waymont

Hello You need to use a backing with them. I have three of them, two 2000 and one 3000. I love them. The bail has an awesome feel to it and they're super smooth. I use the 2000's with 8lb braid and I will tell you the drag is fantastic. I've caught tons of hard fighting bass using a 6lb and 8lb leader on the braid without any problems. I dig the Darth Vader look too.

Should be perfect for what you describe. I use 6'6" rods too. I love the Dobyns Fury 664 for my texas rigs, light frogging, and jigs. The 663 for all the stuff you mentioned. Great rods.

How many of you people use braid with a leader on your Texas rigs? The last two weeks I've been using one rod rigged with 30lb Power Pro to a 15lb leader tied with an FG knot, and the other straight 15lb mono. I really like using the braid to leader set up. I usually have to re-tie on a leader during the day because I fish through some rough stuff and re-tie as my leader gets frayed.

The original and Orange are Smallmouth killers. They catch everything though.

Mepp's Aglia and Black Fury in size 1 and 2 for stream smallies. Size 3 and 4 for Largemouth and Pike. Size one in streams is the perfect size to match the minnows and catches lots of fish and big ones too.

Rebel floating minnow

I regularly use Hula Poppers, Jitterbugs, Rebel 3.5" and 4.5" minnows (solid and broken back), Original Rapala floater and jointed and Mepp's Aglia and Black Fury. All work excellent.

I love the Zinkerz as a Neko bait. I pre set my baits with the weight but wait until I'm ready to put it on the hook before I put the O ring on. Man the Zinkerz catch lots of fish Neko rigged, great action in the water.

Rapala Shadow Rap 2-4' Rapala Original Floater

What do you people say? When you think of a medium heavy casting rod, which of the below descriptions are you thinking of? I'm not talking about technique specific rods more general purpose rods. The approximate ranges below: 10-17lb line 1/4-3/4oz lures or 12-20lb line 1/4oz-1oz lures

Dobyns Fury 6'6" heavy rod would suit you well. It's in your budget and a great rod.

Spoiled not spooled?....Maybe you spoiled your line and that is the issue. HeeHee

I have two Tatula LT 2000. I love them, they are my favorite spinning reels. The bail operation is fantastic, no line management issues at all, it's as smooth as any reel I've tried with a drag that's smooth as can be and they cast great. I just beat the hell out of it for two weeks in Michigan fighting some tough small and largemouth bass and the reel has handled anything I've hooked up with. I'm talking over 4lb fish. I also use Shimano Stradic FK and Pflueger Supreme Xt reels. For me the Tatula LT is the best of the bunch. I got my two Tatula LT's on ebay for $135 ea.

VMC Duolock snaps are great

That's a drag losing that fish and your confidence in the XL line. I have been using it from 4-14lb test for 30+ years and have never had one issue with it. It is possible to get a bad spool I guess.

I would say so. I think they are great rods and a fantastic deal at $99.00

Pro G is my fave

I use Pflueger supreme xt size 30, got them on eBay for around $115 ea and Shimano Stradic FK on Ebay for $125. I’d recommend both.

Shimano, Daiwa and Pflueger spinning and Lew’s casting for me.

Very high quality rods with great actions. I love the 6’7” top water xml bass casting rod. It’s also an excellent jerkbait and shaky head rod too. On sale right now for $99!!!

I have Lew's Pro G and they have been fantastic. I also use Tournament MB reels and have zero problems with them too. Both are easy to do cast adjustments on and cast well. My 2 cents

I have a Major Craft Corzza 642 UL that has an extra fast action. It is fantastic! It casts great, has tangle free guides and a super comfortable handle. It has a great extra fast action that makes casting super accurate. It's no noodle, it has plenty of backbone which makes it a little more versatile than most ultra lights. I've always wanted an ultra light with an extra fast tip and now I have one. Only thing is it doesn't have a hook keeper, which I miss. Great for jigs, small Rapalas, spinners, and a blast with the smallest size hula popper.

I have both the 6’9” XF and 6’6” F Walleye rods and use them for bass. The XF is an incredible rod for dropshot, Ned rigs, 1/8-1/4oz jigs and top water. The tip is really sensitive. The 6’6” is an excellent all around rod. Highly recommend them for bass. Got them both online at Glenn’s outdoors for $123.00 including shipping!

There's a great stream lure that's designed for trout fishing but is a killer Smallmouth lure in streams. HD Trout by Dynamic Lures minnow bait. It's about 2 1/4" and is a slow sinker but it bounces off of rocks great and catches everything.

I'm a Seaguar Blue Label Leader guy too