chelboed

the consensus seems to be (for a single 'all around' rod) 6'6"-7' medium/heavy fast action. What I've found with the Falcon Bucoo is that it feels lighter than average. (I"m not the only one to observe this) So with this rod, I moved to a Heavy.

Why the slow retrieve, DVT? I thought 6.x would be a good all-rounder? Either way, I think I'll save for a Lews Super Duty. Sounds like a precision instrument.

My theories: 1. The Browning is machined really well, but the hardened Alu main gear will eventually feel crappy. The brass/brass gears on my new Lew's aren't even broken in yet (fact) and they will feel smoother within the year. 2. The Browning has a better fit, tighter tolerances, and feel than the Lew's for some reason. I'm kinda leaning toward the first theory. I've also never owned a reel with a ratio higher than 5.4:1...so the 7.1 may just "feel" different to me.

Me: I don't have a boat. I bank fish primarily. I currently have a 22 y.o. Lew's BB-1LMG 5.x:1 ratio, a new Lew's Speed Spool (10-ball) 7.1:1. My old Lews is getting worn out. Lot's of gear mesh feeling. My new Lew's is nice, but it's quite a bit of work on high resistance lures like deep cranks, and double bladed spinners. I was looking at getting a 6.4:1 setup. Something that will be a good All-rounder. My 7.1:1 Speed Spool is really nice compared to my old Lews. (obviously) But there's just a hint of gear mesh feel and gear noise at times when reeling fast. I held and fiddled with the Browning Superlight at Bass Pro the other day. It was one of the smoothest, free'est spooling reels I've ever held. The fit and finish was really amazing for a reel in that price range. Would it be a better all-round'er than just buying another new speed spool in 6.4:1? The main drive gear is hardened aluminum / brass pinion...the Lew's is brass/brass. I'm assuming that the Browning will feel slightly different under a load, so it could very well feel the same as the Lew's spooled and baited. I'm not a weight weenie, but the Lew's is 8oz and the Browning is 6oz. The Lew's is Mag only, the Browning is Mag with a preset centrifugal. I used to have a Browning Speed Spool BB-1LMG and loved it. It was identical to my 22y.o. Lew's Speed Spool which I've loved. Browning: $119.99 on sale for $99.99 Lew's: $99.99 mail in rebate for $20. Total: $79.99 Thanks in advance guys!

Wow, you guys are really out there. Even if you buy mid-lower gear, that's gotta be over a grand just in rods and reels. I can't imagine having a seperate rod for every bait, but I'm glad some are so fortunate and so picky. That's what drives innovation and gets the trickle-down going my direction. Gear is fun to get and to have...but definitely not necessary. Just fun.

Alright, so I was ay wally world and they had Bucoo micro's on sale for $99. I bought a Herm (6'6" MH, MF) went fishing along the weeds and losst 3 fish. I feel like the 6'6" MH felt more like a straight-up medium, so I exchanged it for a 6'10" H, MF. I have not lost a fish yet. I guess Rick Clunn is right. You do really only need 1 rod and it needs to be a "H", hahaha! For the super-experienced fisherman with a little quicker hook-set reflexes...multiple rigs may be helpful. I gotta tell ya though guys'n'gals, I love my 22y.o. Lew's BB-1LMG, but my new 10-ball speed spool on this Bucoo is so much more fun to fish! I'm pretty happy with it for unweighted Senko's up to cranks and heavy jigs.

Thanks man! I also stopped by Bass Pro in Springfield today...he helped me out too. Thanks again

Oh yeah...one more thing...we never talked about a rods 'action' back then. It was light, medium light, medium, medium heavy, and heavy. What's with all this MH fast action jazz y'all are talking about? It's confusing.

Wow, things have gotten complicated. I'm not even 40 and I can remember when we just got ourselves a 2-3 ball reel and a 6'6" MH rod and called it our Bass Rig. Why is it that you need a specific rod for plastics than a rattletrap? And for that matter...for those of us who don't have that measly 10grand laying about for a boat, how do you bank fish a small lake/large pond with 3 different rigs? The best thing for me to ask is what single rod will catch me fish the best if I'm using anything from plastic worms to rattletraps to buzzbaits to jigs? (I know there's got to be one because they used to make them.) My current rig is a 22y.o. speed spool with an Ambassadeur 2000 IM6 rod. I have a new Speed Spool on a Shakespeare Alpha IM7 rod, but considering a Bucoo Micro rod for it. Any help?