PBBrandon

So I’ve finished my starting lineup for baitcasters and need a good spinning setup for wacky rigs, shakeyheads and drop shots. I currently have a Daiwa Exceler LT 3000 that needs a rod. My budget is around 150-200 and I’m looking to capitalize on Black Friday deals, especially the tackle warehouse 20% off almost everything. Thank y’all ?

My favorite stealth presentation is the wacky rig for quiet, calm water. Those big splashes could spook the fish, especially if you are targeting a small area. From the bank just find some cover like a downed tree or a bush, drop it in next to it and let it sink. Give it a wiggle every once and a while and the bass won’t resist. A lot of people use Senkos but I find Dingers to be more durable and still have a nice action to them. Much cheaper too.

Yep, thanks for not getting it lol. I hope you get a good deal on a Poison Adrena ?

Well I went down to Scheels today because last time I went, they had an amazing rod selection, and I was looking to pick up a jig rod. Today I was a bit disappointed that a lot of what used to be Daiwa rods was replaced with their house brand rods. Their Shimano section had about 30 SLX rods, a couple of Sellus’s, and one lone Zodias. I checked and saw that it was the 6’10” MH model. While a little short for a jig rod for some, I didn’t mind and pulled the trigger. It feels really nice in the hand and felt perfect when I mounted my Curado K on it. It was already dark when I got home so I decided to try a little night fishing. A way I like to check how sensitive a rod is, probably not an accurate test but still ?, is to throw a chatterbait out. The Zodias definitely transmits the vibrations extremely well. The monocoque butt helps a lot. Didn’t catch any fish but I tested out the new stick and it definitely feels superb. Just gotta hook up with a big one to give it a real test lol

Tatula 150 is a great frog reel. That’s what I use with 65lb braid and it can chuck a frog a country mile. That or another Curado K would be good

I have the 7’1” med fast Platinum Signature and it is a great rod. Lightweight and has good sensitivity. I have a Carbonlite 2.0, Platinum, and a Patriot and they are all really good sticks for the price. Can’t go wrong with any of the Johnny Morris rods

I got it at academy a while back and it’s past their return policy deadline. I’ll just keep it. Thank you though ?

Thank you! I mean it isn’t super horrible or anything, just happens occasionally. Just gotta be more aware of hand placement when casting. It’s a really great reel and I’m more than happy with it

My Tatula 150’s thumb bar is a bit sensitive. It barely takes touching the handle during the cast to engage the thumb bar. Occasionally this means my hand will bump into the handle and engage the the reel. Is there a something I can tighten to make it less sensitive? Thanks ?

Well I just got it in the mail and it is very very small. It is the dual brake Custom SLP and comes in at a feather light 6.4 oz. Super smooth out of the box, a good sign for an online bought reel. I read it just came out this summer so there isn’t much on it. Can’t wait to take it on the water

Was deal hunting online and found the Lew’s Custom Speed Spool on Walmart’s website for 113 bucks. They’re normally 180 so I jumped on the chance. Are these good reels? I’m getting it Tuesday so I’ll review it then

Daiwa Tatula SV, right at 200 and amazing with light lures. I love throwing neds and weightless senkos on mine

Found this for 140, gonna be far better than any combo you find for 100-120 a really good 100 dollar reel and a really good 100 dollar rod for 140 https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-slx-casting-rod-reel-combo.html

Just an update, I replaced the pinion gear on it and it’s smooth again. Thank y’all for the help and I’m glad to have a “brand new” SX

Rod: 7ft med fast Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 Reel: Daiwa Tatula SV For really light neds I’ll go to my 6’6” med fast Daiwa Aird X with a 2000 size Regal LT

At least it has that 10 year warranty lol, glad to hear it’s a good rod though, thank you

Well Scheels is selling the old gen Abu Veritas rods for half off. Usually 100 bucks but now they are 50. They have 7ft med heavy ones too. I have a couple and they are nice rods. Light and balanced. They do run a bit stiffer though which is good if you are gonna do frogging with it. Probably want something closer to a heavy power. The med heavy Veritas will probably be a little closer to a heavy anyway and you could do more with it. For the reel you wanna get something that’s easier to cast if you’ve never used a baitcaster before, which unfortunately, is hard to find until you get to 100 bucks. So your best bet there is to either get a Daiwa Fuego CT, Shimano SLX, or Lews LFS on sale. If there aren’t any on sale, the Lews Xfinity reel is still pretty good, my friend who never used a baitcaster before can throw lures pretty far on it. Good luck with whatever you get ?

100 bucks is a little tight for a baitcast combo but if that’s your max then the Lews’ Xfinity combo from Walmart is actually surprisingly good. The rod has Winn Grips too which is nice

That’s right lol, at least I had 1/3 letters correct. Yeah I’ve heard people say it’s an NFC blank and one person say that Bass Pro told them it was a TFO blank. Surprising that there’s not any reviews on it really besides their site. Which I don’t trust retail site reviews. I’m sure whatever it is it’s a good rod. Can’t wait to fish it when all this rain let’s up

Doing a little research it looks like they might be rebranded Temple Fork Outfitters Tactical Elite rods. Or at least they are maybe similar. They look exactly the same other than color and are the same price. TFO is owned by Gary Loomis if I’m not mistaken, or at least was founded by him https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Temple_Fork_Outfitters_Tactical_Elite_Casting_Rods/descpage-TFOTLE.html?from=gshop&gclid=CjwKCAjw3_KIBhA2EiwAaAAlimNogvmzgeuSMue4k6D597XjfM2IZbZ6BdDTj2blrqjFzsR2Nx5mgxoCPEUQAvD_BwE

Well I returned my noisy Vanford and Cabelas deemed it defective so with the money I got back, I invested in a Johnny Morris Patriot rod. I haven’t found much on these but what I have heard are good things. I’ve never spent more than 120 on a rod before because I’ve been happy with Furys and Carbonlite 2.0s, but I figured why not. I’ll never know what higher priced rods are like if I never get one. Initially holding the rod in the store you can tell it’s very high quality. The Winn grips are harder and tacky, almost like a football glove. I’m not worried about wet hands and the rod slipping into the lake with the grips it has. It’s very very light too. It felt even better when I put my Curado K on it, a match made in heaven. I got the 7ft med heavy fast action to replace my Carbonlite 2.0 of the same power and action. I’ll still have it for when I wanna switch up presentations fast but the Patriot/Curado is my new workhorse combo. Anybody who’s used these, do you like them? I’ll do a comparison with the Carbonlite when I go fishing next time but I’m interested to see what y’all think of the Patriots

Can’t go wrong with the LFS. Arguably the best 100 dollar baitcaster out there depending on who you ask. I like the Fuego just a tad better but honestly that opinion changes when I pick the LFS up again lol. A great reel for the price

Thank you all for your help, I’ll just take it back and exchange it. If they don’t have another vanford I’ll just get a different reel or wait for another batch to come in

That was the last one they had but I can see if they have more now I suppose, wouldn’t hurt lol

Went to Lake Texoma yesterday while storms were rolling through and it was crazy. Striper were jumping everywhere chasing baitfish into the shallows. There would be feeding frenzies popping up here and there and it was a perfect day for topwater. Caught 4 on a popper but would’ve had way more if I wasn’t stuck on the bank lol. All were between 1 and 2 pounds. Never seen Texoma like that. I know rain is topwater time but I haven’t seen anything like that before. Gotta hit up Texoma during storms more often lol