Randy Price

I've been fishing for 50 years primarily in IL,WI, and AR and all of my fishing buddies use spinning gear for everything BUT musky. I have a couple of BC bass rigs but find myself still using my spinning gear. Habit I guess.

Really hoping for a COVID vaccine in early 2021 so we can get beyond all of this. 2020 has certainly been a Annus Horribilis!!!

I own both Daiwa and Shimano spinning reels and use them a lot. IMO Shimano makes a better spinning reel. I'm fond of the Stradic/Ci4+ series of reels in the 2500 size. I have a Daiwa Fuego and HAD a Ballastic but returned it after a short fishing trip. Both companies make good reels but to me the Shimano's are smoother. I also like the fact that Shimano makes their reels in Malaysia and not China as Daiwa does. IF you like to back reel then get a Daiwa as Shimano reels no longer offer this feature. I never have back reeled in 40+ years so that isn't an issue for me. I have the Daiwa BG and it's built like a tank but it seems heavy to me and better suited to saltwater fishing (IMO).

I'm 100% with @FishTank on this one. Others may/will disagree with me but in the $ 200.00 price range I think for the money the AVID series rods are the best bang for the buck when you look at built quality, sensitivity, length/action options, CS, and warranty this series of rods has it all.

I have said many times that for the $$ I think the AVID line is the best bang for the buck.

I stopped at one of my companies quarries Friday afternoon and caught 2 smaller bass (1.5-2.5) but they aren't biting like they were earlier in the year.

I'll parrot what others have said. Shimano and Daiwa make the best reels (IMO). I favor Shimano Stradic series either the regular or the Ci4+ (now Vanguard) in spinning reels and the Curado in BC's. For rods I'm a St. Croix fanboy.

Thanks @Glenn. Actually I just "reposted" them so you do not have to. Thanks, Randy

My pictures disappeared after the website update.

I dream of owning a much nicer boat in the future but with two kids in private college this has to work for a while. I bought this Lund WC-16 back in '07 and put a flat floor in it. It is rated for a 25hp motor but could only afford a 15hp. I've enjoyed it and it has been economical.

I have a few BC and spinning reels that I would like to have professionally disassembled cleaned and lubricated. Who do you guys use?

I called Sheel's prior to returning it to see if that was OK. I literally only used it for a couple of hours but long enough to know I didn't like it. I was very upfront with the salesperson.

I went through this same decision a couple of months ago. I bought a Dobyns Fury 703C and fished with it one weekend and returned it for a SC Mojo Bass 71MHF and have been very happy. The Dobyns Fury rod wasn't anywhere near as sensitive as the SC MB IMO.

As admitted St. Croix fanboy I'm say look at the Legend X, Legend Xtreme or the good old classic Legend Elite for your high end rod.

Sorry I must have missed the earlier discussion.

Guys, Just curious how many of you manually close your bail on your spinning reel vs how many just turn the handle and automatically close it. 99 times out of 100 I just turn the handle. Never had any issues with this method

I have 6 Stradic Ci4+'s (4 -2500's and 2-3000). One of them has the older style larger foam "knob". I do not really like it as well as the never style so I've noticed I do not use that reel as much. I could buy a new style to put on it but I think they are around $ 30.00.

I have 2500 on all my spinning reels. No problems.

I like spinning rods in the 6'6"-7' range. I have a GMC Terrain and anything over 7' is a pain to transport. When I musky fish I have to put my 8' and 8'6" rods in the front floor board.

My SC Legend X 610 MLXF spinning rod w/a 2500 size Stradic Ci4+ spooled w/15lb. Nanofill and some GY senkos (various colors). I've had the best luck with this setup.

A good friend of mine (who has since went to the big lake in the sky) introduced me to St. Croix rods and Shimano Stradic reels back in 2000. He was a fan of the Avid series. At the time I could not afford the Avid but bought a Premier and fished with it for several years. Eventually I could afford Avid's and Legend Elites. I now have 16 SC rods most of them are LT or higher. I still own a couple of Avids. Whenever I grab an Avid I'm pleasantly surprised at how sensitive they are especially for their cost. They aren't as light or made with as high a grade of components but I have to say IMO the Avid series is the best bang for the buck in the SC line. Other may disagree.

On my spinning reels I use 15lb Nanofil or Suffix 832 on my baitcaster I use 45lb Power Pro.

I agree with others. I say the rod is more important than the reel. I primarily fish with spinning rods/reels. The majority of my rods are St. Croix Legend Tournament and higher. Last year (for traveling) I bought a AVID 68 MXF and a cheap Daiwa Fuego reel. Now normally I'm a Shimano Stradic Ci4+ guy all day long but I didn't want to spend a lot of money on this set up. I have to honestly say I've been very impressed with the Fuego and even how sensitive the Avid is compared to my higher end SC rods. For the money (around $ 300.00) I think this is a great set up.

@Matt Eisen, I bought the same rod as you currently own. I have not tried the 734c so I really can't comment on it. I know SC rods sometimes can be a little stiffer than other rod manufacturers for the same power and action.

I bought a 703C Fury a few weeks ago and was very disappointed with it. The fit and finish was very good but the rod blank sensitivity was a let down. I took it back and bought a Mojo Bass (which was about $ 20.00 more) and have been very happy with it. Based on my experience the Mojo Bass is much more sensitive than the Fury.