little giant

Yes, the 80 is great! I also didn't know it was discontinued.... I bought the Gomexus shallow spool for mine, was my first plunge into bfs.

No matter, I use both and my highly educated thumb!

Looks like a great time!! Try a spinnerbait and buzzbait, can be some violent hits!!!

@new2BC4bass The company is spool speed bearings, the owner is Scott. I use his abec 7 and 9 in most of my baitcasters. Major difference, less effort for long casts.

If it has to be spinning, look at MH,fast, salt inshore rods in your price range. Will have the fast tip but more backbone than a freshwater rod. Falcon, Bull Bay, Fittzgerald are all good brands.

Thank you Glenn!! I'm a happy boy again!! :)

Check out Fitzgerald, Bull Bay, and Falcon Rods. Explore their websites and call them for recommendations. You may want to change to a monofilament leader so there is some stretch in the line to avoid tearing their mouths. On casting setup I just use mono on the reel, spinning is braid to mono. Be sure to use jigs with fine wire hooks!

Welcome to the forum!! And from our great state of Florida! (I'm on the East side) Go to the Falcon Rods website and explore their rods. They have what you're looking for at a variety of prices. I recommend one from the lowrider series. Great rods, I have a bunch. As for reels, any from the major brands, I lean towards Diawa and Shimano. Tatula 100, 7 speed is a great reel.

From the state of year round heavy vegetation: Heavy action rod, 65 lb braid, no leader! 1 oz swim jig w/ sweet beaver trailer, 1 oz punch rig, 5/0 superline ewg, uv speedworm or magnum lizard with front legs removed, 3/4 oz rattletrap with treble changed to 1/0 circle crankbait hooks. I've also had some success with a Gambler 6 inch Fat Ace, 5/0 hook, 3/4 oz worm weight pegged and superglue. Heavy vegetation is a real piece of work, but the really big girls live there!!!

I have an assortment of 15 Falcon rods going back 25 years, fresh and salt, casting and spinning. Originals, Cara, Expert, Lowriders, Evo, Clearwater, and Coastal. The Cara's are great rods for the money. That said, I like the Lowriders as well. My favorite Lowrider would be the swim jig rod. MH, I use it for swim jigs, chatterbaits, jigs w/trailers, and was using it for spinnerbaits, but now have a dedicated rod for them. I use Loomis, Kistler, Dobyns, etc, but some Falcons are always with me.

You can tie a weedguard on the jog while tying the skirt. Use .020 stainless wire or heavy mono leader, 60 or 80 lb. Single, double or a loop. You tube is your friend! Easy and cheap!

The ones I make! Lol

Florida! That said, I want to move central/north Florida. Closer to my son in Ocala, less population and traffic, better fishing!

Proud to say I'm an old tackle user. I buy older stuff, refurbish and use. I do use newer baits, some I have and haven't used yet but I will. Can't wait to try them! It's all used in cycles depending on the time of year. Spinnerbaits, t rigs, neds, and flukes are with me always.

Yup! I still have 3 old spinners with the trigger, Shimano BX15, Custom X 2000 and a Shakespeare Sigma whisker titan. All.rear drag. I really enjoyed them. My dad had the otto matic, he loved that mitchell! ( I have his 300 from the '60's)