GetFishorDieTryin

I don't have spinning SLX, I have a 7ft MH F casting rod so take that into consideration. Even though its not a spinning rod you can tell a few things about the SLX line from the casting rod. The only reason I bought one was because the Zodias and the Levante I wanted wouldn't be in stock for months. I wouldn't have considered an SLX at all if Matt Allen hadn't recommended it. If you like to have a high grip (all fingers above the reel stem or 4 fingers above reel stem) the exposed threads make it uncomfortable and is a deal breaker IMO. The reel seat and grip on the casting rods are poor as well. They aren't heavy rods but I wouldn't call them light. My SLX rod is way tip heavy, even with the heaviest model SLX(DC) the combo doesn't balance making the rod feel heavier than it really is. My SLX is rated as a Fast speed, but is closer to XF so the rod doesn't load far into the blank even on the higher end of the lure rating which really hurts casting distance. The sensitivity is the rods best quality, its about similar to a St Croix Premier. If you use a reel that has the weight to correct the balance issue, the sensitivity and ergonomics of the rod would be much better. I really think spending a few dollars to get a superior rod would be best. Furys are good rods but tend to feel a bit heavy and aren't the most comfortable to fish with same issue with a colt. Not Crazy about Duckets either. Of the rods listed I would take the BassX. I would recommend going with a Mojo Bass 6'10 ML XF if you want a St Croix. It weighs less, is more sensitive and is a great for Ned, DS, light neko, light shakey head, finesse keitechs and weightless senkos with lighter wire hooks. The best bang for the buck I know of right now is the 13 Omen Black @ $130. I have a Muse @ $185 that uses a 36T blank, weighs less than a comparable St Croix Avid @ $210 and is just as or more sensitive then the Avid. The $130 Omen Black uses the same 36T blank and guides as the $185 Muse. I have heard great things about iROD Geneis, but I don't own 1 and have never picked one up so I cant compare it....For a reel I would strongly recommend a Daiwa Fuego or Exceler over a Nasci anyday. Fuego and Exceler (are the same weight) are lighter by over 1.5 oz , just as smooth, has excellent drag and has a threaded 1 piece handle that gives a superior connection to the gear then the hex handle of the Nasci. Fuego has MagSeal, a magnetic hydrophobic liquid coating to stop water and debris from permeating the AR clutch and causing damage. The Exceler is essentially a Fuego without the MagSeal. You can get a Fuego on Ebay for $80 or an Exceler on Ebay for $60-$70. Hope This Helps....Tight Lines At first I thought you meant you got a Procyon LT reel for $80...I was halfway through typing WHERE!!!! when I realized you were talking about the rod

Not sure if your asking if that specific brands softs JBs and stick baits have similar action or soft JBs and stick baits in general. Ive never used Big Bites flukes or stick baits so not sure about the particular brand. Traditionally a stick bait has a shimmy when it falls on slack line and that's usually when it gets hit. I fish a soft JB just like a hard JB. I snap the rod a certain number of times, when I snap the rod the soft JB stops sinking and darts from side to side. After I snap it 2, 3 or how ever many times I pause and let it sink for a certain amount of seconds. The hit with a soft JB can happen any time, but usually happens as soon as I stop moving it or when I start moving it after a pause. In my mind its kind of the same idea. I throw a senko style stick bait when I want to fish vertical, covering the entire water column from surface to bottom. I use a soft JB to fish horizontal, covering a certain depth like 3ft under the surface to 8 ft. for example. The method used to fish each bait is similar, in fact zoom makes a bait called a flue stick. Its just a stick bait with a spllt tail on the end and I've caught fish on them.

Daiwa gives you more dollar for dollar then Shimano. Daiwa gives you a 1 piece thread in handle on the $80 Exceler and above. The Nasci is $100 and has a hex handle. The difference between the budget reels is significant. I have a $70 Sedona FI that is close to 9oz, the $60 Regal has a comparable drag just as smooth and nearly 2 ounces lighter. Once you get into the $200 and up with Shimano reels become much more competitive with Daiwa IMO. When it comes to Bait Casting reels Shimano has the better value over Daiwa IMO.

The SLX DC is so close to being a Curado DC and is a bit cheaper. If you want the Curado DC because it looks better get the Curado. If you like quality check out the 20 Metanium MGL. The MGL doesn't necessarily mean its a finesse reel, it means it can cast lighter baits more efficiently then reels with heavier spools. Compared to the SLX DC its superior in early every aspect imaginable other then forgiveness. If you change baits and want to get the best casting results you have adjust the settings. Having said that the 20 Metanium runs smooth and free with all of the brake shoes engaged. The benefit of the DC reels is simplicity. You set the dial to the line you are using, set spool tension to desired level and your set.

Absolutely Right, You would surprised how many jigs are heavier or lighter then the specified weight. Tungsten jigs are the most accurate in my experience. Tungsten is expensive so incorrect weights are nearly always light. If you have a favorite trailer I would suggest you weigh he jig and trailer together and look for a rod that would likely have a sweet spot similar to that weight...As for a rod it depends on what you want to spend. The 802 or 852 IMX would be ideal. I kind of made an impulse buy last cyber monday and got a 7'1 M F Muse. I had regrets almost immediately until I actually used the rod. Its rated 1/4-5/8 but throws a 3/16 well. I really like it for the 1/4 keitech football and other light to medium wire jigs to about 5/16. Its good for mojo rigs and shakey heads to. It reminds me of an SC Avid with equal or better sensitivity and balance making it feel lighter then the Avid. The Muse is $180, but as far as I can tell 13 uses the same 36T blank and guides for the $130 Omen Black 3. Just a suggestion if you are on a tight budget.

Standard Hook Shakey Heads: Gamakatsu Tricky Head (Grass, General Purpose Barbed Keeper SH) Great w/Zman Baits) (Favorite Non Screw Lock SH) MegaStrike Shake 2 Pro (w/standard hook, Skipping, General Purpose, Screw Lock, Stout Wire SH) Owner Shakey Football Head (Gravel/Rocks, Screw Lock SH) Stand Up/Floating Small-Medium Profile Baits to be Used With Standard Hook SH: Zman FattyZ (Favorite) Zman 7" Finesse Worm or Floating Worm 7" Zman Hula Stick 4" (Favorite) Zman Bang Stick 5.75" GrandeBass Airtail Wiggler 6.5" (Favorite) Rein Bubbling Shaker 5" (Favorite) Reins Ring Craw Daddy 4" RoboWorm Fat Straight Tail 6" Big Bite Baits Squirrel Tail Worm 6" EWG Shakey Heads: Trokar Scorpion Shakey Head (General Purpose, Barbed Keeper, Stout Wire SH) (Personal Favorite Non Screw Lock SH) MegaStrike Shake2 EWG Pro Model SH (Skipping, General Purpose Screw Lock, Stout Wire SH) Secret Lures Wide Gap Tail Shaker (Gravel/Rock, General Purpose Screw Lock SH) (Personal Favorite Screw Lock SH) Yum Pumkin Head Stand Up JigHead (Skipping, General Purpose Screw Lock Stout Wire SH) VMC Finesse Rugby Head (Rocks/Gravel, General Purpose, Offset EWG, Light Wire) VMC Rugby Head (Rocks/Gravel, General Purpose, Offset EWG, Medium Wire) Stand Up/Floating Med-Large Profile Baits to be Used With EWG SH: GrandeBass Snake O 5" GrandeBass Airtail Rattler 5" (Favorite) Zman Palmetto Bug 4" Gene Larew Biffle Bug 4.25" Reins Craw Tube 4"

If your using braid you can get away with a stouter M F spinning rod like a Croix. I use them on a 7'1 M casting Muse with 12 lb fluro or braid. I use EWG SHs for thicker baits or if Im fishing around cover or docks that I need to keep the fish out of. Other then that I like to use a tricky head for everything from standard size worms to smaller stick baits like a hula stick.

SSHHHH!

Your absolutely right, everything took a jump in price. I cant remember where but I heard someone say tackle sales were way up in March April and May. With the demand being higher and availability/supply situation being uncertain prices took a jump. I could believe that being the case, with many people not working and fishing being one of the only activities you were permitted to do. Its hard to say when everything will be back to normal.

Yup, that was the reel you inquired about in the OP. My fault, I could have been more descriptive. They often go lower, but you have to be Johnny on the spot to get one before they sell out. Hard to beat that price...Hope you like it, tight lines.

Last time I looked at the models of Luvias reels offered there was a bunch of different combos offered. Check out Digitaka.com find a reel you want and click the more info link to go the respective reels specs.... I was team shimano since the stradic FJs but Daiwa offers more for less $. I would take my ballistic any day over my Ci4 FB. I even prefer the overall feel of the Daiwas now. 6 months after getting my first LT I knew shimano had there work cut out. I didn't buy an FL or preorder a vanford. I got use my buddys FL and I wasn't blown away but I was impressed. Im sure the vanford will be solid but for a few more $ will get you a JDM Luvias. I just got a 20 Metanium and IMHO The MQ and or CoreSolid body is the future and its no coincidence Daiwa and Shimano are just putting out designs in one type of reel respectively. There has to be some kind of agreement between Shimano and Diawa, I would have loved to been a Japanese speaking fly on the wall at that meeting. TY, ill check it out.

I have a first generation CI4, had to retire it some years ago. Started making noises, premature bail trip, the bail is bent so it feels out of balance and the line lay is rough but man I love that reel. I liked the EVA knob wish they had kept it or offered it aftermarket.

Look on ebay, you can get them for about $80

The fuego has a lower quality carbon composite frame, the procyon has the better quality carbon composite ZAION frame which is lighter and stronger. Im pretty sure the procyon has the aluminum digi gear compared to the fuegos zinc gear. Daiwa really did a good job with the zinc gears. There isn't as much difference between the zinc and aluminum gears when the reels are new. My fuego has held up surprisingly well dealing with salt and sand. The procyon is so really close to being a tatula. Like I said I think the procyon has an aluminum gear, but if it does have a zinc gear that would be the only difference between the tatula and procyon. They are the same weight same size. What the fuego has that the procyon and tatula don't have is the mag seal. It helps keep water and debris from getting up under the rotor and working into the AR clutch. It makes the reel somewhat splash resistant, but it does wear out depending on how much you use the reel. If you want mag seal that's where the ballistic comes into play. The ballistic is essentially a tatula with mag seal.

I was a hardcore Shimano fan when I bough my first fuego LT. I still love Shimano, but now I prefer the feel of Daiwas spinners over Shimano. I bought a fuego LT 2500 right when they came out. I have beat the tar out of the reel, fishing it 5 days a week in fresh water to light surf fishing for blues and stripers to about 5lbs. I also use it on my boat flounder fishing. It takes some pressure to get a 6lb fluke off the bottom and I haven't noticed any stem flex at all. I have ballistics and yeah they feel better but the difference isn't night and day IMO. You can get them a fuego on ebay for 75 or 80. At that price point I don't think they can be beat. If your thinking about spending more money take a hard look at a Luvias. You can get a JDM Luvias for about 250. I was a hardcore Shimano fan when I bough my first LT. I still love Shimano, but now I prefer the feel of Daiwas spinning reels over Shimano.

There are a bunch of people who don't use leaders with casting gear because they cant tie a good knot or they have no confidence in it. You don't need to tie an FG knot, a crazy alberto with the tag trimmed has never given me issues and its a tiny knot. As far as length goes you want to have that knot between your reel and first eye when you go to cast. As far as what length you retie at is up to you. I usually retie when the leader is 4 ft or so.

Have to agree...I don't like to throw spinnerbaits on a broomstick. At the same time I want some give in the tip so that fish doesn't feel much resistance until its to late. Everyones got a preference.

I love those jigs...You can use spinning or casting gear. That little hook requires very little pressure to set, so as long as the rod can handle the weight without losing sensitivity you should be ok. A smooth drag is really important as well. A choppy drag can cause issues with keeping fish pinned or bending the hook. Heavy line can impede action and really isn't needed. If you have a rod that you like to use for shakey heads or heavy ned rigs give that a try. Braid works well as long as your drag is set good.

Right on. Oxygen is prereq. for finding fish...Sometimes the fish in my area don't respond as well to reaction baits. Ive caught so many good fish on a DS right behind someone throwin a SB or lipless.

Personally, Ive never liked them. That second blade can really hurt casting distance and accuracy. If one blade gets jammed up it throws everything out of whack. If you want more commotion and sound it may be the way to go I don't go thru many cavis. All but 1 that ive bent from swinging fish in the boat, on the bank or over dock railings have straightened out and run good. Sometimes I throw booyahs with a smaller blade for a different look. Ive worn a bunch of them out.

Fishing in the rain is the best. The fish aren't as spooky especially the bigger ones. I think it makes the fish more predictable. If you caught fish in certain spots the last time it rained at that lake, its likely that fish will return to the same spot the next time it rains. It also keeps the majority of crowds down.

I was watching a mikeyballz video and he was at a this awesome shop called flippers in Tennessee. They were talking about Bandit and the lady who worked at the pointed to a rack of bandits and said this is every current production pattern they make. She then pointed to another rack and said all of these patterns were discontinued after they were bought out. I cant remember who it was but it started with a c.

The black on black cavitron has been a go to for a long time.

Im not really sure. I started using bandits in 1999 2000ish, I was 11 or possibly 12. K mart always had them and the Strike King 1XS. I think the bandit was called a 100S or 1000S until a few years ago and then started calling it a footloose. Honestly I don't think the quality changed a whole lot since then, but the price has for sure gone way up. Even back then the bandit felt like a cheap piece of plastic. The 1XS felt like a better quality lure and I caught fish on them, but the bandit consistently caught more fish. Either one of them wasn't easy to cast especially late winter early spring when the SB bite was on. I remember cracking a bunch of em tryin to clear grass off of em. There $8 now and IMO theres better cranks on the market at that price.

There are so many variables that have an effect on the color of bluegills so the range of colors vary immensely. That makes it really tough to narrow it down to just a few color patterns. My #1 favorite bluegill pattern is Duos' spinbait 80, rozante 63 and 77 TN 60 holo bluegill, In the winter bluegill bleach out for the most part, but still retain hues of blue, violet and pink. TN 60s in muddy gill and sprinkle wakasagi are a close match. LC silent 1.5 in Happy Gill, BE gill, Ghost baby bluegill and flake flake BE gill Ima Bill Lowen Square Bill in blue gill matches the blue gill in the cedar water lakes in my area and does really well in spring and fall. Ima Suspending lipless crank in foiled gill has produced some of the fastest action ive ever had in <40* water Sebile Magic swimmer(the original) in pumpkinseed is a great little swimbait, unfortunately they no longer make that color. The originals came with a big EWG hook and 6 or 7 doughnut shaped weights that you slide down the shank of the hook so you could customize it so many different ways. The new ones just come with a standard keel weighted EWG hook. Dirty Jigs Finesse Swim Jig- Alabama Bream Dirty 420 Keitechs- bluegill flash, bluegill, sun gill, smoke cinnamon and Green Pumpkin