Shimano_1

I use 15 to 20 lb spider wire stealth braid on all my spinning gear with 8 to 12 lb fluoro leaders. I like the stealth because its cheap, readily available and works great.

I'll use a leader with braid on all my spinning gear. I think they just handle way better with braid and I don't replace the braid nearly as often as I would any other line. I'll use it on casting gear as well if I'm in a situation where the rod I'm using has braid and I think the water is a little too clear for braid I'll use a leader. If I were fishing stained to muddy water or heavy vegetation I'd go straight braid.

Xcite raptor chunk, cabin creek Express craws and rage craw or menace

I love hollow body frogs and from my experience the booyah pad crasher is the easiest to walk. As already stated you need to twitch it on slack line...like a good amount of slack. And also tie a loop knot to the frog. This let's it walk much much easier. Plenty of stuff online to show how to tie the knot. Try that and the slack line and you'll figure it out. Lots of guys say just hop it but I've had a lot more success walking it especially in high percentage areas! Once you get good at it you'll be hooked! Good luck

I've owned all the tatula reels and I honestly liked the regular ct or ct type r better than even the sv. I owned a cple pf the sv reels and felt like I wasted the extra money so I sold them and added a cple more ct reels. They'll do anything you ask of them and are quite durable. Hard to beat for the money also if you shop around. Lots of guys love the sv reels tho so take what I say with a grain of salt as it's just my opinion. Also as stated above the fuego is as good as the tatula and cheaper. I personally despised the t wing and found it gimmicky so the last several daiwas I bought were fuego ct.

You can ponder it til the end of time but you'll never know. All you can do is try to avoid it going forward and keep a close check on your knots and line. I've been there and it definitely sucks. Lost one similarly this spring in a tournament that cost me a few hundred bucks. Ate at me for a while but no way of knowing why it happened

I'm pretty sure dicks has the skeet reese rods on sale for like 39 bucks. I wouldn't order one but if I could go put my hands on em and needed a cple sticks on a budget I'd be all over those. Some people dont like em but I'm a fan of their actions especially for that price.

I've owned the k, 70 and slx. I liked the profile of the 70 but honestly think the new slx feels like a much better built reel. Similar profiles but the 70 just never felt "great" to me for a 200 dollar reel. Also several times I've heard of people having 70's break after light use. The k reels are nice and would make great workhorse reels. The slx is amazing considering its price point. I've got 5 now and they all have been great so far. If I wanted the 70 I'd spend half the money on an slx.

Right lol. Need that slx rod to put it on! Nice fish tho

Both of those part numbers are 5x9x3 bearings. I'm gonna try one and see what happens.

Thanks again I'll definitely give those a try! Will report back when i have some results!

Awesome! I'll order a couple and try it out. I have 4 of these reels and they're already great. Cant hurt to try! Thanks a bunch!

I've had a lot of success fishing them in and around grass and particularly on flats. Places where u would want to crank but vegetation prevents it. Like you said most of the lakes i fish i couldn't throw them on an open hook jig head if I wanted. I'll use belly weighted hooks some but usually Texas rig them like a worm and slow roll with an occasional twitch of the rod. I have keitechs and rage swimmers and both produce. Actually like the rage better as they seem more durable and they smell better to me lol. Good luck

I fish it with a 3 twitch walk followed by a 2 twitch walk with a cple second pause in between. I do this in high percentage areas then kinda fast hop it back to the boat or in areas I think may or may not be holding fish. As said tho the cover ur fishing will dictate. I dont have many pads or anything that would hinder walking it. I've also found that twitching it on a slack line and using a loop knot allows walking it with ease. One of my favorite ways to fish! Good luck and experiment with it and I'm sure you'll figure out ur own unique way to fish it!

Well...I reached out to DVT and asked about bearing size. I want to upgrade but dont wanna order the wrong size.

I like the handle that's on em but thanks for the suggestion. I dont think it will "feel" better but it will feel more free for lack if a better word. Just figured if anyone has a bearing size it would be a cheap thing to try and if it didnt help I'm not out much. I dont have calipers or anything to measure it with or I'd be doing that

So spend 400 on a reel then another 50 on a kit to make said reel perform as expected? Not my cup of tea but if that floats your boat that's all that matters. I have a few reels with aluminum gears and none make any type of buzz sound....nor did any cost 400 bucks.

I understand family and health could dictate what one chooses to do. Even if either forced me to take a step back I wouldn't think of selling my gear or quitting. I also dont judge people so if someone doesnt feel like fishing anymore who am I to question it.

Just curious if anyone has upgraded these reels? They're slick out of the box but I'd like to upgrade the main shaft bushing with a bearing like everyone was doin with the citica e reels etc. Searched and haven't seen anyone talk about it yet but I'm sure it's coming. Thanks

Set them up with 1,3 and 5 on and adjust cast control to where ur bait falls slowly. This should make it very easy to avoid backlashes. Once you get the feel loosen cast control up little by little. I have a few of these reels and I run them all this way or with 2 brakes on and they're set and forget. Sweet little reels for sure!

Exactly! Jigs, plastics, frogs, basically anything with a single hook where a hard hook set is ieal.

The only constant in my boat year round everywhere I go is I have a jig on deck. I've saved the day and cashed a few checks when I've been struggling and just picked up a jig and never put it back down. For me it's not usually a numbers deal but when I need a big bite nothing else compares in my opinion. I believe it works coast to coast from 40 degrees to 90. Glad to hear its come together for ya itll only grow from there!

I like a 6'9 or so medium fast casting rod for jerkbaits and square Bill's with a little more backbone. For deeper diving cranks I like a 7'2 to 7'5 medium moderate casting rod to absorb some of the hit from the bait as well as the fish. I will use a medium spinning outfit for lighter rapalas and such. Of course different rod companies feel different with the same "specs". I'd have to go put them in my hands if I weren't familiar. Maybe you have a local bait shop with someone who is knowledgeable and could explain it in person while showing you different rods?

Pflueger president reels are solid and have their reputation for a reason. Buddy has the fuego lt and it's a solid reel as well. I'll eventually have a cple stradic reels but for now my presidents do the job I ask of them and have held up for a few years now

I'll second the not being impressed with the sv. I've had and used several ct reels and they were solid. Had 2 sv reels and came away wondering why the hype. Different strokes for different folks. The zero adjust is a non issue. It's still adjustable so why would someone care if it's there. As stated it's meant to be less of a headache just set the mag dial and be done. This new reel looks to be sweet. I just never understand the company's direction tho. The ct reels were and still are loved by the masses. If I were daiwa I'd have made a reel identical with a touch smaller frame. The 100 is a nice reel but I still prefer the ct