ABrugs

@roadwarrior - I held one in a store up north a couple of weeks ago and thought it felt amazing. Also, I LOVE the aesthetics. My concern w/ it would be how much 8# Tatsu it can hold. If Shimano’s 6# mono guideline is truly around 0.09 inches, that means I’d be able to put about 110 yards of 8# Tatsu on. If this is the case, I’m going to highly consider it w/ the Vanford 2000.

Thanks, @WRB! I’m actually interested in the Vanford 2000 as it’s 5.3 oz. The specs online show it can take 165 yards of 6# mono. Based on @garroyo130’s post, could I assume that I’d be able to fit about 165 yards of 8# Tatsu? I’m mostly interested in the Vanford 2000 or the Stradic FL 1000. I wouldn’t be opposed to the Vanford 2500, but like the idea of the lightest spinning reel possible.

Hey, All - I’ve been doing a lot of research on Shimano’s spinning reels and am interested in eventually getting either a Stradic FL or a Vanford. I can only find the suggested line capacity for both in # test for mono. I would be considering using straight Tatsu fluorocarbon for this setup and I know it’s 0.09 inches in diameter for 8#. It also looks like a lot of 8# mono is around 0.11 inches in diameter. So, does anyone know the inches in diameter Shimano uses when they’re suggesting 8# mono? I’d love to get a feel for how much Tatsu I’d be able to spool as that will help me narrow down which models I’d be targeting. If not, I might reach out to Shimano directly, but thought others might be interested to know the inches in diameter they use as well on this forum. Thanks!

I have 2 of them, the ESP 7’2 MH/MF that I use for tube jigs and the Lux 6’9 M/MF that I use for jerkbaits. These are my first ‘decent’ rods so I can’t compare them to anything at a similar price point. They seem to be good quality and are pretty sweet aesthetically. The ESP is listed for jigs, worms, lipless crankbaits, and swim jigs, but I think it would be best for the latter 2 as it’s a pretty moderate action IMO. I’ve only been fishing w/ them for about 3 months, but I’m happy to answer anything else you’d like to know. My other suggestion would be to do some research on YouTube as there are several videos out there on 6th Sense rods that were helpful for me.

I did the same thing at the beginning of the year and have LOVED it. This site/forum is incredible. Welcome!

I don’t know if it’s being brand obstinate or simply wanting to try the Shimano product line, but regardless, it’s clear you know what you’re talking about here in the BFS reel space and I appreciate your willingness to help. I’m also going to be honest about most of this BFS reel discussion going over my head a little bit. ? Thanks to everyone for the replies and opinions so far, I appreciate you!

@bulldog1935 - That’s all solid information. I’m happy you provided some clarity into ‘BFS’ as well. Thanks! Going back to my initial post about MGL casting reels versus spinning reels, I was thinking of an Aldebaran versus a spinning reel, for example. I realize Daiwa has the SV options as well, but I’ve been interested in the Shimano products. I really do enjoy using casting gear as I’ve been using it exclusively since I started bass fishing last year. However, I’m constantly thinking too much about the cast when I’m throwing lighter lures in fear of getting nasty backlashes. If a Shimano Aldebaran MGL/Curado MGL 70 K would make that much of a difference, I’ll still consider going that route. I’m not worried as much about 5” Senkos unless there’s a lot of wind, but it’s when I’d want to downsize to a 4” or to some of the other lures I mentioned in an above post. Also, I’m starting to pitch a lot more and am curious how much more effective these MGL/SV/‘BFS’ casting reels are at doing that w/ lighter (1/4) oz lures?

I appreciate your insight! Well, I’m not going to make any changes this year so I have awhile to consider everything before pulling the trigger. I love hearing the ‘why’ behind everyone’s individual strategy and believe that’s a big reason why this forum is so impactful.

That’s good to know and I appreciate you sharing! I’ve read on forums that some of these shows in different states will discount certain rods 25 - 30% like the NRX/Legends and I was curious if I should be expecting that here. I’ve never been to the show, so I’ll plan on checking it out in January to find out!

I’ve been thinking about future rod/reel purchases and wanted to see if anyone who has been to the ‘Ultimate Fishing Show’ in Novi, MI every January would have any idea of what kinds of deals and discounts you can expect on higher end rods from St. Croix/G. Loomis? I would appreciate any and all insight. Thanks!

This year I’ve been using the Xtreme Bass Tackle 4” tubes in ‘Sweet Green’ and ‘St. Clair Goby NFT’ w/ 1/4 oz Strike King jig heads. I had more success last year using the Strike King Coffee Tubes in 3.5” and ‘Green Pumpkin’ rigged w/ the same jig heads. I plan on eventually going down to 1/8 considering the water I fish is generally between 4 - 6 feet.

@ironbjorn - What has been your experience w/ 6#/8# Tatsu on spinning reels?

Yes, I can throw 5” Senkos pretty easily w/ my casting reels. I do also realize it would be even easier w/ spinning reels, especially pitching. To elaborate further, I’d be throwing 5”/4” Senkos rigged both wacky and weightless, 1/8 T-Rigs, 1/8 finesse jigs, 1/8 tube jigs, and 1/10 Ned rigs. I would imagine spinning setups would be the best for all of these techniques, but how much better than a casting MGL or BFS reel? I totally agree w/ @LCG that there are pros and cons to each setup. I LOVE setting the hook w/ a casting setup. How much does that differ w/ these techniques w/ a spinning rod and lighter line? I’ve only been using straight fluorocarbon on my casting reels and it sounds like a lot of people are against that w/ spinning reels. Would 6#/8# Tatsu be a good choice if I didn’t want to go braid + leader on a spinning setup?

@Bass_Fishing_Socal - It’s not that I think casting is only technique specific or that spinning is more versatile. It’s that I’m discovering my style of fishing and that leans more towards finesse than power. Yes, I currently have 4 casting setups and would consider myself decent w/ them at this point. The reason for the post was to get opinions on MGL types of spools, i.e. SV, versus going w/ a spinning setup. I have 2 Tatula 100’s and honestly haven’t cared for the Daiwa braking system so far. I realize those aren’t SV spools, which could be much different, but it’s more of an ergonomics thing that I’m not crazy about. ^ I got caught up in the idea of dedicating every setup to one technique, which was the wrong approach starting out IMO. I’m now much more interested in consolidating down to 1 quality setup and that’s either going to be a spinning setup or a Shimano MGL setup based on the style of fishing I like to do. FWIW, I’ve been looking at the St. Croix Legend/G. Loomis IMX/GLX lines paired w/ either a Shimano Stradic FL 1000 or 2500.

@Bankc - That’s what I’ve been thinking. I do pitch a decent amount at certain lakes and think it would be much easier to do this w/ lighter lures on a spinning setup than w/ a casting reel. @roadwarrior - I agree. I don’t need a casting setup, but I’ve become more confident in them since that’s all I’ve used over the past year. I’m strongly considering consolidating my 4 casting setups into 1 quality spinning setup for next year. I don’t need to move fast and don’t mind tying on different lures when needed. This would also give me the opportunity to get into a high-end spinning rod (St. Croix/G. Loomis) and a Stradic FL/Vanford. ^ This is basically what I was hoping to get at. I’m ideally looking to consolidate my 4 casting setups that I don’t need into 1 quality/high-end setup, which would either be spinning or casting w/ a MGL reel.

Hey, All - So I’m in the middle of my 2nd season bass fishing and what I’m realizing more and more is that I truly love ‘finesse’ style fishing. I know that term isn’t mutually agreed upon from what I’ve been reading, but for more context, I love throwing Senkos and anything between 1/4 - 3/8 ounces in total weight. My original strategy was to add 2 new baitcasting setups that were technique specific every year, which leaves me currently at 4 total. Considering I throw Senkos for the majority of my fishing, I’ve also come to the realization that I don’t need 4 technique specific setups right now, especially since I’m a bank angler. I’m way more interested in versatility. ^ This leads me to my question. I grew up fishing w/ a spinning setup and assumed I ‘needed’ baitcasters in order to truly bass fish. Since I’m discovering my preferred style of fishing is more ‘finesse’, what are opinions on switching to baitcasting reels like Shimano’s MGL lineup versus going to spinning setups? I’m not going to make any changes this season, but this question has been weighing on my mind and I’d love some opinions. Thanks!

I caught my new PB on vacation in northern Michigan last week, a 4.54 lb / 20 inch largemouth bass! I got it on a 6th Sense Clout 5.4 in 'Watermelon Candy' rigged weightless. My previous PB LMB was 2.69 lbs / 17 inches from 2020. One of my bass fishing goals for 2021 was to beat that by ideally catching one at least over 3 lbs. Needless to say, I was beyond excited to get this one!

I agree w/ all of the Costa 580P suggestions. I bought a pair of Reeftons at the beginning of last year and absolutely love them. I find myself forgetting to take them off in the evening when I don’t need them simply because of how comfortable they are and how awesome the colors are through the lenses.

1st bass/LMB of 2021 last Saturday! I caught it on a 6th Sense Provoke 106X in Smallmouth Rose @ Lake St. Clair. It was 1 lb 11 oz. I'm going again tomorrow morning and hope to add to this!

The tube became my favorite technique when I caught my first ever smallmouth bass on one last year. I built a setup to exclusively throw them this year and I’ll be doing that in about a month! I’m going to be trying out the Xtreme Bass Tackle tubes w/ primarily 1/4 oz tube jigs.

I’m actually in Sterling Heights. This will be my second year bass fishing so I don’t know if I’m ready for tournaments yet! My overall goal this year is to continue growing and learning as a bass angler. I’ll PM you though because I’d love to learn about this club. Thanks for the heads up on that!

I fish from shore right now and when I started going last spring around the beginning of April, they were catching a lot of them on tube jigs. I didn’t see much else being overly productive at that time. ^ Honestly, just being able to get out for a couple of hours to enjoy the fresh air, test out the new rod/reel setups, and the potential of hooking into a smallie gives me the kind of excitement I had as a boy waiting for Christmas!

@NorthernBasser - I don’t have the experience to compare them against other rods at their price point, but I will say the quality is awesome and the handle/grip is beyond comfortable. I do hope they come out w/ different models as well. ^ I’ll follow-up w/ you once I have a chance to use it around the beginning of April.

I’m targeting the first Saturday in April to hit Lake St. Clair. Wow, even just typing that got me pretty amped up!

The first 8 largemouth bass I caught last year between 4/19 - 5/8 up here in Michigan were all on lipless crankbaits, w/ the majority being a red/chartreuse color pattern. The lake I caught the majority of these on has really clear water and I was just using a slow and steady retrieve. ^ In all of the research I did on lipless crankbaits going into last year, the resounding theme was to throw red and I think that’s spot on.