mrpao

Get both. Problem solved.

You could always buy another one at the current sale price. They're pretty cheap now. One to use and one to stare at.

I believe Lews and Bass Pro reels are made by the same company -Doyo. As is Abu revo reels. Can't go wrong with the curado K or tatula for under $200. Both seem to be great reels.

From what I've noticed it gets that gritty texture if the UB40 has been open for awhile. It seems to start drying out around the edge of the container and those pieces will flake off and get in the solution. Once applied and dried you can feel the pieces on the cork. If you start off with a fresh container and clean brush, it will usually end up fairly smooth and uniform.

What reels are you using? If your spools are shallow, you may not need any backing at all. In bass fishing backing is usually only used to take up spool space. Also if your reels already have line on it, just strip off the line to where you normally use it to, plus maybe additional 10 to 20 feet and add the new line to it from there. No need the waste line that will never see the daylight

Smoothness differs from reel to reel. I'm sure it depends on the tolerances and how the parts fit together. That been said- I have two Stradic CI4+ and two FL's. All are 1000 size. Both CI4+ reels are 5.1 gear ratios yet one is more smooth than the other. With the two FL models, one is 5.1 and one is 6:1 gears. The 5.1 is smoother than the 6:1. Not that the 6:1 isn't smooth but on the 5:1, I can't even feel the gears turning. I feel both models of reels have their place. I prefer the CI4+ reels for when I need more sensitivity like drop shot or some other bottom contact technique. The lighter weight adds to the sensitivity. The FL, I prefer for moving baits. I bought the 5:1 FL just for shad rap #5's. It's one of my favorite winter lures. If there is a new CI4+ coming out next year, I just hope it's not red.

Finally decided to pick up a Bantam MGL HG, after hearing how smooth this reel was. Everyone was correct. This is probably one of the smoothest reels I have turned the handle on. It seems as smooth as my Conquest reels. Decided to take a family photo with some old Bantams from yesteryear. "Bantam meet your grandparents"

I have had many lews reels over the years. I have tried most of their upper end reels. I currently have a hyper mag and team lews TI in my line up. I find that they can be finicky if the spool is over fielded. If I'm back lashing some, then I strip some line off and that usually fixes the issue. As for the fat foam knobs, I switch most of my knobs to daiwa knobs anyway so the lews knobs aren't a issue. I run the daiwa cork I knobs on 90% of my reels. On shimano reels too.

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Your line probably needs to be changed out with a fresh new spool of line. I have had the same issue with 4 and 6 pound trilene XL. Once the line gets a little aged, it loses its strength. I'll test it by pulling on it, once I tie a knot. If it snaps easily, then it's time for new line. Usually with 4 and 6 pound trilene XL it will only last a few weeks or months depending on how much you fish. During the summer time, the heat seems to be quite harsh on this light line.

TW did give me the discount. It showed up in the confirmation email

I have an expride in my cart. So if I finish the purchase and pay then, I'll see the 20% discount?

That gear ratio will work well for crankbaits.

Might not be a bad reel for the price. Not sure how smooth or durable it may be, but heck it's only $50. Its seems pretty light weight at around 5.3 oz. Switch that handle out to a carbon fiber handle and it may go under 5 oz.

The 6'10" med would be better suited for crankbaits and other treble hook lures. It may be decent with small spinnerbaits. Never tried it yet. It probably wouldn't be too good with jigs. The rod is more of a moderate taper and you won't get a decent hookset with a jig. Most people, including myself, use this particular model for jerkbaits and topwaters.

^^^ Sweet Abu. Would love to see picts of your entire collection.

If you're going to do a lot of cranking, get a good reel. Deep cranks can put a lot of stress on the reel. If you're not going to crank that much, you can get by with something cheaper. Whatever you get, a lower gear ratio is usually better.

Since they stock it weekly, I would try to fish it the day of stocking or the day after. The most number fish and they'll be hungry from the truck ride. The other two guys have given pretty good advice already. I would add to that small crankbaits and jerkbaits. Throw them out a retrieve in slowly. Since these are hatchery trout, there is no reason to try to match the hatch. Brighter colors seem to work good. Just try different things until you find something that works. Somedays they want power bait, other days they want different lures.

The lighter frame of CI4 material makes them feel more geary because it transmits more vibrations. It also makes the CI4 material a good choice for bottom contact techniques due to it been more sensitive. The same goes for magnesium framed reels. Lighter but you'll feel more through the reel.

Usually around $15 give or take a little by priority mail. But most of the time there is a balloon rate for being over sized. Usually also around $15. But dont forget to insure it because rods can easily get damaged.

I think that combo will work fine for buzzbaits. If you ask, you're going to get a bunch of different answers. Everyone likes something different. I throw my buzzbaits on a 7'2" hvy rod with a 7.8:1 gear reel and 40# braid. I like the slightly longer rod to make further cast and the braid to get better hooksets at the end of the cast. The faster reel will help get the buzzbait up on plane faster. This combo also works well with the smaller to med sized whopper poppers too. Other people may prefer a different combo though. But we all fish differently.

I feel differently. I really like the expride reel seats. I think it fits medium to smaller hands better

There are other factors here too. Big lake or smaller pond? Fishing from bank or boat? What's the typical size of the fish there? How often do the fish get stocked?

It never hurts to add more pictures.

I have done this before. I have taken both rods and reels into a store to see how it would feel.