mrpao

There's lots of good cheaper ultralight reel options out there. You mentioned you like daiwa. The daiwa regal is a decent reel for around $50. The daiwa QG 750 and QZ 750 are decent ultralight reels. Piscifun carbon x would be my first choice. Often found for around $50. The new model Kastking zephyr 1000 SFS seems to be a decent reel. It's a very lightweight reel. Look around and it can also be found cheaper than retail. As for rods. I have several okuma celilo also, but I probably wouldn't consider it much of an upgrade from whatever you have now. It only retails for $30 to $40. I would suggest looking around to try to find a daiwa presso rod at a good deal. I was able to pick up two more presso lately for around $55 to $65. The presso rod with any of the reels mentioned above would make a great ultralight combo.

Most guys are probably not as accurate with a spinning reel because they don't throw them as much. Baitcasters dominate the bass fishing world. Some guys hate spinning reels. Not sure why, but everyone likes something different. I know alot of people have issues with line management on a spinning reel. To me, if you find a good line that matches well with your setup, then its not really an issue at all. I use both spinning and baitcasting have no issues with accuracy with either. I enjoy using both as equally. Though, lately i have been using way more spinning gear. Light line is so much more fun.

Daily driver is 14 Toyota Camry SE. Truck is 12 Ford F150 FX4. Other truck 2001 Chevy Silverado 2500HD.

I will suggest the expride 7' light. Either A or B version would be good. I have both but like the handle on the A better.

I want to get one too before they become hard to find in good shape. Just something cool about that old school reel.

I own a JDM C2000s and two USDM 1000. The knob on the JDM version is the tiny finesse style knob. I hate it. I switched out all their handles for the 45mm carbon handle from the Complex XR. Lighter handle and lighter rotational feel.

This^^^ And as mentioned goldfish might only get slightly big than 12". Carp/koi can get pretty big. Here's a big one at my home lake. Looks around over 30" long

Heddon use to make the Zara spook pooch. It's the ultralight version you guys are talking about. A decent lure but not a great walker due to been so small and the line tie being on the bottom of the face. I guess with the physics, it just didn't work as well as its bigger brothers. Some of my favorite ultralight topwaters: Rapala ultralight popper Rebel teeny pop R AliExpress popper H2O Express walking lure. AliExpress walking lure. My favorite is the tiny AliExpress popper. Very inexpensive and can pop and walk very well. I throw it on 4 lbs mono around the shore and is a blast to fish. I have caught tons of bass and sunfish on it.

Off the subject- but why do people hold some fish by the eyes? I hate it when I see people do that. I was watching a youtube channel and one of the guys was holding all the pike he was catching by the eyes. That's not good for the fish that is being released. I'm pretty certain it can cause eye damage to the fish.

I just use the cheap red and white foam ones from Walmart most of the time. Inexpensive and gets the job done.

I'm a multiple species angler with a concentration in bass. I also enjoy panfish, crappie, catfish, trout and pretty much anything else that has fins. Freshwater and salt. Last time i counted, I had over 130 rods. Both casting and spinning. I'm sure probably more than that in reels. I've owned everything from cheap $15 Shakespeare micro series to Gloomis conquest. Same with reels. Cheap Lews Wally marshall spinning reels to Steez and Stellas. I like it all. I have a problem but i think most of you guys understand.

One of the reviews on TW was mine. I really wanted to like the rod but couldn't due to it being tip heavy. I other models in the line up that i tried are pretty good rods - 6'11 mh and 6'10 ul. The old model expride 7' med was also a good rod. I have not fished the new model expride 7' med, but i really liked the old model. It was balanced and had decent sensitivity. If you like the new handle style then I'm pretty sure the new model would serve you well.

Go to the "parts" section of the shimano site and it should have a schematic for that reel. It will kind of give you an idea of how it should go in. Like mentioned above, you went the long route in adjusting your line position.

Avail makes one but it may be hard to find. I had one a long time ago but sold it because i didn't need a shallow spool. To me the reel is kind of heavy and i didn't feel it was a good candidate for bfs.

Float fishing for panfish doesn't really require any certain kind of rod. The Okuma celilo is a composite rod and pretty parabolic as is. That's pretty much what I use mine for. I have my 6' ultralight paired up with a old daiwa UL7 reel. I'm sure the older fenwick will do fine. Will probably bring back memories for earlier days.

If you use the handle to close the bail, eventually the bail will wear out and wont close properly. Like mentioned, it's best to close the bail by hand and pulling the line tight at the same time to eliminate any loose loops in the line. This will greatly reduce line twist and wind knots.

Usually slow. Just remember. Bass are like us - lazy. They want an easy meal.

I like a 5 gear ratio. For me with A-rigs, usually slower is better.

Is the cast control knob set very tight or with a slight side to side play. All may shimano's work best with a slight amount of play on the spool.

Most of my spinning reels are in the 5 gear ratio. Daiwa and shimano have JDM reels in the high 4 gear ratio, which I also like.

I throw roostertails quite often for bass and trout. I throw them on spinning reels with 6 or 4 lbs line. Sometimes I'll use light braid like 6 or 8 lbs J-braid. I always use a swivel. The smallest i can find - usually size 10 to 14. I use about a 12" mono leader from the swivel to a quality snap. That way i can easily change colors and weights as needed. Just keep an eye on the leader line because sometimes the blade with make contact with the line and cause abrasion. I catch lots of spotted bass on a white 1/4 oz roostertail. I usually throw out to about 10' of water and let it sink all the way to the bottom. Then snap the rod to get the blade spinning and reel very slowly in. Usually the slower the better. Unless they are chasing baitfish, then you can cast directly to the action and try to keep it closer to the surface. I do the same for trout.

I dont fish with the 5' Shakespeare micro series very often. I actually bought then for my kids to trout fish with at the river. I do take them on the boat to catch bait while catfishing. To be honest i normally dont purchase any rods under 6'. I purchased those rods because they were $15 at Walmart. I had two Lews 500 size reels on them. I just wanted to try them out to see how a $15 rod would preform. My most sensitive "true" ultralight rods are probably my Rapala Extreme ultralight rods. Though older rods they are high modulus graphite and a true fast action. No problems feeling a crappie suck a jig in 30' down. Lately on my boat I've been using- Kuying teton 6'6" light, 6'4" ultralight. Daiwa presso 6', 6'6" and 7". 13 fishing omen panfish 6'9" ultralight. I have two or more of each rods, so my deck is all ultralight rod. Have a Daiwa 6' trout X extra ultralight rod coming from Digitaka this week. It should be fun on some of spotted bass and channel cats on my home lake.

It's a "Mad World" now that we can get JDM tackle for better prices than USDM tackle. Just about all of my last few reel purchases have been from overseas.

I have both the same rods as you: 5' Shakespeare micro series and 6' Okuma celilo. They are decent little rods for the money. Both are fun to fish with but not very sensitive. Not sure how much you plan to spend on your next rod but i would consider at least a 6'6" rod. It will help in casting distance and controlling larger fish. On a boat i prefer a 6'6" to 7' rod. On shore, having to deal with trees and other obstacles, i think a 6'6" is plenty long enough. There are many nice options out there. If you like both those two rods you have already, then maybe get longer versions of them. I have the 6'6" version of the okuma celilo also. Its also a fun rod to use but still not very sensitive either.

Thats normal. Thats just the sound of the braid and the drag. If thats all, then nothing to worry about