puddlepuncher

My longest is 7'6 anything longer than that is going to wear me out after about a dozen casts.

I use a Fenwick Aetos paired with a Stradic CI4, the whole combo weighs less than 10 oz's. To stay in your price range a Tatula LT would fit the bill, great reel and just as light. Can't go wrong with a Pflueger either, just a tad heavier.

I'd agree with this. Floro is the least forgiving line IMO in many regards, especially this. The Aldabaren holds a lot less line than most are accustomed to. That is a very nice set up is should be handling the lures you listed like a champ, heck any baitcaster should be.

My issue with TW covers is the velcro wears out very quickly. I bought 3 of the SF neoprene covers very similar to the reel gloves mentioned above and love them. Solid design and they work both with the reel mounted with line, or in my carry on bag when traveling nice snug fit. @punch I've never sold a reel but I have nephews and nieces that have gotten into fishing and they've all received hand me downs when they get serious. I like to keep my gear looking and performing flawless when I gift it to the next generation. No better way to keep a youngster out of trouble than having them enjoy the outdoors. Who am I kidding it's my way of justifying the bait monkey winning all the time.

Swimbaits and wholeheartedly agree on the jigs. It's amazing that I've spent a fortune on the set up, the swimbaits themselves and I don't catch much. Man I resisted the senko for years and threw it a majority of the time last year and had one of the most productive years ever. Lastly I think the Teckel may be the most over rated product to come out since the banjo minnow. If it were half as productive as the couple videos portrayed, (Bamabass, Tactical bass) everyone would have one by now. I've not heard much since the buzz died down, and more importantly they are actually available for everyone to try for themselves. That's really cool, gotta give that a shot. I have a bunch of those keeper but don't use them. I think I saw Scooby doing something similar but those pics really made it click for me. I had success last year rigging them weedless with a lighter wire hook and walking them on topwater. I gotta give that a try though, thanks for sharing.

The Curado K has similar placement. The Chronarch has a release latch towards the front. I feel you though it wasn't a pleasant feeling when I did it and the sound was even less pleasant. If it makes you feel any better the same is possible with the metanium, and the side latch on it is not fixed like your reel. So at least you didn't lose the side plate. lol. I did it throwing a large whopper plopper and my hand must have shifted. Learned very quickly. Funny thing is before I bought the curado a few years ago I read reviews for it and one of them complained about the same thing. I thought that moron needs to learn how to cast, then a month later I did it.

^^^This. I had a rule about not spending more than $150 on a reel for 30 years until I picked up a Chronarch on Ebay. The MGL spool is a pleasure to throw plastics just on their own. The Tat SV is also a fine reel, I just don't like the magnetic braking system.

I've done this with a Curado I which is the same frame as the Citica, so yes it is possible in fact I'd say that's exactly what you did. It's my main complaint about these 2 reels as well as the Metanium, all of them have the same release latch design. Just change a bit how you cast and it shouldn't be a problem. I'm surprised you didn't get a blister from it, I know I did.

I guess we will both experiment this year then. Haven't thrown them yet but I love the action in this video and can't wait to see how they do.

Anyone use these? I can't find much info on them just a couple Youtube videos. Bait monkey got me good with these and after I received them I realized how big they are. They are the size of saltwater lures but I assume they are freshwater? I'm going to throw them on my swimbait set up but wondered if any of you out there have any experience and more importantly tips on how you work them.

I just switched one of my setups to Trilene XL and have been impressed with it's lack of memory compared to other mono's. I'm a braid guy but I do enjoy the silence of mono especially when cranking. I was suspicious of this line as it is very supple but it has hauled in some decent bass, and some lumber without any break offs.

I had a fishing buddy tell me he was jealous of some of my setups, I told him I was jealous of his discipline.

Second on the Rippin Rap, casts like a spoon and a tighter wobble than most lipless. Fire Tiger uv 1/4 oz has been killer so far this year.

I'm going to be the first to embarrass himself an admit to using 50 lb braid for weightless senkos. Started last year and did not notice any negative results, in very clear water too. If anything I feel like I improved my hook up ratio as I felt every tick when the fish inhaled it if it was on the bottom, not to mention line watching when watching them sink in deeper water. Made the switch last year and haven't looked back.

Stik-O's Bass Pro's version of the senko are on sale for $4.79 for 16. If you haven't tried them you should, especially the 6 inch.

Nice combos. Have you ever thought of swapping the Curado with the Met for the heavier lures? Nothing beats the MGL spool for throwing the lighter stuff, and the Curado would be perfect for throwing the heavier stuff especially at 3/4 oz I don't think you'd be shorting yourself an inch of distance. I've always had a spinning set up for weightless plastics but since I picked up a Chronarch and Met with the lighter spools I don't use the spinning set up nearly as much as I used to.

I feel for you, tomorrow is opening day at my spot and I'm inspecting all my reels. You've got me paranoid. Well if anything this is a great example of why everyone needs multiple set ups.

You either slightly bent one of the fins or there is something in the way. I'm actually trying to simulate the same thing and I can't.

So the actual latch is frozen but it sits flush? I'm stumped if that's the case, there must be something lodged in there. I'm looking at mine and I can't imagine how this happened. Good luck, sorry to hear about that.

Dumb question but did you move the latch on the sideplate to closed by mistake after you opened it?

That's good to know. I bought a couple red eye shads and when I opened one it looked like it exploded near the tail, literally popped open and I can see what looks like fiberglass inside. I'm going to email them, because it's definitely nothing I could have done wrong...which is my specialty. I've been throwing rapalas for a few decades and love them mostly the jointed swimming minnows. Just picked up a Rippin Rap a different version of their lipless and it's so far my favorite lipless. Probably the most aerodynamic lure I've thrown and the action is tight and different.

Define garbage. What were your issues? just curious.

Thanks everyone for the replies certainly a lot of food for thought, and very good points about the feel changing with a reel mounted on it.

Thank you so much for the response. The reason I asked about others using that reel seat is I'd rather not get into high $$$ just yet. Thank you, just checked it out. It looks similar but I'm actually very particular to the molded part just past the trigger the channel that the fingers fit in is the best description. When I picked it up it felt like it was a mold of my own hand. Reminds me of an old rifle I once owned. I'm pretty particular, bordering on quirky when it comes to rod selections. Reel seat (thanks DVT) and color are right up there with blank quality. Don't judge me...lol.

Was wandering around Bass Pro and picked up the Johnny Morris Platinum and immediately fell in love with the grip, particularly the molding by the trigger. Now this may seem small of me but I can't deal with the color of the finish it's not what I want to look down at for hours. Does anyone know of a rod with this similar grip? If not is there a way to darken it without compromising it? I guess last resort would be how much would it cost to put that grip on a different blank? https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-johnny-morris-platinum-signature-casting-rod