LionHeart

Nothing worse than seeing backing at the end of a cast. I try to use more braid than you ever expect to need. Don't skimp. 40 or so yards of backing (10 lb test), then braid.

So you fish a worm like a chatter bait? Dude does that work?

Just bend em' inward

A 7 can do just about everything, but an 8 is what I prefer for trigs and jigs. You need an 8 speed.

1/4 almost always. If it's windy and water is >10 ft. I'll usually go to 3/8.

High vis braid to leader. Braid Has nearly zero stretch Is more sensitive Easier to see (hi vis colors) No memory Stronger IMO easier to remove backlash Lasts forever

Never owned Dobyns but have a Zolo Dragger for pitching. Excellent rod, absolutely no complaints about it.

I usually run centrifugal breaks have on and may breaks a little under half way. Spool tension knob fairly loose

May be the strangest post I've ever seen here.

In my experience a longer rod doesn't add that much distance. Unless you're lobbing huge deep divers (20+ feet), a few extra yards isn't real significant. It's far more important to get a rod that loads properly for the lure weight. For crank baits 3/8 and below I prefer a pretty limber rod regardless of length. Any specific reason you are locked into those 3 lengths? What depth do you consider shallow, mid?

No time with the Mega but the Sierra is a totally decent rod

Dunno about perfect but I got no complaints. ALX Zolo Dragger 7'4" Heavy/Fast Lews Tournament MB 8.3 Yellow Hi Vis Power Pro 50 lbs. 20 lb. Mono leader For lighter weights I use an OG Diawa Tatula Med/Heavy 7'2". Same reel and line

I use braid for main line to avoid the stretch and line memory of flouro and mono. Pure and simple. I use a leader for ease of break of if I get truly snagged, abrasion resistance, and because I'm afraid bass are line shy. I have been using the FG knot on every setup I own for nearly 2 years and I'm here to tell you it does not add a weak link to my gear. My lure connecting knots and even my leader line itself will fail many times before my line to leader knot fails.

My advice to you Sir is to start with a 7 speed. It is fast enough to use for any technique imaginable, but has enough torque to still be very versatile. I use 8 speeds for jigs and Texas rigs and that's it. Trying to use an 8 speed for lures like spinner baits, chatter baits, crank baits, etc feels like trying to drive a car up hill in 5th gear. If I could only have 1 reel, it would no doubt be a 7 speed.

For 59 bucks, everyone should own at least one IMO

Take lfs off the list. Not a bad reel but lowest of the bunch. Fuego has much better brakes than the MB. I own 3 MBs and 1 Fuego. If you are new to baitcasters Fuego hands down. Otherwise it's a tough choice.

The first time it happened I thought the same thing. I've had that happen on other reels. But with this was different. There was no horrible noise and the thumb bar was fully pressed and remained in the free spool (down) position. The reel handle began spinning rapidly but no line was being let out or taken in. I have never seen anything like this happen. Afterward I begin to turn the reel handle to retrieve the line and the thumb bar popped back into the retrieve position. The reel worked normally from that point. No grinding or roughness at all. It's the strangest thing. Not trying to high Jack the thread, I thought the problem may be similar to what the OP was describing.

Kind of have a similar situation with a new Diawa Fuego. Twice recently during a really hard cast, the spool locked up and began to spin backward. The handle span backward as well, at high speed. Couldn't believe my eyes because I've never had this happen. Didn't even know it could happen. This reel has about 4 hours of use. ???

Rods... Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace (only reason I have a Facebook account) Reels.. same thing, also list them on the flea market of this site. Also, be prepared to take a decent loss.

Almost sounds to me like the mag force braking is not disengaging. I'd inspect there first.

Good on you man! I don't care much for the t-wing honestly

Local, Good on you for your concern about the way you handle the fish you catch. Obviously the ethical and sporting way to treat your catch has been covered many times. How does a fish feel about suffocating while you take a selfie? I have no idea but I wouldn't imagine they like it too much. Do it quickly and get them back in the water. If the concern of traumatizing your prey is enough to keep you from enjoying the sport, you and I would make great fishing partners. I'd get skunked every other trip and you be excited about it. Give me a ring if you ever come to northern Texas

I'd recommend somewhere in the middle. Get the nicest rod you can afford for lures that you will be dragging on the bottom, like Texas rigs and jigs. For baits that you plan to cast and reel back, still get quality gear but don't feel like you need to go super high end.

Unless you are casting with spool tension knob completely loose and braking turned off completely, changing the bearings will not increase casting distance

Light lure isn't properly loading the rod, and spool tension probably set too high. Fix those two things.