dodgeguy

The longer the rod the more tip heavy it will be no matter what.over 7 feet you will feel it. I agree st croix feels heavier to me. I just got a 7ft Johnny Morris Patriot series and was pleasantly surprised at how light the overall weight and tip weight feels. Tackle tour always comments on tip weight when they do a review. You might read some of their reviews.longer heavier action rods are going to start having more tip weight.i also will not buy a rod without holding it.

I used to use Pflueger for years. I use Lew's now but have nothing bad to say about Pflueger. They are very underrated.

At least 50 lb braid on a baitcaster.i would also go with a quality 8 strand braid .

Excellent reels for the money.

I've been fishing 52 years. I've got more stories of lost big ones than I care to remember. It still sucks when it happens. The really bad ones are the monsters you've fought and got within 10 feet of the boat and they get off. You learn to shake it off. That's how they got big .

Like I said I agree. I used to post that all the time on here. Absolutely got reamed for that opinion.

I agree but a lot of guys don't want the balance point to be in the center of the reel seat. They like it slightly forward of the reel seat. That would make a heavier reel balance a tip heavy rod better than a featherweight reel.i do agree it's not perfectly balanced.

It's simple. Not all bass have seen everything.lots of presentations are localized. You'd be surprised how many guys don't know what a Ned rig is. Lots of guys don't fish finesse at all. Sooner or later some technique will work. Sometimes it's better to go back to something really old like a split shot worm. Most of the fish who have seen that are probably dead by now.

I throw that with no problem on my $99 Lfs. I am buying a tournament pro for that on my birthday. It has an externally adjustable centrifugal brake which would be better imho.

Thanks for the link.

That depends what you consider to be the proper balance point. If you consider it to be slightly in front of the reel then the weight of the reel matters. If you consider bit to be the center of the reel seat the weight of the reel makes no difference at all. You may have to add butt weights. There are rods today that are very lightweight that balance at the very front of the reel seat. I used to use balance weights but find with today's rods I don't need them.

Caught my pb smallie in 50ft of water on a 1oz. Spoon.

Used the Patriarchs. Had the first versions. Titanium deposition finish. Used round trions for years.All of them were great reels.bought a Abu Garcia mgx and loved it with the externally adjustable brakes. It cast really far. Then it turned into a coffee grinder. That's when I got turned onto Lew's.

My personal choice is a Lews Tournament Pro LFS. I used Pflueger reels previously for years. A friend let me try his Lew's and I've never looked back.

I'm going to use a 7 foot mf Johnny Morris Patriot series with a Lew's tournament pro and 10 lb test seaguar invisx.gave my last spinning rod to my daughter.

Not for flipping or frogs.

That's cause it's a hot reel.

I've never seen the 8.3 to one for less than 199.

Back in the 90s spiderwire had a grey color. I loved that color.

Great choice. What ratio ?

You are correct on that. Still like the BPS but that makes the Fenwick a good choice.

Ok the $99 LFS got a stronger rulon drag from 10 to 15 lbs. The MB got a stronger carbon drag to 20 lbs. The tournament pro was a redesign and got a whole bunch of stuff. I have 4 $99 LFS old version they are awesome. Getting a tournament pro in May.

Great videos. I do agree with the guy who said please include air and water temps. Keep them coming. Thank you.

Think the newer ones have a stronger drag. Otherwise you can't tell. The MB is an LFS framed reel . The older ones are fine but the newer ones are better. Some places try to pawn the older ones off as the new model . If it's discounted there is probably a reason.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lews-Tournament-Pro-LFS-Baitcasting-Reel-6-8-1-Gear-Ratio-11-Bearings-RH/113318206770?epid=5021761462&hash=item1a624a9d32 New model https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lews-Tournament-Pro-G-Speed-Spool-Baitcasting-Reel-TPG1HL/302689301356?epid=27011375540&hash=item4679b0336c:g:gWYAAOSwmLlX7ECU Old model