cottny27

Any reel grease and oil will do really. I just started using Superlube this Summer after all the negatives on the forum regarding Quantum Hot Sauce. They broke me down I like it and its everywhere.

Yes, I like 5:1 for any resistance baits, but 6:3 can cover everything for me.

I too would recommend the LFS for around $80 on Ebay.

Trash that cruddy braid for some soft mono in 10-12# test.

A 6'6" - 6'9"M is what I like to use. Short handle for sure.

In your situation of just fun fishing I don't see you needing to spend more than $250 on a nice nice combo.

Have the reel supertuned and use some lighter weight oil on the spool bearings. It only helps a little though, but it all adds up.

I'm not against giving any brand a try if its around the $100 price point. Quantum gets a bad rap on this forum. I have not bought a Quantum reel for 10yrs, but it did just fine. I do have a couple Smoke rods and they are legit.

I agree with you, but good luck finding one with a neutral balance at the seat. Split grips make it even worse and that's what I prefer.

Any Lews $100 or more would be my vote. Big upgrade without dropping $300 on a reel you don't really need.

Changing out a rod tip takes 30 seconds and you can buy an upgraded tip for less than $5. So far I haven't had those issues with the Ghost.

12# Seaguar or some 14# Sunline Sniper would work good. I pretty much do what you are doing all the time. I can't get away with 10# t-rigging, but I've tried.

I think all Ducketts are overrated power wise and have a softer tip. I like the crisp blanks they use.

If you're going to have it apart all the time you can sand and polish the drag washers for a smoother drag. It helps I do it to all of my reels. The initial "start up" pressure on any drag can always be improved.

I have never tried one of the TWS reels. The Laguna casted very nice for a $60 reel. All it needs is a longer handle. The newer black ones seemed to have fixed that issue.

Depends on how you fish it. Agree with 10-12# if you are t-rigging weightless.

Laguna, the silver model from a couple years ago. Took it apart to polish some of the parts and put it back together. It never was the same especially the drag. I ended up trading it in after working on it a few times.

I had this same problem and it was never fully resolved. Yes, too much grease will lessen the tension from what I've noticed. I ended up trading it in at BPS.

I agree with UKCATBASSER. I like the Ghost's actions better, but the Veritas is super strong for frogging.

Its going to be hard selling a Quantum reel on a forum full of Daiwa & Shishamo die hards

BB1 Pro is a high quality reel and either ratio will work great.

Thanks Catt..adding another "weak point" to my line is the main reason I shy away from using a leader.

I don't tend to go off of reviews. I test it myself. I've been using the 10# Yo-Zuri for senkos, light t-rigs, spinnerbaits, etc. Its strong as can be and handles well for me. I do everything with 10# that I did before on 12#.

Pro G is going to be more compact and lighter. I would go with that imo. Either would be a good choice.

Yeah, big difference. One is like wire and springy. I run 15# InvizX and it handles great. I would say 10# CXX is still thicker than 15# InvizX.