jimmyjoe

What you get next is governed by the environment you fish and what you're itching to try. If your local environment supports flipping and frogging, then it probably would support punching also. Skipping too, or not? My advice is to figure out where you really WANT to go with this, and then satisfy the itch. You'll probably be a better fisherman, but you will definitely be a happier one. The only other thing that I can think of that you might find interesting is cranks. Some people go down that rabbit hole a long, long ways. Some don't. Good luck to you! ? jj

You have two separate considerations: lure weight and arm technique. I've got jerk/twitch baits from 1/4 oz. up to 1 oz. For 3/8 and lower, I prefer spinning gear. It's up to you to use braid, braid with a leader, or monofilament nylon. I've used them all, and have no real preference. At 1/2 oz., I could go either way, spinning or casting. Heavier than 1/2, I prefer casting gear, simply because of the rods that I have. If I had a stiff-tip spinning rod that was authoritative with a 3/4 oz. lure, I'd go spinning only up to 3/4 oz. Over 3/4, though, I'd go casting no matter what. Arm technique is simple. Fishing a jerkbait is a fast-reaction hookset proposition. I'm right-handed, and I can feel and react much better with my right side (called the "strong side") than I can with my left. I do NOT like handling casting gear in my right hand, but I do like spinning gear in my right hand. Since most hits on a jerkbait happen when it's at rest, the fisherman needs to react quickly and with authority. Strong-side fishing makes that happen. Not only that, but the constant jerking of the lure over time wears out your weak side sooner than it does your strong side. It's best you investigate and use whatever is better for you. You might be like me, and then again you might not. Like @Fishes in trees said, I don't think money has too much to do with it. Whichever way you decide, I wish you good luck! jj

Absolutely the best solution! jj

I'm afraid from what I understand the situation to be, that this is the correct answer. I hate to say it, but I doubt that you have any recourse. That doesn't mean that you can't try, of course. Good luck! jj

So in June, you bought a used reel with parts missing, and now you're having problems with it? Is that correct? jj

If it looks like a duck, and it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck .........it's a duck. jj

A round reel IS a baitcaster. At one time, it was the only style baitcaster. Perhaps you're thinking of low profile baitcasters, which are a different design from round reels. The Calcutta Conquest is an excellent bass reel, although the sizes go up to 400, which is musky size. 300 size would be swimbait and A-rig size. 200 size is exactly the same as Curado 200K size. There are two other Calcutta reel families, at lower price levels compared to the Calcutta Conquest. They are Calcutta B and the Calcutta D. ANY Calcutta is a good reel, even the lower priced ones. The only cons that I'm aware of are the greater relief from the reel sitting higher on the rod. For some, that's a problem. For others, it's not. You'll need to try the reel on one of your rods to find out if it bothers you. Good luck! jj

I have 15 lb. Power Pro on a Shimano Stradic 2500 FK. Rod is a M/F St. Croix Avid. I love that combination, although I don't use it all that often. I also have two Stradic 2500 Ci4+ reels. I formerly used braid on one of them for snapping and twitching routines. I MUCH prefer the metal reel for that, although the plastic reels are great for nylon line. jj

I notice you haven't said anything about which line you'll be using. In my opinion (which is worth exactly what you paid for it) I would use only metal reels for braid. The Vanford, on the other hand, is fine for stretchier nylon lines. Good luck! I hope you and your kids slay'em! jj

No prob. I'm pleasantly surprised that you knew about rodbuilding.org! Sometimes it takes a long time to slog through all the posts about some certain subject, but the level of information you can get on that site - especially from manufacturers - is awesome. I'm sure that some of our people will be along to give you some great advice, too. Good luck! jj

The Edge Terminal Box is great, but it's expensive. This isn't. This is also a 1-piece construction. No small bits of this or that get under the separators. jj

Spinning rods - no matter which power - are advantageous to use on your strong side. The St. Croix Avid and Avid-X MH/F spinning rods are lights out for all sorts of bottom contact and twitching techniques when you want to use slightly heavier lures. When I used senkos, I would use baitcasting rigs, held in my left hand, with hi-viz line on the slack. I'd watch the line, not needing to feel anything. But if I went to tight line or semi-slack techniques, I wanted the spinning gear, not the casting gear. Easier to feel, quicker to react. YMMV jj

Your profile has absolutely no information as to where you are, or what sort of waters you fish, so I have no idea whether I could offer you some worthwhile tips or not. jj

Try rodbuilding.org Lots of info from professionals. Good luck! jj

In a larger lake, yellow bass will "raft", or form dense horizontal schools. Hitting one of these rafts with UL or L spinning tackle is about as much fun as a person can have with their clothes on. ? jj

I like glass, and I would go with the Expride. However .... this kind of do-all rod is a highly personal choice. You need to develop a certain "feel" with glass if you're going to use it around cover. The point made by @Dens228 with regards to the different hookset requirements between single hooks and small trebles is a good one, too. Just my 2 cents. jj

When I was little, Dad made sausage. He hung it above the wood stove to dry. My older brother used to joke, "If you can't drive a nail with it, it's not dry yet." That was an exaggeration ..... but not by much. ? jj

Take this for what it's worth: One of my friends likes spinnerbaits deep. While I use a slow roll, he uses a stop-drop-and-roll retrieve. In other words, he'll drop the spinnerbait for perhaps 10 seconds, then pop it up and continue a slow roll for 2-3 seconds, then drop it again. The thing is, he will not use normal size spinnerbaits for this. He uses anything from a Booyah Micro Pond Magic (1/8 head weight) to a Strike King Li'l Mr. Money (3/16 oz. head weight). He outfishes me in cold water. Never underestimate the power of small lures to catch bass, especially in cold water. That definitely includes small spinnerbaits. The thing is, you have to recognize that different lures may take different retrieve techniques and speeds. Hope this was helpful. jj

That's highly personal, but I would use only a low gear ratio. Some people believe in slowing down a higher-gear-ratio reel, but to me that's very tiring. YMMV. jj

The only difference in usage of most braids and nylon lines (8-20 lb. test) is that with commonly used knots, the knot strength of braid compared to its tensile strength is lower than nylon. The reason for this is that braid can literally cut into itself under pressure. You can get past this behavior by using knots such as the Bimini Twist, but that's not something freshwater fishermen often use. And the knot is the weakest point, the weakest link in the chain.

This is just my opinion: 1) If you got a Falcon Cara for $65, I'd keep it. You got a deal. 2) If you really, really don't want to keep it, I'm sure you can sell it. I'm real sure. 3) Perhaps in the future, you might feel differently and want a rod like that. If so, you've already got one that is high quality for a low price. You never know what might interest you next year. Just the way I look at it. jj

What had you ordered? jj BTW ........... welcome to BR!

I have the TranX 300A, and it's a beast. I love it, and I recommend it. However ..... Shimano has introduced a Curado in the 300 size, the 300K. One of the gear ratios is 4.7:1, which is considerably lower than the TranX's 5.8:1. Kinda like a granny gear in a pickup. It should do well and save you $100 compared to the TranX. I doubt you can go wrong with either one. Good luck! jj

I assume you were thanking all the other people that replied, too. But as for me ..... you're welcome!. jj

When Mama gets hungry, she puts on her coat and walks up the hill to the cafe. She comes home afterwards, satisfied and full, and wants to rest. Don't bother her. The vast majority of my active winter bites have come in the shallows immediately above ledges. I'm talking water temps barely above freezing. I have never gotten a reliable bite in winter by going deep. Never. Other people have, but I never have. YMMV. jj