LionHeart

That is even more confusing to me. 50lb braid doesn't make you pull the fish any harder. I hear guys say this all the time so there has got to be something I'm missing here.

Not saying you'll get it here (but it's an internet forum, so you will), but one thing that adds to the confusion of bass fishing is A: it is 90% marketing hype as far as equipment is concerned (vs 30 years ago), and B: a lot of the methodology you will hear boils down to slight preference but can be touted as 'the right way.' This leads to confusion and frustration. If you want to use braid, I would recommend a decent quality 40 lb like Power Pro. IMO a very good braid for the money. 40 lb does not suffer from line dig too badly, but still allows decent spool capacity and I feel it doesn't bow as much as 50 lb. Heck, if I'm cranking I use 30 lb. I prefer monofilament for leaders because I feel like it holds a leader knot better. Mono or flouro, a good place to be for most things would be 12lb-17lb.

Maybe break open the face plate and take a quick look. If everything looks good I'd spool it up and fish.

That's a weird one. 30 lb is not ideal but should not dig in like that from just dragging a jig. Assuming your reel is working correctly (levelwind), I guess the only thing to do is spool up with different braid. 40 lb Power Pro should reduce your problem significantly. It is what I use on my jig and worm rods and I seldom get line dig. When I do, it is pretty minor.

If what you are using works, don't change up because people on the internet are doing something else. Personally I prefer a treble hook rod to have quite a bit of give. For 1.5 and the like, a medium power rated rod is usually the ticket.

I honestly do not experience what you are describing unless it is during the cast following a hard hook set. You mean this happens on a regular basis for no apparent reason?

Self defense

Gotta agree. Very good rod for $100. Light, well balanced, sensitive. Yes a tad lighter powered than the rating however.

Diawa Fuego CT for the reel. $65 on ebay often. I wouldn't usually recommend a sub$100 reel, but it is definitely worth it. Not a smooth or refined feeling reel (it definitely don't feel expensive), but excellent casting and pretty tough to backlash. I'd say the most bang for your buck no question.

The OP is asking about the line fray, not the tag end of the knot. Took me a second to realize what you were referring to

Chech the guides for sure, and the level wind on the reel. Of topic but good looking FG. Bet I can guess the rod.

Absolutely. The $100 range is where things start to happen

Where did you find a gen1?

Really nothing. Crazier still, it is a great rod for what I want. I honestly have no legitimate complaints about it. I usually will keep a rod for a season or 2, sell it, and try something different. Sometimes it works out, sometimes I truly regret getting rid of what I had.

Second the Veritas

That's a good question. I always struggle deciding when it's time to pick up a more powerful rod for the cover I'm fishing. As a result I usually just keep on chucking with whatever is in my hand. The places I fish have a bit of everything though, more timber than grass. Most of the grass is against the bank, so I typically need to pull the fish away from it instead of through it. I guess I'm looking for a good balance between a soft enough tip to cast light lures but enough muscle in case I need it.

Thanks man. I was kinda thinking about the SpecR vs Braillist. Thanks. The SpecR and Braillist are rated 3/8 at the bottom end. So you would say the Braillist handles lures on the low end of its rating better than the upper end?

Son you need to spend less time fishing and more time wurkin' on English Comp.

1. Those are 2 different rods. Med/Heavy Fast or better yet Mod-Fast for Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits. Med/Heavy or better yet Medium Moderate for treble hook lures. Either way, straight graphite for the rod/rods. 2. No need to use a leader for Spinnerbaits or Chatterbaits. I stopped using leaders for them (just straight braid) a while ago and haven't looked back. Treble hook lures, yeah, use a leader for sure. A properly tied leader knot will last a very, very long time. Passing through the guides over and over should not appreciably weaken the knot. I am a fan boy of the FG knot and will put my FG knot toe to toe with any other knot. It takes practice to tie it with absolute confidence, but they last many, many fishing trips. 3. I don't understand people's preoccupations with bending out hooks. Firstly, I can't recall for certain if I've ever bent out a hook on a largemouth bass, and I've caught some pretty hard fighting bass. If you insist on worrying about it though, 50 lb braid will not make you any more likely to bend a hook than 20 lb. You will not be putting 20 lb of force on a fish, much less 50 lb. Heavier braid doesn't make you put more force on the rod, or the fish fight any harder. On a side note, if you are running straight braid, you'll rarely lose a lure to getting snagged.

Hey guys, I'm always searching for the perfect light texas rig rod. By light, I mean 3/16-1/4 oz bullet weight, and plastics from a Baby Brush Hog, 6" Zoom Lizzards, to other misc. 6-8" ribbon tail worms or creatures. I'm currently using an ALX Zolo Deputy, and it is really sweet, but have been wanting to try a Megabass rod for years. Unfortunately there is nowhere within a few hours drive that I can handle any of the rods I'm interested in. Has anyone used any of the 'newerish' Orochis for light texas rigs? If so, which model? What do you think of it? I like a texas rig rod to have a fair amount of tip, (moderate fast action is preferred), just not a cranking rod. A good way to put it I guess is to compare what I'm looking for to the Falcon Bucco Trapcaster, but just a smidge stouter. If anyone has any suggestions or advice, I would appreciate anything you'd be willing to offer. Thanks-James

I use around 60-70 for mainline, but I use braided main line so breakoffs don't really factor in. If I were you, I'd just do 2 reels with 100, or you'll never be at peace.

Are you turning a full "click" to adjust? If so, that may be too far?

That rod is very versatile. Spinner baits, swim jigs, small swim baits like keitechs, chatter baits, buzz baits, biggish crank baits (excellent for 5 and 6xd). I have owned one since they came out and love it for moving baits.

It all depends on the lure to me. Big hook baits I crank the drag down all the way, then back off about a 1/4 turn. After catching a fish or 2 I'll adjust if I feel the need. I like to have a smidge of slip on a solid hook set. For treble hook lures I usually set the drag fairly loose and able to slip pretty easily. On frog'n setup I lock the drag down all the way.

40 lb. Power Pro Yellow Braid with 15 lb. Big Game mono leader (FG knot for life) ?