LionHeart

Tatula 100 over Fuego. The Fuego gets the job done for sure, but feels super super cheap. I am not by any means a user of high end gear. All my reels are $100-$150 range, but I die a little inside every time I grab the Fuego. Also, 7 speed would be a great choice. Matter fact, get a Lews LFS. They are $75 right now on Takle Warehouse. Braking isn't as good as Diawa but totally decent, and way more comfortable.

Sold an OG Tatula Heavy years ago. Regretted it ever since

Interesting point about about counterfeit line. Never heard of it being done or really thought about it. Can't imagine fake fishing line would be super lucrative, but then again my dad said he got it from Amazon at a good deal, so who knows. As for using braid to leader, here's why I do it. Braid doesn't stretch like mono, so hook set authority is roughly the same at all distances. I generally backlash about 3-4 times per fishing trip. Braid is infinitely easier to clear than mono. Braid is way more sensitive. Braid is easier to see. Braid lasts must longer than mono. As for why I use a leader instead of straight braid. Some setups are straight braid, but for treble hook lures or bottom contact I use a leader. Braid tends to wrap around treble hooks. Also, I have convinced myself that fish can see braid and that they care. I have been using braid to leader for years, and am fairly sold on it.

I have 1 spinning rod. It has 30 lb spooled up. Haven't noticed a down side, plus it's easy to see.

Easy. Get the 7'1" Mojo Bass. That is a very decent rod, at a price you aren't likely to see again.

Yep. Temps in the 100's here in Texas. Sometimes I'll jump in more than once.

Looking to for some really high quality monofilament to use for leader line. I have been using Trilene big game for a while and for the price it's pretty good stuff. However I was home taking a few fishing trips with my dad, and had more leader line problems in one trip than in nearly a whole season. I had 2 FG knot failures, 4 leader breaks, and 4 leader to lure knot failures. I know how to tie knots, and inspect leaders after a catch. I also know sometimes knots fail and line breaks, but not like this. The only thing I can fathom is that maybe I got a bad spool of line? Every failure was from the same new spool of Big Game. I'm very familiar with this brand, but since I plan to buy a new spool, I figured I'd see if there is something better since I haven't bought line in a while. Thanks

Yours is the split grip version?

Ever try the newer Falcon Lowriders? Been so impressed by the Bucoo SR I'd like to check out another Falcon. Been eyeballing them for a while and thinking of trying their 7' Med Heavy Mod Fast for smaller plastics. I fish almost everything braid to leader and prefer slower rods for the most part.

Been using a Zolo Deputy I had custom made back when ALX still did custom. Has been my 1/4 oz T Rig rod for years. It is good, but doesn't blow me away. It is a true MH Fast IMO, and handles 1/4-3/8 oz weights well. I'm perpetually searching for a better rod to handle 3/16 and lighter plastics though. The Deputy can do it, but takes more effort than I like to put in. I'm beginning to think a Med power rod may be the way to go for 3/16. Falcon makes a rod called the Trap Caster. It is rated Med Heavy, but fishes more like a Medium. Don't let the price tag fool you. For $110 it is very well balanced, light, and strangely sensitive. Tosses light Trigs very well. Just kinda ugly.

Thanks for the input guys. Will keep an eye on it and continue to assess. Other that that I'm very happy with the motor. Pulls my heavy boat very well. Was doing 3 mph against 10 mph head wing. Absolutely satisfied with the power and pleasantly surprised by the endurance. Always been a 12volt handle steer owner till now, so having a 36 volt foot controlled has been a massive upgrade for me. Thanks again for all the input.

Any fix that you know of?

So I bought a used Fortrex 112 with a 52" shaft and noticed the steering is acting strange. At higher power settings(generally above 60%), the foot pedal gets fairly tight when the motor is swinging between the 8-10 o'clock position. Strangely this either doesn't occur or isn't noticeable at lower power settings. With the boat in the driveway and motor deployed off the bow, it swings perfectly fine. Anyone have any thought about this? The shaft doesn't look bent or damaged, but obviously something ain't right. I'm new to foot controlled trolling motors so not sure what to investigate. Any advice/opinions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Never really understood the idea behind pairing a rod to a reel or visa versa. You pair the rod with the intended technique or set of lures you intend to through on it. Same goes for the reel. I guess the question is, what lures do you throw that you need a rod for. I'd suggest your 8 speed reel for bottom contact with your MH rod. Your 7 speed reel for your Med Mod-fast rod for spinner baits, lipless, swim jigs. What you are left with is a 6 speed reel which is also great for spinner baits and big crank baits. What you need to decide is if you are going to throw big spinner baits and crank baits or little ones. Choose the rod accordingly.

Haven't had cable or satellite in over a decade. And yes, I know what you are talking about. Went through a phase where I spent quite a lot of time watching bass fishing on youtube. As a consequence I wanted to fish all the time. Got slightly obsessed with it. Now the wife and I get maybe an hour of screen time a day after the kids go to bed, and let's just say she wouldn't wanna watch bass fishing videos on youtube.

Not sure what you mean by having more give to land them but reckon you are missing fish. If you aren't getting the hook properly set, try to adjust your hook setting technique. Switching to braid may also help because it removes the massive line stretch from the equation. If you are losing fish at the boat or on the retrieve, again focus on keeping slack out of the line during this time. A rod with a more bendy tip section makes this easier to accomplish but doesn't do all the work for you. Personally, I like to use braid to leader with every rod I have because it keeps things fairly predictable. The give is in my rod only as opposed to using mono/flour where the give is also in my line and increases based on the amount of line I have in the water. What I mean to say is the hook setting authority is determined by my technique and the rod, while if using mono/flour, it is also determined by the line stretch which varies by the length of line. I feel like that could have been said better, but I hope you get what I meant. Mod fast with braid is an excellent choice for just about everything but treble hook lures.

Well, 30 lb is certainly strong enough but your line is gonna dig into your spool something fierce. I'd say 50 lb just because of that, and it's easier for me to see.

30lb Power Pro high vis color, 10-12 lb Trilene Big Game mono leader with FG knot. Done.

Tough to find a rod that will do equally well with both. If you plan to keep spinner baits to 1/2 and below, Falcon Bucco SR "Trap Caster" comes to mind. Very light, balanced, sensitive rod for the $ and aa good tip for those duties. $109 just about everywhere. Only gripe is the foam grips, but that is all preference.

#5, or mid.

40 lb. Yellow Power Pro with 15 lb. Big Game leader. FG leader knot.

The difference in 7' and 7'2" is not enough to toil over. I'd say choose a rod with the right action, power, handle length/comfort, weight/balance. If it is 7', great...7'2", great.

I use braid to leader knot on most setups and start with about 10-12 or so feet of leader. The knot is definitely around the spool if I cast and almost to the reel if I pitch. No problems at all using FG knot. I use a long leader because I'm lazy, and want it to last a long time.

FG knot. Takes practice for sure. If you tie it wrong, you'll think Alberto, Blood, Double Uni, etc. is the best knot. If you tie it properly your eyes will be open ?

If you've never used a baitcaster, I'm sure you know they take practice and can lead to frustration pretty quickly while learning. I honestly can't recommend any of those for you situation. What is very possible is that you will buy one of the above listed and try to use it... backlash...backlash....birdnest....throw the reel against a tree...pick it back up and try again....pick out birdnest from before you threw the reel against a tree.....backlash.... get discouraged and say baitcaster are terrible. Those aren't bad prices, but not too good to pass up. I would strongly suggest a baitcaster that is a little more forgiving to learn on. The Diawa Fuego CT has excellent braking and casts a good ways. It can be had new on ebay for around $65 usually. It is not considered a high end reel by any means but a lot of reel for the money and much, much better first baitcaster IMO. Hope this helps man.