cottny27

I throw this same setup for my stuff. Senkos, square bills to 1/2oz, light t-rigs, swim jigs to 3/8oz

Make sure you put good supple line on it and some line conditioner. Actually, with mono you don't need any conditioner, but it will help.

Go cheap just not $30 Shakespeare cheap. Black Max BMAX3 pretty much same reel as the Pro Max minus a bearing or two. $42 on Ebay.

Black Max BMAX3 are on Ebay for just over $40. I wouldn't buy a store combo because they always seem to put a cheap rod on the combo. I'd go with the Black Max on an Abu Vengeance rod.

I have both and like my Ghost better. Better feel, balance, and truer action. Both are a good choice imo. I got my Veritas micro from Walmart online for $70. I think they screwed up because it was back to $100 a day later. There was no sale stated. Free ship to store.

Vanish I had issues with myself in 12# test. It almost ruined me on fluoro. Try Seaguar Red Label to start for $10. It's way way more manageable than Vanish. If you're set on fluoro. Been very happy with RL & AbrazX. You get what you pay for with fluoro I've learned.

Sounds like a setup for some 12# fluoro or mono imo. You won't be flippin 3/4oz jigs or frog fishing with that setup.

Those reels modified with the shallow spool to throw the lighter baits. No, yours wouldn't.

Maybe use a fluoro with some stretch and keep your drag semi loose. I try to go as light as I can get away with line. I have found (for me) that 8# is too light, but I can get away with 10#. Just don't try to throw 1/2oz Terminators T-1's on it like my dumb---.

Depends on the diameter of the fluoro. I don't like the way a regular(non finesse) baitcasters handle 8# test. I do what you're wanting to do with 10# Seaguar fluoro with no issues. I like 15# for 1/2oz squarebills.

I think the M in the Veritas model is more versatile for sure. You fish light t-rigs like myself. I usually go with a 3/16th tungsten weight on most everything. The Veritas M is what I use with no issues. Also work well with cranks & spinnerbaits.

I would do it. If it does you're only out $40. I was messing around at Walmart the other day and handled the newest Black Max. For the price it seems very solid. I was impressed and wouldn't mind getting one as a beater reel for strip pit fishing.

Got the new white Carbonlite reel for $89 during the Spring sale with a trade-in. Its a great buy for that. But I agree that you want to open the box and check out several before picking one. There are some inconsistencies in smoothness. Anything below the PQ is pretty cheaply made.

Evan, yep I bought into the "invisible" red theory. It was strong stuff though.

That Cajun Red crud! Works well for something.

Nice! I want one. So how did you end up setting the braking? What rod did you put it on?

Car wax like rippin lips says for the Winter storing months. The "wax as you dry" stuff keeps em slick during the season. KVD I've used some, but found the detailer car stuff lasts longer.

You would have to send it to Outdoor World in Springfield, MO. They are nice to order parts from and have them shipped free to your nearest BPS(if you have one close). I'd rather do it myself or have a professional like DVT handle the cleaning and relube.

They make a Smoke ML rod? You can pretty much do everything, but frog fishing and heavy flipping. The 7' (if its a "M") would be good for treble hook applications running 12# test.

KVD! I bought some cheap BPS line conditioner and it's sliminess is hard to deal with. KVD is the best I've tried.

bmlum, where does it balance at? If a 7'2"M doesn't balance then a 7'2"MH is going to be even worse off. Where is the balance point on the rod? Rippin Lips posted a pic of a Powell(I believe) that balanced right above the reel nut which is impressive for not being custom. Where do you guys hold your rods on the blank?

Jimmy sure seems to think so!!!

WdyCrankbait, did you not have any luck selling that reel? Eventually I will get that model.

The benefit is in the casting. It makes it seem effortless..a flick of the wrist. Also, draggin a t-rig you are actually dragging the weight of the lure and not the weight of the rod too. On jerkbaits, flicking the wrist is much easier with a neutral balanced setup. Try it, you'll see the light. Take a balanced setup and unbalanced setup fishing. Its very noticeable.

The Zodias is an expensive rod correct?? I'd do quarters and a furniture end cap so it won't damage anything. I personally drill a small hole in the butt and drive in a Tungsten flipping weight. Its not very noticeable and doesn't add length to the butt. Of course, my rods aren't $300-500 and I don't plan on returning them.