LCG

I bought this combo off Amazon. Works great for spooling and de-spooling with an electric drill. I use old empty spools to remove the line.

As you continue learning, you will learn to read the conditions. That's where I start usually. I run the lake or pond in a kayak and usually make two round trips. Mostly shallow water. Windy - reaction moving lures Calm - plastics, in line spinner, maybe a crabkbait Hot - deeper water, shade, cover Sounds like you have learned what produces in your area. 12 catches is a good day on the water.

As long as you separate them with the dividers you should be fine. I use a 3600 thin box for various plastics, but I generally keep the colors separated. I will even keep zman stuff in there, but that compartment only holds zman from brand new box. Elaztec doesn't like plastisol. Paddle tails can get kinked though in my experience.

Right now, Daiwa is getting my money for rods. I really like their actions. Particularly their regular action.

If it helps I got the 7' M spinning rod mainly for senkos around cover and it's perfect. Balances nicely with a Daiwa Exceler 3000. Both of mine are two piece models.

Spinning or casting? I have the Spinning model and I find 5/8 oz is it's max. I love the rod personally. It's comfortable, sensitive, and looks great. I read reviews saying the casting model fishes like a MH. I also have a JDM variant 6'10 MH-R that I also really like.

Don't have the Regal, but did play with one in the store. Ended up buying a Daiwa Exceler LT 3000 instead due to some upgraded features and I prefer the basic silver finish. Have not put it to use it, but have it spooled with thin 15lb braid and lays line well. I also have a Daiwa Tatula LT 2000 spooled with thin 8lb braid and it also lays line nicely. I have had this reel for 2 years and never had a wind knot or any issues at all. Daiwa LT series of reels are lightweight, smooth drags, and very light rotation of the handle, sort of a smooth airy feel. I like their spinning reels.

I want to try jerkbait fishing this year, so I bought my first jerkbait. I went with the yo zuri 3DB 110 in natural perch colour. It weighs 1/2oz with a 3-5ft running depth and suspends. Looking for advice of which combo to use. 7' M-F Daiwa Tatula XT spinning rod with 15lb braid. Possibly 6lb YZH leader. Or 6'10" MH-R Daiwa Tatula XT casting rod with either 30lb braid or 12lb YZH. Possibly braid to leader. I fish a wide variety of conditions in Ontario, Canada. Ponds, small lakes, and great lakes. Usually fish less than 10ft of water. Targeting smallmouth, largemouth, and pike. Bank and kayak angler, occasional boys trip on a boat. I don't lock my drag down, usually thumb bar release for running fish or use the drag on my spinning reels. I say possible leader as I hate tying leaders, but have been getting better tying the FG knot, but still a PITA. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

A net can be a valuable tool

I think it's safe to say most of us started with an ugly stick of some sort. I had an ugly stick spinning combo and used braid, it worked fine until I started upgrading my equipment after about a year of using it. Because it's a casting rod, I would suggest 40lb braid, spooled tightly, and use mono backing, if you're going with braided line. Or simply use big game mono as it reliable and affordable. 10-12lb should do you just fine. Enjoy the learning process, it's steep and never ends

I have the Tatula XT 6'10 MH-R and a Rebellion 6'10 MH-R, both rated 1/4-1oz. The lure rating is accurate. These particular models are JDM models that I found at a local retailer. Both are nice rods, the XT has the cross weave wrap on the lower half of the rod, not the upper portion. The Rebellion has cross weave wrap on the whole blank, but has been discontinued. They fish different than they feel, hard to explain. I use them for reaction lures.

Here is the link to the reel I bought, it's a Canadian site for cabelas / BPS... https://www.cabelas.ca/product/178546/bass-pro-shops-johnny-morris-carbonlite-tech-baitcast-reel It has a brass main gear and just as smooth as both of my Lew's Speed Spool LFS reels. I have it spooled up but have to wait until May to put it use on the water. Been pitching plugs around the house for practice with it so far. PS. Our dollar sucks, so your cost would be much lower. I got mine on sale for $140 CAD which is what the speed spool LfS costs here.

You won't have any regrets. Own both, recommend both 100%.

I picked up one of the new carbonlite reels on sale, the new black ones. It's a sweet little reel for the price. Haven't used it yet, but from what I can tell it's quality. Never tried the dual braking, so that will be interesting. My experience with centrifugal brakes are pretty much set it once and forget about them, so I don't see the removable side plate much of an issue after the initial set up. Reel is very lightweight at 6.4oz.

Glad you like it so far. For what it's worth, I set my spool tension with just a tad of side to side play, set the brakes at 4, brakes at 3 when my thumb is on point. I very much like the Lew's Speed spool Lfs reels. Love that they have a grease port for the gears for easy touch up. I recently picked up a BPS Carbonlite reel, the new black ones. It's clearly based on the LFS platform with some upgraded components, carbon side plates, handle, and drag. I believe it comes in at 6.4oz. It's very smooth as well. This one has both centrifugal and magnetic brakes, which should be interesting once the weather warms up.

When I was young, I was taught that "if you're going to do something, do it right the first time." That advice has paid off quite a bit throughout my life.

I picked up a Daiwa Tatula XT spinning rod 7' M-F and then paired it up with a Daiwa Exceler LT 3000 for this year. Plan on using mainly as a Senko rod (wacky, texas rigged, neko) and a general use rod. Have to wait a few weeks to put it to use, but it's a nice combo on a $200 budget.

I hope you enjoy your new Lew's LFS reels. I have two myself, in different gear ratios, and I like them a lot. I find them comfortable, solid, and reliable.

I always keep a water bottle with clean water for drinking/rinsing a cut, some small hand sanitizer, and a couple of bandages with me for just that reason. Don't want to mess with infections, can be risky.

I have the 7' M-F and can confirm it's a very nice rod. The lure rating is a little off though in my opinion. 3/4oz feels overloaded. 1/8-1/2oz is good to go though. Maybe up to 5/8. Just paired it with a Daiwa exceler LT 3000, nice pairing.

This is so true. It took me longer to realize this than I care to admit. Over time I learned that I only need to throw a handful of lures and plastics that actually produce in my area. South west ontario mainly and northern ontario two weeks a year. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, jigs, inline spinners, crankbaits, senkos or trick worms, baby brush hogs, beaver baits, Ned rigs, and tubes cover all my bases. One day I will actually toss out all the lures and plastics that never get used... Not today... But someday

I have gone back to all 2 piece rods. The only 2 piece rod that ever caused an issue was an old ugly stick. I have all Daiwa rods, all in 2 piece, both spinning and casting, zero issues. Much easier for my family lifestyle and vehicles. I feel no difference in sensitivity or strength.

10-15lb 8 strand braid sounds right. Color is dealers choice. If you're using a leader that will be the end that gets abused the most. Be sure to use mono backing on the reel before spooling the braid, helps grab the braid for drag and you don't need 300yds of braid.

I also recently purchased a Tatula XT 7' medium spinning rod. Originally I threw my Tatula LT 2000 on it, but something didn't quite feel right. The LT reel weighs 5.8oz and felt too light, even though the XT rod only weighs 3.9oz. The reel went back on my Daiwa Rebellion 6'8 ML-F rod (3.3oz) where it just feels right. Went to to the store and grabbed a Daiwa Exceler LT 3000, weighing 7.1oz. Combo feels right in my hand now. Sometimes I find trying different combinations really gives that feel or balance or whatever you want to call it where everything comes together nicely. The fuego you mentioned might be the ticket for you as it has sealed bearings and rated for salt water, but still light weight and would probably pair well. I do find the unsealed reels to be more free feeling, but that could just be me.

I am up in Ontario, Canada and we have a bit of everything from dirty to clear water. I tried 50lb braid last year, but didn't like the casting distance. This year trying some thin 15 and 30 braid. 6lb (leader) and 12lb (straight) copolymer YZH have done well for me the last 2-3 years. It's diameter is much higher than the lb test, so it's really more like 10 and 16lb line.