The Reel Greg

Anyone have any comments on this lineup? It seems to be in the Zodias, Levante realm of rod. Just can't seem to find alot about these suckers? I went to my local shop and picked one up. I'm not exactly sure which model I had I think it was a 7'5 H, I also picked up the Zodias 7'3 H. Both felt super lite. I feel like everyone's gonna be team Zodias/Levante but I must say I really liked the tip on the Daiwa. It was a bit softer. Just curious if anyone else has used one or knows about em.

Yea that sounds about right. So I'm from southern Ontario, Canada. And in my area bass season goes from the 3rd Saturday in June till I can't remember if it's Nov or Dec. Either way by November it's all over for me anyways. So that being said, with the fact my main 2 lakes I fish are shore to shore weeds. I don't really put treble hooks on very much. So I'm not really looking to upgrade that part of the game. Chatterbait I tried last year and I didn't do very well, definitely still trying to learn that game but I think the rod I have for that is good enough for me to learn on for now. My plans this year, is to really learn how to flip grass, frog, swim jig and try a big worm. Obviously I'll be trying other tactics but those are the main areas I want to get better at and more importantly get more confidence in.

Probably around $300 CAD. Looking at a frog rod now. Looking at the megabass pitch perfect, maybe a zodias. Never tried a st Croix before either. Reel recommendations also will help. I'm thinking $2-250 CAD for that

I guess ultimately I may be asking that question. In a really weedy lake what type of fishing should I be doing? I'm thinking maybe new frog rod setup and then use the Intenza I already have as a flipping stick. I'm planning to try flipping a big jig in weed lines/pockets this year.

Really? If I throw anything with a treble I'm snagged real good. Also I do have a medium action already. My thoughts too!!

Hey y'all, So looks like I might be picking up a new rod/reel combo this season. I wasn't planning on it but sold my car and got a bit more then I was expecting so I'm going to treat myself lol. I just can't really figure out what combo to go for. I currently own 2 spinning combo's, 2 MH's, 1 M, and 1 H. The lakes I fish are extremely weedy lakes. I have become an absolute lover of frog fishing, and if I can throw one I will. Outside of that I'm still trying to learn and become better at the rest which is usually a T rig, jig, swim jig, chatterbait, small swim baits, drop shots, wacky I'd say What baitcast setup technique specific should I be considering? At first I was thinking dedicated jig rod, now I'm thinking flipping stick. Or even a new frog rod, currently have the Shimano Intenza Heavy that I use for froggin. But it's pretty heavy and with how much I fish the frog my arm and wrist really get tired after awhile.

There is no DC in my price range. Please read my OP, $250 or less in Canadian $$

Ok so I'm buying the reel in the next couple days for my old man. My local shop has both options I think I'm leaning towards. 1) SLX XT for $189 or 2) Tatula SV for $249 I'm leaning towards the SLX because two reasons. I own one of those reels so atleast I am somewhat familiar with to set it up and help him with that and also obviously because it's cheaper. That being said I myself am very interested in trying a Diawa, and based on the comments here the SV Diawa's have been mentioned numerous times. Again this is his first baitcaster, it's going to be a struggle getting him to put down the spinning combo but I want this baitcaster to be his texas rig rod and top water. So which so I go for?

Love it actually. I basically own MH rods but this DSR is a nice change, especially for what I use it for. I've had no issues throwing a chatterbait, swimjig, boot tail swim baits. In the fall I was tossing a weightless fluke and boy that was fun! I was getting hammered on that. Loved learning how to use it, how to let the rod load and kinda sweep the hookset instead of my usual "rip this mother's head off" type of sets. I am just a weekend warrior so I'm sure I'm probably not using it proper or there are better options but I definitely do not regret buying it. If I had to mention one negative about the rod is this weird creeking sound it makes somewhere around the reel seat. As far as I can tell no damage is being done but it doesn't sound great when it happens but really that's just being picky. I love the way it looks aswell, paint is beautiful and all the little touchesake it far and away my nicest most expensive looking combo! Im now dying to get my hands on a braillist!

You got it! ? Now let's talk reel for set rod. I have 3 SLX reels and a cheap Silvermax I learned on. Been kinda wanting to try a Tatula. Thoughts?

Ok so now that we have that narrowed do you think braillist over the similar zodias model? Btw this is great great help! Thank you!

Thanks so much for your words, I cant decide what will fit my needs more. But you definitely helped. I got a Shimano Intenza last year or the year prior, it's a 7'2 H, I could be off on the length. I've only had a frog tied on there and it's been nice, I get fatigued if I use it for more then an hour or so. Feels heavy. If I really want to focus on frog'n, t rigs, and jigs what do you think I should do? Like use the Intenza for frogs and t rig and get a braillist as my dedicated jig rod? I do like the idea of the pp for t rigs and frogs tho.

In all honesty I think I would most likely be throwing 3/8 to 1/2 on the regular. Only bump that up occasionally. I was questioning the braillist because of it's length. I do prefer a shorter rod for flips and pitches. My main lakes I fish I rarely cast and drag a football or a wobble head which is what my research has said the braillist is best for. That being said the guys at Tactical Bass'n swear the braillist is THE best jig rod period (not in the Levante line of course) . I feel like I want the braillist but for my needs the pitch perfect is more what I'm looking for?

Maybe upto 1oz, pretty thick nothing crazy.

My local shop is having a sale and I can get a Levante for $249 all in or a zodias for $279/$289 all in. This particular rod will be my jig and t rigged rod. At first I was going to get the braillist, but then maybe the pitch perfect was more the speed I'm aiming for and now I'm thinking about a zodias. I do own one other Levante but my nicest Shimano rod is an Intenza. And I must say I much prefer the Levante between those two but I feel like maybe I should try a zodias now? $40 won't break the bank but it would maybe be nice to use that on the reel. Anyone wanna help me make a decision?

Thats roughly $240 CAD, tack on $50 for shipping or close to that and then charges at the boarder probably end up over budget there.

Not sure if you read my OP but my budget does not allow for a Curado. The Curado DC that everyone is recommending is going for $379 plus tax at my local tackle shop. Unfortunately this makes it a non option.

Sounds good, I think the only problem I'll have with this reel is availability. Shimano products specifically the SLX and DC lines are hard to acquire. Atleast where I live. Thanks for your info, I think I may go Daiwa for him. Seems like it has worked for numerous similar other folk. And plus u can get my hands on one locally!

We fish for small and large mouth. He also likes to try for the odd pike if he has the chance. I got him the SLX 7'2 MH rod, I am going to urge him to use a T rig on this setup so line choice may vary but most likely braid to leader. You are correct sir, he said the same thing. Thanks!

I found the custom lite on amazon.ca for $332 CAD. My local shop has the Diawa Tatula SV on sale right now for $249.

I've been after my dad for years now about getting a baitcaster but he's just flat out refused. Can't teach an old dog new tricks kinda deal. Anyways I just forced a new rod on him for Christmas. We are both just once a week kinda guys, just wondering what would be a good choice to learn on these days. I don't want to buy him a cheap cheap reel but I can't afford more then say $250-300 CAD. I wanted a SLX XT but sold out. Any recommendations? Thanks y'all

Yea this past spring I literally watched my PB on a bed right off the shore in the backyard and it was basically torture I could toss a line! I never knew fall was good until this year, I had a magical day. It was flat calm, overcast and just had this odd feeling the topwater bite was going to be on and I went out and they were everywhere and just crushing the frog. It was the second best fishing day I've ever had. Caught a bunch of high 4's but that dang 5 lber never showed up to the party! Still was such a sensational day! This was on Scugog for what it's worth. How's the fishing out there? Yea I know Simcoe has the big bronzers but I'd rather go for the green! Plus Simcoe scares me, I don't like big water! Hahaha! Never seen a single person ever pull a smallmouth out of Scugog. Infact several people have said they don't exist in this lake. I think I'll have to give Buckhorn and Sturgeon a go next season, be nice to see some new water!

The season runs from usually the 3rd weekend of June till Nov or Dec. Not sure when it closes I'm never really out past Canadian Thanksgiving

Hello to all my Northern anglers! Question for anyone that has some advice. Which lake(s) do I have the best shot at reaching my goal of several years now, which is to land a bass of 5 lbs or more? The amount of high 4's I get is amazing and I will gladly take them all day long but why I can't get one that tips my scale to a 5 is beyond me! I live on Lake Scugog and it has got me my current PB (4.12) and several other high 4's. That being said I just got my first fishing boat this past season and am ready to go wherever I need too! I basically fish Rice Lake the most, if I take the new boat I go to Rice or I take the tiny out on Scugog. I found Rice to be very stingy this year, Scugog was much better for me personally. But I need to get on some water that holds so BIGS. I'm not asking for spots or specific locations just if anyone has any recommendations for me to try. Next year I have Simcoe and Quinte on the list, not sure if Pigeon or Buckhorn has a healthy amount of big ones? I do prefer targeting the largies, and I prefer shallow waters. But am definitely willing to go wherever I need! Thanks y'all!

MK fortrex 80lb thrust