LCG

It could be that you need to increase the internal brakes to 3 and see how that works. You may need to alter your thumb release point when casting, sound like you need to release thumb pressure a little earlier in the cast. I can cast down to 1/4oz without much issue on my Curado K. It's not perfect but works fine in a pinch.

I have used braid to leader exclusively on baitcasters for the last four years or so. Very versatile. Cons are the knot through the guides, and I had horrible experience with reeling the knot into the spool. Tons of breakage when the knot goes through the line guide I think. This year I am trying straight big game mono 10 and 15lb for my casting set ups. I like not having the knot go through the guides and I tend to prefer extra fast or fast rods, so that may have something to do with it. With braid, the hook sets are jarring. Sort of a blunt force kind of feel. Trying mono for more of a shock absorber, so far so good, but need much more time with it to make a fair assessment. I still use braid to leader on my spinning set up, no plans for change there. Keeps the spinning set up very versatile.

I have the SLX MGL and the Curado K. They are both great reels, but I use them for different purposes. I have complete confidence in both reels. The Curado MGL is probably the best of both worlds, but I don't have one myself. The SLX MGL is a very good value, that still feels strong and smooth.

Good site, super fast shipping. I would buy from them again.

I have the 2500 FL spooled with about 140yds of straight 20lb suffix 832 braid and a 6lb mono leader. More line than I have ever needed so far and the felt drag is super smooth. Plus the felt is a $0.99 replacement if it goes bad eventually. The FL is a solid reel with power to spare. Fantastic reel.

I bought a bunch of their finness spinnerbaits recently, they just became available locally. I believe they are light wire. But wow, they work well. So far, they are my favorite spinnerbaits.

I do something similar when kayak fishing. I keep a pair of plastic lip grippers with elastic paracord tied to both the grippers and the kayak. Keeps hooks from getting into my hands and keeps the fish safer and in the water longer. Win / win and we get play again hopefully in the future.

I have slowly realized that I carried way more tackle than I would ever use in a year let alone a trip out for the day. Now I use two double sided 3500 boxes. One for plastics and one for hard baits. Small micro double sided box for terminal tackle. Goal by the end of this season is down to one double sided box for plastics and lures. If I don't catch anything with various lures this year, they are gone. Only want to carry what I know works and have confidence in. But easier said than done.

My guess is that the bass are either getting ready to or already spawning. This reproduction process gives way to more bass in the pond. Usually the bite dies off for a bit and picks up after the spawn and the bass have a chance to recoup.

While I don't have that particular model, I do own a Carbonlite 2.0 6'8 M-XF paired with a Shimano Stradic FL with 20lb suffix 832 braid to a 6lb leader. Had the rod for two years now, love it. In fact I also own 2 casting rods that are carbonlites. Love the rods. Very durable. Set your drag to slip just after a hard Hookset and don't high stick the rod or hit the blank with a Lure, you should be fine. I take care of my gear but I don't baby them on the water. They can take a beating.

I live in south west Ontario, I feel your pain. I fish for bluegill, carp, catfish, pike and trout before bass season opens. Not huge into any of those species, but I love being on the water and fishing. Like you said parts of America seem to have a full open bass season and they do well with conservation. Hope it changes but not holding my breath.

I now have three of the carbonlite 2.0 rods. @Eric 26recommended the medium power a few threads ago, I was able to find one in stock, the 6'6 M-F casting model. Paired with an SLX 70 MGL with 10lb big game. Went out a few days ago, no fish but threw a 1/4oz squarebill, a 5/16oz spinnerbait (.56oz in actual weight), and a TRD with a 1/16oz head. No issue throwing any of the baits, unfortunately no fish catches yet. Water still very cold in my part of the world. But the rod is a keeper. Also have the 6'9" MH-XF casting and 6'8" M-XF spinning. Bought and sold many rods over the years, but the carbonlite rods just have the "it" factor for me. Comfortable, light, reasonable price, and durable. As for chatterbaits, I would use a medium heavy. With a trailer, the weight is around 3/4oz.

That sucks. I know that eventually all spinnerbait lures will get to the point that they need to be thrown out, but sounds like these are faster to be retired than other brands. Any suggestions on a good spinnerbait that is compact but durable?

I recently picked up a few war eagle finness spinnerbaits. They are the gold frame 5/16oz, actual weight. 56oz, in spot remover and white and chartreuse. No fish catches yet, but was out throwing them yesterday and they looked great in the water. Water is still super cold here, so didn't expect much action. Just curious of other anglers opinions on these spinnerbaits. I like the compact design and the quality seems to be there.

If you are wanting to throw lighter weight lures, under 3/8oz and you are using 10-12lb line or 20-40lb braid, then the MGL is very much worth it. Keep in mind you need a rod to match the weights you want to throw as well. I have mine paired with a 6'6" M-F rod and throw between 3/16-1/2oz with it. Mine is the JDM version and I would buy it again. The curado 70 MGL is also a reel you that offers the best of the curado k and the MGL spool ie pinion support bearing and micro Module gears.

I have both the curado k and slx mgl, both left hand HG models. Both are smooth and refined. But they are different tools. Slx mgl has 10lb big game and used for lighter weights. Curado K has 14lb mono for texas rigs, jig, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits. Very happy with both reels and would highly recommend both of them equally.

I just wanted to say thanks again for your input. I picked up the Carbonlite 2.0 6'6" M-F casting rod today. Played with it at home and seems to be exactly what I am looking for. I was torn on 6'6" vs 7' length and 1 vs 2 piece, but all they had in stock was a single 6'6" M-F 1 piece, which made the decesion pretty easy Plan on using it for 1/8-3/16oz texas rigs, squarebills, light spinnerbaits, senkos, a do it all type rod for light cover. Mainly form a kayak and bank, so the length will probably be beneficial especially in the sit inside kayak.

That was a great write up and review, thanks for sharing. May I ask how you find the Lure ratings and action of these Zodias models? The medium is listed as a moderate fast action with a Lure rating of 1/4-3/4oz. Medium Heavy rated as fast action, 3/8-1oz. Would you say that's accurate? I am looking for the "one" rod for throwing 1/8-3/16oz texas rigged plastics, total weight being 3/16-5/8oz. Also want to throw 3/8oz squarebills and 5/16oz spinnerbait (actual weight 5/8oz). Which power rating would you suggest for the 3/16-5/8oz range? Flexible on line choice as I realize that can make a difference once the fish is on. Leaning towards the 6'10 Medium. I kayak and bank fish mainly, ponds, rivers, small lakes with a mix of features.

My perfect length is 6'9. Not too many options out there for that, but there's a few. I don't think 6" is a huge difference., but there is a little difference. I like 6'6" rods for bank and kayak fishing around trees, but I also like a 7' rod for more open situations. Hence 6'9" being my sweet spot, but I am a bit picky. But in real world usage either one would do you well.

The stick-o's are one of my main confidence baits. Love them, always pick up a few of the big bags when I go there to shop, not often, but once or twice a year. Can't have enough of them stock piled

^^^ This

I think it's personal preference and marketing trends. I fish from a kayak and the bank, I prefer 6'6"-7'0 rods. 6'8-6'10" is my sweet spot. No desire for a rod longer than 7'. I recently picked up a dobyns fury 703c, no fish on it yet as it's just starting to warm up now. It seems decent and has a nice action to it, but need more time with it. Always hear positive things about it, so figured I would try it out. Still prefer winn grips over cork, but that's not a fault of the rod, just my preference.

Yes and no. Like I said more out of curiosity than anything. But weight and profile dictate rate of fall. Also was interested why baits like spinnerbaits feel awkward when using a rod within the advertised weight, because it weighs significantly more than advertised. Just helps me understand the whole set up of a technique a little better.

Long story short, Canadian born, raised in the States, moved back to Canada 25+ years ago. Learning the metric system was hard in high school, but ultimately makes more sense.

I have read a few posts about Lure weights and with so much time on my hands lately, I decided to weigh some of my stuff. Part boredom, part curiosity. Below is my notes from weighing soft plastics, hard lures, and equipment... Measurements accurate to 1g or .035oz increments, measured 5 times, then averaged. Conversions are estimated to nearest hundredth decimal place with fractions estimated to closest reasonable fraction. Not scientific but close enough to be informative. This was done with a $15 walmart food scale, so take it for what it's worth. Conversion Guide ●1/16oz = .06oz ●1/8oz = .13oz ●3/16oz = .19oz ●1/4oz = .25oz ●3/8oz = .38oz ●1/2oz = .50oz ●5/8oz = .63oz ●3/4oz = .75oz ●7/8oz = .88oz ●1oz = 1oz Soft plastics ●Big Bite Baits 4" Finesse Worm = 1/8oz ●Weightless Zoom Trick Worm = 3/16oz ●Zman TRD = 1/8oz ●Zman TRD Craw = TBD ●Zoom Tiny Brush Hog = TBD ●BPS Stick-O 5 3/8" = 3/8oz ●Big Bite Baits 4" Creature = 1/4oz ●Big Bite Baits 4" Yo Mama = 3/8oz ●Berkley 7" Ribbon Tail Worm = 3/16oz ●Kalins 5" Grub = 1/8oz Hard baits ●KVD 1.0 = 1/4oz ●Cotton Cordell Big O = 1/4oz ●Berkley Pitbull squarebull 5.5 = 3/8oz ●Mepps inline spinner #3 = 1/5oz ●Blue Fox inline spinner #4 = 3/8oz ●Booyah Pond Magic 3/16oz spinnerbait = 1/3oz ●Booyah Spinnerbait 3/8 double Colorado blade = 3/4oz ●Booyah Spinnerbait 1/2oz Willow Colorado blades = 7/8oz ●Zman Chatterbait 3/8oz = 1/2oz ●Jigs 3/8oz = 1/2oz ●BPS Top Water Poppers Small = 1/4oz ●BPS Top Water Poppers Large = 3/8oz Equipment ●Shimano Stradic FL 2500 spooled with 20lb braid and 6lb mono leader = 8.1oz ●Shimano SLX MGL 70 spooled with 10lb mono = 7.1oz ●Shimano Curado K 200 spooled with 14lb mono = 7.9oz ●BPS Carbonlite 2.0 6'8" M-XF spinning rod = 4.2oz ●BPS Carbonlite 2.0 6'9" MH-XF casting rod = 4.4oz ●Dobyns Fury 7' MH-F casting rod = 4.6oz ●Shimano Compre 6'10" MH-XF casting rod 2 piece = 5.0oz ●Plano Double Sided 3500 tackle box empty = 7.0oz ●Plano 3500 double sided tackle box with hard baits = 15.7oz ●Plano 3500 double sided tackle box with soft plastics = TBD ●Plano Double Sided small terminal tackle box = 8.0oz ●Plano 3500 weekender bag empty = 15.0oz ●Plano 3500 weekender bag loaded = TBD ■Size 4/0 EWG Gammy Hook = .01oz Conclusion: Probably better stuff I could do with my time, but it's still winter here and not much to do But, was surprising was that a Ned rig weighs in at about 3/16oz, not as light as some would make it seem. Spinnerbaits weigh almost double advertised weight. Chatterbaits weight about 1/8oz more than advertised weight. Assume it's all the hardware involved in making the Lure. Crankbaits seem to weigh the same as advertised. Makes sense now why some spinnerbaits seem really awkward to throw on some of my combo's, the Lure is just way to heavy for the rod. Also, the equipment weights were just for information. Not that weight is a huge factor for me, I am more concerned about the balance of the combo than weight. Thanks for reading, just thought I would share my findings.