Shimano_1

I agree some of the information out there is overkill but having read some of this ned guy I wouldn't expect anything less. He may not be the most exciting but has probably forgotten more than most of us will know about bass fishing. I used to watch a lot and read a lot but the whole market is so flooded and diluted with marketing crap I've pretty much quit doing either. I do listen to a guy like him but I also have a hard time paying attention to details I dont need to know. Guess sometimes you just get what ya get lol

Pretty amazing to read through this thread and see the variety. Blows my mind that things like a jig or green pumpkin senko are on here lol. Or drop shot for that matter. Mine would be ned rig and whopper ploppers. I've caught a cple on ploppers but I've slayed them on other topwaters when they wouldn't touch a plopper. Ned rig just hasn't gotten much use as the lakes I fish dont setup well for that presentation. Need to fish the ned rig some more and give the ploppers away lol. Guess this thread is proof of how different things are across the country and how differently anglers approach things

A cple of mine were a little loud right outta the box but seemed to quieten down with a little use. Also seem a little stiff right outta the box and that also seemed to loosen up with a little use

As stated above turn at least 2 of ur brakes on and do 2 directly across from each other. Tighten ur spool tension til bait slowly falls. I own several slx reels and have set them all up this way. Once I start casting I'll usually end up backing the spool tension off a little more for maximum casting distance. Sweet little reels and super easy to dial in. Seems like the one I use for light jerkbaits 8 may have 3 brakes on. Good luck

Good job keeping after it. I know from experience it takes some determination. As stated already I'd try a ned rig. Drop shotting a robot worm, deep diving cranks, and big 10 inch worms are my go to summer baits. My local waters have been screwy this year too from alm the rains and weird weather. It's just now settling down a little bit. Just keep trying different depths and baits. Use your electronics if you have any and try to locate something in a lil deeper water they may be holding on

Lucky craft, duo realis, rapala, rick clunn and kvd are all great jerkbaits. If I had to only carry one ot would be a rapala shadow rap

As stated above the menace for me is like a finesse flipping bait. It gets bit a lot more than the bug does. I fish it by itself or on finesse jigs. The bug only gets play when I'm sight fishing or looking for strictly bigger bites

Apparently I dont put near as much thought into frog fishing as some of you guys and it's my favorite technique. I'm currently using a high speed shimano slx with 50 lb braid and a 7'2 med heavy rod. I can bomb the frogs as far as anyone would need to and have had no problems of any kind with this setup. I used to use 65 but as noted above realized theres absolutely nothing I could do with 65 that I cant do with 50...plus the reel holds more line and for whatever reason 50 is cheaper at my local Walmart. You're gonna love the k's but the slx reels have blown me away. Got em all for 80 bucks a piece and one combo for 140

The combos are nice but for the price you cab do much better. Graphite frame reels are a no go for me. You can get a shimano slx combo for the same or less money. Or a daiwa fuego ct combo would be a much better choice in my opinion. Lews disappointed me with their pricing on the crush reels. Tournament mb is twice the reel for less money All this is assuming you were asking about the casting reel. Dont know anything about the spinning

If I were just comparing braking systems I'd give daiwa a slight edge. However...I prefer shimano in every other aspect. Ergonomics, smoothness, quietness etc. I've had several of the newer daiwas and they are fine reels but I much prefer curados and slx reels overall. Shimanos are much more consistent also. Buy 5 daiwas and no 2 will feel exactly the same. One may be super smooth and quiet while one is geary and loud. Shimano seems like they all feel the same. This has been my experience anyways and I'm sure some would argue it the other way. Whichever feels best to you is right for you. Either braking system will do its job just fine

I agree on the 2500 size and I'd go shimano on both

Sun line sniper is great line and would do just fine with that setup. I'm not an advocate of line conditioner with quality line...but obviously some people swear by it. You're gonna love that setup my buddy has that exact combo.

I know the warranty changes and a few other things may have affected their sales. However, I believe that just like their reels theyve always provided excellent quality at affordable prices. Theyve been late to the game with their budget offerings but the slx has blew up that sector in my opinion. I love lews reels and their customer service is excellent. Having said that I've used shimano for well over 10 years and have never needed it. They aren't never the best but at any price point they offer quality products that hold their value. I have several of the new slx rods and reels and am impressed more every time I use them considering their price.

I wouldn't be able to fish whopper ploppers on the same rod in fish jerkbaits and squarebills on unless it's the smallest ploppers. I use a 6'9 med fast rod for jerks and squarebills. I throw whopper ploppers on a 7'2 med hvy. Not a big fan of the soft glass rods even for deep crankbaits. Some guys love em but I don't. Sounds like you've got it figured out tho so good luck with it

I'd buy a shimano slx and an slx reel or some baits or put 100 in my pocket. I've never seen a need for a 200 rod and if I never buy one I dont know what I'm missing

The carbonlite 2.0 is a fine rod but my favorite in the 100 range is the shimano slx. Solid sticks at a bargain price. Think i saw American legacy has the falcon lowrider split grip rods marked down from 149 to like 79 and I hear they're amazing rods. Lots of good options in your price range. I'd go handle several and get whatever feels best to you

I believe the new stuff is better as a whole but knowing what I know now I'd have kept the 10 or so curado e7 and e5 reels I had and kept a lot of money in my pocket over the last 10 years or so. I've spent a lot chasing "better" and have missed those reels many times

I shoot pse bows and went through this same train of thought when they started using torx heads. I bought a set of bits and have actually used them on a lot of things since. Just buy a cheap set and be done with it. If the only complaint I had about a reel was the type of screw head I'd consider it a good buy.

Guess I'm not as technical as some of you guys are. A 7'10 heavy rod would handle big swimbaits just fine. I'm sure I break all the technical rules every time I fish cause I've never paid any attention to those numbers. Fish haven't seemed to mind but I guess you have a valid point for the OP to consider

I have several of the regular slx reels so I'm also curious if they'll last like older shimanos. I hope so. I've had a cple of them opened up and they seem legit. Just hoping shimano doesnt do like everything else does and make worse products that are more technologically advanced and expensive. I'm hoping for curado 200e7 durability but only time will tell

I'd go shimano slx rod with a curado k reel or lews super duty.

I've owned or still own all 4 of these reels. I'm a lews fan but the tournament pro lfs was my least favorite lews I've ever used. Was noisy and just felt cheap compared to the older tournament pros. The tatula sv was also my least favorite daiwa. I love the tatula ct reels and they're cheaper. Of the options listed I'd go slx. Phenomenal reels and cant be beat for the money. Lews tournament mb reels are also great for the money and the curado k is a good workhorse reel. These are just my opinions tho I'm sure any of the 4 would be sufficient. I'm just partial to bang for buck deals. Daiwa fuego ct are also awesome for the price they can be had for

Any reel I've ever had will do this to a degree depending on how I'm holding my rod. I assume pressure on it a certain way makes it lay a little thicker on one side. I doubt multiple new reels have mechanical problems. Usually if I make a long cast and point the rod straight at the line it puts it all even. I've learned to not pay much mind to it

I cant comment on the fury but have handled a few. Had a cple sierras that were nice but I felt over priced. I'd look at the shimano slx rods. Very nice sticks for the $. The mojo would be a nice choice as well or the bps carbonlite 2.0

7'0 med hvy shimano slx rods would be my choice for that application. I wouldn't fish a jig on a medium rod and I wouldn't go shorter than 7 foot. I've played around with different rods and actions and found that anything softer than most med heavy rods resulted in lost fish.