The Bassman

Fill the reel about 2/3 full of mono then the rest with the braid.

Sounds fine. I wouldn't use less than 30# Smackdown on a BC as it's very thin.

Unless I'm missing something it looks like just a quick flick with the needle nose.

Really envy you. I was catching fish in 50* yesterday. Today we're hanging on to whatever we can with 45-50 mph wind and temps dropping to the teens tonight. Our spring's coming real soon. I can sense the transition.

I listened to Tom Mann give a presentation years ago where he referenced his tackle box as a "Plain-O" box.

That outfit's too good looking to take fishing.

Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

Pfluegers are smaller than other makes. A 30 is more like a 20.

I think we're done with ice. It came and went several times this winter with mid Jan. being the most persistent. It's been a great winter of finesse fishing but I'm anxious for some power techniques soon.

Most JDM shops price their goods at a lower price than the Shimano Japan site quotes as suggested retail. I'm pretty sure the Scorp and SLX MGL were these prices from the start.

Had a great afternoon with ned rig on some decent fish. This was the best of nine I caught in a little over an hour. Rain tomorrow then big wind and more cold. The groundhog is a con artist.

JDM's generally quite a bit cheaper. Has to do with the exchange rate.

Should work fine except DT 4 would be a bit light. Would be too long and stout for me. But that's just preference. Post this in Rods, Reels forum and you'll get better response. It'll get moved anyway. Good luck and welcome to the forums.

If it's closing OK I'm guessing it could have been installed backwards. I'll bet @Delaware Valley Tackle would know.

Daiwa Fuego, Excelor, or Legalis LT.

Call Shimano 877-577-0600.

I like this approach. Don't get all hung up on specific #'s of resistance. You develop a sense of what's "just right". I get a kick out of reel promos that boast of double digit drags. Total nonsense.

You've got lots to choose from. I fish Shimano Stradic CI4's but at your price point I'm impressed by Daiwa's LT platform (Fuego 2500LT on e-bay under 80.00). I fish banks, too and am most comfortable with rods under 6'6" in varying powers according to technique. I've actually been pleased in the past with modestly priced Cabela's house brands. You'll get plenty of suggestions here but most guys will try to steer you to something longer. Most important to me is that it's not tip heavy. I don't like to buy rods without handling them first. Like you a lot of my past experience was line watching for cats, etc. Bass fishing (for me) makes for a much more entertaining, interactive pursuit. Welcome to the forums and enjoy. There's no turning back. LOL

In spite of temps right at freezing I managed a few yesterday and today. Gotta say though that this winter stuff is getting a little old. I'm getting anxious for warmer weather and light jackets. I do think we're past much threat of icing up again except for maybe skim ice. That's something to be happy about.

Check E-Bay and you'll see that E's are going for quite a bit more than 75-80. I think they're overrated and I owned several. FWIW I found the G to actually be smoother. It took a real hosing because of poor marketing by Shimano.

Well thought out post. One thing I like about this site is the broad spectrum of its users; not just tackle junkies but everything from complete beginners on up. To dis a spincast user is a real quick way to chase someone away. It's about enjoying fishing, not impressing people.

SK Zero is actually Z-Man's Zinkerz. Big TRD is slightly shorter and thicker with less salt. Sink rate changes as salt is dissolved. Eventually they float and need weight to keep them down. Your worm hook is probably heavy enough with the TRD but I've found that with a 1/16 wacky jig head my Zinkerz just hang at the surface. They're really porous. Takes 'em forever to dry out, too.

Starting to catch a few again. Got six tuesday and seven this afternoon. A lot of ponds still have ice but I was getting them today right off the edge. Nothing big, 12-15". I've been using a ned rigged Z-Man finesse worm. Still hoping for an early spring.

It cost me my first job painting apartments because fishing was more fun.

Chronarch MGL is not really a finesse reel. All the reels mentioned are great. Just depends on one's price point.