Lead Head

Yeah, we are on the same page. Just do some knot testing at home. If the "bumpy" part of the line is getting 10lbs, roll with it. If not... I personally would replace it.

I was reading it that the actual line felt bumpy, not the reel spool. I haven't used that brand in 20+ years but I would have a hard time trusting it. Maybe just do some knot testing at home before you head out on the water. I had a spool of 15# pline floroclear like that (will never buy again) and it broke at the knot on the hook set EVERY TIME.

I will make a suggestion as far as your bottom contact rod. Go budget on the reel and get the best rod you can afford. This is just the opinion of an amateur and should be taken as such. For me, feeling what's going on at the end of your line when fishing bottom contact is more important than bomb casts or "bells and whistles" from a reel.

Have you considered live minnows or crickets? If they are wanting the "bass fishing" experience I get it, but if they just want to catch fish live bait is probably the way to go. Oh yeah... BEETLESPINS!

I have taught a few people by telling them to think of the jig as a vehicle for whatever soft plastic they like using as a trailer. Pick a color/style soft plastic you have confidence in, throw it on a jig and fish it like you would the plastic t-rigged. It's not exactly the same, but usually close enough they will have success and start to learn the subtle differences themselves.

I definitely prefer my fuegos over my older pq... if you can swing the extra $.

I have nothing bad to say about the older one I own, however it always makes me nervous when a retailer has a "special run" that is half price. Bass pro has been good to me on returns so i wouldn't be afraid to try them.

Ugh... white lithium grease... that stuff won't go away.

Do a search in the forums for the differences between the fuego ct and tatula ct. If your set on keeping cost down the differences (or lack of) may help you decide. As for the pq2 I can't say. I have a 4 year old pq and it's a solid reel for $50, but I like the fuego much more.

Keep in mind, if you use a 3/4 oz bullet weight your probably pretty close to 1oz after you add the weight of hook and lure. Some of those plastics can be pretty heavy.

I have the same setup... it's hard to imagine a better "bang for your buck" combo at that price without running into some crazy clearance sale or buying used.

Gamakatsu makes a ringed superline hook that works great for jika rigs... if you don't mind the heavier hook. Might work for what your doing.

Unless your near where they ship from, 2-day will (most of the time) result in less handling by the shipper.

Lol it happens. My son is 17 and under 6'. He as been in a size 14 regular shoe for 2 years.

Watermelon red baby brushhog... works for me everywhere I fish around here.

I fish bottom contact baits with a finger under my line and that would most likely push the line up out of the open topped line guide. That and I'm never a fan of unnecessary moving parts. Even if the t-wing gave me a solid 30 extra feet of casting distance (highly doubtful) I wouldn't want it on my jig rod. I skip just ok with a fuego or tournament mb and was wanting to give the sv spool a shot to see if it would make things easier.

Ok, so nothing newer... probably why I was having so much trouble doing my own searches. Thanks for your help gentlemen.

Like the title says, what are my options (if any) for a diawa reel with the sv spool and no t-wing? My Google searches have been fruitless so far and I'm hoping some of you guys can point me in the right direction.

"I'd rather be lucky than good"

Texas rigged baby brush hog in watermelon red flake has caught more fish for me than any other bait.

Real deal Brazil tarp hat... its surprisingly very lightweight and covers well. If I lost it today I would buy another one tomorrow. That's about the best endorsement I can give.

Academy sports usually has a few in store.

I love paddle tails on a jika rig. It's a super versatile presentation for them.

Can't say enough good things about the fuego ct at its price point ($50-$60 on Ebay). Do a forum search and read up on it. Pretty much a tatula without t-wing.

I went the opposite route. Years ago, when I started more seriously bass fishing (somewhere around age 20), I decided it would be more efficient to cast with my left hand so I wouldn't have to switch over to reel. At that time I had recently had reconstructive surgery on my right wrist so I was learning how to do all kinds of things lefty and casting came pretty easy. I have recently been trying to relearn to cast right handed just to make it easier to hit all available targets. Its pretty comical, you would never believe I spent the first 20 years of my life casting with my right hand if you could see how bad it is.