NavyToad

I have 3 of the older models. My brother fishes Stradics, and I’ll take a Caldia any day.

1 to 4. If I have too many rods, sometimes I don’t spend enough time with any one bait to figure out what’s working. I only fish one lake and I usually have what I need. Sometimes I just take 1 spinning rod with an underspin with a grub or paddletail and don’t worry about anything.

I put “revo” in the search block and there are ALOT of revos on closeout.

Exactly. Worst thing that could happen is you’ll get a better idea of what you want/need. Those BPS Crankin’ sticks are underrated and overlooked. I’d bet you’ll like the rod you already have.

Dino or Synthetic?

I bought a box of steaks from a guy once. He had a pickup load and was selling them cheap. As he was driving away I realized I’d been fast talked into the deal, but I think the meat had been stolen and it wasn’t a bad deal. Generally I just send ‘em packin’.

Some people spend a week researching this stuff, others, not so much. If you want to keep it simple, below is what I consider good bang for the buck. A Medium 1/8-1/2oz rod should suit your needs, or maybe you prefer Medium Light. There are several manufacturers that offer combos - Lews has a few good ones. Or you can buy the rod and reel seperately. https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/daiwa-fuego-lt-bass-pro-shops-pro-qualifier-2-spinning-rod-and-reel-combo

If you’ve already been catching a few fish, did a particular lure/technique produce better than the others? If so I’d concentrate on using that technique for a while and when you either you get tired of it or it stops producing, switch to something else. Or if you have a technique that you enjoy more than others just stick with that for awhile. I love throwing a spinnerbait and could do it all day even if my results weren’t the greatest. You’ll figure it out, just keep at it. If it was that hard, alot of us would have given up long ago. YouTube is your friend.

A 12 year old beginner doesn’t need to worry about hooks. Leave the hook worries to the OCD adults. Change out hooks when and if YOU think it’s necessary and we’ll all go to heaven in a little row boat.

I used to like them. Now I’m afraid they’d give me a heart attack.

I like the amount of activity on this forum. I’ve been on multiple forums (motorcycles, photography, watches etc) and I’ve never been on a forum that has this volume of activity. I like to follow posts just to hear other people’s point of view.

Most of those fish would be the smallie of a lifetime for me. I’d love to fish there, but watching others take 5 minutes to land a fish is too slow for me to enjoy. I loved seeing Hackney in the mix. I’m more of a Pujols kind of fan than an Ichiro fan.

A rod is more important as long as you have a functional reel. A new/better rod doesn’t gaurantee more fish. Experience, not rods/reels, catches fish.

I have older reels from a variety of manufacturers, but my last 8 or 10 purchases have all been Lews or Daiwa. They work just fine and that’s all I’m interested in.

Tica Dolphin 2 piece, 8’, 1/2-2oz. I went through this a few years ago and with travel rods and the choices are limited. I have a Lamiglas 8 or 9’ 2 piece steelhead rod that I think is 1/2-2oz. Best you can do is put on a pot of coffee and your internet sleuth hat, and get comfortable.

I looked around just now and I think you might need to look at travel surf rods. 7’6” - 8’ 1/2-2oz might be a deal breaker. You might have better luck going with 9’ and settling for a 2 piece.

How have they made a reel that’s $300 better than the Tournament Pro LFS? B.S. - they haven’t.

Looks like they have Tatula 100s for $94 after discount code. Never mind - sold out.

Just a guess, but that long “tail” might be causing short strikes. Maybe try cutting a half inch off of the legs, and a half inch off the “tail”. Worth a try.

After 17 years In CA, Japan, and P.I., I retired out of AIMD Oceana in ‘01. I’m from Frederick, and wanted PAX for my last tour, but no joy. I was lucky to get anywhere East Coast. I continued to work at Oceana ‘til ‘04. We were probably there at the same time. The whole shebang has gone woke - no thanks.

As a Navy Airedale - meh.

Not even if I hit the lottery.

Tackle Direct is having a “beginning of summer” sale. I’m tapped out, but there are some good deals if you look around.

I throw a Beetle Spin. Guaranteed to catch fish every time. Big bream are fun.

My only recommendation is that if you crank with your left hand when using spinning gear, go with a left hand baitcaster. Unless you want to cast with your right, switch to your left, and crank with your right. Plenty of good reels at $150.