LCG

This is a great idea, I would definitely follow it. I have spent far too many hours searching the corners of the internet looking for stuff that we can't get or is way too expensive from the U. S.

I wish we had a Canadian version of tacklewarehouse, we just don't get the selection of our southern neighbours. Bass pro, sail, and a few select smaller shops have decent selections, but nothing like tacklewarehouse. Our low dollar and govt taxes make buying from the states way too expensive. I have found decent deals on Amazon.ca on occasion.

I have been using a 4/0 EWG hook with the 4in. I would say a 1/0 EWG would probably work on the smaller version. I had good luck with them this summer, caught a few big ones on them. Glad I bought them. The creature bait is my favorite, but sometimes they just want less action and that's where the yo mama delivers. I have become a big fan of big bite baits and will order them again, once my ten year supply runs low ended up buying 200 creature baits, 100 yo mama's, and 100 4in and 6in finesse worms from them. Still prefer the BPS stick-o, which I always buy in bulk as well. Great way to save some money in the long run. I keep them in rubber maid sealed Tupperware containers, the scent stays inside and they lay flat for long term storage.

If you don't mind used, I would keep and eye on kijiji. I recently purchased a Shimano SLX MGL from Japan for far less than I can but it here in Ontario. Paid $163 for the reel plus $32 to the tax man. I bought from Asian Portal Fishing. They sell all brands including the Daiwa you want. Think it took 3 days to ship from Japan to Ontario is unbelievably fast shipping. Was nervous at first, but solid company and reel is amazing value. Might be worth a look to order from Japan.

6'8"-7' in both spinning and casting seems to be the sweet spot for me. Balances distance, accuracy, control, and overall feel.

I recently picked up a Fury 703c and while I have only been out with it once and no fish catches on it, I would say it cast the lower to mid end well. It's rated 1/4-3-4, I went up to 1/2oz lures and it did well. I wouldn't personally throw much higher though. I wouldn't tie on a 3/8-1/2oz chatterbait on it, seems a bit too light to me. I would say their 3 power rod is very good at 1/4-3/8oz and good with 3/16-1/2oz. I know it's minimal experience, but call it first impressions.

After trying various Abu 's and Pfluegers, I landed on the Shimano Stradic FL 2500. This reel is extremely smooth and feels solid. Don't see needing to replace it in a very long time. I really feel Shimano offers very good value.

Unfortunately the season is over for us up here in Ontario. However, next season I will be focusing and learning it better with casting gear. Thanks for the tips, I will be sure to try it.

Yeah I think the whole rig comes in at 1/4oz. I also tried a weightless trick worm, which the lightest thing I throw and the slx mgl did a very good job throwing it. Good reel to have for lighter techniques. Kind of makes my spinning set up somewhat redundant, but I still can't skip with a baitcaster to save my life

No experience with the regular slx reel, but I was casting 1/16oz TRD Ned rigs on a Fury 703c and was getting good distance with an slx mgl with 2 on 2 off with outside dial at 4. 30lb braid and 10lb leader.

The difference in my experience is noticeable. I couldn't tell you an exact number, but you can tell. Daiwa uses magnetic breaking which is fantastic for control. But Shimano centrifical svs infinity system does a better job for me. It's all personal preference. To me the Daiwa was a great reel but I much prefer the casting and feel of Shimano reels. To each their own. The fuego would be good at short distance, accurate cast, without fear of backlashes. The Shimano is best with 2 brakes on, 2 off and the outer dial around 3-4. Shimano offers more fine adjustments and further casting. Both still require using your thumb though. I have heard some explain it like this, Daiwa breaks throughout the mid-later part of the cast, Shimano brakes more in the beginning - middle of the cast (way less of the end of the cast which is why there is an increase in distance, but your thumb has to be ready).

I have had the Daiwa Fuego CT and currently have a Shimano Curado K and SLX MGL. The Fuego is a solid reel, however I greatly prefer the centrifical breaks of the Shimano reels. The Fuego is good for control, but the Shimanos offer better distance and overall refinement in my opinion. The mag force z of the Daiwa reels is great for reducing backlashes, but the distance is sacrificed. No free rides I guess I have the SLX MGL paired with a new to me Dobyns Fury 703c. The combo cast light weight baits quite a distance, with good control and accuracy. Use for squarebills, spinnerbaits 3/16-3/8oz,and weightless plastics. Even used a 1/16oz Ned rig and it did very well. The fury is still new to me, but I like the feel of the action of the blank but prefer winn grips over cork. The Curado K is paired with a Carbonlite 2.0 6'9 MH-XF, which is more for texas rigs, chatter baits, and heavier spinnerbaits. Solid reel all around workhorse. For spinning, I also use a Shimano Stradic FL. That reel is amazing. Paired with a Carbonlite 2.0 6'8 M-XF.

I ordered from them recently and had a very positive experience with them. Good prices and unbelievable fast shipping.

A 7ft ish MH-F would probably be your best bet for the next rod. It would complement your spinning setup nicely. I am a big fan of Shimano reels, I have the Curado K and SLX MGL and they are both great. Daiwa has good reels too but not a big fan of their t wing system. You will soon learn that not all manufacturers rate rods the same ie MH in one brand may fish more like a heavy or a medium. Find something that has a lure rating that can handle what you plan on using it for and you should be good. The middle of the Lure rating is usually the sweet spot for most rods.

I already own the Curado K and also the SLX MGL you spoke of, I like both reels very much. Was thinking of using the K with the dobyns rod, but I guess it would make more sense to use the SLX MGL with the dobyns given the light weights I will be using. I am way to analytical

I have a line on a used Dobyns Fury 703c and I plan on pairing it with a Curado K HG. I am hoping to use this as my moving baits setup. Mostly 3/8oz spinnerbaits, 1/4-3/8oz square bill crankbaits and some soft plastics. Does this seem reasonable for this setup? Love to hear from people who have this rod.

I bought a couple of the BPS Carbonlite 2.0 rods mostly for the super comfortable winn grips. They feel great, stay clean, and still look new. Great grip when wet too. No arthritis or injuries, just feel great.

X2

To add to the above post, take a 1/2oz spinnerbait, that actually weighs .62oz,then add a trailer like a curly tail grub and the total weight become 3/4-7/8oz. So if your rod max lure rating is 1/2oz,then the Lure is too big for the rod. Not all rods are the same either. I have casting rods rated to 1oz and in reality 3/4oz is the rods max. It's all a learning curve. This site will help guide you though it all. Just read through the forums and start with the basics then work your way up slowly. OH, and you'll know when a bass hits that crankbait. Just keep at it. Learn the senko techniques as well, you will catch fish.

You need to stick within the rods lure rating. So say it's 1/8-1/2oz,the sweet spot is half way, so a 1/4oz in this example. A medium power, fast action rod is very versatile for most fishing. However it's not ideal for panfish, or the other extreme end of musky fishing. Being as you haven't caught a fish yet, don't stress too much. Give it time before you start buying specific gear, once you learn more and understand what exactly you want to do. As for musky fishing, your looking at heavy to extra heavy rods and strong reels to hold up to those big boys. That's a whole different category. For bass, a medium power fast action rod is a good starting point. Next setup would be a medium heavy fast action baitcasting set up, which takes time to master. For panfish, a ultralight or light powered fast action rod is more suitable. It's not sporting catching bluegill on rods meant for bass. I fish for mainly bass, but also fish for bluegill, perch, crappie, sunfish, pike, carp, catfish, and Walleye. For panfish I use my son's ugly stick youth combo, for bass, pike, Walleye I use either a medium power extra fast action spinning rod rated 1/8-3/8 oz or a medium heavy extra fast casting rod rated for 3/8-1oz. Also your 1/2oz crankbait in actuality weighs more like 5/8oz when you factor in the hooks. It's gets complicated

I use a M-XF Spinning rod for Ned, wacky, and neko rigs. Also use it for drop shot and inline spinners. As previously mentioned, a wacky and neko rig are very similar, just use a weedless hook and add a weight. I usually texas rig a Ned rig on a size 2 EWG as I hate getting hung up all the time. A weightless trick worm is always a good bet as well. I generally prefer baitcasting setups for texas rigged senkos, brush hogs, and creature baits. I usually bring two combos depending on conditions and what I feel will work on a given day.

The MGL excels with lighter lures. The standard is good for larger lures and more line capacity. I use the Curado K for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, crankbaits, etc. I recently picked up a SLX MGL for light texas rigs, weightless plastics etc. Both will do the job good enough, but I wanted to get something different and more specific for what I am using. Both are excellent reels.

I am in Ontario, Canada and for the most part we fish the same lures and plastic baits. Bluegill, sunfish, perch, crawfish are all abundant here. I always here about shad, which I have never seen here. Other than that, all techniques work here.

I bought an SLX MGL from Japan and noticed the brake drum was heavily oiled. I cleaned some of the excess oil off the brake drum and am able to use it now with two on two off, with the outside dial at 3 or 4. That's throwing a 3/16oz weighted baby brush hog. That Scorpion MGL was on my short list. Like the deep red. It looks like a sweet reel.

Thanks for all of your hard work. Site looks great. Much appreciated.