line, but if you backlash minorly or get any kinks in the line, it will break off pretty easily. I stopped using it a few weeks ago and switched to McCoy and others.

I really like the avid because the blanks (along with all other st. Croix blanks) feel different than others, but in a good way. They have the best tapers out of any other rod I have used. That being said, I feel that st. Croix rods are definitely not the "best bang for your buck". If you can find one on sale, get it, but retail price is too high for the components and performance you get. Also, I wish they would lose the coated blanks and go for the raw look that kistler rods and other have.

You could get a custom built on a baitcasting glass blank.

spinning or casting rods?