FishTank

If you like the Avid, I have the 6'8'' MH X-fast. It works great for topwater. I use it with an older Shimano Stradic 2500 and 20lb braid. I too am curious about the reel though.... Most 4000 size Daiwa spinning reels are pretty big and have roughly the same line capacity and weight of a 4000 size Shimano. For instance the Daiwa Tatula LT 4000> 10lb/210yards and a Shimano Stradic 4000 > 10lb/200yards. Just an opinion.....I would think that size reel would be too big for bass fishing in general let alone for a young kid but to each their own.

Too bad it's sold out. It would be a nice rod for the money.

Having family that lived in Bradenton for many years, I have fished down there many many times. My opinion, a knife is useless as well is a gun. Gators are very smart and pretty much know where you are at all times even though you don't see them. You need to know when they are active and when they are mating. They also smart enough to look out for fisherman. They look at what you catch as a potential, easy meal that they don't have to fight for. When they are not active, the birds will come to the shore line and it's usually safe to fish at that time (but still be cautious) plus the fish are out to eat.

I tried two of them and had the same issue. I have had more than a few of other brands and never had this issue until I bought this reel. Luckily I was able to exchange the first one and then when I had the same issue with the second, I returned it (this was the older design though). Pflueger's customer service was not much help. I will say this, they worked well (about a month) until they didn't.

G. Loomis GLX 783C.

5in Senko Black with blue flake, 4/0 EWG, and weightless.

Looks like a good list there, NERD..(just in case no one else has caught that yet).

My pick would be the St. Croix Mojo Bass 7'9'' Heavy Fast. Not exactly light but it would get the job done.

This is the reason I have avoided it for years but after fishing a swimbait setup for the first time this summer and catching a couple of nice fish, I broke down and decided to give it a try. Now the hunt for baits begins.

They just scanned the coupon at the register and it worked. I was wondering if it would. Most of the time it doesn't. But you're right, I got lucky. I also purchased 3 other St. Croix rods (2 Legend Elites and a Legend Glass) this way earlier this year. I had them order them from the kiosk up front. I got the discount, no questions asked.

I have a couple of Fenwick rods and never had an issue. I can't speak for the Lunkerstik but most rods in that price range are so mass produced, they tend to be hit and miss when it comes to quality.

The Bait Monkey says..... Of course you do....

Clearance for $104 - 25% off sale and I had a $20 off of $100 coupon from Black Friday. They had two but the other one was the 8'6'' model and I was not quite sure how I was going to get it home, plus I would need to get another monster reel. I decided one was enough. I'll be putting a Revo Toro Beast on this thing. We'll see what happens come spring time.

Once again DSG got me..... After all the discounts $63. I have been looking for a swimbait rod for quite some time. I was able to try this guy's big brother, the 8'6'' model, earlier this year and it was impressive. I did notice the difference in most reel seat placements between a bass swimbait rod and a musky rod and of course the rod arc is different but this rod is just slightly softer (for a musky rod). I like how I can work baits with end of the rod pressed against my side (it is different though). For the price, I thought I couldn't beat it.

I can't speak a whole lot about the difference between one material or the next when it comes to rods but I do know what I like to fish and what a rod should feel like in hand. When I took a look at the Favorite rod display at DSG, I was not impressed. I had seen pictures of them before and pretty much already made up my mind that these were more gimmick than substance. When I put one in my hand, saying they were gimmicky definitely didn't sum it up. I would add that they are way, way over hyped and really not very well made. I do give them credit for doing a great job of marketing.

So far I have had good luck with the 1/2oz and 3/8oz.

All left handed now. I have tried left handed reels a few times but it just feels weird. I know it's just in my head.

Having fished the Curado K and the Curado DC off and on for a year now, I do really like the DC breaking system. I would think if you are a beginner it would be great to get you use to using a baitcaster. I don't think the SLX DC, however, at $200 is a good value (I picked up the Curado DC for same price). It is a nice reel though. The system on the DC is pretty much the easiest system to use. I pretty much set it at 2 and forget it. Is it fool proof (aka backlash proof)> No but it is better than a system that needs constant adjustment. I still the think the best braking system includes an educated thumb. As far as casting distance goes, there are a lot variables in that thought. I found the rod, line and even cold temperature make a huge difference with this reel when it comes to casting. So far I like using it on a crankbait rod with FC line. In cold temps, like other reels, I doesn't cast as far as I would like it but the difference is minimal.

I have used the G. Loomis 783C GLX in the past but this past year I found that I like the St. Croix 7'MH Legend Elite (a little stiffer rod). I don't think it's really necessary to have a rod that is as sensitive as these two. I just like the soft tip and stiff mid section that these rods have. I do however like the shorter length of the 783GLX though.

1/2oz, 3/4oz, and 1oz. I have yet to buy the other sizes.

I have started to use this bait more often and have yet to figure out which set up works best for it. What have you guys been using?

Just in case, I like both Daiwa and Shimano reels...... I would go with the Shimano Curado DC for crankbaits. I know that the OP wanted magnetic breaks but to me this reel is just easier to use for crankbaits and has been trouble free. If not, the next would be a Daiwa Tatula SV TW, followed by the Abu Garcia Winch.

Another one to look at is the Okuma TCS 7'11'' XH. I have been eyeing this rod for a while. The price of a swimbait reel and the price of rod doesn't bother me. Its the price of the baits.... It can costs a lot to play.

I have tried a few Pfluegers in my day and did not have the best experience. Both reels were great until they were not. But with that said, since then all of the reels I have seen from Abu, Pflueger and Lew's have come a long way. When paying full retail, I always thought of Pflueger as sort of the best bang for the buck.

I would pick the Bass X as well, 7'1'' MH Fast or the M Fast. Seems like a great rod for the money.