Vincent_Diesel

The last rod I had shipped from a reputable online dealer had the same issue. Box was bent and damaged exposing the rod. Courier didn't even attempt to fix it before delivering to my door. It wasn't a tube like the one you have pictured (seems more durable), but more of a thin cardboard rectangular box. My rod seemed fine but only time will tell if it holds up. I wouldn't doubt it if some time down the road it broke right where the box damage was.

For what it's worth I have a Tatula SV TW on an original Tatula rod. It truly is a perfect pairing, killer looks and so well balanced. Both the SV and Type R reels weigh in at 7.2 ounces, my 6' 10 rod is very well matched, so lightweight feeling. In my opinion these rods at under 100 bucks is a deal you shouldn't pass up.

In your case it sounds like adding a medium power to your arsenal would be ideal. Nevertheless, you want medium for cranks anyways to maximize hook set. For larger cranks possibly consider a medium heavy action but keeping a moderate tip.

Nothing palms as well as an Alphas. Just sayin'

Not sure what your reel manufacturer recommends but gears usually require something a bit more viscous, like grease. If it was a liquid as you say, I would assume that is for bearings or shafts/pins.

Yes the bitsy bug is the type of finesse jig I am talking about, jigs lighter than 1/2 ounce once trailered. In fact, I had just placed an order similar to these jigs today. The more I read about the similarities between cranking rods and finesse jigging rods I get all excited that I am not limited to cranks. And yes this particular rod is too good to be sitting in your closet.

Not sure where I can help with the rod but for the reel I would definitely go with the Tatual SV. That spool is designed for lighter presentations. I have one myself. Now if you do go with that reel you could pair it with a matching Tatula rod. I have 2 in my arsenal now and feel they are a great match. Good quality, plenty of sensitivity and 5 year warranty. Also worth mentioning that you could buy these rods marked down for less than a hundred bucks.

My braid is 50lb and leader is 10-12lb. By eye both look similar in diameter, nevertheless I think it's pretty close. What's funny is that I swear the Alberto knot does pass through better when I drop the line from the top of my staircase. That knot is fun to tie. Because I was told that fish see braid and get scared ? I suppose I could go straight fluoro which would solve my knot problems, but have tried that and lose too many battles with weeds.

This is great info. I have a Daiwa Tatula M R (medium - moderate fast tip) that I have bought strictly for crankbaits. Come to find out, that the areas I fish are not good for that type of fishing and I'm just not very good at it. I am glad that the medium power with the moderate fast tip can be used for lighter weight jig fishing. Thanks for the vid.

Where did this handle come from? Sweet!

I wonder if I could tie the FG with much less alternating wraps making it much shorter. Instead of the standard 20 go like 10? I've gotten pretty good at tying this knot that I want to make it work. On one of my baitcasters I am trying straight braid because this issue was annoying me so bad.

Thanks but I should have mentioned this is for both my casting setups.

I've learned 3 basics braid to leader knots. The FG, Uni to Uni and the Alberto knot. FG is definitely the slimmest but quite certain the longest of the three. The Uni to Uni is not the slimmest but shorter than the other two. The Alberto seems to be a compromise between slim and short. Can't quite decide which one I like better but one thing is for certain is that all 3 once in a while gets hung up on my guides causing me to backlash fiercely, especially when using them on the smaller diameter micro guides. My leaders are about 5-6 feet long, considering a shorter leader, am I doing something wrong?

My XF tip is my dedicated plastics rod weighted or weightless. That extra fast tip gives me the hook setting I need to make up for my slow reaction to bites. Also that tip helps me better present plastics in a way fish can't resist ?

This is what makes this forum one of the better ones.