PBBrandon

Try out the brand new Bois D’Arc lake here in north Texas, Make a trip or 2 out to Fork. Maybe do a little more catfishing than I have been

The most backlash resistant reels on the market are Daiwa reels with SV spools. Shimano DC reels do help a lot with backlash as well but they aren’t really worth the cost IMO. The Zillion is a pretty tame reel but the Tatula and Alphas SV reels are even more backlash resistant if you want maximum backlash control. They just aren’t as good of reels as the Zillion. The Alphas is pretty close though in terms of quality

Daiwa Zillion SV from Japan, slam dunk pick. Might be the best bait caster on the market overall, it’s every bit as good as my Steez SV Not too familiar with swimbait reels, I only throw sub 4oz swimbaits so I get by with a Curado 200k for spinning reels the Stradic is probably the best for the money. I think the Tatula MQ LT is a good reel, but I prefer the previous model. Best bet might be a Vanford or Stradic from Japan. For a cranking rod I normally would recommend a Dobyns 705cb or a St Croix Victory/LTB 7’2” MHM graphite rod (personally not a fan of glass rods). But being that you don’t like cork, I’d go with a Zodias or a Tatula Elite. Or if you like your Levante, you could get a Flatside Special also Daiwa and Shimano are both top notch. I can’t say one is better than the other and it’s really personal preference. If you put a lot of firepower in your casts, a Shimano will probably outcast a Daiwa. However, for accuracy, short casts, and overall backlash control, Daiwa reels are in a league of their own. Both are top end machines.

6th Sense Crush 75x flatside

Took advantage of the Spro sale 5, McStick 110s 4, McStick 110+1s 2, McRip 85s 3, Aruku Shad 65s 1, Wameku Shad 70 2, Aruku Shad 75s 3, RkCrawler 50s 1, RkCrawler DD50 2, RkCrawler MD55s 2, Hunter 65 SBs 1, Fat Papa SB 55 1, Fat Papa SB 70 1 Blade and 1 Bumper spinnerbaits all this for $128. Never used Spro lures but I hear great things and the deals looked too good. monkey should be satisfied now

Been cruising through BF deals and am debating on throwing some money at 6th sense or Spro since both have good sales. I mainly use 6th Sense and don’t have any Spro lures im specifically looking at some wintertime lures like the McStick 110 and the Rock Crawler lures. Can get a McStick for 5 bucks which seems like a heck of a deal. Most of my jerkbaits are MB, LC, and 6th Sense. How do the McSticks compare? Thank you

Daiwa Zillion SV but if you want a Shimano, then I’d say Curado 150MGL all the way. Great reel for the baits you listed

I’ve thrown MB X-80 Trick Darters on my LTB and it does a good job with them. It’s a stout rod for a ML with a nice tip action

In general, assuming everything else about the rods are the same, the extra fast action should be the most sensitive due to better vibration transfer. As for power, it depends on the lure weight. You want to be in the sweet spot for maximum sensitivity. If you toss a 1oz jig on a medium rod, or a 1/8oz lure on a heavy rod, in both instances sensitivity will be greatly reduced

Warranty is #1 for me. Dobyns and St. Croix are my favorite rods. Part of that is their performance but also their warranty. Knowing if anything goes wrong I’m covered, if I do something stupid, I can replace it for a discount, or if I want to try something nicer I can always upgrade. I don’t feel like I’m just buying any old rod, but I’m buying a product from a manufacturer that is confident enough to back it with an amazing warranty. Shimano doesn’t have a long warranty, but with the replacement program, anytime that rod gets broken, it’s half off to get it replaced which is also awesome. Sure I may never use the warranty program on most of my rods, but that peace of mind means I don’t feel as if I have to baby my rods, I can use them to their fullest potential, and just fish stress free knowing if anything goes awry, I’m not out full price on a rod

Haven’t been to Bois D’Arc yet, mostly Ray Roberts and Texoma. Might try it out before the end of the year though. I hope the initial onslaught of anglers has died down lol

A 6 speed, 7 speed, and 2, 8 speeds. All SVs. Love em

I’ve been heavily bass fishing for 6 years now, and typically I average about 5-10 4+ pounders a year. So far in 2024 I’ve caught 0. I’m guessing my PB this year is a mid 3 if I remember correctly. Spring I skunked out a lot, summer I didn’t fish a whole lot due to being a bit bummed from spring, and recently I’ve caught plenty of sub 2 pounders. Anyone else just having a bad year? I’m sure if I keep at it, things will average out, but it’s just been a grind lol

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SV spool Daiwas are different animals than Shimano reels. Casting with them is completely different than Shimanos. All my Zillions I have the adjuster to minimum play in the spool, and typically am at 4-8 on the dial depending on lure weight. I can go down to 0 on my Tatula because of how aggressive the braking is. The Zillion and Steez reels have the boost spool which is slightly less aggressive than the Tatula and Alphas regular SV spools. With Shimanos you can be real hard and put a lot of force into casting, if you try that with a Daiwa SV, you will backlash like crazy. A Daiwa cast should be more snappy, less arm, more wrist. I personally sidearm cast 90% of the time, and prefer using Daiwas in that regard. Overhead bombs, I like Shimanos a bit more. Shimanos and Lews have a higher casting distance ceiling than Daiwa, but you should be able to cast 80-90% the distance with a Daiwa using half the effort

I currently have a 7’3” MHRF Poison Adrena but see I can get a P5 Madbull on sale from Japan for less than 300 bucks. Would it be worth it to snag one or would I pretty much be getting another rod that I don’t really need? I throw my spinnerbaits and chatterbaits on the PA and as for as I understand the Madbull isn’t a good bottom contact rod. I would get an X-Bites but they are sold out. What are y’all’s thoughts on the Madbull?

Used to have a mix of Lews Abu Daiwa and Shimano, almost exclusively Daiwa now with the exception of a Curado K and a Chronarch Ci4+ I’ve found that Daiwa’s magnetic braking works best with the way I cast. Everyone is different, but Daiwa makes a sweet reel, especially the Alphas, Zillion and Steez lines

If versatility is your goal, Dobyns makes some of the most versatile rods out there. If you’re a fan of the Champ 734 you have, you could always get an Xtasy for the sensitivity boost. I use my DRX755 for 3/8-1/2 jigs and chatterbaits with a trailer and it works very well. Soft tip for loading up, and great backbone for working slop. Without a trailer, going down to a 4 power might work better, however, you would lose some backbone working in the grass. I haven’t thrown 3/8 jigs without a trailer on the 755 but it is rated down to 3/8 so it should be fine on that rod as well

Never tried the SLX A, wasn’t impressed with the original SLX. I did love my SLX XT though. The Tatula CT is okay as well. Getting up to that price range though, I’ll grab an Alphas SV from Japan over a Tatula.

Nice, the Aird-X definitely punches above its price point. Great combo right there

I had a similar issue with a gen 4 Revo SX a couple years ago. Ended up using it at a Cabelas trade in event. Never figured out what it was but if it’s vibrating like that it seems like it might be gear related as opposed to a bearing. Is it a certain part of the rotation or consistent?

You can even upgrade within the warranty program. I upgraded my snapped Victory to a Legend tournament and only had to pay the difference. I think Mojo to LTB is $150-200. Would smoke any rod under 200 bucks. You could get the 7’3” MHF or the 7’3” HXF (it’s really a MHF, just has a stiff backbone) for T-rigs and jigs, and move your Fury to moving bait duties. if you wanna go another direction, the Shimano Zodias, Daiwa Tatula Elite, or a Dobyns Champion XP on a discount would be my top 3 rods under 200 bucks. The St. Croix Victory rods are good too and I’d put them up there. Never used a Levante but I’ve held them in the store and they feel very nice in hand.

Another vote for the LFS. Nothing flashy, nothing fancy. Just smooth, reliable, and can outcast any reel in its class. If you are able to spend a little more, the SLX XT or a JDM Tatula 80/100 would be a great reel too

+1 on the Stradic FM 2500/3000 no brainer slam dunk for under 200

LFS is a workhorse reel. Best reel under $100 hands down and I’m a Daiwa/Shimano guy