LCG

I also have a Tatula LT 2000. Really nice reel, light weight, smooth drag. Holds way more line than I would ever need. Paired with a lightweight 6'8" ML-F spinning rod for finesse applications. Total package comes in at 9.3oz and super balanced. Joy to fish with.

I liked it so much, I bought a second as a backup. Love the action and the trigger grip is perfect for how I like holding the rod. Most rod have a smaller trigger. It's the little things I can't believe it's so affordable for what it offers. Light, sensitive, well built.

I recently picked up a two piece 7' MH-F Daiwa aird x and could not be happier. I am using it for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits mostly, rated 1/4-1oz, kind of a moderate fast tip. Cast great and has helped keep a few pike pinned so far. It makes for a nice affordable moving bait rod. For texas rigs I am using a Daiwa Rebellion 6'10 MH-R casting rod, also two piece. It's lightweight but feels strong as a tank.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, experience, and opinions on using shrink tubing. It's given me some input I didn't think of, will have to think it over. Appreciate the guidance.

I see you used paracord, is that the main source of the weight or is the shrink tube heavy?

Thanks for the info. Grips are fine, just curious if heat shrink would add any benefit. I have rods with cork and rods with Eva, nothing wrong with any of them.

Has anyone added heat shrink tubing to their rod handles? If so, how did it turn out? Does the grip remain tacky over time? Does the heat shrink tubing shrink length wise or just in diameter? Toying with the idea as a winter project. Thanks in advance.

I'm right handed, and only use left hand baitcasting reels. Started fishing about 10 years ago, learned baitcasters about 7 years ago. Started with left hand reels as it just felt more natural to me. My understanding is that further back in time, they didn't make left handed reels or they were harder to come by, so naturally people used them and that's how they learned. I could be wrong. I don't plan on changing. But, not saying either way is right or wrong. Whatever works best for the user.

Have owned the carbonlite 2.0 in spinning and casting. Good rods, plenty sensitive for me, nice actions, comfortable winn grips, solid over the counter warranty. Only reason I sold them was to move back to two piece rods for maximizing versatility for my lifestyle. Have also owned the fenwick hmg two generations ago. Really well balanced, sensitive, nice action, good build quality. Regret selling it. Checked out the newer ones, wasn't impressed. I see they are coming out with a new model.now, but haven't seen them in person yet. I would definitely play with them when I see them in stores. Also owned and sold St croix Mojo and avid x rods. I liked them when I had them but I did not find the Mojo overly comfortable and the micro guides on the avid x were not for me. I hear the newer ones aren't tip heavy, but haven't played with them. My current rods are Daiwa Rebellion in spinning and casting as well as their aird x in casting. Really liking those rods. Very light, sensitive, comfortable, great actions, very well built. I will be keeping these for awhile I think. I like trying different things. Some are hits, some are misses. I don't keep what I don't use.

KW

Thanks everyone for replying. I will look for 832 50lb next time I am out. Always appreciate the advice.

There is a learning curve for everything, don't sweat it. I bought a lew's Speed spool lfs earlier this year to try out. I liked it so much I bought another one a week or so ago. I like the simplicity the reel offers. I keep a loose spool tension and magnetic brake around 4-5, depending on the Lure. I find the cast to be very controlled with good distance. I fished this reel a lot this year, no backlashes, a few small over runs that were My fault. However, this is not a finesse reel. Have them both paired with MH rods. I also use a curado 70 MGL which uses centrifical brakes and has a light spool with less line capacity. This is better suited for throwing lighter lures, not BFS, but normal finesse stuff. Paired with a medium power rod. I mix rods and reels until I find what feels best for me. I stress "for me". It's all about the whole system, how the rod loads, my casting stroke, the reels strengths vs weakness, the lure, and various other factors like wind, or type of cast (pitching, side arm, roll cast, overhand).

Don't have the XT rod, but do have a MH Aird X and a MH Rebellion. Very impressed with both rods. Really liking Daiwa rods so far.

You are about to go down a deep rabbit hole Spool diameter, line diameter (not lb test), Line type (Braid vs Nylon stack on the spool differently), Line capacity (full vs 3/4), gear ratio vs Ipt, manufacturer stated specs vs real world specs (what diameter line did they use to establish amount of line and ipt), torque vs speed, etc.

The braid itself appears to be cut, but the gore fibers in the middle are holding strong. I have used 832 in 10lb on spinning for a few years and always been happy. Maybe it's just a matter of stepping up to 65lb. Wasn't sure if there was anything better suited for the job. Thanks for the tips

I have used 832 for awhile now, no complaints in general. However, the 40lb I have spooled up right now has serious abrasion. The braid is essentially gone and just the middle fiber material is left in spots.

Hello all, Looking to spool up with some heavy braid, probably 65lb, for fishing in heavy vegetation. Weeds, hydrilla or milfoil (not sure which), some lay downs and standing timber. Targeting largemouth, smallmouth, and pike. Looking for a solid braid that can take some abuse and casts well. Thanks in advance.

Is the rod one piece or two? I would definitely add foam to both end of the tune to protect the rod either way. I have switched all my rods to two piece for versatility, as I have a family and one pice rods just don't work well most of the time. I use a rod cases that fit my combos with reels attached with a total length of 45", this works well for me and allows me to take any of my rods with me. If we are traveling and stay for awhile, I leave them attached as one pice and use rod socks and reel covers. Hope that helps.

I have been catching a lot of pike this year while targeting bass. Most 10lbs and under, one 42" pike. All on a medium and medium heavy casting rod, but throwing bass lures. Mainly spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. The 42" pike put up a great fight, but landed and released just fine. I guess it depends if your going for giants and throwing over 3/4oz lures. As for reel speed, I would go with something in the 6 speed range for moving baits.

Interesting...I find the Aird X action similar to my Daiwa Rebellion 6'10 MH-R, kind of between moderate fast and fast. I have come to like that action with a MH backbone.

I purchased a Lew's Speed Spool LFS earlier this year and I have been pleasantly surprised how good this reel is. Distance is good, control is excellent, pretty smooth, very comfortable. Great value. A few days ago I bought a Daiwa Aird X 7 MH-F 2 piece casting rod, as I was looking to add another MH rod for reaction baits, and from what I read this rod is more moderate fast. Took it our today and I was very impressed. It is moderate fast at the tip but MH in the backbone. Was casting spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swim jigs, and texas rigs just to see if I could feel the bottom (passed with flying colors). Caught a few pike and a smallmouth and the rod loads up nice and deep with plenty of power. It's nice that you don't have to spend a fortune to get good gear nowdays. I see another Speed Spool in my future and would not hesitate to buy another Aird X if I ever need another rod. Just thought I would share my experience, in case anyone is looking to beat some of this inflation and pick up a budget combo.

Line memory and some loss of sensitivity, in my opinion. I prefer braid to long leader when using spinning gear.

Sorry to hear about your experience with a bad sales person. They should have gave you what you asked for and it comes in 150 and 300 yard spools as well as bulk spools. It's good line and comes in high visibility colors which may or may not help you. That being said, if you can live with the suffix pro mix and don't mind the color of the line, it's worth a shot to see if you like it since you already have it and it is probably impractical to drive that distance for new line. Sorry you had such a bad experience, I would certainly call and file a complaint with management. Hope it works out for you.

Been trying various lines for the last few years. On year 2 of yo zuri hybrid 10lb and it has been very good to me. Diameter is closer to 14lb as is breaking strength, holds knots well, loew stretch but still some stretch which I prefer, sensitive enough, affordable.

That's odd, I am in Ontario and picked it up in store earlier this year.