FrnkNsteen

Thanks! I just saw that someone was selling a Ray's spool for a 2020 Tat SV on the flea market, so I may go that way as an option. I also tied some 6lb line on the Lews Pro SP and then tied on a 1/8oz Rapala Cappie crank and was kind of amazed how far it would cast it this morning.

Do they make a Tat 80 with a BFS spool? Or are you saying get a Tat 80 and then get an aftermarket BFS spool?

Thanks.... I have all of those too, and may try them. I really like all of them for different things! Just debating if I want to continue down the rabbit hole and buy one of the ultra shallow spool options. I went and looked at Digitaka at the various options since exchange rates are so good right now.

Well,... I did what I swore I wouldn't,..... I stopped by the local shop and the bait monkey tackled me, stuffed a Dobyns Sierra SUF 740c BFS rod in my hand and made me buy it! Don't really know why I bought it, but I put a SLX MGL 71, a Curado MGL 71, and a Tatula SV on it at the store and they all felt really good, light, and balanced. Now I have to decide what to really put on it. I got it home and mounted my Lews Pro SP on it quick because I heard they actually make a nice little ultra light reel, even though that wasn't the intent. It felt really good, but not exactly sold yet. Also thought about ordering one of the new JDM Alphas S, Alphas Air, or maybe a Curado BFS. Suggestions??? I'd like to keep the reel to under $200,...but as I've said before,.... I'm weak!! ??

Agreed! I live about 60 miles southwest of there and couldn't agree more about the lakes. We do have some old coal mining strip pit lakes thar are electric only we hit when we can. The only thing we can brag about the fishing in our area is that you don't consume a lot of bait,.... Because there isn't much hitting it!! ??

No worries! It tends to happen on here. People post asking for rod or reel suggestions around a certain price point and by the time things are done, they are convinced they need one twice the price, or more! Not uncommon to see posts saying " For a little more you can get this" then, "well for a little more you can get this". Next thing you know you're buying the most expensive rod or reel you've ever bought!! ??

I used to do the Spring Classic trade-in deal too. Then I realized it came to about a 15% savings, so rather than do that and be out a rod or reel, I just watch for 15% off sales and buy what I want, then donate my older rods/reels to someone who could use them.

I haf a bit of an issue with that on a Fuego LT and attribute it to a slight touching of the inside of the spool and the outside of the bail assembly. I polished both of them a bit, and helped a little, but eventually it just wore in and is pretty quiet now.

Rod length doesn't matter much to me, but handle length does. I like a rod with a little shorter butt section. There are two common ways to pitch. One has the butt of the rod inside your arm pointing at your chest or armpit. The other has it outside your arm pointing at your elbow. I use the inside the arm method, so I like a shorter rod butt so it doesn't hit you in the chest

Good point! But some people may not know those are single location. When I still lived up in MN I liked Capra's. I'm down in Indiana now, but still go look on their website occasionally and have ordered a few things. Same with Christopherson's out of Alexandria. My guess is the guy that referenced Omnia said so because he happened to live near it and saw it as a local business.

I think a lot of people use the term Mom and Pop as interchangeable with a single location,... As in, not a chain. Agree that a single location business can still be large and have very experienced and knowledgeable people.

That's not bad! Tempting! Digitaka is $129 rught now for the Tat 80

Personally, I can't stand the big box stores and avoid them like the plague.. The more they eliminate the competition, the more they stop carrying name brand product and push their store brand. Last few times I was rhere I couldn't find a single rod or reel I was interested in, and I'm a junky for casting rods and reels, Their bait selection is seeming to be goung down the same path. When was the last time you saw a BPS ad that had any reel ob sale that wasn't a Johnny Morris model I would much prefer supporting the smaller companies that offer service. I made an order from Siebert Outdoors after hearing all the good reviews. After seeing the quality of his jigs, and the price he sells them for?.... Why would I ever order from BPS, Cabelas, or TW again? Buying from smaller family businesses isn't always more expensive. For me, I will support them while they are still around because if we keep worrying about saving a buck or two on everything. We will continue to lose our options.

REALLY?? That's $30 bucks cheaper than last time I looked. Need to order a couple at that price if they have them available. I'd want a lefty 7spd. Guess an 8spd would make a nice little piching rig. Wow! Just checked and a Zillion SV is $222. Forget the others mentioned! If you could afford the Tat 80 at $199 or the Tat SV70 at $229 or what ever it is,... The Zillion at $222 is a no brainer if you aren't opposed to ordering a JDM from Japan!

Any other pictures of the rod or handle? Is it spinning or casting? Length?

Or, if you don't have concerns with ordering JDM,... Does an Alphas SV offer another option? Last I looked, they were a bit cheaper, but availability was iffy. I think a lefty Alphas SV was $197 on Digitaka last time I looked.

Offering another option for those like me that have a hard time spending the money for the Edge boxes. I bought the Plano Elite spinnerbait box and use it for my jigs and bladed jigs. It is taller to work with spinnerbaits and doesn't flatten the weedguards, And I got it on sale for around $15.99 if I remember correctly compared to the $30 - $40 some places are wanting to charge for the Edge boxes. Just checked online and see them for anywhere from $17.99 - $22.99 Oh,.. And it has 3 rows of 14 slots so holds 42 jigs

The new models have the grayish gold. Kind of like the pewter color of the Tampa Bay Bucs helmets. The old ones were dark charcoal grayish to black

Yep,... Agree that's a good deal. The old models were $60 for the Eagle and $90 for the HMG. Assume they have both gone up, so $10 more for an HMG over Eagle is a no brainer, though $90 for an Eagle seems a little pricey.

Where did you find those?? Used on the auction site? Those are my favorite Fenwick rods too.

Me too! First one had no interest. Found the right one on the second try and she loves the outdoors. Didn't know A-Jay did videos. How do U find them? I'd love to see live video of the nice smallies I see him post!! What is his Youtube username? Is it A-Jay like on here.

I think Tom was just suggesting that you would really like the Siebert jigs. I saw all the reviews on them too so I recently made my first order of some of their Brush jigs and Shot Caller swim jigs ( Fogys too) and was very impressed with the quality, and at less than $5 each for jigs with wire tied skirts... Price is comparable or cheaper than most. If you do try them. I suggest paying the extra 30 cents for the wired tied skirts!

For whatever reason. I have never gotten a single offset or ewg hook embedded. Of the few times I have been hooked, or famly/friends have been hooked, it has always been treble hooks. The barb isn't different on an ewg vs a normal offset or straight shank hook. Though I COULD see it being a little more difficult to apply the downward pressure while jerking the line to remove the hook. Seems like it may want to lay over to the side more easily.

If you aren't around heavy vegetation,... I agree this will work fine. The ML might be a little light if you get around too many weeds. I fish mine on an older Fenwick Techna AV 7' MF, but truth be told, it's weight range is 1/4 - 1oz, so more of a light MH.

Nice! Heard good things about them. I have the 18 Bantam MGL and like it, but heard the new model addressed some of the minor shortcomings the 18 model had, like casting better due to the levelwind being moved a little further away from the spool. Hope you enjoy it!!