cottny27

Sounds like a nice combo. I just looked thru all the Lews reels at Cabelas today. I have the 6'8"mh Ghost myself. Its a little short and soft for t-riggin platics imo.

Those are some gaudy looking things. I've never had trouble with dropping my rods in the water and balancing can be done with an end cap and some quarters. I wonder if this product would make it on the show Shark Tank?

A good starter fluoro to try is Seaguar Red Label for like $11. I put it on one reel this year and its worked great in 10# test. I soak everything with KVD and have no issues. I use AbrazX & InvizX on other combos with no issues. Meticulous knot tying seems to be the most important step with all fluoro.

Start by working on the cheapest one. I went on Youtube and watched a bunch of videos. I'm sure you can find a specific video on a Lews reel. Have a towel down or something to organize the parts as you take them apart.

cdunlap, I have dealt with this too, good luck. I bought a bottle of simichrome off Amazon and took the reel apart again and pretty much polished everything. It was a lot of work, but the reel casts and retrieves smoother than ever. I wouldn't think it would be the knobs or worm drive, but maybe DVT could chime in on this.

I would jump on that Carbonlite for that price its no different than the new white one. I have both.

They feel extremely light and well balanced right off the shelf. I have never pulled the trigger on one though.

How much do you wanna spend and are we talking about fluoro? I went cheaper on one rod and got Seaguar Red Label in 10#. Fished all day this past Sat with no issues. Handled quite well for a $12 spool. I am curious about Sniper though.

I balanced my rod with a 1.5oz tungsten weight. Nice and clean...$7. You don't really even notice it.

I'd go light and keep it BPS with a Carbonlite with the 5:4:1 ratio. Mine does well with 10# fluoro throwing 1/4oz swim jigs.

I guess i need to give CX another try. Maybe I got a bad batch years ago. I liked the way it handled, but it snapped too easy on hooksets. I used the 10# for senkos.

I agree with the Rage Menace and 3/8th. I have luck with the cheap Terminator swim jigs.

No, 3/8 oz would be fine. From my 3 trips with it I wouldn't go over a 1/2 oz just felt like it couldn't handle it. I wouldn't throw a 1/2 oz jig on it either though. The tip is a little soft for a MH rating. Good for shallow to mid cranks, spinnerbaits, senkos, more finesse type plastics.

Yes, I was throwing an Arashi 5 last weekend in 5/8 oz. It was too much. I could get by with a 1/2 oz

Theangler1, how do you like your Ghost? I have the same model and am becoming a huge fan. The tip is perfect for cranks.

It has a whole bunch of action and would work great for cranks. I think texas riggin plastics could be difficult. I have the new white carbonlite on the 6'8"mh version Ghost. The Lews LFS I think I may go with next with a Ghost. Been hearing nothing but good things and they can be found for close to $80.

Try not filling up your spool all the way either. A BPS stik-o casts like a bullet fyi. It doesn't take long to get the hang of it.

Or is it "cinch"?? Oh who cares!

"Clinch" not cinch..whoops

Vanish was one fluoro I had this same issue with. I was snapping a lot on the hookset at the knot with 12# line using the improved cinch. Since I went with AbrazX I have had no issues with that same knot. I start the knot then make sure I dunk it in the water before I cinch it down..and make sure I take my time doing it. In fact, Pline CX Premium & Seaguar Senshi I had the same problem...knots slipping & breaking. Just my experience.

I am happy with Red Label for the price. I have AbrazX and InvizX on some other combos

1" furniture end caps look pretty clean. You can also add quarters in the cap to help with balance.

Quantum EXO PT start at 2.7oz for the 6'8" version. The 7' MH is only 3.4oz. When you get into 7'6" H flippin then nothing is under 4oz.

10#. I feel 8# would snap too easy on hooksets.

What worked good for me on my last rod was drilling out a small hole in the butt and stuffing it with a tungsten bullet weight. They are undersized so its hardly noticeable. Match the bit to the size of the weight you will use.