jimmyjoe

I take it that you mean "most people" here on BR? So you've been reading many of the comments here on BR (which is good) and saw that "most people" recommend a "MH/F" rod for techniques that are, I take it, different from chatterbaits. and similar to "techniques such as tailspinners and slow rolling spinner baits and finesse jigs". Okay. Now everything is starting to get a little clearer. The MH/F rod is most commonly recommended for people who want one rod for an "all-arounder". That's different from fishermen looking for technique-specific rods. So one person wants one rod for "techniques such as tailspinners and slow rolling spinner baits and finesse jigs" (and maybe a whole lot more) whereas other fishermen want (possibly) three rods for those uses (and maybe many more). And I guess that you're asking whether or not the Fitzgerald rod would be okay as an all-arounder for everything or not. Correct so far? The answer is: That depends entirely on you. I learned on fiberglass. 57 years later, I'm still comfortable with fiberglass. I have 13 rods and reels, and I don't even have a boat; I'm a shorecaster. If I had to, I could give up 12 of those rods and reels and just use a fiberglass rod. I wouldn't want to, but if I had to, I could. Some people here on BR, people who are competition fishermen, would say that that's insane. No way. Definitely cannot be done. And they'd be correct ..... for them. But I'm not a competition fisherman. I'm just a retired old fart who loves to fish. So yeah, I could do it. ? What about you? What do you want to do? Do you just want to fish, or do you want to be one of "The Boys"? If you just want to fish, the Fitzgerald rod, or most any other rod, is good enough. If, on the other hand, you want to get into fishing at what they call the "enthusiast level" or the competiton level, ...... well, that's a rabbit hole you may not want to start down. It never ends. The Tackle Monkey would own your soul. Hope I understood what you were trying to ask, and I hope this helps you a little. jj p.s. - If you wish to ask more questions in the future, please be as clear as possible. Other people cannot read your mind.

1) Sell the big rod and reel on the auction site. 2) Use the money to buy a casting rod for your casting reel, with money left over. 3) With the money left over, buy some line and lures. 4) Go fishing. Catch fish. Have fun. Life is good. ?? jj

Is this 6'-09" rod that's at the top of the listings the same rod you're asking about? https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fitzgerald_Fishing_Bryan_Thrift_Series_Casting_Rods/descpage-FBTCR.html If it is, that's a good chatterbait rod. You mentioned that you're "reading techniques such as tailspinners and slow rolling spinner baits and finesse jigs". The only place I can see comments like that are in the reviews on the actual Fitzgerald Rods website. Remember one thing about reviews: anyone can say anything they like, but that doesn't mean that YOU would necessarily like the rod for the same thing if you were to fish with it. jj

I really admire your command of font size! ??? jj

Now .... to answer the OP's question: In winter I use glycerin soap. Dove is a good second. In summer I use any cheap UNSCENTED body wash, because it's quick and easy. One thing I did notice, though; body wash takes "fishy" scent off better. jj

Hmmmmmm ....... I could have sworn that the OP was asking about 17 lb. LINE, not 17 lb. BRAID as it now says. Am I wrong? ? jj

You do know, don't you @A-Jay, that my dad was a dairy farmer? I definitely will NOT go into all the varied uses for Bag Balm. ??? ??? jj

I take it you have the Battle 2 in 4000 size, correct? Specs on that are here: https://www.pennfishing.com/products/battle-ii-spinning-1338219?variant=34036202832012 As for the rod, what is the brand and model, and what are the specs (power, action, line test and lure weight) written on the die of the blank? With more info, people can help you much better. jj

Everything you read says to use a fast action FOR WHAT? Action is the point on the blank where it bends under load. Power is HOW MUCH force is necessary to start that bend. Just to throw another monkey wrench into the works: action says nothing about how soft or stiff that tip is. You can have a fast action rod with a soft tip, or you can have a fast action rod with a stiff tip. @MickD finally got that through my head. Thanks, Mick! ? jj p.s. - this also does not address the "speed" of the rod, which is how fast it will come back to center if the load is removed. Nor does it address settling time, which is how soon it stops "vibrating" after it has been deflected from center rest.

Great write-up! I thought I was there! And ...... congratulations! ? jj

The NASCI is a plastic reel. The Spheros was, and might still be, a metal reel. Maybe that's important to you, maybe not. jj

No, I have no idea. ? jj

You're definitely talking my language! As a died-in-the-wool shorecaster, I've always had the fight inside. It was between the places where I was comfortable, and new spots which I knew could sometimes be total blanks. Going from farm ponds to small rivers to the Mississippi, and from points to dams, I was always frustrated and confounded with each change in surroundings and ecosystem. But I would learn how to catch fish, and I would learn how to love and admire the beauty of the new places and the different natural surroundings as I progressed. Over the years, I met new and interesting people, some of whom were as crazy as I was. Some are still my friends. Some are in my prayers every night. And I'm still going. In 57 years of fishing, I've come almost full circle, and now I'm fishing lakes. Yeah, I had a short period of time during which I was frustrated, but the crazy people here helped me kinda like the crazy people on the river helped me, and now I'm comfortable almost anywhere. You think I'd give all that up? All that I've learned, all the people I've met, and all the places I've seen up close and personal? Heck, no! Everyone has some kind of key to unlock the doors of their life. Hunting, racing, photography, music, hiking or whatever. For me, it has been fishing. That's been my key. Sounds like it might be your key, too. After all, it's about more than just catching fish. ? jj

Nope. There are at least 2 of us. ? Absolutely BFS can use braid. It's just a matter of which flex, which diameter and which weave. The answer might turn out to be different than you think for whichever reel you choose. OTOH, there's nothing you can do about the visibility issue, except hope that low diameter alone is sufficient. jj

I use a milk jug, putting as much water as I want into it for 2/3/4 lbs. of drag. BTW .... 4 lbs of drag is the MAXIMUM I will pre-set on my rigs. It has gotten me lots of fish, including 3 of my 4 musky. I only increase drag when I absolutely have to, such as the flathead 3 years ago (that was a fight!) and an occasional good-sized wiper that gets into current. jj

Wouldn't you call Nanofil a non-braid? It casts a great distance, but I wouldn't trust it without pre-testing the whole reel-full. I had a couple spools with segments that just fell apart (literally) in my hands. In 6 lb. test, I now use Stren Original. Yes, it benefits from a larger arbor and lip diameter, but it's strong, consistent, and I'm happy with it. ? jj

Really, it never was an issue. I'm not an admirer of Dick Swan or a user of noodle rods, but if it were an issue using stretchy mono and soft rods to set hooks, noodle rods would never have existed. They are the extreme example of the "issue", their length notwithstanding. For a bass fisherman, though, using common lures at common retrieve speeds, the fish hooks itself. By the time you sense the hit on a moving lure, your hookset is just insurance after the fact. I have to admit that the newer hooks are an improvement, though. I remember sharpening hooks all the time. Glad I don't have to do that anymore. jj

You don't need line to ascertain function. Turn the spool against the drag with your hand. jj

Yeah, I can see what you mean. My comment was more rhetorical than literal. jj

Correct. Ten or fifteen years ago I listened to a pro giving a little demonstration. Can't remember his name, but I remember he said he used a $100 reel. Someone asked how he got by with that. He said that every time he went out, he had at least 5 new reels in the boat, each spooled up, and at the least sign of trouble or degradation of performance from the one that he was using, he immediately installed a new one. I would have liked to have gotten his rejects! jj

I know. I'm not saying that it makes sense to you and me, I'm just saying that advertisers and others do it because they can. Because of that, you and I have to learn to deal with it. As for something making sense, just take a look at the world around you. What percentage of it makes sense to you? ?? jj

Welcome back .... to the Dark Side ?? ? ??? jj

Instead of LMH/F (light medium heavy/fast) he just got the "L" in the wrong place. Mistakes happen. It's more apt to occur with some people than others, but it's no bigee. Please don't shoot the cab driver. ? jj

How new is yours? I think (this is tenuous) that you might be referring to the silent drag/clicker drag switch. Click it and pull line off, then put it the other way and pull line off. It should be obvious. If that's not it, then I don't have any idea. jj

Keep'em. Next year your whole outlook might change. jj