Oklahoma Mike

Just last week I had two issues with my Patriarch XT spinning reel. First the plastic keeper in the bail mechanism snapped. I had an old Trion that I pulled a replacement out of. Then a couple days later, the screw that holds the bail arm on fell out while I was fishing. The screw from the Trion was a different size so I had to rob one from a Supreme XT. So three reels to keep one running. I have always been a big fan Pflueger spinning reels and touted them as the best value, but I think I'm moving on. It's super frustrating to have a reel break while you're out on the water, and twice in the same week was more than I can stomach. I went out and bought a new Vanford this week. Guess I wil stick to Shimano and Diawa going forward.

False. Line visibility is measured by refraction indexes and how closely the line is matched to the water. The closer the refraction of the line is to that of the water, the less visibility. Here are the averages for the components we're discussing: Fresh water: 1.33 Flouro: 1:42 Mono: 1.55 As you can see, mono is .22 away and flouro is .09 away from fresh water on the refraction index. So while flouro is not invisible, it absolutely is less visible than mono. That's the science and it's inarguable. How much of an impact that might or might not have on whether a fish will eat that bait is another debate altogether.

If I were limited to fishing a single rod from the bank, it would absolutely be a spinning set up. You never know what you’re going to get into in that scenario, and a spinning rig let’s me make casts from some really tight spots, let’s me throw a really wide range of baits, and allows me to cast into the wind without as much trouble. Probably would be an 6’-10” MH with a 3000 size reel spooled up with 10 or 12 lb braid and a flouro leader. Can throw a lot of stuff on that. If you are absolutely dead set on casting gear, I would pick something in the mag bass line, probably the 783 or the 843 depending on how congested the area is. I’d put a metatanium on it with 40 lb braid with flouro leader or maybe go straight 15 lb flouro depending on the typical cover in the areas you fish.

I hold mine with pinky only behind the seat. Always have, and I can only assume I started doing that because it positions my index finger in the best place for grabbing the line during a cast. i don’t fish any reels as small as the one in your pic, but looking at the size of that reel I tend to think I might naturally adjust my grip to align my index finger in the same way, so I think you are probably right in your assertion.

If you’re in Anna then I assume you went to Scheels in The Colony. I was actually in there the other day and noticed exactly what you described - a bunch of house brand rods, a rack full of SLX, and one lonesome Zodias. I almost bought it but decided I’m gonna wait and try to pick up an Adrena in the Black Friday sales. So, you’re welcome I guess haha.

I would go with a 7’ MH Zodias and a Tatula CT 7.3:1. That’ll throw a wide variety of baits and is a quality setup that will be pleasant to fish and should last you a long time.

I honestly don’t think you can find a better rod at that price point than the SLX. To me it is head and shoulders above every other rod in that price range.

I have one serious complaint about TW and it’s a constant issue. I enjoy browsing their site and find myself doing so regularly. I always find things there that I ABSOLUTELY need. How could I possibly keep living without those items, I wonder. Of course when that happens, I click some buttons and those necessities get put into a cart. My card is stored there (for my own good). Once all those things I can’t live without are securely in my cart, I just hit the checkout button, confirm my order, and then it happens… Every single time without fail - my bank account gets CHARGED for all those things. It’s like a weekly thing now, sometimes more. They really should have one of those 1-800 numbers just like the casinos in Vegas. “If you or someone you know has a problem…”

Had the same issue and decided to keep mine since it’s a great rod at a great price. I’ll use mine for pitching and some light punching, but I’ve had it out already throwing some jigs and some t-rigged plastics on it and it has performed well so far.

I use Smackdown on all my bc reels but I’ve gone to Fins Spin Braid on all my spinning setups and absolutely love it.

Yessir, all year round in lots of variations. For stickbaits: senkos, Biospawn Exo Sticks, and Savage Gear Armor Tube worms are my mainstays. Fish them t-rigged, weightless, and wacky. Ribbontail worms het used more in the fall, throw a variety from Biospawn, Jackall, and SG mostly. Always t-rigged.

I rigged a few up so I can try them out. I used some straws from aerosol spray cans for the tubing and that worked great. I used VMC crossover rings in hopes of extending the life of the bait. I built them on about a 18" FC leader and tied a small swivel on the end so I can just tie them on and fish. I haven't had the chance to try them yet but will get out and thrown them this week.

It’s a combination if the two. Also, I would suggest reconsidering the line you’re using. 10 lb test is a little on the smaller side for most bc reels.

I wouldn’t say that I have any “wasted” lures, but I do have plenty of baits that don’t get used a lot and a ton of stuff that has yet to see the water. However, I do believe I will use them all at some point. Problem is, I just keep adding to the pile, so I guess the only solution is to fish more.

I appreciate the heads up, but looks like one is a frog/punching rod and the other is a crankbait rod. I will keep checking back though. I’d been thinking that I might just wait on a Poison Adrena because I suspect the line may get an overhaul soon. But now that I have a BFS reel on order, I gotta find something to put it on. This thread has cost me so much money over the years, lol.

I could actually use a new punching rod, so I’ll probably keep it. I just didn’t really need it until next summer.

Well my Steez rod showed up from Sierra. It’s an amazing rod - only problem is, it’s not the rod I ordered. What showed up is a 7’-4” XH rod. I had ordered a Curado BFS for this rod so now I’m a little ticked. Of course they are now out of stock on the one I ordered. I doubt I will return this because it’s still a fantastic rod for the price, I’m just pretty disappointed and now I’m gonna have to go buy another rod. If anyone finds a sale on a Poison Adrena, holler!

I prefer baitcasting but I've been using spinning equipment my whole life so I am very comfortable with either. The equipment I choose is always situation dependent, but I always have both types available and probably run about 50/50 for actual use.

You could also throw a treble hook on the split ring if you so desired.

I have some of their Natural Orange Mono in 8# spooled up right now on a spinning rig that I'm going to have to replace for the same reasons. Worst memory issues of any mono I've ever used.

I tried a couple different sizes of Gliss on some spinning setups for two seasons and ultimately decided the cons outweighed the pros. While casting distance was significantly better, the wind knots were a nightmare, and of course abrasion resistance was basically zero. I tried solving the latter by adding a leader like you mentioned, but I lost a lot of leaders at the joining knot, and I've never lost one with standard braid.

Oh, I throw a ton of them. In fact they probably account for 75% of my presentations in the summertime. I just don’t plan on throwing them much on this particular rig.

will probably not be throwing a lot of weightless plastics other than some wacky rigged senkos. Will mostly use for neko rigs, Ned rigs, drop shot, and some lighter jerkbaits and topwater (like the cicada bug). The braid I linked is a sinking braid. No issue adding a leader if needed for abrasion resistance. yeah, but if I hadn’t bought the rod I wouldn’t have needed a new reel to put on it! Haha! Tatsu is really the only flouro I’ll use these days, unless it’s strictly leader material. I’ll probably just go with 8# Tatsu… mostly my interest in going braid here is just to get a little more line on the reel. Looking at the description I was assuming this line had a little more stiffness to it than other smaller braids being that it’s wound around flouro. Is that assumption not correct?

Ordered the Curado BFS reel to stick on the Steez rod I didn’t need but bought anyway thanks to the Latest Deal thread here lol. Shimano says it’ll hold 50 yds of 8 lb line. Leaning toward going braid but considering flouro as well. YGK OHDRAGON looks very interesting. Anyone used this line yet? Any other line recommendations for this reel?

Thanks! That’s a slammin deal. Just ordered one.